Kalista Is Unplayable

Sharpsterman··8 votes·1,555 views

This is the first time I've posted on these forums. I feel compelled to let everyone know that one of my favorite champions has seriously something wrong with her. For anyone that doesn't know, Kalista Kalista was undeservingly nerfed earlier this year. They lowered her base attack speed into the ground and gave her W a passive that gives her only a fraction of that attack speed back when she's nearby her support. Riot also nerfed her damage, and worked it into a passive that when the support and adc attack the same target it deals % damage, but only procs every ten seconds or so.

I find it nearly impossible to win with this champion now, compared to before, when I was getting Pentakills. She's like a slower, weaker Kogmaw KogMaw. I found a build path that somewhat makes her viable, but is only obtainable by heavy farming and lucky kills. The only way that I can even remotely keep my head above water is to buy Cull item 1083 and farm until late game. After Cull item 1083 I goitem 3153 then item 3085 then item 3031. Assuming the other adc has no kills and has been farming, this puts me on equal ground (capable of killing other champs). This build is usually finished at the 30min mark and at that point, it's usually too late because the other lanes are destroyed or well-fed.

I played nine games today with Kalista and I lost them all, but one. I've been playing Kalista off and on because she's fun, but I almost always lose.

Please, Riot. Just give her a little something to make life easier.

12 Comments

Leo10245 votes

She's in a weird spot right now, if they buff her she's too strong but nerfing her is gonna make her unplayable, she needs a rework to change abilities and make her not so susceptible to nerfs and buffs

MunchCrunchLunch1 votes

she doesn't need a rework. there are probably 20 champions in line infront of her for a full vgu she needs a small little adjustment. like they did to illaoi. such a mini scale rework.

Matezoide4 votes

{quoted}

Kalista was undeservingly nerfed earlier this year.

No, she wasnt. Kalista is a mistake champion that should never have been released, let alone be even remotely viable.

She needs a rework, not buffs

Also, comparing Kalista to Kog'Maw, of all champions, lol? They are completely different.

Sharpsterman1 votes

It's my understanding that Kalista's niche is that she can engage with 1 or more enemies and at the exact moment they realize they can't win, Rend takes their lives for epic multi-kills. That's why I choose her over others. Also the ability to dodge and dance around the battlefield is an added bonus.

Erockandroll2 votes

{quoted}

No, she wasnt. Kalista is a mistake champion that should never have been released, much less be allowed to be even remotely viable.

She needs a rework, not buffs.

Meh, I really don't think it's that bad. I just think she was too good at too many things. But their is a lot of good in her kit, so I don't even feel like a complete rework is needed.

One of the bigger issues that people complained about his her passive kiting ability. Her kiting is probably better than Ashe with her frost arrows. I'm not actually sure about this one. Is this oppressive? is their a compensating weakness? (maybe out of combat movement)

The other Quirk, (which I actually like) is her neutral objective control. She has the best objective securing ability of the game. (But it does require a bunch of AA to set up, so it's not unconditional) This is most certainly a unique niche for an ADC. (especially for a non jungler) But is it a healthy niche? (if not, it would be a quick and dirty fix.)

Other issue may have included the spear stacking mechanic's synergy with Hurricane. Not sure what Riot's opinion is on this.

But here's what I feel needs to be preserved. Her synergy with her Support. Her W passive and her ult offer great power when she is with her Support. This is counter balanced with the fact that her support is more so required to stick with her. (limiting the effectiveness of roaming supports like Bard) That alone would make her a unique ADC, and it also plays strait into her fantasy of being "The spear of vengeance" where her support takes up the oath.

To that end, we might be able to bolster her Utility. (a shorter cooldown on her ult, or maybe her W)

EarthenDragon3 votes

I didn't realize how little Kalista play I've been seeing. This makes sense.

Deflum1 votes

i played riven support with a Kalista ADC and we destroyed lane. While i agree Kalista is overly nerfed, she IS playable. you just need a comp that works well with her and play Kalista as she is now, not how she used to be. Try grabbing Runnans first time to help farm and then BOTRK. should speed up the process. Only BOTRK first if the other bot lane is boosted to the max.

BIackfox3 votes

{quoted}

i played riven support with a Kalista ADC and we destroyed lane. While i agree Kalista is overly nerfed, she IS playable. you just need a comp that works well with her and play Kalista as she is now, not how she used to be. Try grabbing Runnans first time to help farm and then BOTRK. should speed up the process. Only BOTRK first if the other bot lane is boosted to the max.

were you playing against wood 5's?

Riven Main1 votes

sick name xD

WoonStruck1 votes

Good riddance.

She needs a rework. Specifically, her passive. ** She'd be a fine champ if she had just about any other passive.**

Athenes Lulu1 votes

So a champion requires a brain to play is "unplayable"?

Okay then.

Sharpsterman1 votes

I never said she was too complex... I'm saying she's weak. Too weak to be viable.

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