Sorcery was supposed to be primary mages tree. What mage will use Nimbus Cloak?

ThePikol·May 8, 2018·64 votes·17,550 views

I feel like Sorcery tree will be useless as primary tree now. Keestones for Mages were already useless, for most there was no difference if you took Aery or Comet and they both become worthless in late game when you teamfight. With Ulti Hat getting moved Mages will just go Electrosute and maybe Sorcery second if not abandon it altogether. Seriously, what mage could and would use Nimbus Cloak? Maybe , , ? It will be useless on most mages as their ultimates either immobilise them, are super long range or are used as execute skill.

147 Comments

TesticliesMay 8, 201834 votes

I agree with you that Sorcery tree seems somewhat useless or weak compared to other rune trees, especially Domination. However, Nimbus cloak seems to be cool because it gives you something more "readable" than Ultimate hat. There are many mages (and let's not forget supports who use Sorcery as either their main or their secondary rune tree) who can make use of the new rune, just to mention a few: Ahri Diana Fizz Kassadin Fiddlesticks Karma Kennen Mordekaiser Morgana Rakan Viktor Vladimir Zoe

I would also like to highlight the fact that Nimbus cloak is not a keystone but a simple rune, which means that many other champions, who would usually pick something else as their secondary tree, can now pick Sorcery and Nimbus cloak as a niche rune pick. I'd like to mention a few champs who sometimes can make use of it: Akali Darius Fiora Hecarim Kaisa Maokai MasterYi RekSai Singed Talon Taric Yorick Swain Skarner Tryndamere

You are, however, totally right in the fact that there are many mages (and also other kind of champions too) who don't profit from Nimbus cloak at all. These champions are the ones whose ultimate either roots them to one place or makes point-and-click moving impossible (or useless). Just a few of these champions: Velkoz Sion Nunu Malzahar Lissandra Kayn Jhin Karthus Camille

But hey, this is why there are other runes because runes are supposed to fit certain champions and playstyles. The old Ultimate hat didn't fit a few champs either, especially the ones with special or low-CD ults, such as: Jayce Elise Karma KogMaw Nidalee Quinn Zoe

I often don't agree with the things and buffs-nerfs they make at Riot, but this new rune seems pretty fun and sometimes game (or at least 1v1 fight) changing. I am really curious about how this will end in the game.

ThePikolMay 8, 201812 votes

I don't think Nimbus will be usefull on Ahri. She doesn't need more move speed after casting R because she usually get some from her passive either way. Besides Nimbus will proc probably only once not 3 times (every R cast).

I don't know how it will interact with Fiddle as he has to channel his R for 1.5s and Nimbus lasts for 2s after casting ult. Does it mean he will only get 0.5s of movement speed?

While I agree some other champs may use it and benefit from this I'm very worried about mages. What should they take in runes now? Domination primary? There aren't a lot of runes they can use as they mostly deal AoE dmg so healing is useless, they don't roam so movement speed is bad. Sudden impact is bad as they are ususally immoblie.

My Waifu VanillaMay 8, 20183 votes

It will probably work like new Essence Reaver where the timer starts after you stop moving (or in the case of Essence Reaver after the first auto). If not I don't see WHY it wouldn't be changed to this if the rune didn't already on PBE. Don't know. Haven't tested yet.

Also, most mages that primary down sorcery take MFB in the tier anyway. It IS the better rune on most mages.

MoonshadeMay 8, 20182 votes

Zoe probably won't like Nimbus Cloak cuz its a 2 second speed up and her ultimate roots her for 1 second (unless Rito balances that by making her get a speed up after she returns to her starting point), and Nimbus Cloak has a 25 sec CD which means it really won't work on her well. Cho who would have loved Hat won't make much use for Nimbus, Eve is in a similar boat, she may like Nimbus for her R if it doesn't kill her target, Fiora is kinda in a strange boat, she'll like the speed but she also likes the CD, Leblanc will like both, Kalista likes both, Katarina totally prefers Hat, Lux prefers Hat, Lucian loves Nimbus but also liked Hat, Malph is a Hat guy, Mao is a hat guy, Zyra likes Hat not Nimbus, Zil Hat, Ziggs Hat, Xerath Hat, Wu either, WW Hat, Voli either, Vayne either probably likes Nimbus, Varus Hat, Urgot Hat, TF either, Twitch Hat, Trundle either, Trist Hat, Thresh Hat, Teemo Hat, etc...

BLIGHTBRINGERMay 8, 201820 votes

This Rune change and other changes like the Marksman Item changes feel like just an excuse to buff Assassins, or AD Assassins in general.

I see Zed MonkeyKing Nocturne Khazix Rengar Talon taking this rune.

