@Riot,Meddler,Statikk,RiotRepertoir You asked for feedback and thoughts. Here are mine on Vel'Koz

Hey Riot, Here you asked the community to give feedback and opinions on Malzahar, Vel’Koz, Brand, Vladimir, Cassiopeia, and Zyra. I'd just like to share mine on Vel'Koz.

I pick Vel'Koz because he is fun to play as in most mid lane match ups, and is versatile in what he can do for his team. Landing combos of E+W with a Q directly before or after is satisfying and feels impactful. The only other feeling that rivals that is obliterating an entire enemy team in a bottleneck with his ultimate (or when you kill the fleeing enemy with that perfect Q geometry). Playing him into assassins such as Zed, LB, or Fizz is fun and feels like a skill match up rather than them just bursting him before he can react. His CC and poke definitely helps in that regard. But probably the biggest reason I'll bring him into a team, is if I see we need a tank buster mid. His true damage is one of his biggest defining points as a mid laner. And not having a cool down on the true damage proc just reinforces his fantasy of disintegrating his targets until there is nothing left.

Riot, there are many players, Vel and non-Vel players alike, that agree that Vel'Koz is close to perfect right now. I'm sure you've noticed that from all the support the top comments in your Mid-Year Mage Update have. And I agree with those players but, I also agree he doesn't feel extremely distinct mechanically compared to other champions like Zyra, Ziggs, or Xerath.

My only plea is that if you are to increase his distinctness, focus on his passive with possible tweaks to no more than two of his abilities.

Here is an example of a change that could reinforce his tank busting power and the change would only effect his ultimate. Decrease the total magic damage of the ability (hear me out before you downvote me!) but increase the number of passive procs and rate at which they are applied. Now this will give him a ton more power in a 1v1 situation so lets take some power away from his 1v5 damage with his ultimate. I propose that the laser stops at the first enemy champion hit (it still passes through monsters and minions the same as it does now). This would mean that in teamfights, the frontline of the enemy team, usually tanks, will be taking the brunt of his ultimate's true damage. Rather than the entire team trying to disperse away from his ultimate, this provides a game for the enemy team. Do they move to block damage from the squishies? Or disengage entirely? Similar to how a grouped enemy team reacts to a Caitlyn ultimate.

I myself am somewhat wary of a change even like this, but I feel like Lux has the "Laser doing damage across the whole of the enemy team" space. No matter what you do, please make it clear that you are expanding on one of his current identities and making him distinct in that respect. Please keep his changes to the minimum. And please be patient with the community. We just love very much and are scared of having another or be made from a champion that is precious to the community.

Thanks for listening!