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Mathematical proof that Riot can't (or doesn't care about) balance.

My eeeeel·5/5/2016, 2:00:15 AM·4 votes·863 views

Vladimir was having a hard time this season, having 47% winrate overall and 44% winrate above diamond. It was clear that he needs change (as a buff) and I was looking forward for it through this patch.

On April 8th, when Riot posted item update for patch 6.9, as math major and a vladimir player for 7 years over 3000 games, I did calculation for every possible build he can build (http://www.inven.co.kr/board/powerbbs.php?come_idx=3369&my=post&l=1495702, in Korean) Found all build are mostly nerf for vlad before remake. (Mostly due to removal of WOTA) So I was expecting him to be buffed a lot through remake.

When Riot posted the numbers on remade vladimir, I calculated his damage, sustain, and possible skill combos. (http://www.inven.co.kr/board/powerbbs.php?come_idx=3369&my=post&l=1500758) Also, in Korean The result was, 25% nerf in damage (sustained) despite more risky and unreliable playstyle.

His eq combo DPS throughout all levels decreased by 25%,

His lvl 6 combo got nerfed from 748865 (+3.06 AP) to 563803 (+2.1 AP + 0.025 Additional HP) (has to have 2080 additional HP at lvl 6 to compensate, which is impossible)

His full build combo got nerfed from 1960 (+3.13 AP) to 12291775 (+2.452.93 AP + 0.05 ~0.1 Additional HP) (5 HP based tank items needed to compensate basic damage nerf, at maximum combo and not practical)

His sustain became negative, and even with ult, the healing increased (without WOTA) only by 50%~250% (needs to land 5 man ult). Compared with vladimir before remake and with WOTA, he was healing -300%~170%.

Just through calculation for a few hours, I was able to see it that the change only can be a nerf. Riot had SEVERAL MONTHS to prepare the remake and testing through PBE, but couldn't do this simple arithmetic. As result, his kit is disastrously arranged and winrate among the lowest in league history.

It is just ridiculous that no one in balance team could check the numbers through high school math. Through this, it only seems that even if Riot wants to make balance better, they can't cause they are bad at math.

22 Comments

Live2LetDie5/5/2016, 2:19:32 AM2 votes

"As a math major and a Vladimir player for 7 years"

Vlad was released in July 2010... I think you need a new major

Zoeeee5/5/2016, 2:40:12 AM1 votes

News flash, PBE is just for buggtesting. I wish they'd stop adding half ass'd content, and take the time to balance everything out. There can be unbalanced stuff (yi) that still has healthy gameplay patterns, but there shouldn't be stuff like brand fizz and ekko.

Zenderana5/5/2016, 2:12:15 AM1 votes

they didn't check because they feel this is necessary to better the game even if it means fucking players like us over

Quepha5/5/2016, 3:26:40 AM1 votes

Didn't they also buff his base stats and early game power a lot? I think it's intentional for his late game potential to be less when he's balanced to be able to do something besides feed in the early game because that extra gold from a good early game translates into more power acquired later on. There's also the fact that the entire game climate went through a big change this patch and there's really no telling at what would be a good or bad late game dps value until they get some actual data from live servers.

I think everyone just kindof accepted that balance was going to be wonky for a patch or two just like the other class updates.

CrazFight 5/5/2016, 3:39:11 AM1 votes

[slayer-pantheon-popcorn]

CrazFight 5/5/2016, 4:55:01 AM1 votes

[slayer-pantheon-popcorn]

Arvangest5/5/2016, 3:10:27 AM1 votes

Yeah, Vladimir suck right now, i was farming on min 29 and when i see i was half hp ... just of farming. Non of hp cost champions have that problem, dont know why riot took that way.