Ahri Didn't Need Changes

Gustbreath··10 votes·1,148 views

"Fantastic Ms. Ahri's success as a support-killing, pick-making assassin has always been tied very closely with Deathfire Grasp. With the item gone, however, it became obvious that Ahri's unique role in the game was losing focus, so we set out with the goal of moving her back to her original vision as an ultra-mobile kite mage. Technical improvements and updates to Fox-Fire and Spirit Rush should make her feel smoother to play, while Orb of Deception's new mobility effect allows her to both outwit opponents in close duels or remain elusive as she repositions in a fight."

And then we lose Damage Amplification on E, and 20 flat damage and 15% bonus scaling, a 30 flat damage bonus on W, and an unclear movement speed buff on Q, as it travels. I'm sorry, but I think the "come closer... Oops ,you're not in my league," playstyle for Ahri was very unique. Ultra-mobile Kiting is something other champions can already do. Cassiopeia, Nidalee, Zed, Leblanc, Katarina, and a few more that I probably can't think of. But a Reverse Fear that increases damage dealt was interesting. A two-way magic and true damage AoE was unique! An auto target three hitter, and a three hitter dash was a great combo. I think Ahri between what, 3.13? and 5.2 had very near struck a perfect balance between mage and assassin. With Ahri, I could poke someone down, or dash around and use my already great mobility to confuse my opponent, damage them, and then rush in and destroy them. But it pains me to see that this patch made her a generic champion. 1 unique damage spell, one damage spell. A CC spell, and an ult that provides damage, mobility, or both, the latter in Ahri's case. When I played Ahri, my game never used the DFG, and I always did okay and had fun, and I never got bored of her. I'm sorry to say this, but I think the changes don't make her more unique, they make her much more similar to the mages listed above. Having said all this, I want to ask the Rioters a question. In response to the removal of the Deathfire Grasp, why did you make all these changes that weren't asked for to Ahri? We were for the most part, happy with her. She was a balanced champion, who could be played a couple different ways! I'll always play her, but I don't want to say goodbye to my favorite Mage, Assassin, and Killer Support. But for now, goodbye, and I hope we meet again, Ahri, it was so much fun to play you. item 3073 Ahri item 3073

Thank you for reading this, comment as you will

14 Comments

ABlueQuaker5 votes

Riot has a habit of going "this champion is strong" then nerfing their core item AND the champion itself without any caution.

disregardable4 votes

I think you should give it a try first. It might be fun.

Keevalroy2 votes

I've tried it on the PBE. It feels terrible.

disregardable4 votes

Plenty of people on the PBE boards liked it.

ABlueQuaker10 votes

[{quoted}](name=The AFK Farmer,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=ctMXEVcA,comment-id=000000000000,timestamp=2015-01-28T06:52:12.587+0000)

Plenty of people on the PBE boards liked it.

That's because you have to suck Riot off just to be able to play on the PBE.

Keevalroy6 votes

[{quoted}](name=Red Arrow,realm=OCE,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=ctMXEVcA,comment-id=0000000000000000,timestamp=2015-01-28T06:56:19.326+0000)

That's because you have to suck Riot off just to be able to play on the PBE.

This isn't true, I'm on it and I'm critical occasionally to the point of being harsh. But while you're on it, everyone's a care-bear and is afraid to give honest criticism just like reddit.

Pika3102 votes

Sounds about right. Yet even they were unanimously opposed to the 4.13 Sona nerfs.

Now here we are today:

Ahri is now a lower tier 2 generic farm mage. Inferior to: Ziggs, Lux, Orianna and Xerath.

Sona is dead. Bottom tier 3 unplayable garbage. She makes Taric look good.

Gustbreath2 votes

[{quoted}](name=The AFK Farmer,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=ctMXEVcA,comment-id=000000000000,timestamp=2015-01-28T06:52:12.587+0000)

Plenty of people on the PBE boards liked it.

That's fair, I just want to know why we couldn't preserve both of the play styles somehow. Moving faster just doesn't feel to me like adequate compensation for both the Deathfire removal and the E amplification removal.

disregardable3 votes

In one of the boards about this, the OP actually did the math. The full combo is about 50-150 damage less than it was before, depending on your level. Nothing too noticeable, imo.

Pika3103 votes

I'd believe it were compensation for one OR the other, but definitely not both. This isn't compensation, Riot just lied to our faces to intentionally nerf her. In other words: just another normal day for Riot Game.

Keevalroy8 votes

[{quoted}](name=The AFK Farmer,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=ctMXEVcA,comment-id=000000000000,timestamp=2015-01-28T06:52:12.587+0000)

Plenty of people on the PBE boards liked it.

Oh that must be why most of the threads I saw were about expressing her weakness with these changes or wanting them to alter their "buffs."

ForgiveColour3 votes

pbe is full of retards doing the balancing how the fk did reksai even made it through

A Slime Appears3 votes

It's my fault. I ended up having all my mid champs banned in a ranked game for some fucking reason and panic picked Ahri, and decided to main her after doing really well with her. A day or two later these changes hit, apparently Riot hates me.

I'm sorry : [

Zinedity1 votes

I agree with you. I'm doing well still with the changes but I dont feel rewarded for high risk plays and thats a shame. They wanted to make her easier to play. Plain and simple. Miss charm? Nw. Miss orb? Nbd. I love the Ahri that has to play perfect and this "buff" ruined that

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