The Maokai Change Is What Riot Should Have Done With Malzahar

Following the tank update, Maokai's sapling damage was a bit out of control. Especially at early levels when Maokai was played in the support position. It only took 1 patch for Riot to address this issue. How did they do it? By nerfing sapling mana costs and damage especially early on. But was that it? No, Riot also strengthened Maokai's Q. Why? Because "we wanted to be sure Maokai still has the strength he needs to make it through the jungle and top lane."

That's fine. But this approach is the one which should have been taken with Malzahar. Voidlings were a problem bot lane with Malz support. So it's totally justified for Riot to nerf the voidlings. But did they shift power elsewhere in his kit to maintain his viability mid (or even jungle)? No, they didn't give him any compensation what so ever. This has left Malzahar in a terrible spot and it has now taken Riot 3 patches to address this issue.

Riot should have buffed one of Malzahar's other abilities (either his Q or his E) when they basically removed the functionality from his W.