How to Combat the Tank Meta

Ok sure but why·Oct 31, 2016·2 votes·571 views

This is just a thought.

What do all have in common?

They give tank stats, and they make you do quite a bit of bonus damage. The reason the Tank Meta exists is because tanks can build damage and tank, when everyone else can only build damage. It makes League turn into the "Who Has the Highest Armour" contest.

If anything, tank items need to do less damage and focus more essentially on what makes a tank a tank - CC. I'd prefer a healthy balance and a choice between CC and Damage over what we have now - no choice, but just both, only to the people who build full tank.

On the other hand, I hardly ever see get used, anymore.

22 Comments

Zero Skill TankOct 31, 20168 votes

Whatever meta we are in, it's most definitely not tank meta.

Ok sure but whyOct 31, 20161 votes

When was the last time you heard anyone say, "Oh, that's why he died to Jinx; he built item 3075 item 3025 item 3742 item 3068 item 3047 item 1409 ?"

Zero Skill TankOct 31, 20162 votes

So tank items are not effective on marksman, and than means we are in tank meta?

Ok sure but whyNov 1, 20161 votes

No, the fact that tank items are undeniably, always 100% effective. One of the biggest spites people have against Yasuo is when he builds superbly tanky after just two crit items. Some guy posted a video on the boards showing two full tanks wipe a Jinx out in half a second, and all anyone said in the comments was, "Well DUH, Poppy had an Iceborn Gauntlet." Every time someone complains about a champ in these boards, all anyone comments is, "Build more tank items."

EndlessSorcererNov 1, 20162 votes

Some guy posted a video on the boards showing two full tanks wipe a Jinx out in half a second, and all anyone said in the comments was, "Well DUH, Poppy had an Iceborn Gauntlet."

That video showed Jinx being deleted by Poppy and Zac.

While I'm going off of memory, you seem to be leaving out that:

Poppy and Zac were both two or three levels above the Jinx (while levels can provide a massive amount of raw stats and ability damage)
Poppy and Zac were both half or a full item above Jinx
Jinx was caught out alone by both of them
Jinx was hit by both of their full combos (including the wall-stun from Poppy)
Jinx was far away from the rest of her team (with only the Janna nearby who provided little help)

Base damage hurts like hell when all you have is base defenses. If you are building pure damage, you have to watch your positioning and rely on your allies for protection.

Ok sure but whyNov 1, 20161 votes

So what you're saying is, Jinx wouldn't have been as fucked if she too built full tank?

EndlessSorcererNov 1, 20161 votes

Not in the least.

ADCs generally want to purchase at least one defensive item at some point in the game. The following are some viable options (but by no means inclusive):

item 3139 item 3072 item 3143 item 3102 item 3026

This is fairly standard for all ADCs unless they are confident enough to use a double Zeal build (and even then, Bloodthirster or Mercurial are viable options).

If they are having trouble surviving long enough in fights to deal damage, than purchasing even a mid-tier defensive component (i.e. Giant's Belt, Chain Vest/Warden's Mail, Negatron Cloak/Spectre's Cowl) might be enough to let them survive until an ally can aid them.

You don't deal any damage if you are dead.

As I said previously, Jinx was horribly mispositioned. She was behind while the enemy tanks were rather fed and she left herself isolated from her team. If she was grouped, her team would have been able to peel for her.

If the ADC couldn't position correctly, then purchasing part of a defensive item (i.e. Negatron Cloak, Chain Vest, Specter's Cowl) to survive their burst damage long enough to escape could have let her survive long enough for someone to help her escape.

Besides, Jinx was essentially alone against two fed opponents who managed to surprise her. In that situation, it wouldn't really matter if they were tank, fighters, assassins, mages, supports or ADCs; she would have been dead regardless.

RalanrOct 31, 20163 votes

How the hell is it a tank meta?

Nameless VoiceOct 31, 20162 votes

I want to know where your tank meta is, because no one ever wants to play a tank in my games.

GULAG 4 UOct 31, 20162 votes

it's not a tank meta lmao

ZT XperimentorOct 31, 20162 votes

Yeah because an extra 200 physical/magic damage over time is gamebreaking; while other champions can deal 5 times that in a shorter amount of time.

Handy Sandy Oct 31, 20162 votes

Tanks do damage because they get close to you. Don't let them get close to you by kiting them.

Zach SandwhichOct 31, 20162 votes

I use Randuins...

Ok sure but whyNov 1, 20161 votes

good

Mecha MaIphiteNov 1, 20162 votes

tank meta ended when they nerfed cinderhulk

Dale WardarkNov 1, 20162 votes

I play Jungle tanks and I can't tell you how many times I've been kited by ADCs who have more movement speed than me, even with Sejuani's Ult and E. Even Hecarim can get kited by a Caitlyn or Ezreal.

O Fallen ScholarNov 1, 20162 votes

Tank meta? Wait waht?

PermabannedGarenNov 1, 20162 votes

[{quoted}](name=JZ Jora,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=NjtuchIE,comment-id=,timestamp=2016-10-31T23:04:33.516+0000)

when everyone else can only build damage.

item 3001 item 3812 item 3022 item 3152 item 3151 item 3156 item 3139 item 3046 item 3027 item 3116 item 3040 item 3053 item 3071 item 3072 item 3748 item 3078 item 3091 item 3157

Swiftstrike4Nov 1, 20162 votes

We are not in a tank meta at all. Tanks can get killed incredibly fast, even if they build full tank.

item 3025 item 3742 item 3068 were all nerfed since the end of last season and over the course of this season.

We are probably in a "high damage, armor pen, and mobility" meta. Flat armor penetration items are very strong, mobile champions are strong, and damage is often picked over being tanky AND/OR damage champions are building tank AND still dealing damage.

I guess we sort of entered a "mini tank" meta with damage dealers building tank...and still dealing damage.

Let's see:

Tank Fizz Yasuo Ekko Fiora Vladimir all quickly come to mind as champions that were building tank AND still dealing A LOT of damage. These champions all had their kits nerfed.