what causes an "op" champion?

cope moment·Aug 22, 2016·4 votes·402 views

in most cases, what leads to an op champion? is it a buff that went too far, or maybe an item buff? could it possibly be people figuring out new builds and uncovering hidden potential?

5 Comments

dunder killAug 22, 20162 votes

It can be a million different combinations. Some examples:

direct buff to the champion
buffs to their core item build
overloaded kit
shift in the meta
overtuned rework
people figuring out a new strong build
been strong for awhile but not many play them for some reason

There's really no black and white answer

AvienalAug 22, 20161 votes

{quoted}

It can be a million different combinations. Some examples:

direct buff to the champion

buffs to their core item build

overloaded kit

shift in the meta

overtuned rework

people figuring out a new strong build

been strong for awhile but not many play them for some reason

There's really no black and white answer

The one that stand out the most is namely the overloaded kit though. A meta shift usually will affect more then one champion, it just takes time for people to experiment on a variety of champions to discover them. Its usually guranteed that when a champion is first released, the kit they will have will likely be extremely powerful since the PBE likely has alot of players who don't point out the 'overpowered' parts of a champion making it less obvious that those need to be hit up before the offical release.

New Strong builds and the whole 'sleeper' because no one touched them that often only once again 'occurs due to meta shifts' making people be more aware of other champions and try to find those magic bullet combinations.

Darius, Twitch, Reworked Ryze, Illaoi, Nautilius, Akali, Shaco, Ekko, Yasuo, Kennen, Anivia, etc. all have in common are either multiple gimmicks on one ability or the kits they have tend to have some extremely powerful synergy that it might as well spawn 2 to 5 more 'tools' to their kits as a result. Whether it be insane scaling, old 'gimmicks' that never were re'tuned to match up to current gameplay standards and as a result of being ignored, allows them to have the equilvency of being able to summon a blue eyes white dragon without release in the Yugioh TCG, "It makes them extremely broken because they weren't made to follow the current rules on their mechanics."

As for the new'er champions its a result of gimmicks that make them extremely potent and what would normally be the weakness they would have is easily covered and then some by simply building certain item combinations (mobility deadman's plate for one thing on juggernauts) and then they become unstoppable forces that can't even be 1vs1'd safely even if your are using the same exact champion as them but they have much feed then you do and less of a chance of being 'out skilled' by a champion mirror match up. If they actually received proper changes early on, they would be more in line with other champions, meaning they have to force the players to play smart, then be able to screw anyone they go against or gank.

EedatAug 22, 20161 votes

The one that stand out the most is namely the overloaded kit though

The thing is even an overloaded kit can be weak if they adjust the numbers low enough. For example, if they changed Ekko's E and Q to do 1 damage at all ranks with no scaling. He would be pretty weak. On the flip side, if they changed Urgots Q to do 1000000 damage at all ranks, he would be broken. You wouldnt say he has an "overloaded kit", you would say the base damage on his Q is way too high. I know these are extreme examples but I'm just trying to make a point here

AcidTheWarlockAug 22, 20161 votes

A kit can be a bit overloaded and/or powerfully complex as long as it has clear weaknesses to compensate, ex. giving a champ good damage, mobility, and utility, but making each one not so great and leaving them vulnerable during key points of the game where those aspects fall off or aren't strong enough.

On the flip side, champs can be focused around 2 core principles and succeed, as long as they have reliable ways of winning using their strengths. Massive sustain with decent damage, for example.

I'm sorry if I sound really scientific and in-depth, I just love kit design

[slayer-jinx-catface]