Buff Tank Items not Tanks
I KNOW THIS IS LONGISH BUT PLEASE HERE ME OUT. I THINK THIS IS RELEVANT RIGHT NOW
I definitely believe that tanks don't feel tanky right now but buffing them directly might not be the best idea. By buffing tanks directly tanks might end up being faceroll in lane again without even being able to survive the cluster f*** that is a s8 team fight. I think buffing tank items is a much better idea for 4 reasons.
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It can add another layer of depth to lane phase. If tanks are kept weak in lane while have strong items, tanks that manage to farm well despite having a weaker lane phase can be sufficiently reworded with a nasty mid and late game once they get an item or two. If you simply buff tanks late game durability though buffing their kit, all tanks will have to do is sit under tower and soak exp without taking risk. If you buff tanks early game they will simply outclass other classes.
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Tanks items should feel impactful. Right now many tank items don't feel that impactful to buy anymore. Back in the day getting an early
in lane felt to good. Right now it just feels meh. Maybe by making tank items feel more impactful tank players might actually get a bit more enjoyment from playing a class that is typically considered boring. -
Lastly, having stronger tank items would encourage more defensive itemization. Back in the day seeing a
or 
build 
wasn't uncommon. Now they build 
. All four of these items do dmg, (which contributes to the dmg creek of course), and often times this build feels even tankier than the old build. If tank items were buffed we might see more builds like the first one. At the very least builds like the first one SHOULD feel more tanky. -
It would be easier on Rito Balance team.
TL:DR - Buff tank items instead of buffing tanks directly. It might encourage defensive itemization which will ACTUALLY help with dmg creep while forcing tanks to take some REWARDED risk in lane. This can be done multiple ways. Maybe you can give the items some health back. Or you can give them good defensive actives. Didn't give an aoe attack speed debuff on activation at one point? Seeing that could be cool again.
