@Reds Does Ekko really HAVE to be an assassin?

So why is Riot forcing Ekko to be an assassin as opposed to a Slayer or skirmishing fighter ala ?

when I look at his splash or lore or his reveal trailer I dont really think "WHOA this guy is one lethal dude!"; I get more of a "never back down" underdog hero vibe so why not have his kit reflect that side of him?

Was this chosen because its the only consistent/viable playstyle that he's ever had aside from tank Ekko and tank Ekko cant be allowed exist? Why not simply try slotting him into a different class like a disruptive AP fighter ? In terms of what assassins bring to the table I just dont see any real reason in particular to add him to a team comp outside of him being a comfort pick. has the cleanup and AOE is the "we really need this one guy in particular dead" and boast the highest single target damage are the kings of the Jungle is the master of roaming has the most sticking power

It just seems that Ekko lacks consistency and reliability that can be found in other assassins and there doesnt really seem to be a very special niche that he explicitly fulfills. in my opinion is a much better choice of an AP assassin who is arguably just as good @ initiating and has alot of damage. I think that if his current live PBE update goes through he wont really be living up to his character potential and might have to be revisited. The problem lies within his kit not the numbers. Everything just compliments him being a disruptive fighter rather than some sort of all in assassin Like sure the whole chronobreak one-shot thingy but at higher levels you will almost never land it due to how hilariously easy it is to play around and its really something thats starting to feel almost parasitic as though the rest of the kit must be toned down and molded around this one potentially hard hitting skill.

This is just my 2cents and I dont really main Ekko but I have played him a bit so feel free to disagree but Im just really puzzled as to why Ekko absolutely HAS to be this "utility assassin" fantasy that Riots trying to make a reality. He feels like hes a champion thats trying to be forced to do A when he excels at doing B so much better but instead of modifying him around his strengths Riot is repeatedly slapping him on wrist and trying to FORCE him to be good at doing A.