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Feedback on Cassiopeia 4.21 Change to Aspect of the Serpent Stack Generation

Strafes·12/12/2014, 9:50:24 AM·1 votes·1,712 views

I saw Stashu read up on another players post on Cassiopeia changes. I'm hoping he will address this one here. I am a Diamond Cassiopeia main, but am nothing close to King Cobra right now.

Before 4.21, in 4.20 and prior, Cassiopeia could farm stacks off minions effectively (and practically) hit 400 Stacks (max stacks) at 27 minutes approximately. This was a monotonous aspect, although it rewarded skilled players to consistently hit a marker that was relatively early for a late game buff. Ideal lanes against Melee laners usually ended up in 23 minute benchmarks for max stacks.

As of 4.21, no matter how much of a lead I have, or who my laning opponent is, the new benchmark (practical) seems to be 33 minutes in an even lane or winning lane. 33 minutes compared to a practical benchmark of 23 minutes to hit max stacks is a 10 minute delay. The passive change has literally only benefited poor Cassiopeia players who seemingly do not understand how to stack properly off minions (however monotonous) is more efficient than passive generation.

The new 4.21 changes actually retards Cassiopeia's growth, especially when she is behind. If Cassiopeia opts to split push, she significantly falls behind in stacks because she is getting approximately 1~2 stacks per wave, compared to 4.20 and earlier where you can get 6.3 stacks per wave. This does not factor in transitional time between lanes and there are no champions to hit (and if they get hit, they're probably going to kill you at that range) to increase passive generation.

This brings up a problem between 4.20 and 4.21. Cassiopeia's who are ahead do not benefit from the passive stack change compared to the poisoned creep stack mechanic. Cassiopeia prior 4.21 can snowball aspect of the servants stacks due to increasing AP, leading to easier last hitting, leading into faster more consistent stacks [from lane or jungle (small jungle creeps)]. However, 4.21 Cassiopeia stagnates even when given a lead. If Cassiopeia's lane opponent can over aggress (which many can) or just avoid confrontation, Cassiopeia in 4.21 is still weaker in comparison due to lack of ramping on poison stacking.

As an avid RTS player, and MOBA player, I do not see why champions are being balanced to the general populace. I believe all champions should only be balanced based on the top 1% of players. A lot of the win rate problems that occur, or champion "problems" that occur are not directly linked to the champion but problems in general mechanics of players. The change in 4.21 has assisted the lower 98 percentile of Cassiopeia players while drastically weakening Cassiopeia in upper play where general mechanics are less of a factor in win rate, and the Champion specific mechanics matter.

TL;DR; New Cassiopeia Stacking Passive does not work as intended in decreasing stack time and increasing consistency.

I would like some feedback from Stashu and his thought process on balancing a champ based on general criticism from a public that does not know how to play the champion that is currently one of the hardest mechanically in the game.

5 Comments

Cale01712/12/2014, 10:14:52 AM4 votes

I can understand where you're coming from with that 1% ideology on balancing champions, but while you have a point it doesn't really find a mark with a game like League. The competitive scene would be nothing without the support of the general populace keeping the game in a popular place. It isn't a game that exists only for the competitive scene, quite the other way around actually. The game should be balanced with both aspects in mind, not completely excluding one group or the other. Not everyone can, or should be expected to, play on the same level as the highest 1% and the average player shouldn't feel like they have to, or be told that they should be, playing at that level to be able to enjoy a champion. Some champions should have harsher learning curves, but never to the point where someone has to be a professional gamer to do well with them.