What can be done with Xin Zhao's concept? (Rework Discussion)
The recent controvery of the buffs he has recieved is just one part of a way bigger problem: Xin's current design is too simple and binary. One tiny buff, and suddenly he's on the verge of breaking the game singlehandly. I don't think I have to remind you of release Xin to tell you how bad it really can be.
Back then he was designed as one of Riot's experiments for what was supposed to be a "bruiser", but their ideas backfired, creating mostly balls of stats with unholy snowball potential and gameplay lacking depht and complexity in most parts. Another example for this would be Irelia. But this thread is supposed to be about Xin, so let's save her for another thread.
As far as his theme goes, there is nothing really specific, apart from being Ionian (implies material arts knowledge) and using a lance/spear in combat.
Right now his kit does barely reflect anything of that. His ultimate might be a good start, but not exactly what you might expect from a character like this. His role in the game is weird too: just going by his theme I'd see him in the middle of the enemy frontline, standing his ground against multiple enemies at once or maybe defending his own backline against engage tanks and assassins.
But not flopping on the enemy squishy and poking them to death in moments while his stat boni keep him alive...
But the question is: How can we make him really feel like a spear-fighter ingame?
I thought of something like a Yasuo Q for him, just not for a sword but for a spear (longer range, but wind-up time) and let the rest of his kit build up from that point. But that's just my idea on how it could work... Any Xin mains here who know this matter better than I do?
