Riot has ruined Ryze
Okay look i loved the way Ryze was, but with the 9.12 patch changes he has become almost unplayable in any standard. The biggest issues being the changes to W (Rune Prison) and Q (Overload) passive. Let's start with what i meant by Q passive. The fact he no longer gains a shield after discharging two runes has dropped Ryze's survivability to near non-existent. Ryze's shtick was his ability to split push well. While his ability to clear waves is still the same, the ability to duel the enemy(s) that comes to stop him is significantly lowered. Since he now dies way more quickly and easily, the only hope you have is a seraph shield. And i frankly do not see in what way the shield was to strong to get rid of. There was plenty of ways to outplay Ryze ( mainly putting minions in between you and ryze).
Next his changes to W (Rune Prison), the fact that the only way to lock down an enemy is to sacrifice a spell flux prox is infuriating. The ability to root no matter what allowed Ryze to have an effective way to get his single target damage easily. But now in a late game situation, whether it's team-fighting or dueling in a split push, in order to lock the enemy you to have sacrifice a spell flux proc which lowers his damage output significantly, since that flux could've been used with Q (Overload). If you choose to use W without spell flux the slow does not prevent the enemy from reaching you, and without a shield to help you survive you're pretty much screwed. The only way to win would be to essentially one shot your enemy and that would only happen if you're so far ahead.
Which is another point to bring, these changes do not change Ryze's power shift, he is still somewhat weak during laning, and guess what you, have no effective lock down to stop the enemy laner nor a shield to help you survive. The changes to E (Spell Flux), in which it bounces on first hit, does not change anything about Ryze's ability to clear waves. He still runs out mana quickly early albeit not as fast now. The change does not improve his ability to team fight either. I had just played a game in which i couldnt do anything effective. I couldnt stop a Ezreal from shifting all over the place without wasting a flux proc. i couldnt play as forward either because i had no shield to protect me anymore since Seraph is on cooldown.
Riot claims the changes were to make it easier for players to play him. True you dont have to think as hard on how to get your shield off but with the way he his, if Ryze is put in the hands of an inexperienced player, that player will simply die more without any chances to outplay. Of course i understand that as Plat player i probably dont have the most knowledge on these matters and if anyone wants to disagree with me on anything pertaining to this is free to, I'd be more then happy to read what you have to say. Just be respectful and provide clear knowledge. (My very first board btw)
