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An explanation as to why I think support items need to change

CaptainAntiHeroz··2 votes·1,114 views

Firstly let me just get it out there: If you disagree with my opinion that's perfectly fine; however, I would greatly appreciate an explanation to understand what the community has a different opinion on so that I can evaluate my own opinions. Original post here

https://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/gameplay-balance/ZsrpmfxF-riot-support-items-and-what-could-be-done-to-improve-them

Secondly WELCOME To yet another attempt to actually open a discussion about the state of the meta (or lack there of) and it's effect on supporting. (In my opinion after over 800 hours and 203 levels with 400+ cumulative champion mastery points to credit this opinion)

Please if you do actually leave a comment, keep it civilized. MOVING INTO THE TOPIC AT HAND

Having played A LOT of games this season alone, I've experienced highs and lows as I'm sure we all have. However following the conquerer patch... And the stormrazor patch and buffs, and then buffs to adcs, I as a support main (and Yasuo player, yes I'm ashamed but hey it's the truth), witnessed first hand the insanity that instantly flooded my humble bot lane. I of course wasn't initially shocked by the changes because I had reached M7 Lulu by taking Kleptomancy (aka get polymorphed then watch helplessly as I get three free procs on you) and resolve (to become THICC) and rushing frostfang and righteous glory. The infamous bronze elo destroyer of worlds, Klepto Tank Lulu. Then it happened, Swain and Morgana bot lane.....

Now I'll be honest, I've played some oppressive "supports", like electrocute and font of life Zed (and press the attack Zed support), Camille support, Irelia (both iterations) support, Kayn (that one failed sadly) and more. However in all my time I've never felt so powerless against any bot lane comp (maybe their jungler but definitely not those fools who dare challenge me at my own game of see who can keep their chucklehead alive the longest). Not only can Morgana clap almost all my picks, but SWAIN? To keep it brief that game didn't last long because Swain had black shield and Zhonyas so no one could kill him.

Then there was the Draven... Stormrazor prebuff, about level 9 and I was Soraka with aery and resolve secondary. One auto and then boom 1/3 hp gone, even the tabi didn't reduce it, I had the Ruby Crystal and a nomad's with about 40 hp off Overgrowth and with conditioning in action for a few minutes now. Land a q, lose all the HP you would've gained.

I've already discussed the struggles of out last hitting an Ezreal with your Targon's...

So yeah.... Basically your super squishy and punished for falling behind, like to the point where you can't ever comeback in a game anymore, you just have to pray the enemy makes a bad play and throws....

Anywho I've got an appointment, eager to see the DISCUSSION that happens.

6 Comments

Whisper873 votes

I think even outside bot lane comebacks are super hard to come by now days. The game is way too linear. You don't have to use your brain as much to win. It's become arm wrestling when it used to be more like chess. More like tug of war when it should be more like boxing. I chalk this up to yet another case of Riot catering to casuals, or several cases actually rolled up into one big problem.

Game knowledge no longer feels like an advantage and that's and issue. The win variety of win conditions has been narrowed. it's not great. Most games feel like they play out the same way. On top of all that I know that many people out there agree with me with me when I say one sided snowballs are not very fun whether winning or losing. When my team hard snowballs I'm like "alright let's not play with our food please just end as cleanly as possible and let's go next".

As to your point about supports feeling even weaker than others if they get behind early, here's an idea. All the support items that scale with level "locket, knvights vow, etc" instead scale off the average level of ALL Players in the game. A nice low key change that won't be game changing usually but here and there will win or lose a team fight, will let 1 person live, etc. And I think that kind of low key change is necessary after several huge game changers have come out in the past year. I really think Riot needs to deviate from doing those so often.

CaptainAntiHeroz1 votes

{quoted}

I think even outside bot lane comebacks are super hard to come by now days. The game is way too linear. You don't have to use your brain as much to win. It's become arm wrestling when it used to be more like chess. More like tug of war when it should be more like boxing. I chalk this up to yet another case of Riot catering to casuals, or several cases actually rolled up into one big problem.

