I believe that AP burst isn't working fully to its potential at the moment.

JavelinJoe·Mar 29, 2016·12 votes·788 views

Correct me if I am wrong, but with the few exceptions (Lux and Elise primarily), AP burst champions who rely on abilities to kill their targets seem to be underperforming due to the AD/Tank centered META we currently are in. There are plenty of options for AD/Tanks to survive an AP mage burst in terms of itemization and masteries (warlords bloodlust will save any ADC who happens to not be killed in the combo). Hopefully, in the future mage update, either some new items or masteries maybe, will become available for AP burst mages in terms of defensive or magic pen, so they can more easily fulfill their unique role, either by dealing more damage, or having a greater chance at surviving the brief period when their combo is on cooldown. Maybe even an item similar to how ROA scales over time.

16 Comments

Horse GrenadesMar 29, 20168 votes

item 3070 Deathfire Grasp

BigPooStormMar 30, 20164 votes

I think the biggest problem is the itemization that allows AD mids and ADCs so much anti burst. You have item 3156 item 3139 item 3053 that are routinely built on AD champions that work too well in shutting down AP burst mages. Like if you're an AP burst mage going against Zed, they'll rush a hexdrinker making it unfairly difficult to 1v1 unless they make a big mistake or you get a gank. Hell they'll even build all three item 3156 item 3139 item 3053 because those items are just too good against burst mages right now, and good luck ever killing them if they get those items.

Chaos Milk TeaMar 30, 20162 votes

For the most part, mages are: weak to tanks strong against large groups of squishies weak to assassins good at sieging

Assassins are strong right now, which is bad for mages tanks are strong right now, which is bad for mages games end on one ace, not from long hard fought battles, which is bad for mages

The meta just doesn't favor mages right now.

JavelinJoeMar 30, 20161 votes

I'm gonna have to disagree with the sieging part but the rest is definitely true to some extent.

Chaos Milk TeaMar 30, 20161 votes

Mages do aoe burst damage. Jungle battles and tower battles are some of the most clumped team fights in the game. It's an aoe wet dream.

JavelinJoeMar 30, 20161 votes

unless you get zoned out, or can't burst down any of them

WacingTheFindMar 29, 20161 votes

Sorry, but AP doesn't exist in league of AD, please go to league of legends.

JavelinJoeMar 29, 20161 votes

I've heard once of such a game, but try as i might to reach said game, it still manages to evade my grasp

L0ve Is BlueMar 29, 20161 votes

RIP Syndra

Psi21Mar 29, 20161 votes

Meddler wouldn't get this post if it smacked him in the mouth as he said "Kited for days!" God I hate some of the devs. in this game who season after season just make tankie dps ridiculously strong.

This mage update will be like the last mage update they said they were giving after the removal of DFG.

MofoJamesMar 30, 20162 votes

Lol, if only the folks at Riot could be as smart as you.

Psi21Mar 30, 20161 votes

{quoted}

Lol, if only the folks at Riot could be as smart as you.

If they actually played their own game they would know.

Doesn't look like you have been playing long yourself...

Lets just class you with them ;)

MofoJamesMar 30, 20161 votes

That's because Thunderlords was crowding out other options and had to be nerfed

10TicklerMar 30, 20161 votes

The other big issue here isn't as much that AP's lacking burst.

It's that AD champions have been falling away from Sustained damage to a more burst damage model.

With someone like...Caitlyn, for example. Her AA's hurt, yes. BUT, building a Zhonya's does help you survive it more, because it's reducing the effectiveness of each individual AA, and giving you time to walk away, recall, or regen health.

But with a champion like Jhin, or Lucian, their damage mainly comes in Bursts. They generally AA slower, but they're weaving more spells between each AA, and giving a quicker burst of sustained damage, that's harder to survive.

The Opposite side of the map, let's look at a few other champions, starting with older champions and comparing them to newer ones.

Garen - Q, E, maybe a few AA's then an Execute-damage dealing ultimate. E's Damage isn't instant, however, it does do MORE damage over a longer duration, requiring him to stay in closer. Gnar (about to Hulk out) - Q - Rageform LEAP, Ult, Stun, House Similar Damage, but able to be done to a wider aoe, to more people, in slightly less time.

AD Assassins ARE supposed to be bursty, I will grant them that, their kits reflect it, with a high Risk/reward play style, and generally Mana Costs/Cooldowns and Health scaling to match. Their issue is how Survivable they are in lane right now, with AD itemization, Maw, Mercurial, Sterak's, all giving great Stats, Great passives and in Mercurial's case, a fantastic Active. Right now, they're too good to NOT be used, which is part of why the AD assassins are ramping up.

JavelinJoeMar 30, 20163 votes

Yeah, but IMO Zhonya's is only good for certain situations which the active can be used effectively, such as surviving a zed ult or when used with Kennen or Lissandra's ult. And for early on the armor is nice, but 45 armor wont be enough for mid - late game since item 3156 gives 10 armor pen and counters AP at the same time. Not to mention item 3033 item 3036 item 3071 item 3142 item 3147 .

10TicklerMar 30, 20161 votes

And unfortunately, the prohibitive cost of Zhonya's Restricts it to the Mid-game, if it's rushed. Meanwhile, the AD Assassins and burst carries are scaling into their 3rd or 4th item, and continue to burst you to half-health, then dive turret and finish you off.

Turrets need a significant buff, AD assassins need less synergy with AD itemization, and Burst-Carries need more restrictive mana costs. If a Level 6 Syndra can't use her full combo without going OOM, and MAYBE getting a kill, there's no way a Level 6 Lucian should be allowed to Q-AA-E-AA-Ult and do twice the damage.