@Balance Team, Ryze gameplay update thoughts and potential tweaks
PASSIVE Okay, so I like the concept of this "windows of opportunity" thing, but the shield seems to disappear rather quickly. As a sustained damage-dealer, should it not last longer but soak up less? Yes, you want to be able to take hits, that's why the shield is there, but if you're positioning properly, you're most likely not getting any use out of it. You seem to activate shield, kite backwards, shield runs out, then you take a large hit since it goes away by the time the opponent catches up. I'd rather it be a significantly weaker shield that I can reliably use, as this fits more to the theme of "close quarters sustained" gameplay. Example: Riven shield can be activated by choice at any point in time, but it's larger as a result and doesn't last as long. Ryze only gets partial control and the shield is still too short, although the strength is debatable. tl;dr: Exchange power for reliability, but don't remove the purpose entirely (windows of opportunity).
Q Q is a very fast skillshot, and it feels satisfying to use. However, I think with the way Ryze is now, he should have a longer but weaker Q, possibly a little slower as well. My rationale behind this is that you kite backwards, but to emphasize use of the passive, you kite kite kite until you can turn on the opponent, R Q E Q W Q then back to kiting if your opponent isn't sufficiently slaughtered. This would also justify the stronger and shorter shield that's in place currently. If a weaker and more consistent shield is given, I think Q is fine the way it is.
W Yeah, this fucking spell needs a range buff. I know it's intentionally shorter than E to make Ryze less of a "keyboard masher", but more often than not it ends up that unintentional clunkiness and mispositioning happen because of how similar the ranges are. My proposal is to make the cage a circular skillshot that roots the opponent (after a .25 second mark appears where the spell is cast, it shoots from the ground and roots everybody in the small area, similar to the size of his current root) where he casts it. Not only does this make it more versatile, but it's effectively more skill based, meaning it can be afforded more range, and has the opportunity to be counterplayed. This will also distinguish it from E, which would then be the only targeted move in his kit.
E Seems alright, although maybe a bit weak. Will have to do more testing.
R Once again, thematically, if you want this move to fit, you would need to make it longer at earlier levels but less impactful. Toning up the length and down the damage really sells the sustained portion of his damage role. However, as stated in the Q section, I think this move shares the same theme as the passive and fits quite well the way it is IF Q becomes weaker but longer-ranged.
That's all I have for now, I hope a Rioter could comment on this. I'm very passionate about honing my analytical skills to someday be apart of the balance team.