The most mandatory of all things mandatory - Let's talk Flash

Oglaf·Dec 8, 2016·3 votes·512 views

So since Riot apparently hates "mandatory" picks (see the removal of Strength of Ages and Oppressor Masteries for a recent example; both were removed using this reasoning).

So what is Riot's official stance on ? I can't think of anything more mandatory than Flash, really. Sure is growing in popularity, but it is for niche Champions such as who just synergies extremely well with it, and even so it is a huge sacrifice losing Flash on him.

So yeah. Thoughts?

12 Comments

legionnaire99Dec 8, 20161 votes

The game is balanced around flash being there Ex gragas body slam summoner 4 Annie flash ult Also summoner 6 with is growing

RalanrDec 8, 20161 votes

Actually Gragas's body slam flash has been an issue with his balance because Riot doesn't want to remove the playmaking. Leaving them to nerf other areas when he is strong.

legionnaire99Dec 8, 20161 votes

I know but remove it he will be useless

OglafDec 8, 20161 votes

{quoted}

Also with is growing

If that isn't a sign of how mandatory Flash is, then I don't know what is.

This isn't a "remove/nerf Flash!"-thread though. I'm just curious as to why it is allowed to be an exception to the "We don't want mandatory picks"-rule. Like the reasoning behind it in contrast to other mandatory picks that were removed.

CresmontDec 8, 20161 votes

its because theres always something thats just... better

sure, lets assume that riot somehow made the game 100 percent perfectly balanced (which is no fun btw, part of the fun of league is the developing meta. when it gets abusive like syndra and jayce is the problem) even if it was, depending on whats popular some champs are better than others. in this case, ghost has always been a good summoner spell but it was, ¨why take ghost over flash¨ now because of the lower cd there is a legitimate reason but flash will always be an exception

theres gotta be some baseline for everything and flash is a good baseline cuz of the lengthy cooldown but good active.

TL;DR ghost, heal, barrier, etc are better on some than others, but flash is a generic gap close/ escape tool thats good on anyone

legionnaire99Dec 8, 20161 votes

I never said it was I'm saying the game is balanced with it being there and will be a big project and problem to remove

SasogwaDec 8, 20161 votes

The fun thing with summoner 6 is that Riot went in with the mentality : Yeah flash's pretty bonkers, let's buff ghost so that it competes with it. And then players are like, damn flash is so good. But ghost is so good too. Let's take both. Imo, flash and ghost are really super (too?) strong summoners right now.

PS : people will hate me for this, but I actually have to say that pure mobility summoners are really good because everything has a lot of counterplay, too much even. Yea sure, counterplay is great, but that's the first step towards mobility creep. As frustrating as they might be, I believe we still NEED some braindead point & click CC to have a security valve against mobility creep.

Titanium70Dec 8, 20161 votes

You're right: However I consider Ghost highly overrated right now. It might be worth a thought in high-elo but in normal Ranked? The Victor I just played against had a pretty bad game with his Ghost against my Ignite Swain. x'D

You lose so much kill pressure in so many matchups - especially if your opponent has the Ignite.

SasogwaDec 8, 20161 votes

{quoted}

You're right: However I consider Ghost highly overrated right now. It might be worth a thought in high-elo but in normal Ranked? The Victor I just played against had a pretty bad game with his Ghost against my Ignite Swain. x'D

You lose so much kill pressure in so many matchups - especially if your opponent has the Ignite.

That's kinda true, though I'd argue that flash ghost is more competitive because you don't have to kill your opponent. Just pick a waveclear mage, and farm up all day in laning phase, and flash ghost will be a better setup in teamfights.

Titanium70Dec 8, 20161 votes

yes indeed

Mountain WardenDec 8, 20161 votes

I feel like positioning and movement in the game are parameters that make a huge impact. Look at Hecarim or Lee sin, both are strong and both are champions that can move around quite well. Coincidence? I think not.

With that said, the absolute best tool in the entire game to provide movement (both offensive and defensive) is Flash. The immense power provided by the capacity to get around the map combined with the flexibility of this skill makes invaluable. Because you can never have too much movement capability, even champions that are already mobile or fast by themselves benefit from Flash.

And it's true. The game is completely balanced around having this ability. Not picking flash is like building Mejai's soulstealer. It's a huge gamble and you're basically stating that you believe you'll dominate your opponent to the point of never needing to run away. That's ballsy.

So Riot basically shot themselves in the foot by having a summoner spell around which the game is balanced. They can't do much about it anymore.

CRZephyrDec 8, 20161 votes

Flash gives outlets for outplay so its actually a very healthy part of the game, whereas sota and similar mandatory picks provide nothing but bad health for the game because they just serve to limit diversity and squeeze out the other options available. Flash does not fully limit diversity either because you get to choose TWO whole summoner spells.