So why doesn't Viktor see more play?

Because his mobility is lackluster and people would rather play Xerath who has better range.

When everyone was crying about Akali destroying them, I was laughing at all the Akali tears.

Join the Glorious Evolution!

Lots and lots and lots of propaganda resulting in a small fanbase. People still have yet to realise his item and kit have been reworked.

Case and point: Rob's post. 100 MS steroids on a possible 2.4 second cooldown? "Low mobility."

A laser that rivals Nid's spear range? "low range."

:P

He has a ton of counterplay is probably the main problem.

Compare him to Annie. Viktor has stronger poke and a MS buff. Otherwise everything they do is similiar, with Annie being better at it.

Annie: 920+2.45ap Viktor: 1010+2.33ap

Viktor has slightly higher burst. But Annie's is instant and unavilable(you can dodge the laser, or at least the second part making Annie's burst higher. If you CC him mid combo and avoid the AA after Q you lower his damage quite a bit). Didn't factor in what happens after pushing R. I believe Viktor's ult applies it's duration damage right away, while Tibbers waits. But Tibbers can also auto attack. Only advantage Viktor can have in this is that he does build Lichbane. Adding to his burst a good chunk. More or less increasing his Q's AA damage by 90%.

To me his kit says she should be a mid range AP bruiser. Most of his power is from staying in AA range instead of using his abilities at max range. But everything he does is so iconic to him as a champion that they can't just change him to fit that roll better easily.

I personally think this game needs more champions with ~300-400 AA range. How much base power would he get if he became 400 range? Enough to push around the ranged in top lane without being toxic to the melee? This game has very little middle ground in terms of AA ranges. Urgot is about the closest.