I've had the impression that he's been hidden op for two seasons now . His q mana cost is so low that spamming it is always the best way in order to provide that massive heal from passive and the masteries.
SaltyKracka1 votesHe's been pretty strong ever since they gave him MR/lvl growth.
Before that he was pretty shit after they nerfed him a bunch for being a competitive staple.
So it's cyclical.
Goodest Gamer1 votesThe new masteries give him so much sustain in lane and he still does insane damage
SaltyKracka1 votesIiiiiiit's really not the masteries. He was bad for the fairly long period between the preseason and his buff. It's the MR/lvl, man.
Goodest Gamer1 votesI played vs a maokai like 2 games ago and he was out sustaining me with 0 mana . I had a vamp scepter. I don't think mr/lvl allowed him to shit on me in trades with a sunfire while I had black cleaver and a scepter
I was riven
SaltyKracka1 votesYou were riven, he was a tank with armor and a passive that gives him sustain based off of enemy spell casts.
...Of course he had more sustain than you. What he probably wasn't doing if you'd been playing correctly is out_trading_ you.
And again, he was actually pretty low in winrate for the first half of the season. The MR/lvl change and the nerf to all the other champions is why he's as strong as he is right now.
the Anarchit3cht1 votesHe isn't "hidden op" at all. He always has been great. His passive provides great sustain, and often unexpectedly to unobservant enemies who just wildly fling spells or during team fights. He has strong, easy to land CC and a great team fight ultimate. Plus his saplings offer pretty good range as well as vision. And every body knows it.
Goodest Gamer1 votesHis laning needs to be accounted for tho. It's insanely good
MunchCrunchLunch1 voteshe has his problems. hes probably the worst when it comes to mana. I mean you tp to lane. use your Q W E and you are out of mana. hes tanky his ult is really good for team fighting. but hes weak in lane against champs that can harass him. so the point is. play fiora or nasus and destroy him in lane. late game he can lock down the carry easily with his W. try to kill his team he doesn't do a whole lot of damage on his own. hes not mundo or tankko he doesn't have that much damage unless he trades with you for a while or has some ap.
he always tries to engage with his W
my tip is if he W on you flash behind your team and take him down before his team catches up because the W always follows you no matter what.
if he has a rod of ages and your squishy he can probably one combo you but if he has no ap at all hes pretty easy to take on still tanky
Goodest Gamer1 votesIf u rush rod it'll take years to run out of mana in lane. His q mana cost is so damn small.
MunchCrunchLunch1 voteshe will still run out of mana really quickly even with rod. you get forced into trades requiring you to use your entire kit. most people don't just farm it out in lane. i mean its not bot lane.
AlwaysByMySide1 votesI've had the impression that he's been hidden op for two seasons now . His q mana cost is so low that spamming it is always the best way in order to provide that massive heal from passive and the masteries.
I'd like to hope not. He's one of the best top laners in the game.
KVbqbFsC8e1 votesNo, I'm pretty sure most people know he's broken.