That's it. I really am confused about the decision to have him as a projectile champion. He smacks them with his wing. He wallops them with his hand-mirror. He has no AA projectiles. In those cases, why isn't he considered a melee champion? It makes sense and tbh I'd enjoy playing him much more if he was. Even if he's got range on his AAs, it's still melee AAs even if there's extension on it. I hope that Riot is deeply considering making him melee.
UnboundHades16 votesthe reason he is ranged is to stop him from going relic and being tanky when he shouldnt be, his playstyle should be going in then getting out quickly not going in and staying in for the entire fight
The Highest Noon5 votesthe reason he is ranged is to stop him from going relic and being tanky when he shouldnt be, his playstyle should be going in then getting out quickly not going in and staying in for the entire fight
I'm sorry, but what part of two-proc heal, two-proc shield, melee knock-up, and melee charm makes you believe that he isn't supposed to be tanky?
Hell, I build a relic shield anyway. What does him being melee change aside from when the item is allowed to work?
UnboundHades4 voteshis shields are basically nonexistant if you dont get any ap or heal/shield power. his w is gonna be combined with his r in later fights which negates the delay on it due to them being unable to fight back and that also makes the "melee" charm a ranged charm in that aspect
if he was melee than he could use relic and would in turn have to have higher base stats which would make him a weaker version of an ali or malph due to the engage being almost the same if you decide to go tank compared to a squishier build where you actually have a more meaningful impact in the game by going in and out constantly
Profirix18 votesActually Riot directly nerfed him last patch because they claimed he was too tanky. They claim that his mobility is his strength and should not be combined with tankiness.
The Highest Noon1 votes[{quoted}](name=Tongue in Cheek,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=UcXwW2Lz,comment-id=000100000001,timestamp=2018-08-21T17:47:33.651+0000)
Actually Riot directly nerfed him last patch because they claimed he was too tanky. They claim that his mobility is his strength and should not be combined with tankiness.
If that's the case, they gave him a weeeird kit. He's full of heals and shields. I guess in a way that could help with mobility, but still.
Chembaron Yamada3 votesNot really. If he had been supposed to be tanky, then his heal and shield wouldn't scale solely with AP, but with HP.
Look at basically every shield that a tank uses, they all scale with their HP. Rakan was supposed to have a similar playstyle like an assassin, he jumps in, does his fancy stuff (in his case, the fancy stuff is CC instead of damage) and immediately jumps out with his shield again.
It's basically the same like they didn't want Ekko to get played as a tank. Ekko does have CC, a shield and a heal in his kit, just like Rakan. But if a hyper mobile champion like him is allowed to build tank, then he becomes insanely frustrating since it becomes impossible to kill him, thanks to the tankiness and easy escapes.
The Highest Noon1 votesMakes sense. Still weird, though.
Automated Riven1 votesThis was the reasoning for making him ranged. However if you duo with someone and are good at lasthitting then relic does work.
Psyrix1 votesThe part where his stats were intentionally kept relatively low and the nature of his kit so he wouldn’t incentivize building tank. He was never meant to be a tank, which is a large reason for the nerfs he got last patch. He’s supposed to flit around in teamfights, not staying in one position for prolonged durations.
The q and e actively prioritize him not being in the front line, The passive ult and W facilitate his engage. He can act as the initiator, but a Rakan prefers to be the follow up disruption.
LeftyRaydy2 votesthe reason he is ranged is to stop him from going relic and being tanky when he shouldnt be, his playstyle should be going in then getting out quickly not going in and staying in for the entire fight
Ha "going in and out quickly!"
When in doubt, pull out.
Teridax682 votesThat doesn't quite work, because Rakan still ends up buying tanky items and becoming more durable. There are also far more gameplay implications to being ranged than just not being able to go for Relic Shield, as it does have some impact on his laning and last-hitting, and digs into his power budget. If the goal is to avoid having Rakan build tanky, it might perhaps be better to give him a Pyke-like passive where he automatically converts the tanky stats he obtains into AP, particularly since it would also solve the issue of him currently building stuff like Knight's Vow and becoming more durable.
Oakleaf Ranger1 votesThat doesn't quite work, because Rakan still ends up buying tanky items and becoming more durable. There are also far more gameplay implications to being ranged than just not being able to go for Relic Shield, as it does have some impact on his laning and last-hitting, and digs into his power budget. If the goal is to avoid having Rakan build tanky, it might perhaps be better to give him a Pyke-like passive where he automatically converts the tanky stats he obtains into AP, particularly since it would also solve the issue of him currently building stuff like Knight's Vow and becoming more durable.
I mean he goes a tanky build in general like Pyke because going full ad/ap isn't viable in most games. They just get blown up and because of their close range play style, need the defensive stats to function.
