On Anivia "Bugfixes" and Patch Note Transparency

RohirrimRowan·7/12/2017, 4:39:09 PM·6 votes·623 views

In the patch notes for 7.14, Anivia recieved two changes: A "bugfix" that made cc effects properly cancel her ult, and a change to her wall to no longer give it the ability to grant vision. There's two big issues here:

First, this needs a lot more transparency. The loss of vision on W is a huge nerf - I don't think riot gave enough credit to exactly how big of a nerf it is. As a control-oriented mage, vision is an important thing to have, and in fact many of the use cases of the wall revolve around that vision. Checking jungle camps, getting a quick pick on a fleeing enemy with the E, etc. Easily 50% of the use cases of wall revolve around the vision. This change is a massive nerf, and comes with an added detriment - while I haven't had time to properly test this, the wall should now actually BLOCK your vision, making it even more detrimental to use improperly and creating even more trouble for allies. This alone should have given Anivia her own place in the patch notes, along with Ivern and Trundle, instead of a small footnote that won't be read by many players. (Ivern's cast range got a huge nerf - that should warrant it's own section in the patch notes as well at the very least)

Second, the "Bugfix" is, well...only partially a bugfix. It states that fears, flee, charms, taunts, and knockbacks now properly cancel her R. But ehre's the thing: Fears, charms and Taunts are now IMPROPERLY cancelling her R. While the changes to knockbacks was actually a bugfix, it has been stated before by Riot themselves that the R is intended not to be canceled by Fear, Charm, or Taunt. Many matchups for Anivia revolve specifically AROUND that interaction, which has been there since practically the start of the game - Anivia players KNOW they can cast their R without worrying about Ahri charm, etc. This is a flat nerf, not a bugfix.

Anivia should have had her own slot in the patch notes for these at the very least, and while I don't know for sure about the actual balance impact of the nerfs, I believe them to be far too strong, despite her high winrate right now.

Edit: Tested and the Wall doesn't block allied vision. All other points still stand

3 Comments

Srkkk7/14/2017, 9:14:10 AM3 votes

riot just don't care player experience. Anivia lowest HP, slowest MS(except unmounted Kled). No escape. now has no vision on the wall which can help the check bushes without having to wall all the way near it to place a ward. take the wall vision away, thats ok but at least give her more Hp and MS.

Son of Mu7/14/2017, 5:02:41 PM2 votes

This is a HUGE nerf, I'm getting frustrated because I practically only play immobile mages. Malzahar used to be my main and I don't touch him anymore because he's now sub-par when before he could 100-0. Brand was then my main and he got turned to a support -- he's still viable as mid, but he can't as easily 100-0 someone. I had been learning Anivia who got hit in the mage rework also, albeit fairly. The slow expanding ult is fine, but I wasn't a fan of removing the attack speed debuff on it because I used to SPECIFICALLY pick Anivia when going against champs like Udyr and Trynd.

Removing the vision on her wall is a HUGE NERF and it FEELS bad. Like, a nerf will always feel bad. But I mean, the gameplay with her wall now FEELS bad. As OP said, easily 50% of wall interactions revolve around the wall giving vision. Having to wall someone off -- hoping they are still caught while you slowly walk up and ward the bush -- oops they're gone, or oops they turned on you because you were forced to facecheck. What is this? Why? Anivia is the slowest immobile mage. She needed this vision. It doesn't even make sense aesthetically, either. It's a BRIGHT BLUE GLOWING CRYSTAL WALL. It doesn't make sense that it is pitch black around it.

To be completely honest, I thought it was a bug when I first realized it didn't give vision lately and was going to report it.