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PROBLEMS with LeBlanc's proposed changes

Zavion·3/7/2018, 10:15:03 PM·1 votes·667 views

#So if we quickly compare the new proposed LeBlanc to what LeBlanc was like before her rework in the assassin update: Here's a link to the post in question: https://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/developer-corner/g3irv9JI-leblanc-mini-revert-context

##To re-iterate: This is comparing the proposed "revert" changes compared to LEBLANC BEFORE THE ASSASSIN UPDATE (v.6.22)

>Passive Identical.

>Q Identical.

>W The same except: 1 second less freedom to blink back to your pad with. - hard nerf Reduced time before snapback is allowed. -minor buff

>E No slow. - hard nerf Smaller tether range. -minor nerf Damage weighted on the second half rather than evenly split. -hard nerf when considering it's much easier to break the chain now.

>R RQ damage weighted on second half. - minor nerf RW 0.9 > 0.6 ratio change. - massive nerf RE 0.6 both instances > 0.3 & 0.6 respective instances. - massive nerf, (also inherits the nerfed mechanical changes from normal E.) Cooldown from 40/32/24 > 110/75/40. -massive nerf

So what you can expect is a seriously weaker version of old leblanc before the assassin update. In addition to:

  1. No more Shadow of the Rose (which was incredible for many different plays)
  2. Less combo options, as R is again dictated by the previous spell-cast.

Riot's position in the main post is that they felt her shadow of the rose didn't play into the thematic of being an illusionist, because it could scout and block skillshots. Blocking skillshots in my opinion is perfectly fine, because it's a difficult mechanical feat to achieve, it's a very long cooldown, and it functions the same as both Shaco's and Wukong's. Scouting; fine, just remove it's vision.

Riot were also concerned that "combos didn't matter", and that people were "just waiting until the mark was up". How exactly is making LeBlanc OLD LeBlanc a remedy to this? Reverting her R functionality completely undermines the very premise they use to justify a change as it seriously inhibits combos and spell order.

As far as I can see; current LeBlanc is not overpowered, nor is she underpowered. She has a clear place in the meta. She is unique in function and in theme as a champion. She has time for counterplay. She has esttablished core items, and the liberty to itemise situationally - just like any other mid laner. So I cannot see any reason why she needs a change.

I'm open to debate and discussion, and would love some proper discourse to perhaps change my mind. Because quite frankly the proposed changes (whilst not finalised) are making me feel pretty gloomy.

p.s I'm going to miss shadow of the rose: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UeM_P4JOpc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02Vm9s4Av7Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2ujfUWH_uo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOKuz4ICKJs

2 Comments

Merivoid3/8/2018, 2:49:55 PM1 votes

I have to agree. Reverting LeBlanc will not fix whatever "problems" Riot has identified. They claimed LeBlanc was a problem before the assassin update, which is why they changed her in the first place. Reverting her will just put her in that state - which i'm sure you'll agree was far more oppressive than what she is now with the mark cook time. All it does is move some minor playstyle and theme issues that riot have, and turn it into the problems of being a mechanical nightmare to play against like she was before. Unless Riot plan on going through with the EXACT proposed changes - in which case she'll just be unable to perform at all with the blanket nerfs across her whole kit.

I think LeBlanc is balanced as she is. And she is smooth once you get the hang of her. She's a complex champion so of course it's going to be a little difficult to get the hang of her, but it's rewarding once you do. Rewarding, not oppressive. She has clear counters, and windows for counterplay. I don't know what all the fuss is about.

Merivoid3/8/2018, 3:03:17 PM1 votes

##I posted this on the EUW version, and felt i had to post it here too:

Precisely. The reasoning behind Riot wanting to revert her is:

1.Her Shadow of the Rose being able to scout and block skillshots doesn't fit in with the theme of an illusionist. In my opinion it absolutely does, it being able to tank a skillshot is what makes it convincing - just like shaco and Wukong's duplicates. In addition it's a very long cooldown and difficult to pull off if you want to block a skillshot. You could make a case for scouting - but if it's such a problem then just remove the vision radius.

2.LeBlanc doesn't think about combos as much as they'd like, and people are just left waiting for the mark. Firstly; reverting her to a place where she has far less combos is not a solution to this problem at all. Secondly; people absolutely do think about combos here. The sheer number of times i've decided to double chain to lock down someone like Ahri, or the amount of time's i've double-dashed to catch someone with a chain for my team, or indeed getting a 2 or 3 man W and using an RQ to have the bounce rip them apart in a fight, and of course the fabled Q gunblade RQ (electrocute) combo for those fast 1v1s. LeBlanc has an abundance of combos that people use. Yes indeed the mark does most of the damage, but the reason people wait for the mark is because the chain has the same duration as it's cook time, and the chain is used a lot. Otherwise, it's just waiting to cast RQ on the mark - which is fine as far as i'm concerned, because it's exactly the kind of counterplay that Riot intended. Giving people a window that makes LB predictable and vulnerable.