Game knowledge no longer feels like an advantage and that's and issue. The win variety of win conditions has been narrowed. it's not great. Most games feel like they play out the same way. On top of all that I know that many people out there agree with me with me when I say one sided snowballs are not very fun whether winning or losing. When my team hard snowballs I'm like "alright let's not play with our food please just end as cleanly as possible and let's go next".

As to your point about supports feeling even weaker than others if they get behind early, here's an idea. All the support items that scale with level "locket, knvights vow, etc" instead scale off the average level of ALL Players in the game. A nice low key change that won't be game changing usually but here and there will win or lose a team fight, will let 1 person live, etc. And I think that kind of low key change is necessary after several huge game changers have come out in the past year. I really think Riot needs to deviate from doing those so often.

I'm okay with change, but I better get compensation for having to support people through the clusterfuck riot created, and not have games that play out like: We have an Ashe they have a Kaisa, and even if that support on the enemy team is do utterly wasted they can't spell their own name, it doesn't matter because hybrid damage and true damage are countered in very different ways... Did I mention the Ashe adc? I knew it was going to probably be gg in champ select when I saw the Ashe (or Tristana rip) pick, but I wanted to at least maybe not ya know INT TOO Locket: gives a shield based off your health but doesn't give you health (even though sightstone, the item that used to allow this to be bought earlier on was removed, and the current support items don't give you nearly as worthwhile... Anything really)

I love the variety, but give us some way to survive, you've already madeitem 3114 less efficient so that you HAVE to complete the full item to get any value out of it And with the lack of item 3649 (the actual sightstone icon is gone rip) hp your locket (which also doesn't get the added active CDR from Ruby sightstone) shields for less than Karma's level one e without aery or her r. Laughable and lamentable at the same time RIP

COBRA C0MM4NDER2 votes

I like to think of myself as a botlane specialist, sure I'm in elo hell bronze 5. but I didnt have to carry myself there. I WAS DRAGGED IN!

And yes, I've done the flavour of the month supports nd had a fine time...but some champs? Fuck my life. one good hit and you're hiding behind the turret praying they dont flash/kill your ass.

Worst comp I had to face botlane was Fiddle and Raka. it was weird, it hurt and I was left in a puddle of my own mess confused and dead. (still shakin from the fiddle fear too)

but I'm in the dumpster after achieving B2. (best ever was S4-5 hit silver/gold 5 that year on a garbo smurf i neglected playing Sion bot)

but the current itemization for us supports is kinda sucky. I liked previous years when we had some versatility in items and wiggle room to be really strange and get lopsided engages for it.

But now, we are just cookie cutter backlaners if we face certain champs/comps.

more so if they know what the fuck they doing b'y!

CaptainAntiHeroz1 votes

[{quoted}](name=Wile E Coyote,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=YOeGzvEH,comment-id=0000,timestamp=2018-07-10T18:19:34.464+0000)

I like to think of myself as a botlane specialist, sure I'm in elo hell bronze 5. but I didnt have to carry myself there. I WAS DRAGGED IN!

And yes, I've done the flavour of the month supports nd had a fine time...but some champs? Fuck my life. one good hit and you're hiding behind the turret praying they dont flash/kill your ass.

Worst comp I had to face botlane was Fiddle and Raka. it was weird, it hurt and I was left in a puddle of my own mess confused and dead. (still shakin from the fiddle fear too)

but I'm in the dumpster after achieving B2. (best ever was S4-5 hit silver/gold 5 that year on a garbo smurf i neglected playing Sion bot)

but the current itemization for us supports is kinda sucky. I liked previous years when we had some versatility in items and wiggle room to be really strange and get lopsided engages for it.

But now, we are just cookie cutter backlaners if we face certain champs/comps.

more so if they know what the fuck they doing b'y!

Omg Perma heal and free harass ouch

COBRA C0MM4NDER2 votes

Game knowledge no longer feels like an advantage and that's and issue.

RIGHT FUCKING THERE! this one gets it1

CaptainAntiHeroz1 votes

[{quoted}](name=Wile E Coyote,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=YOeGzvEH,comment-id=0002,timestamp=2018-07-10T18:23:19.823+0000)

Game knowledge no longer feels like an advantage and that's and issue.

RIGHT FUCKING THERE! this one gets it1

Lost in champ select Ashe Tristana

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