Opinion on The Assassin Update
Hey Boards! Since the info for the Assassin Update was just released, I thought I would give my honest opinions on it. BE WARNED: I have not played or tested the update at all (no PBE for me) so take my opinion with a grain of salt. Speaking of salt, I'm gonna have some of that; I don't agree with some of the changes and additions coming to League.
ITEMS
We're getting new items and changing some old ones. I don't really disagree with a lot of the changes. There's one thing I don't like though.
Redemption. Oh god, I don't like this idea. An item that heals your allies, deals MAX % HEALTH TRUE DAMAGE (hate that mechanic), has big range, and can be used while dead? This item doesn't have balance to it. Healing? Sure. True damage? Eh. Max % health true damage AND use while dead? No.
JUNGLE
I love the idea of plants getting added, like I did dragons. And the number and mechanic changes to jungle camps are fine in my book. But seriously Riot, don't make the jungle THIS MUCH RNG. You said you removed smite buffs because players would always use smite for the same things and for the fact that some plant effects and smite buffs overlap. Firstly, I imagine that plants can be changed to coexist with smite buffs. And second, you don't balance something by removing it. Taking away smite buffs instead of altering the system doesn't balance it. If removing something was how it got balanced, Aatrox probably wouldn't be in the game! I love the idea of having a reaction RNG in the jungle, but does my ability to invade and prevent invades HAVE to be based off a random factor? This'll probably turn me away from the jungle.
ASSASSINS
For a change of pace from the salt, I like the changes assassins are getting! Rengar's kit looks cool, Talon is gonna be a shitload of fun, Katarina actually takes skill, and LeBlanc is actually a deceptive champion! The minor scale changes are good too. Ekko may not be as much of a problem anymore, or at least have some power taken away from the Triforce+tank build (Skeptical about his ult applying a stun though...) I can't wait for what Kha'Zix's new evolutions could provide, wish you went into more detail on them though.
VISION
Rengar and Twitch getting Evelynn's camouflage is a good change, can't say I agree with much else though. Vision Wards being changed into the vision/anti-vision Control Wards is a neat touch. But now welcome to the preseason of invisibility champs! Getting a Vision Ward (Control Wards now?) was the best way to counter annoying and damage-y as hell champs like Vayne and Akali. Now what? We get Akali more mobility along with her shroud, and no way to see where she goes unless we get a red trinket! And hope you aren't a champion that basic attacks a lot, because red trinkets don't make targets... targetable. The effectiveness of vision in all forms varies between different skill ranks. If you're around Low ELO, your support is more likely to buy a Ohmwrecker than a Sightstone. And they're about as likely to buy Vision Wards too. You want assassins to have more counterplay and mechanics to them? Make them play around with an enemy's vision.
OVERALL
Despite my negativity, this update looks like it can shape into a great change. Some stuff needs working out, but hey, it's still in the PBE and anything can change. For all we know they'll add Dr. Mundo as an assassin. To summarize what I said...
- Items can work out well, but Redemtion needs changes, at least to me
- Smite buffs can be fixed, don't make the jungle RNG
- Assassins are looking FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINE
- Vision?
