Analysis on the new Azir update on the PBE

Still early to say but In my previous thread i talked about how the new changes will push the skill cap of Azir even higher and i believe i wasn't wrong. First of all Azir is now a more closed ranged champ and that itself will increase his skill cap floor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4TxCyB5VEw

This video is a good example of the new Azir on the PBE server. It actually dominates the rift here because it's in the right hands and also because the enemy team kinda sucked, i believe.

The way azir now works is that now you'll be poking much less in lane due to that Q range nerf but the pokes will hurt more since Q and W base damage numbers have been increased at early levels. You'll have a much easier time farming because of the buff to your W point-click range but your stab damage will deal less damage to targets caught in the stab range, but were not your original AA target. Before a lot of your power came form your Q range but now, most of your power comes from your new AS passive on your W, which in fact will force you to max W instead of Q first; even more so because your Q Ap ratio has nearly been halved. The new AS passive will be very difficult to make use of early game due to CD issues and mana issues due to the fact that you need 3 soldiers but it can be a great way to burst down enemies when your jungler ganks i.e. using your E to generate the 3rd soldier.

So once you maxed W and you have less mana issues, at least level 10+, you'll want to use 2 soldiers and your E to generate 3 soldiers or just wait for your 3rd W recharge to generate the 3rd solider. This will give you 60% AS for 5 seconds (max level ) on top of the original passive which is 60% as well. If you want you can generate another soldier after 5 seconds to get the AS boost again for further 5 seconds. You'll then proceed to using your insane AS and 70% AP ratio on your soldier base AA to deal your dps. With some peeling, late game Azir will be a monster without a doubt. Although you'll be much closer in the heat of the battle and generating 3 soldiers will require alot of planning and risk.

Lastly your E can be used really well against assassins to avoid burst but its noteworthy that you'll travel slower than before when E'ing and since your Q range has had an range nerf you'll find that you no longer will be able to W, E, Q past 2 terrains at once (some of them).

Many people believe that these changes will shift azir to more of a top laner than mid and the fact that he'll now build some tank items. I think that is correct. Lets assume that you meet a roaming enemy and its 1v1. You will first W and try to W again, then you'll want to E to generate the 3rd soldier as you won't have enough time to generate the 3rd soldier with your W. The E will give you an instant shield and from now on then you will want to make use of your new AS passive. To do that, you need to be able to avoid getting burst down because your 70% Ap ratio and insane AS on your W is more than enough DPS for you. This will no doubt increase azir's skill cap and i am not so sure if this will improve his winrate as most games don't go past mid game where he will be able to use his new passive effectively. Its down to another champ having all of its focus on one of its skill, very typical balancing by rito. Any thoughts?