Why Rift Herald Harms the Game
Before you drop plain Hate responses, keep in mind, majority of the community are low elo players (easily over 8 million in NA). I am discussing Scenario of a realistic expectations, and not the top 10%.
To me, the introduction of Rift Herald was unnecessary. If anything I find this buff only beneficial for jungler's additional 5 stacks on Devour, faster 'B'asing, thus improving his lane presence.
However, I absolutely dislike the idea of early baron buff prior to 20 minutes because I Believe it will put your lane behind.
From my experience, as a Laner, I wouldn't want Herald's on me since I am still trying to earn easy gold from farming. Imagine a scenario where you are behind, or fed several kills to top, and you earn Herald's buff. For one, your chances of pushing the turret are slim vs a Fed lane and going back to the base is pointless since you are still lacking the farm but your wave clears it faster than you can last hit. Going into other lanes would only put others behind because of your selfish Buff. If the scenario reversed where you are FED 3/0 vs your lane, why on earth would I want to push the turret yet, when I can easily bully my top lane and deny him farm?
Sincerely, from my jungling and top lane experience, I don't know how to utilize Herald's prior to 20 minutes. In diamond and higher Elo I can use it to push the turret and roam other lanes with minor success. While the top lane can freeze under 2nd turret and catch up. I find this buff very limited to certain Positive scenarios and lacking in negative scenarios.
Rift Herald's buff rather jeopardizes the flow to successful lane/game.