This may not necessarily apply when laning against a melee support, but ranged support hurt like a mofo and have on demand heals/shields to negate your poke.
Teridax681 votes[{quoted}](name=Oakleaf Ranger,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=UcXwW2Lz,comment-id=000100020000,timestamp=2018-08-22T13:13:47.003+0000)
I mean he goes a tanky build in general like Pyke because going full ad/ap isn't viable in most games. They just get blown up and because of their close range play style, need the defensive stats to function.
Sure, but then that creates the awkward scenario where these champions have to build at least somewhat tanky, but are at the same time discouraged to do so via scalings in their kit. If that were the problem, Rakan would still have an adjustable lever with his innate shield, and Pyke would have his health and armor/MR growth.
Oakleaf Ranger1 votesSure, but then that creates the awkward scenario where these champions have to build at least somewhat tanky, but are at the same time discouraged to do so via scalings in their kit. If that were the problem, Rakan would still have an adjustable lever with his innate shield, and Pyke would have his health and armor/MR growth.
Well that is the current awkward situation they are in. With riot constantly nerfing their base stats and damage as a result. Except the player base is still going to keep doing these tankier builds until they are no longer viable and then be dropped by all but their die hard mains.
Why?
Because their intended damage focused builds (at least in Pyke's case) don't work in general. They get CCed before dying or getting chunked so hard they need to back by champions who did go a tankier set up or have built in sustain or shields.
Teridax681 votesThis I can agree with, and is part of a larger balance problem. With that said, increasing a champion's durability will, by definition, make them more durable, so even if they cannot get tankier from items, there will come a point with buffs to their stats that they will become survivable enough for whichever meta they're in.
PopcornBunni9 votesI think both him and 
should be counted as melee during their close range attacks which have unique animations. That way they need to be close to minions to proc 
and they can't abuse long range 
"melee" procs.
The Highest Noon3 votesI think both him and
TBH That was my first thought on it, since Thresh is commonly using Relic Shield anyway. They have the animations for both ranged and melee so it makes sense.
SanKakU1 votesI suppose it would have to be melee only for the purpose of attacking which I believe they have not coded yet. Probably could do it, though.
PopcornBunni1 votesI suppose it would have to be melee only for the purpose of attacking which I believe they have not coded yet. Probably could do it, though.
The only one that would have an issue in terms of coding would be since it checks for melee at the time of its purchase. Everything else could check on the frame an attack is issued and set the attack type accordingly. And if that means Rakan and Thresh can't buy Tiamat or its upgrades I can live with the offtank Thresh build being a dream that will never be.
Sona Ping1 votesI think both him and
If Caitlyn was a new champion, with modern animations, and she hit people with the butt of the rifle when they were close to give visual variety to her animations, would she be a melee champion like Thresh should?
The Highest Noon1 votes[{quoted}](name=Sona Ping,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=UcXwW2Lz,comment-id=00020002,timestamp=2018-08-22T02:07:30.409+0000)
If Caitlyn was a new champion, with modern animations, and she hit people with the butt of the rifle when they were close to give visual variety to her animations, would she be a melee champion like Thresh should?
Almost hit the mark but you seem to be forgetting that Thresh doesn't have projectiles.
Sona Ping1 votes[{quoted}](name=The Highest Noon,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=UcXwW2Lz,comment-id=000200020000,timestamp=2018-08-22T02:30:16.022+0000)
Almost hit the mark but you seem to be forgetting that Thresh doesn't have projectiles.
So? I'm not forgetting that because that's entirely irrelevant. This doesn't have anything to do with animations, or projectiles or whatever.
A champion's range classification is determined by their range, of course. Thresh is not a melee champion because he hits enemies outside of melee range. Yes, Rengar outranges a lot of projectile basic attacks but that's with an ability, that doesn't count for this. Thresh is ranged because his unmodified attacks hit people at a range 3X or more than most melee champs
The Highest Noon1 votes[{quoted}](name=Sona Ping,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=UcXwW2Lz,comment-id=0002000200000000,timestamp=2018-08-22T11:55:11.310+0000)
So? I'm not forgetting that because that's entirely irrelevant. This doesn't have anything to do with animations, or projectiles or whatever.
A champion's range classification is determined by their range, of course. Thresh is not a melee champion because he hits enemies outside of melee range. Yes, Rengar outranges a lot of projectile basic attacks but that's with an ability, that doesn't count for this. Thresh is ranged because his unmodified attacks hit people at a range 3X or more than most melee champs
That's a terrible means of deciding it, then. Ranged champions should use projectiles. If not they shouldn't be classified as a ranged champion. The entire point of a champion being considered melee is because of how they use their weapon.
Look at Draven and Darius. Both of them use Axes. Difference is, whereas Darius uses his melee, Draven throws his. As well, Darius has abilities that extends his range with his Axe. None of those are considered Ranged abilities.