ThePikolMay 8, 20186 votes

Yeah, Nimbus + Uli Hat in Dominion on assasins gonna be busted

PercentagesMay 8, 20182 votes

{quoted}

Yeah, Nimbus + Uli Hat in Dominion on assasins gonna be busted

They still have dominion? Oh you mean domination... :)

OleandervineMay 8, 20186 votes

I don't get why Nimbus Cloak didn't go to Domination, and Ultimate Hat stay where it is. Nimbus Cloak makes more sense as a Domination rune, considering how well it meshes with assassins more than mages.

La BelloMay 8, 20186 votes

which is silly because problem with assassins isnt a lack of runes.

Its that they are COMPLETELY invalidated by enchanter Supports( Janna Lulu Soraka Karma ) and summoner 3

until there is a massive rework to both Enchanters and how strong shieldspamming can be in addition to the summer spell Exhaust we will probably never see any true AD assassins see any popularity. What we will continue seeing are ""assassins"" who basically play like mages and excel at catching/kiting Ahri Leblanc Ekko .

CraktiteMay 8, 201818 votes

No one use summoner 3 now as support, and invalidated assassin is the job of support, if they can't do it how can we stop assassin? Assassin are already unhealthy as fck for the game...

HupsisMay 8, 201815 votes

"Sorcery was supposed to be primary mages tree"

Rune paths were not created for specific roles. Riot has been very clear about this ever since the release of runes reforged. Sorcery is defined as a path that "empowers abilities and resource manipulation".

Everyone has abilities, not just mages.

sobi999May 8, 20181 votes

and mages are predominantly ability based. How is that rocket science?

HupsisMay 8, 201811 votes

Everyone has abilities, not just mages.

sobi999May 8, 20182 votes

"Sorcery is defined as a path that "empowers abilities and resource manipulation"

and OP said "Sorcery was supposed to be primary mages tree"

They are the same thing. He did not state that sorcery was only meant for mages, rather that it is designed to empower abilities which mages predominately have. Therefore any keystone in the path should benefit mages if it were to empower their abilities. Nimbus cloak fails to do so. Hardly any mage would benefit from this than what it could have benefited from ultimate hat. Btw riot has if anything, made runes simpler and easier so newer players have an easy time. If anything, rito has limited different builds after the introduction of rune reforged.

saltranMay 8, 201812 votes

Didn't most mages use Mana Band over Ultimate Hat?

ThePikolMay 8, 20184 votes

Mages like Veigar, Velkoz, Malza, Ahri and Brand picked Ulti Hat quite often. Maybe now they will be all forced to go Mana Band after all these mana changes....

ValiantKillerMay 8, 20181 votes

{quoted}

Mages like Veigar, Velkoz, Malza, Ahri and Brand picked Ulti Hat quite often. Maybe now they will be all forced to go Mana Band after all these mana changes....

Who would use manna band beside Anivia Teemo who got like 2 second cd on their ult? All of mages power come from their ult Veigar Annie Velkoz Lissandra Syndra Lux

Handy Sandy May 8, 20185 votes

{quoted}

Who would use manna band beside who got like 2 second cd on their ult?

everyone. Anivia doesn't even run ultimate hat.

All of mages power come from their ult

later in the game you aren't fighting every 60s there's usually time for it to be off CD naturally before you have a game deciding teamfight. It does nothing early and you can only get decent use of it 20-30 minutes into the game where it's pretty much already decided. Manaflow actually allows you to lane.

saltranMay 8, 20183 votes

Thanks, anyway is a weird change to move it into the burst tree, I don't like the change.

FOR JUSTICEMay 8, 20188 votes

not necessarily though. not saying I agree with the change, but I'm sure we can all agree the majority of the assassin roster is much more reliant on their ult abilities then the majority of the mage roster, so it does make theoretical sense to give it to that tree.

HupsisMay 8, 20183 votes

And they could still pick ultimate hat on top of that cause it's being moved to domination.

Feel ApathyMay 8, 20181 votes

{quoted}

Didn't most mages use Mana Band over Ultimate Hat?

Only those that prefer item 3285 over item 3040 , or those that rely more on the rest of their kit. [ Lux ]

My Waifu VanillaMay 8, 20185 votes

Or any mage that looked at CDR. Ultihat is terrible on paper. 6 seconds off your first ultimate is rarely relevant (most mages ultimates have 120 second cooldowns where ulti starts at 5%) and it only gets worse as the game goes longer when you buy CDR (which stacks multiplicatively) and your ult cooldown goes down with rank.

Ok sure but whyMay 8, 20187 votes

Skarner

ThePikolMay 8, 20182 votes

But Skarner is not mage

Ok sure but whyMay 8, 201824 votes

He is now

MhihnjMay 10, 20181 votes

Ok sure but why?

