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Why is Riot dumbing Akali's mechanics down...

kda akali·6/15/2019, 4:41:21 AM·6 votes·4,479 views

https://i.redd.it/2kbmpqmyae431.jpg

Basically just lowering her skill expression. Overall this is a nerf that targets mid Akali and it probably benefits toplane Akali more...

R being targeted means that toplane Akali will have a substantially easier time playing with her ult than mid Akali will. Melee toplaners against her have to get close to fight her, they don't have cc like champions mid do, and it will also improve the tank Akali build. She won't get insta-bursted if she builds tank.

Making the wait timer inbetween R1 and R2 less is just lowering her skillcap, not much to say here. Akali players are just gonna R1-Q-gunblade-ignite-R2 to kill someone and get away freely.

Removing the restealth shroud increase is a bad idea. It should be used as an aggressive tool, not a stand still in shroud until you have everything up. It seems like Riot wants her to use it as just a way to wait until her Q is back up.

Removing the E-W interaction is the most stupid thing here imo. Using the E-W combo lategame is one of the things that separates a good Akali from a bad one. She can W-R1 backwards- E to shroud- R2 to assassinate and then dash back, it's very risky if the enemy team notices the R indicator. It also requires alot of setup and makes Akali vulnerable to cc. It's one of Akali's more advanced combos. This combo is also mostly used by mid Akali also.

Right now im just scared that Riot is pushing her into toplane and lowering her skill expression. Lowering skill expression isn't a satisfying way to nerf a champion that's good in high elo. Riot should actually try to change her mechanics but keep her as a mid to high skillcap champion.

37 Comments

Get Ogre Here6/15/2019, 5:34:35 AM5 votes

This game can't handle skill expression. This isn't an insult to Riot or the players, just a fact. Think about the champions that have been problematic.

- One of the most skill expressive champs of all time, and one of the most consistently unbalanced champs of all time. Goes without saying. - Similar to Ryze but more recent. never is very good, and is never really balanced. - One of the only skill expressive tanks ever made, and they had to remove the skill expression to make him less unbalanced.

I could go on and on with Akali, Irelia, and more, but you get the point. Skill expression isn't necessarily a good thing in this game, unfortunately.

2Charmnot2Charm6/15/2019, 7:12:52 AM4 votes

R being targeted means that toplane Akali will have a substantially easier time playing with her ult than mid Akali will.

Meanwhile you're forgetting the fact that Akali can't use R to escape in any direction anymore, the only time she will be able to use it to escape is if she has an enemy minion directly behind her. She already has shroud, and E to stall for time, the extra two dashes added into the mix just makes it more pointless ganking an akali. Taking away 1 ground targetted dash is perfectly fine.

Removing E+W sucks though.

Revert AkaIi6/15/2019, 4:13:56 PM2 votes

4 second Q cool down is the craziest thing here. This version of Akali is made to rapidly Q passive proc and repeat that. Using shroud to help keep her safe when getting passive ready, and waiting for Q cool down. Making cool down 4 seconds is just destroying what this Akali was meant to be (weaving in and out of combat dealing damage).

Jinzo Torrance6/15/2019, 12:42:36 PM2 votes

Insane how many of the new reworks/releases need to be gameplay updated very soon after, huh? It's like the guys who made them have no hands to test the champions when played at peak performance and have no clue how to make them work without pumping overtuned functions in their kits.

Plus Akali has a 46% WR so most of the Akali players could use a less brain intensive kit looks like.

The thigh guy6/15/2019, 5:03:03 AM2 votes

It’s so it’s isn’t a free escape tool and requires no thought other than “I don’t wanna be here”

Akali is SO HOT6/15/2019, 7:44:22 AM2 votes

These are all just straight up huge nerfs. The compensation buffs are complete garbage. What is the point of these changes?

Average Ahri6/15/2019, 2:04:49 PM2 votes

I hope this shit isn't true or im gonna flip the fuck out

WyteWoon2/6/2020, 1:56:03 AM1 votes

how come e cant travel to champs anymore and i literally cannot use r anymore, like i went an entire ranked game not being able to cast r and i lost cuz of it its fucking infuriating me

iiGazeii6/15/2019, 5:07:56 AM1 votes

The duration extension isn't her restealth timer, it's the extra 3 seconds of shroud duration she gets when she attacks inside it. Her shroud just won't last as long.

RiotRepertoire also said that they'd increase the range of her R1 so she could engage from farther away.

The E-W combo isn't what separates the good Akali's from the bad, it's a gimmick at best. Even Prof. Akali was totally fine with losing this.

Remember, these changes are tentative, and probably not even implemented. He literally sent then out as an email to the team to mull over, they aren't patch notes. Give it a bit before jumping off the rails. The whole problem with Akali is that she is garbage in solo queue with too much presence in pro play. Curbing some skill expression to give her better scaling and a more traditional rotation is exactly what they should be doing.

Xavanic6/15/2019, 5:56:16 AM1 votes

Rn she's too overloaded, the re stealth increase is a very NEEDED change, and tbh, her overall kit needs to have less synergy, its too punishing to players vs an akali master, she can literally win any lane after 6 rn so long as she can survive the initial leveling (which in top doesn't even matter since most tops are melee anyways, meaning she wins the lane right there) i wouldnt mind seeing some more early dmg nerfs aswell, or maybe even a cost increase on her early Q, laning against a good akali is not interactive gameplay its just anti fun

Daddy Ants6/15/2019, 11:02:08 AM1 votes

All they have to do is remove the toxic "True Stealth" mechanic from her kit and she will be a healthier champion.

Revert her back to the normal stealth where True Sight fully reveals you and makes you attackable.

Once that mechanic is gone. Akali can be re-balanced into a fair and healthy champion.

jurrrr6/15/2019, 5:30:44 PM1 votes

I would be very surprised if the E change went through. I doubt it will go through tho