Most champions come in 3 categories:
Those who don't use mana
Those who don't worry about it after a certain phase or item
And those who always worry about it no matter what.
All of these have their own problems, but I think Riot is making the mana situation worse.
Teridax684 votesYou're right that mana isn't exactly in the best state, but I think the situation's improved drastically, not worsened. For all the complaints people make against the updated 
, I think it's good that we no longer have an item that single-handedly makes mana costs irrelevant. Every champion with a cost to their abilities, whether it be mana, energy, health or any other resource, should have meaningful costs at all levels.
As for mana itself, I think the main problem is that it's just not fun to itemize for. It doesn't really contribute to gameplay (unlike mana regen, which allows for more frequent spellcasts), and unless you're 
or 
you don't really feel more powerful for building it. Even items that do convert mana into other stats and bonuses, such as 
or 
, don't really inject a feeling of power or fun into the stat. Mana is seen as a problem players try to eliminate through items, rather than a cool system for gating abilities and granting unique strengths, and that needs to change.
A little while back, ricklessabandon tested out a few experimental changes to Muramana that had a "power-up coin" mechanic, where the active let you spend mana in order to gain a massive attack speed boost and true damage on-hit, and could be used multiple times in succession for greater rewards (and greater costs). While the implementation had a few problems, I think the idea behind it could be a potentially awesome way of making mana itemization rich with gameplay.
Abominate1 votesIMO people should all be in category 3, those who always worry about it no matter what. Except for those with health costs.
Kuroi861 votesI think that would be energy.
Chromatic Eagle1 votesWait you want him using mana, or energy? because category 2 and 3 was about mana.
Kuroi861 votesSorry, was tired and not talking right. The third category, where a champ is always concerned about managing their resources sounds like energy users. Most of which have to hit specific abilities on enemies in order to regain energy or else risk running out and having to wait for it to regenerate.
Chromatic Eagle1 votesAre you saying that should be the standard for energy or that it all ready exists? Sorry for the confusion.
Kuroi861 votesThat is typically the standard for most energy users to my know how. I've only played Zed and Akali among energy users. Shen from what I hear has pretty massive energy costs and has to land his taunt to really get any back. Zed has to land his shadow abilities to regain energy. Akali needs to pop the mark on her Q in order to regain energy. Not sure how Kennen is. The only champ that seems to have it easy on energy is Lee Sin as he is able to regain energy via basic attacks after using an ability, surprised it isn't attatched to one of his abilities, having to hit targets with Sonic Wave or Tempest/Cripple.
Chromatic Eagle1 votesSo then why are so many people pissed at Zed and his energy regen?
Kuroi861 votesBecause a good Zed lands hit shots and doesn't run out of energy.
Yakas1 votesBecause a good Zed lands hit shots and doesn't run out of energy.
Not hard to do so. Just make sure your w Lans close enough to e or q and your fine.
Kuroi861 votesQ is the easier to land by far. E I think is better for zoning, though you waste a lot of energy that way. I will admit though, I just picked Zed up, I miss about a third of my Q's.
Yakas1 votesQ is the easier to land by far. E I think is better for zoning, though you waste a lot of energy that way. I will admit though, I just picked Zed up, I miss about a third of my Q's.
e is just being an aa range or having your shadow be semi close. And a thing to note is that your e slows the enemy if your shadow casts it. This makes room to get a well placed q to hit. Don't just spam your skill like an idiot like i see most zeds do lol.
And if you want to just be funny, ult someone, place a shadow behind them and slow them and just wait til your deathmark is about to end then q and hydra lol. Watching champions hp drop 70% because they never saw it coming makes me laugh.
QuantumLight1 voteskennen's lightning rush is his main drain on energy, using the e early can potentially get you screwed, same as shen.
going through an enemy with e gets energy back.
im a fairly bad lee sin, but that passive doesnt stack, it only counts for 2aas weather or not you just q'd or qerq. If they prevent the aa or u just cant catch up, your energy is gone. Now, i may just be bad, but it can get tricky (for me at least) to get those aa off sometimes.
Kuroi861 votesEven with Cripple applied to them?
Yakas1 voteskennen's lightning rush is his main drain on energy, using the e early can potentially get you screwed, same as shen.
going through an enemy with e gets energy back.
im a fairly bad lee sin, but that passive doesnt stack, it only counts for 2aas weather or not you just q'd or qerq. If they prevent the aa or u just cant catch up, your energy is gone. Now, i may just be bad, but it can get tricky (for me at least) to get those aa off sometimes.
Thing is to mess with your enemy. Id q, w to a minion close by, aa it once or twice, then q back, activate w again to get lifesteal, e, aa, e, aa, q, aa, ult, q
Chromatic Eagle1 votesSo you want people like Mundo using mana too?