So.........does Annie need some looking at?

masterdragon481·Oct 8, 2014·1 votes·642 views

After reading and talking constantly with people about the Talon E change, it occurs to me that she isn't the only champion with the same lack of counterplay. Would it be completely out of place to question why annie is allowed to remain as she it?

I mean, she has a free last hitting tool, obscenely long auto attack range, and the ability to 100 to 0 an opponent without them being able to retaliate?

As far as I can tell, she needs changes to, for the same reason Talon did. Although, because her power is in her passive, I'm not sure how easily they will be able to change it. But as it stands, it is inconsistent with their current balance goals.

4 Comments

DaejinTyeOct 19, 20142 votes

The difference between Annie and Talon was, Talon would simply ult, stealth into range, then teleport on top of you and insta kill you. Annie has to burn flash every time she wants a sudden gap closer to catch you with.

Likewise, if Talon saves his ult, he has an escape tool (assuming he doesn't just cut throat a minion to escape) while Annie is an all-in only champion.

I see how strong Annie can be, while still seeing clear weaknesses on her, so I think she is one of the few well balanced champions right now.

MasticatingGrillOct 9, 20141 votes

Her passive is both strong and weak. If you rate yourself 0-100 against her then you're doing it wrong. She was once a powerful, even unassailable mid. She had free farm, heavy waveclear, super E and a bear that ate towers. Annie has had a lot of changes. The last I clearly remember was another nerf to her E again, also stun durations start lower.

The one buff I know was a play flow change to reduce her cooldown on build-a-bear at levels two and three in R.

Now there are several super hard counters to her; in compensation she can 100-0 certain ragequit champs like Yasuo. :3

I have played her in all lanes and even jungle, the last is only possible if you have 30 and the enemy jg is not hard counter.

Annie can go tank but her AP ratios will reward traditional mage role more. Only go tank if your comp is boned and the team needs SOMEONE to tank.

RoA is a double edged sword on Annie. It badly slows down her early oppressive damage. But it gives the health and mana for long trades.

I like to rush DFG if I think I can snowball, with a Deathcap after that and probably spellvamp because super low health.

Some people build a Tear on her even though mana should not be a big deal, because high Q rate and endgame Seraph payoff to her AP ratios.

She is in a good place, well understood. Counters some champs and is countered by others. And trades with the rest.

I would like an AD ratio of some sort on Tibbers' physical auto attacks. AD/tank Annie with Tibb summon already melts towers, why not even faster?

masterdragon481Oct 18, 20141 votes

I wasn't arguing how strong Annie was. But after changing Talon because of his ability to 100 to zero a target with no change of retaliation, I was was wondering why Annie is still allowed to do the same.

Yes, Annie has counters (sorta; flash, dfg and her unloading her damage will kill a target) and there are people who do well against her. This wasn't my point. I am not questioning her numbers, her itemization, her tower pushing, or her free farm.

I was only looking at the fact that riot doesn't like instant, unavoidable CC and the ability to 100 to zero an opponent. And this is something that Annie can do. I was merely questioning why.