Support Lulu should have a playstyle that is different from solo lane Lulu
Currently the power of support Lulu is heavily tied to her solo lane counterpart. She can never become strong at bullying opponents while staying safe, because that would make her solo version overpowered. But having a champion whose core playstyle can never be strong is a problem. So I think support Lulu should be offered a different playstyle that gives her a reason to be picked again.
Two weeks ago Riot Sotere gave us an idea what that playstyle could look like:
Theoretically her support lane could be safer as she could use her ally as a beacon for E and Q power. Realistically that doesn't happen and she tends to put herself in dangerous spots to keep threat on the enemy.
What if maxing E was viable and gave Lulu a more defensive option? She could give up her threat level for safety and get her carry to late game. A few years ago this was reality, but the playstyle was sacrificed when she moved to solo lanes. Rioter Statikk said this about it:
Admittedly, we've probably significantly weakened Support Lulu players who maxed E first instead of Q, and maxing Q will probably the way to go right now (not sure on this, only theoretical). Unfortunately, we still fundamentally believe that her E damage pattern doesn't present any compelling gameplay which is why we went forward with that change. At the end of the day, we'd prefer if Support Lulu's who max E first are doing it primarily for its defensive shielding capabilities.
So a more defensive support Lulu who maxes E first is theoretically possible, but we need to fix the problematic E damage pattern. That is where I would like your help. I will put my ideas below, but I am sure the community and Riot can come up with way better ways to make Lulu healthier.
Offensive E is a targeted nuke. The only requirement is getting in range, then you click on them. Moreover, you can follow it up with a guaranteed Q. Your slowed opponent has a hard time retaliating, and you still have W to keep you safe. This pattern is indeed unhealthy, so Riot nerfed the damage and duration of the reveal. My proposal is removing the damage and the reveal entirely, and giving offensive E utility instead.
The idea is that solo lane Lulu cares more about damage and waveclear and has to max Q, but support Lulu can max E for the shield while still bringing strong utility to the mid game. It has to make up for the shorter slow duration from not maxing Q. The decision between the shield or the new utility should be meaningful, so Lulu gets to make the right (or wrong!) choice.
- Offensive E applies a nearsight debuff like Quinn's Q.
- Offensive E makes allies deal X% more damage to the target, like the expose weakness mastery.
- Offensive E reduces the targets AD.
I hope this inspires some discussion about how support Lulu can have a healthy identity, without always being overshadowed by solo lane Lulu.
Link to comment by Riot Sotere: Lulu nerfs: are they going anywhere Link to comment by Statikk: @Statikk How is that Lulu analysis going?