The Problem with New Champions

Introductory Statement: Let me start by saying that I think the creation of new champions is good and necessary. Eventually the game will get to a point where adding champions will only add to an overflow, but I don't think we are there quite yet. I think there is a worrying trend with the way Riot is introducing new champions to the game that needs to be addressed. What is worrying to me is this trend of adding completely new game mechanics that are only specific to certain champion(s).

**NOTE: **The rough TLDR is bolded in one of the paragraphs below for those who do not want to read the entire post.

We all know there are 5 different roles in the game, but there are also different sub-roles or role sub-types rather. While there are many heros that can be played as a Marksman, Mid Laner, Top laner, Jungler, or Support, there is still some lacking in some role sub-types that seems to limit players options in a competitive context at least. Here, I refer to role sub-type as a sub-type of champions that all belong to a particular role but also fulfill a particular role for their team. I'm a mid laner, so how I think of it is that there are your High Damage Teamfight Control Mages, Medium Damage Mid-Range Control Mages, Supportive Control mages, Assassins, Long Range Poke, etc. And that's just for mid lane as an example. I think that it's important to continue introducing champions to some sub-types, because it is very limiting when 2-3 of bans can completely wipe the most viable options for a given sub-type.

• Think back to Ryze, Azir, Viktor mid lane meta . These were champions that if you asked me, fit under the High Damage Teamfight Control Mage sub-type. But if all three of these champions were banned, suddenly teams didn't really want to build a composition around that sub-type of mid laner anymore. This is most nearly because either there weren't enough champions to choose from in that sub-type at the time, or the other options that were there weren't deemed to be good enough to be played competitively. This is an example of why I think it is necessary for Riot to continue adding new champions, because this is not a problem specific any sub-type or even any role.

As I mentioned before, the worrying part of the trend with Riot's new champions is the addition of game mechanics that are specific only to certain champion(s). Here, I will try to explain what exactly I mean when i say "new mechanic."

• I think of grounded as being one of these game mechanics that, while is currently available to two champions , for the longest time was only available to one . Grounded is an effect that cannot be replicated by any champion besides Cassiopeia and Singed, so this is an example of what I mean by "new mechanic." I think that another example is Camille since she has an ultimate that confines a certain champions movements to an area with absolutely no exceptions, and there is no other champion that can replicate this kind of an effect.

• I think that Zilean is a good example of a champion that is unique and inventive, but does not necessarily introduce new mechanics to the game. The idea of a stun with double bombs is interesting and unique, but the end result is still a stun and Zilean is certainly not the only champion who has stuns available to him. While there is no other champion that can really revive an ally, I do not think of it as a game mechanic that is specific to Zilean. Since guardian angel is an item, this is an effect that can be just about replicated for any other champion in the game. Zilean's ult may operate a bit differently, but the end result is the same.

• Another example of a champion that is unique and inventive but does not introduce new game mechanics is talon and his wall jumping. While there are no other champions with this exact ability, the ability to jump over walls is not exclusive to Talon alone. He's just much better at it than other champions. And this ability is part of what makes Talon a unique champion from other assassins without giving him his own game mechanic. I could go on with more examples, but I will stop here.

(You can think of the following paragraph as the TLDR paragraph) I think that the problem with the way that Riot is introducing new champions is the way that Riot is giving new champions abilities with effects that are unavailable to any other champion in this game. A lot of the time, when people pick Camille for example, I have to wonder if she is being picked because the Top-Laner actually enjoys playing her or if she is being picked because of how valuable her champion-specific game mechanic is. When champions are introduced this way, it makes champion select more about "What game mechanic do I want to have for this game" rather than **"What champion do I enjoy playing that fills the role sub-type I want it to fill." ** If you ask me, a continuation of this trend will only result in unhealthy game balance. I am not saying Riot should stop making new champions. I am saying that it is very possible to make new, fun, good, and creative champions that are good at providing a certain role to a team WITHOUT giving the champion a new mechanic that is specific to only that champion.

A note to help clarify some confusion: In writing this post, I am not in any way trying to start a debate on any champion in this post. When I mention Camille, I am using her as an example. I am not trying to debate or start a debate as to how broken or well-balanced she is. Thanks for reading!