Thoughts on Katarinas Strengths in 5.22?

3ofGot40ve·Nov 11, 2015·1 votes·505 views

With all the powerups of AD champions and the increased cost of most AP items, anyone have any idea on how she will fit in?

5 Comments

TeCoolMageNov 11, 20151 votes

Get gunblade on her, build AD Katerina, gg.

I think with all the item changes, I wouldn't be surprised if she found herself in an odd AD build spot

3ofGot40veNov 11, 20151 votes

Eww lol please no

TeCoolMageNov 12, 20151 votes

Nah jk

Hybrid Kat is better

gg Ez sleeper OP

Gunblade, WOTA, youmuu's, Sorc boots, Rylai's and malmortius/AD item

VekknaNov 12, 20151 votes

It's not looking good from the notes. Here are some major issues:

BIG ninja nerf to ulti with grievous wounds change. Fucking up a Kindred's ulti heal was really awesome....for one patch.
As an AP stacker, the new AP finishing recipe costs are extremely gold inefficient. Stacking components early (eg NLR > Wisp > NLRx2) before completing anything may be the best way to keep snowball pace.
Mejai's is a big question mark. It ought to be inefficient because of the mana, but the price and base AP didn't change. The 10% MS is much better for Kat than the CDR, and it's easier to get. The component is 5 less flat AP, but early Glory stacks and the +healing from pots may be enough to make it worthwhile. If the Glory stacks carry over to a completed Mejai's then you could hedge your risk by sitting on the Dark Seal until 6-10 stacks so you get 25 extra AP on upgrade instead of 0.
Laning was indirectly nerfed by giving better mana sustain across the board and stronger hp sustain to AD and mana-users. It's a fucking poke in the eye.
HP sustain throughout the game is taxed heavily. HP pots are more expensive. EVERYONE has a great refillable flask option except for Katarina. Corruption Potion may become a viable/superior starting item even though you're paying for mana return. The wallet rape from consumable potions is just too high over the course of a game.
Situational / niche / hipster items nerfed or made unviable. no longer triggers on ability use, and it would have been a very efficient and versatile item on Kat. was strong on Kat for the active, but the build path made it hard to work in without losing momentum; the Cutlass price increase essentially removed it from viability.
I'm not sure about the masteries just yet. The Cunning keystones look promising for the added assassination burst or MS buff to GTFO or chase on resets. Overall, it looks like an overall damage nerf, and the loss of static % MS and trinket range (for shunpo clutch escapes) are both really disappointing.
The discounts on and are interesting when compared to the big increases on every other item you want. Vamp is worthless on Kat for dueling, but WOTA is now one of the most gold-efficient final items per point of AP. With the huge tax on potions, Riot's "fuck you" on the flasks, and loss of some in-lane sustain advantage, WOTA may be a very efficient item. Another consideration here is that the mage mastery and Corrupting Potion are going to really eat away at your hp while taking fewer attacks. Fewer enemy attacks means fewer opportunities to punish mistakes. Acid poke plus fewer windows of opportunity means you're just going to need more consistent hp return.
The Rift Herald could be a game changer. I'm concerned the meta may favor running a top and mid that can solo it. If that's the case, gg Kat. On the other hand, if RH does enough damage that tanks struggle to solo it, then it could present a roaming opportunity where Kat would be ideal. We'll have to see. In general she sucks ass at monsters, so this may be another reason to take a look at WoTA.

3ofGot40veNov 12, 20151 votes

A bit dissappointing considering i just spent money on a skin for her. Hopefully they will buff her up a bit to fit in. Otherwise im going to hve to figure out a different play style.