Ok sure but whyMay 10, 20181 votes

yes

TequilaZombieMay 8, 20182 votes

Nimbus Cloak + Phase Rush + Ghost = Bring ADC to fountain

Reaper ClawsMay 8, 20186 votes

There is a class known as BATTLE MAGES in this game. This rune will benefit them the most.

RaiyzaMay 8, 20185 votes

That movement speed buff could be veeerryyyy good. Not just for mages, by the way.

Ahri Fizz Kassadin Fiddlesticks Kennen Nidalee Zilean Xerath TwistedFate Singed Vladimir Viktor Ekko Elise Cassiopeia Leblanc

AzadetheMay 8, 20182 votes

Ahri Won't offer much utility since her Ult itself moves her and doesn't leave much time in between bursts to run. Fizz Generally never needs that move speed to close kills if he hits his ult. Kassadin Only one of his Ults will proc it..... meaning almost next to useless.... Nidalee Will not actually help her, since she already excels at ranging her marked pounces. She's already either going to get her kill, or get CC'd and die. Xerath is stuck in place for his entire ult..... TwistedFate Is stuck in place entire ult. Elise Not going to help her perform a combo any better (if it even works)

RaiyzaMay 8, 20182 votes

Ahri I disagree. She has a short window between each cast of her ult to utilize the speed. You do make a good point tho. She might prefer other runes instead. Kassadin See Ahri. Still an option. Elise She can really use it to move around the jungle faster. Nidalee See Elise.

You're probably right about TF tho. I forgot it takes two seconds for the teleport to actually complete.

SaezioMay 8, 20181 votes

{quoted}

I disagree. She has a short window between each cast of her ult to utilize the speed. You do make a good point tho. She might prefer other runes instead. See Ahri. Still an option. She can really use it to move around the jungle faster. See Elise.

You're probably right about TF tho. I forgot it takes two seconds for the teleport to actually complete.

it is a 25second cooldown on a 2 second DECAYING ms, I bet scuttle ward gives more MS during the course of a whole game.

RaiyzaMay 8, 20181 votes

Oh it decays. Ah.

Welp. That's what I get for not reading all the way.

[zombie-brand-facepalm]

Fine.

AurelionSol Kennen Karma Singed Ekko Diana

Better?

AzadetheMay 8, 20181 votes

The problem is..... I don't even know if Nimbus will be accessible to Nidalee or Elise.

Someone's claiming the new item 3508 won't activate on Udyr's R.

In all cases, we're talking about pseudo skills which take the position of the ult.

MimrMay 8, 20181 votes

{quoted}

The problem is..... I don't even know if Nimbus will be accessible to Nidalee or Elise.

Someone's claiming the new won't activate on Udyr's R.

In all cases, we're talking about pseudo skills which take the position of the ult.

It's literally stated in the wiki that Udyr's R is not classified as an ultimate but a basic ability. In other words, Udyr doesn't have an ultimate and can therefore not utilize PBE Essence Reaver's passive, just as he can't use Ultimate Hat at all.

SaezioMay 9, 20182 votes

{quoted}

It's literally stated in the wiki that Udyr's R is not classified as an ultimate but a basic ability. In other words, Udyr doesn't have an ultimate and can therefore not utilize PBE Essence Reaver's passive, just as he can't use Ultimate Hat at all.

Guys it is a 25 second CD for a 2 second DECAYING movementspeed. It is useless for low cd ultimate champions who will accidentaly trigger it always at the wrong time

ModKnightsKemplarMay 8, 20184 votes

Swain

FOR JUSTICEMay 8, 20183 votes

Karma (takes celerity) (presses r then e)

Aerial Queen LizMay 8, 201813 votes

That's a race Car(ma)

kargishMay 8, 20183 votes

Kassadin Mordekaiser Rakan Vladimir Swain

The Yetii RiderMay 8, 20183 votes

Precision is supposed to be the primary marksman tree. What marksman will use Legend: Tenacity?

You Are Cute XDMay 9, 20183 votes

Urgot

Crede777May 9, 20181 votes

Urgot goes Sorcery as his primary (Comet) and Resolve secondary.

D357R0Y3RMay 8, 20181 votes

Fiddlesticks Kassadin Vladimir Kennen Swain

ThePikolMay 8, 20183 votes

Can you test how Fiddle works with it? He has to channel his R for 1.5s while Nimbus starts on R cast and last 2s. Will he only get 0.5 of movement speed?

D357R0Y3RMay 8, 20182 votes

it has a 0.5 sec delay (i don't know the exact number) but it does have a delay

combined with fiddle passive it's really strong