Recent Blitzcrank changes

wookybird··3 votes·676 views

OK. I have been playing blitzcrank after the changes for a while now, and i have to say: I think Riot cracked down too much on Blitzcrank (blitzcrank). Mainly, his w (overdrive), as Riot mentioned in the patch notes, became more of an "underdrive." The following changes were made:

> Movement speed bonus decays more slowly over 5 seconds > **Overdrive's movement speed bonus **cannot decay below 10%

First of all, the movement speed slow itself was the problem. It sometimes makes things fair for the side opposing Blitzcrank (blitzcrank), but it also creates a huge opportunity for them as the only option blitz has to escape is summoner 4 (flash). Even so, the opposing team can catch up quickly because of the duration of the slow.

Some players may disagree, but i think that missing a grab with Blitzcrank (blitzcrank) already puts him in a tough spot in lane, teamfight, or other situations; he is already counter-playable without the ms slow.

I tried many times to resolve the drawback with buying items like item 3117 (boots of mobility). However, since you are usually in most of the teamfights as Blitzcrank (blitzcrank), not only is your ms slowed to the amount you would've had with item 1001 (boots of speed) but it's also slowed by w-overdrive after that.

So my point is this. Blitzcrank (blitzcrank) is not the only champion that needs a nerf on engagements, which is what he lives on. If you take away too much of his power, you are not being fair. Although he is a highly "hated" champion, I think you (Riot) should consider the large number of players who enjoy playing Blitzcrank (blitzcrank).

He is not that scary! Give him a break!

10 Comments

Provengreil3 votes

The issue with the old W was that it felt a lot like volibear running at you in bot lane: he's faster, you'll never kill him in time because of passive, burning your CC means the enemy ADC can eat you alive, and each step makes his Q less dodgeable if he doesn't just run in and knock you up. What's more, the perception while facing him just kinda feels like it goes on forever: at high CDR, some champions can get 2 rotations of their entire kit into it's old duration.

Now, while everyone on these forums likes to say, "Oh, but any meta and even most nonmeta botlanes can punish him for it." In theory, that's true, but in practice it rarely happens at the lower elos*, which form a good 70% of the community, meaning it just rarely happens. kiting is often done improperly, people use moves with long cast times that allow him to line up a grab, spell shields are late and only come out after his whole kit is blown, there's no form of trade back. That's why blitz is a high priority ban at silver 3 and below.

*DISCLAIMER: I'm silver 5 support main. call my ideas wrong if you must, but don't say I haven't watched tons of lanes be totally zoned by this guy.

The new W gives some counterplay to it. He activates it, you get ready to fight, he repositions, and if he fails whatever he was doing, you have a second or two to cleanly punish him, because under the old W, unless he went way out of position, the worst result from Blitzcrank's perspective used to be that nothing bad happened.

wookybird1 votes

I see your point. Thank you!

vIbvdOwbko1 votes

I play quite a bit of Blitzcrank myself and I really hated the W nerfs when they came out.

The recent buff has actually made it more bearable, though. It actually feels like I'm getting a speed boost now.

I just wish they compensated the nerfs with a slight mana cost reduction on his W. It is huge.

wookybird1 votes

yeah. And maybe mana cost reduction on one or more of his other abilities too :)) pls rito

DontBanMeImDrunk1 votes

have you tried not going mobi boots?

wookybird1 votes

i tried going other boots like item 3047 ninja tabi and item 3111 merc treads. I the slow is still a significant drawback though

Narc0s1s

item 3009 Swiftness seems to have a MUCH bigger affect then item 3111 Merc Treads. It makes the Slow drop to about a 22-23 ish% slow. Also with the slow only lasting 1.5 seconds with how much movement speed you have with swiftness boots. It just feels like you accidentally tapped the "S" key while trying to get some where. I played Blitzcrank for quite a while and that has been the best solution I have seen on him. IF anything with the new nerfs to him this may as well be his new required item for his build.

Wellspring1 votes

I'm not a Blitz player, so I suppose this is a bit of a question, but isn't the point of the slow that if you run up to make a pick and you fail you're punished for over extending? I feel like leaving yourself slightly vulnerable in return for the ability to maybe make a big play for your team is a pretty fair trade off. Even a picked off support can turn the entire momentum of the game for the next minute in your team's favor.

wookybird1 votes

Well my argument would have been that even if there is no slow blitz is not a very durable champion as a support and so would be punished regardless. His base movement speed is 325 and that is like Lux (Lux). Lux is frustratingly slow right now (again, in my opinion).

However, I do see your explanation that the w changes may be a possible effort towards balance and requirement of good decision-making. Thank you!

Rand0mH3r0X1 votes

I found out that Blitzcrank's Overdrive actually makes Blitzcrank move less over a period of time rather than never having used it at all. I tested this with other players. It's truthfully stupid. Overdrive can't be used for escape or effectively for attack speed.

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