[Resolve Mastery Tree] Upgrading the defensively oriented Mastery Tree
Recently, I thought about changes the game could possibly benefit from. One thing that came to mind would be improvements for the Resolve Tree, the mastery tree that governs defensive aspects.
If I had the power to test changes, what would be logical? Currently, imo, there is a little too much damage in the game, especially in the later phases and on certain systems like masteries and jungle buffs.
However, the aim cannot be to totally negate this advantage of offense over defense, as an abundance of damage makes games end at some point - nobody wants the S4 stallfests back. Also, the aim cannot be to improve defenses majorly in the early and mid game - again, let me point towards season 4 and season 5 for the things that happen when early defenses are too supreme.
So, what would my idea be?
First, swap Unyielding and Veteran's Scars.
Unyielding is now a 5-point Tier 2 mastery that competes for points with Runic Armor. Ideally, champions who want defense via sustain (AD carries, Fiora, Vlad, Swain) would like to take Runic Armor to improve their sustain directly , whereas those who want resistances can take Unyielding. It also creates an interesting decision point for people who bolster their sustain with resistances. Meanwhile, Veteran's Scars now competes with Recovery - which seems a bit odd, as the numerically superior of the two would be the correct choice in almost all cases. Which leads us to point 2 quite nicely...
Change Veteran's Scars to give a scaling buff to health.
In my mind, this would work somewhat like Natural Talent in the Ferocity tree - give a little base value, but have the majority of the effect gated behind level scaling. Whereas Veteran's Scars would be the correct choice if you wanted your power to scale a bit harder, Recovery would be the choice for immediate power.
Change Unyielding to affect base values as well, but...
...have the amount of bonus resistances increases at certain levels. For example, 5 points could give 2% increased resistances at level 1, 4% at level 6, 6% at level 11 and 8% at level 16, synchronizing nicely with the ultimate power spikes. Again, the point here is to have the bulk of the defense increase only come into play in the later stages of the game. Alternatively, take Unyielding's current effect and make it give you the bonus as an increase in BASE resistances - making tanks tankier once the Last Whispers come into play.
Well, those are the things I'd like to test for improving the Resolve Tree.
Oh, one more thing: We are still lacking a third tier 1 1-point mastery for the Resolve tree. Anyone got a good idea that follows the tree's thematic direction and does not collide with either of the existing tier 1s?
