What is Riot really doing
is that they slowly, but surely, try to destroy the tanks. All this under the mat, as well.
When was the last time a traditional tank like Maokai got buffed? Braum was nerfed recently, Mundo only got buffs this patch because he was atrocious (lol grevious wounds), Jarvan lost some of his armour etc.
ANY TANK has lost quite a lot of their tankiness over the past few patches, either directly or indirectly, and that's all covered in placebo buffs. Remember that Malphite AP ratio buff? That's right. Just give a tank that rarely ever builds AP some AP ratios! Remember that Gragas AP ratio buff? Same.
The only buffs that tanks get are damage-wise. They don't become tankier. Nautilus got some bonus mana, Poppy just lost resistances in favor of more range on her passive and E, Tahm Kench lost a lot of his E healing and I could go on.
Now, on to the indirect nerfs. Addition of Conqueror. Good shit. A shitload of true damage into the game. Liandry's change to %maxHP burn; more total HP = more damage. Introduction of total armor pen on the next patch. New IE will now grant some true damage! What about BorK which gets its cost reduced by 200 gold and is generally a good tank buster?
Don't forget Syndra's true damage on her Q now.
Introduction of Chrysalis, a rune that is useful one everyone BUT TANKS. Nerf to the HP values of the Resolve tree up until level 10!
I'm not saying that tank fights are exciting, but it seems like Riot is trying to gut all tanks by adding ways of penetrating their tankiness. Too much true damage, too much penetration. How about, instead of nerfing their tankiness, we find ways to slightly reduced their damage, so that they are less oppressive while still tanky? Chogath's R is annoying and has 0 counterplay if he can Righteous glory on to you. Sion's poke in lane is absurd, Shen's dueling power is very good early in the game, while also having insane utility after level 6.
After all, we all know LCS - favoritism, and removing tanks is a good step into making it more exciting.