SugeMinPikk3 votesTo prevent relic and tanky builds. Rakan is meant to be a squishy diver that darts in and out while applying CC, not a face tank CC bot
Terozu3 votesHe whips people.
The Highest Noon2 votesEverybody keeps mentioning Relic Shield as if you can't built Relic Shield on him anyway.
Aside from Riot's "intentions" for the champion, I see no reason whatsoever that he shouldn't be melee. He has the kit for it. He has the animations for it. His stats have nothing to do with it. Riot's intentions have nothing to do with it. His playstyle has nothing to do with it. You can play him the exact same way if you just switch his coding from "Ranged" to "Melee;" All it does is change him from optional Hurricane to optional Hydra. So, I ask you... Why shouldn't he be considered Melee?
He has access to Relic Shield, regardless. This excuse would make sense if Relic Shield were a melee-only item.
His core gameplay doesn't change. I'm not saying to rework him, I'm saying they should change his coding.
He does not have ranger animations.
I can't think of a single solid reason as to why he's Ranged.
CatnipTerminator2 votesThe only reason I want him to become melee would be the full 
effect :v
Shmeeve1 votesrakan isn't melee cuz he is a support
theChibiTina18 votesThat doesn't make sense. Braum, Pyke, and Blitzcrank are all examples of melee supports.
Shmeeve1 votesIt does
Shmeeve1 votesbecause I said it does.
The Highest Noon8 votes[{quoted}](name=Lord Apex,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=UcXwW2Lz,comment-id=0000000000000000,timestamp=2018-08-21T16:19:31.530+0000)
because I said it does.
You are the lord apex but I disagree. A ranger does not support a ranger, a ranger needs a front line.
See, Rakan has a line of bitches. That means, he should be melee support.
SanKakU3 votesBut Blitzcrank isn't actually a support...and neither is Pyke. They are just the 'lane partner' at bottom that buys the income item. I mean don't get me wrong, I think his statement is dumb as well. But you could have put in Taric and well, Nunu I guess? instead of tanks/assassins.
The Highest Noon1 votesBut Blitzcrank isn't actually a support...and neither is Pyke. They are just the 'lane partner' at bottom that buys the income item. I mean don't get me wrong, I think his statement is dumb as well. But you could have put in Taric and well, Nunu I guess? instead of tanks/assassins.
That reminds me, is Nunu even classified as a Support anymore?
SanKakU1 votesYeah I don't know, haven't played the new Nunu yet. I'd classify Sejuani as a Rift Herald, but I'm sure they did a better job with Nunu's rework. [slayer-jinx-wink]
The Highest Noon1 votesYeah I don't know, haven't played the new Nunu yet. I'd classify Sejuani as a Rift Herald, but I'm sure they did a better job with Nunu's rework. [slayer-jinx-wink]
I'm not even talking about the new Nunu lol I mean Nunu in general. I haven't seen talk of him being a support since like Season 4.
SanKakU1 votesHe's been solid he's just ugly so people int if he's on their team. They even buffed his W so he's even flexible enough to satisfy mage lane partners but people still looking down on him. People would rather play 
than Support Nunu, sadly.
jocomotion3 votes
I’m sorry, can you run that by me again? Because he’s support?
Shmeeve1 voteshe's a bird?
jocomotion2 votesYou’ve just insulted every one of Azir’s soldiers. You monster.
CasterGilgamesh1 votesi want him melee because im tired of not being able to take
Automated Riven5 votesThats why he is ranged tho.
CasterGilgamesh2 votesits a bullshit reason removing a decent option for the sake of it
Automated Riven2 votesNo. It's not 'for the sake of it'. It's because if rakan could tank half as well as Leona/brain/alistar he would be beyond broken and gutted into Oblivion. You can't have stupidly tanky, parred with best in class mobility, engage and fairly ok shielding and healing. That's asking for broken. (plus his shield gets minions more miles if he can proc it multiple times in the middle of a fight.)
Psyrix1 votesYou can still take relic tho... u just have to pay attention to when u auto.
The Ecdysiast1 votesGuys, guys, you're missing the easiest explanation for why Rakan is melee:
They were too lazy to create a completely different animation for Xayah's W on him.
HungryAngry2SPP1 votesHe's ranged, so you can go mid, and shit on any Zed/LB/Rengar/Wu and don't get harassed to much while farming.
Colgate Gator1 votesMost likely so he doesn't auto-abuse Relic shield, ala Thresh.
The Highest Noon1 votes[{quoted}](name=Postal Badger,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=UcXwW2Lz,comment-id=000f,timestamp=2018-08-23T14:42:17.163+0000)
Most likely so he doesn't auto-abuse Relic shield, ala Thresh.
Anybody can use it tho lol I don't see how Relic is an argument. I'd understand if it were a melee-only item, but it's not.
