Balance Team: Patch 7.2 thoughts

I'm writing this in hopes that Riot's balance team will see, though I'd welcome everyone's comments. I like several of the changes made this patch. I agree with many of the changes, though I think they missed the mark on a few.

Redemption: What makes Redemption so powerful is its active. The nerf to the healing component was justified. Even as a second item purchase everyone is probably at least level 9 though, making the active still strong. In lieu of further adjusting the active it seems nerfing the stats was favored. Caster supports (the intended wielders) already have 75 - 100% mana regen from their support item and likely the Meditation mastery as well, so the additional mana regen is somewhat wasted. I'd like to see a further shift away from the active and towards the item's stats. Further the heal adjustment to 20 + 25 per level (45 - 470), or instead 90 + 20 per level (110 - 450, giving you a higher midgame spike but then trailing off lategame). For the stats I have the following ideas.

Option #1: Forbidden Idol + Catalyst of Aeons + 300g (2200g total) 300 health, 400 mana, 75% mana regen, 10% CDR, +10% shield/heal, Eternity passive and the above active. Prioritizing mana and the Eternity passive over unnecessary health/mana regen I think will help solidify this item as a caster support item.

Option #2: Keep the recipe the same but adjust the final stats. 300/400 health, 75% health regen, 75% mana regen, 10% CDR, +15% shield/heal and the above active. I think this option would help define the Forbidden Idol paths. Ardent Censor for less shield/heal power but a more offensive passive, Mikael's Crucible for with its higher shield/heal power and defensive active, and Redemption as a balanced option. The extra shield/heal power also helps define this as a buffing support item.

Knight's Vow: I like the concept of this item, just not in its current state. 100g doesn't change that. There are two issues I have with it, the build path and how dependent the stats are on being next to your assigned partner. I think either of the following will remedy those issues.

Option #1: Crystalline Bracer + Chain Vest + 950g (2400g total) or Crystalline Bracer + Crystalline Bracer + Chain Vest + 300g (2400g total) 400 health, 100% health regen, 40 armor, +20 armor and 15% movement towards your partner when they are nearby, plus the passive.

Option #2: Kindlegem + Chain Vest + 700g (2300g total) 300 health, 40 armor, 10% CDR, +20 armor and 15% movement towards your partner when they are nearby, plus the passive.

Courage of the Colossus: I like the change to base shield amount. The shield duration nerf however I'm less impressed with. The shield is activated upon crowd control, so a portion of the duration is already during a time which the enemy is unable to attack you. At 3 seconds the shield is only actively blocking damage about half that time. If the enemy team can crowd control you for 1 - 1.5 seconds, they can essentially back away from you and resume after your shield has dissipated. I'd like to see the duration return to 4 seconds.

Lastly I wanted to praise the changes made to Hextech Gunblade, Eye of the Equinox, and Ardent Censor. I'm also excited for the Warwick rework, and for some strange reason seeing the rift scuttler eating honeyfruit. Thanks for reading, I know it was long.