With Riot throwing around 'skirmisher' it is time to talk about champion archetypes again

Now, I'm not saying Riot borrowed my terminology again, but I'm totally saying Riot borrowed my terminology again.

So, what's a Skirmisher?

Well, the definition I've been tossing around since the days of Old Eve is that a Skirmisher is a champion that combines high mobility, moderate to high soak, solid CC, and a healthy helping of damage (burst, sustained, or some combination there-of). They are, in effect, the unholy offspring of a tank, an assassin, and a fighter. The last time I talked about Skirmishers I pointed out that champions who can, in some capacity, fall under this category tend to be... difficult... to balance.

The reason should be obvious.

Even when a champion only boasts average-ish damage (see: Old Eve), when they're very slippery and very durable wasting your damage output on them becomes a trap option. Good job! You just wasted your cooldowns on Trinity/Tank Eve. She's just going to come back five seconds later and heal 650 HP after she murders someone out of stealth. Not only is this combination of attributes strong, it can be dreadfully frustrating to contend with.

Vi and Jman fell into the category as well. Jman not so much anymore, however, due to his loss of armor. Personally I would have preferred to see his IAS go and some MR added, but that's neither here nor there.

And the newest addition to the Skirmisher lineup?

Our good buddy Ekko.

I suspect Riot will have the same problem with him that's endemic to Skirmishers in general. Either they need to get all their attributes watered down to the point that it feels bleh, or they need to get some of the attributes removed completely (Jman's armor, Kha's damage reduction, Eve's hard CC and refreshing heal, ect). Either way, I suspect the next few patches aren't going to be kind to the Boy Who Shattered Time.

And Riot?

You guys really need to stick with the idea that Skirmishers get less damage if this class of champions is ever going to work.