Should there be any abilities that have longer cooldowns if they're used really well?

darkdill·Jul 25, 2018·1 votes·719 views

What I mean is something similar to Li-Li's Jug of 1,000 Cups:

Jug of 1,000 Cups Channel for up to 6 seconds. Every 0.25 seconds, heal the lowest Health nearby allied Hero for X Health and increase the cooldown of Jug of 1,000 Cups by 2 seconds, up to 50. Base cooldown is 20 seconds.

Basically, if Li-Li makes optimal use of this ultimate and heals a lot of HP, the cooldown will be longer, but if she uses it and only heals a little bit (or gets interrupted), the cooldown is shorter. Pretty interesting design, IMO.

Most abilities that get their cooldown affected via optimal use end up getting it reduced (or get a full refresh), but I don't think there's any ultimate that has its cooldown become longer if used properly. Could this be something to explore, or would it be anti-design in Riot's eyes?

9 Comments

Get Ogre HereJul 25, 20184 votes

I think that would be a bit dumb. A kit should REWARD players for using abilities optimally, not punish them.

darkdillJul 25, 20181 votes

It actually kinda works the opposite in Li Li's case. The maximum cooldown for it is 70 seconds, but it can be as little as around 20 seconds if, say, Li Li gets stunned just after activating it.

Get Ogre HereJul 25, 20181 votes

{quoted}

It actually kinda works the opposite in Li Li's case. The maximum cooldown for it is 70 seconds, but it can be as little as around 20 seconds if, say, Li Li gets stunned just after activating it.

Well that's like TP getting a lower cooldown if it's canceled. (Did they remove that in the nerfs? idek.) That makes sense. But let's say you use a TP into a fight, get a quadra kill, and TP's cooldown is increased because you used it in a good way. That would be punishing you for using it right, which doesn't seem like great gameplay design to me.

darkdillJul 25, 20181 votes

Then perhaps I titled my topic wrong. =/

Get Ogre HereJul 25, 20181 votes

{quoted}

Then perhaps I titled my topic wrong. =/

Am I misinterpreting what your point is? Pls tell me cuz now I feel like an idiot lol

CloudedLogicJul 25, 20181 votes

This is literally just word play that affects peoples mindset, if the ability had a base 70 second cooldown, and could be canceled early refunding a % of the cooldown it would be basically (depending on how CDR works with it as I have never played the game in question) the same thing (as your phrasing doesn't imply the CD goes up only if someone is healed).

This is literally what Jhin's ult used to be before Riot removed that aspect for whatever reason.

People view the original phrasing as a punishment for using your ability, where as Jhin's was simply a gameplay mechanic that covered for ulting at the wrong time, or for allowing the enemy to escape his ult range.

Warlord RhinarkJul 25, 20181 votes

Jhin used to get reduced cooldown on his ultimate if he didn't use all of his shots.

...Not sure why Riot removed it.

darkdillJul 25, 20181 votes

I think it was removed because Riot wanted to punish Jhin if he used his ultimate poorly.

chipndip1Jul 25, 20181 votes

Cause he could just up and load his ult, be like "Aw fuck these ain't good shots", cancel it, and have a reduced cd for when he wants to load 'em up again a bit after.

Made him too hard to balance well.