@Riot Improving Akali's Clarity - Adding visual counterplay without changing numbers.

Akali popularity has risen once again, and that is apparent by her being banned quite a lot across all Elos.

Akali in the past, has been labelled as having lack of counterplay due to her point-and-click nature of her abilities providing guaranteed damage. While adding actual counterplay to her abilities in the short term isn't possible since it will step into rework terrority, adding better visual clarity to her existing abilities will improve her subtle counterplay.

Mark of the Assassin Clarity Improvements: Currently Mark of the Assassin's debuff animation is glitched. The spinning top kama is missing.

1. Increasing the size of the debuff animation. This is making it very clear who has been marked, since the current animation is not visually pleasing, i.e. Think of Zed's Death Mark. The 'X' on his ultimate animation got made much bigger.
2. Adding a lasting timer duration to the champion that has been marked with Mark of the Assassin, just like how Yasuo's Sweeping Blade (E) adds a lockout timer to the opponent he dashes onto. This makes it clear to keep track of the debuff duration visually on the champion model.

Twilight Shroud Clarity Improvements: (Images included)

1. Adding a lasting duration timer on top of shroud so opponents can visually see it is going to end.
2. Adding a lasting duration buff icon to Akali, so Akali can keep track of shroud's duration.

Shadow Dance Clarity Improvements: (Images included) Akali now gains an Essence of Shadow particle for each Essence of Shadow she currently has. This makes it visually clear how much charges Akali has, how much she is expending/gaining, especially from resets. In a thick of a teamfight, this is much needed visual clarity improvement to Shadow Dance.

All these visual clarity improvements can help keep track what Akali is doing. This in turn adds counterplay without having to touch her numbers.

Edit: Morello replied.

I like the cut of your jib, sir.

Good suggestions. I do worry a bit about UI clutter for the opponent view (client-only for Akali is a slam-dunk). I'll pass this on to the team :)

Monotachi (NA)

Hello Morello.

Thanks for the reply! Yes the ultimate particles are just examples to show how it would be done, but of course, I am not an expert designer, so definitely the art team at Riot can come up with much better particles (smaller) that would not clutter the UI.

In terms of shroud, there are several options. The loading bar can work, like loss of control loading bars (when CC'd) or you can do what I suggested with MoTA debuff having a lasting timer, but instead put this as the outer circle of shroud's border? I.e. on the green/red circle lines.

I believe Akali can feel much more satisfying to play as and against which these visual touchups. She currently doesn't display much visual clarity of her abilites to her opponents and as well to her teammates.

Plus if you have the time, or anybody that is interested, can you please check this thread out? http://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/gameplay-balance/hEnqoYi6-adding-a-meaningful-cooldown-to-akalis-ultimate?sort_type=recent This has gain much more views, upvotes and discussion than this current thread so I feel it is of importance as well.

Mainly, does Riot have the tech to support it? And if so, what implications can arise from this?