It's only logical: Reward players for out-playing Fiora.

The Rewritten·2/10/2016, 10:38:24 PM·67 votes·4,947 views

What I'm asking for is very small. Please read through and consider my suggestion.

It's no secret that Fiora is a big problem here in North America (and still a problem around the world). Many players are opting to pick/ban Fiora whenever they get the chance. I've come to the conclusion that it is because certain parts of her kit are downright infuriating to play with and is highly likely to put Fiora's opponents on tilt.

If there is one thing in the game that can be considered the ultimate example of "unfun" in the current League of Legends patch, it is Fiora's Riposte ability. Riposte is a 0.75-second uninterruptable hard-counter to any damage or CC (read: ALL basic attacks and ALL abilities) in the entire game. It can block multiple abilities with one instance and gives no refunds to any abilities used. Also, in contrast to other "spell-shields" in the game (ex. Morgana, Nocturne, Sivir), it still does something, even if no one on the enemy team does anything. A riposte is an attack made after a parry. Look it up. It seriously does not make sense that Fiora attacks even though nobody on the enemy team does anything to Fiora.

Fiora's Riposte has no counters in the game, anywhere.
You cannot basic attack her, you cannot CC her, you cannot damage her in any way (aside from pre-applied DoT). On top of that, even if you do nothing to her and just wait out her Riposte, she will still attempt to damage AND slow you (a strong 50% 1.5 second slow at that). Killing Fiora because she Riposted under tower aggro is not a counter.

So what am I getting at?

Fiora's Riposte should be changed so that if she does not use it to block anything for the whole 0.75 second duration, she does not attack and her Riposte is consumed and goes on cooldown.

That's it. I won't complain about her % Health True Damage, I won't complain about her target-less dash. I just want for Fiora's abilities to make a little bit more sense. This way, she keeps nearly all of her power, but her opponents gain a small point of counterplay by waiting out her stun. It will also force Fiora players to be a little more aware of when they use their Riposte.

Feel free to discuss any points in the discussion box below.

EDIT: It has been brought to my attention that I don't mention the 50% attack speed slow on her Riposte ability. This is actually a large component to her ability to win trades automatically by landing her Riposte, even if you don't attack her. The 50% attack speed slow is as strong as Malphite's attack speed slow at max rank (though single target), and as powerful at Nasus's attack speed slow at max rank after 2 seconds. It's a hidden power that causes players who don't know to lose trades horribly and die outright, and even those who do know are stopped in their tracks and forced to back off and automatically lose the trade.

89 Comments

Darkslayer852/10/2016, 10:41:22 PM22 votes

I find Riposte disgusting. Several times I have chased her down to her turret, and she pulls off a Riposte right before ducking under tower. AND SHE PARRIES THE GODAMN IGNITE WHICH IS ON A 3.5 MINUTE COOLDOWN. The only thing she can't block is turret shots which are irrevelant as soon as she kills you after she pops that ult.

Asyde2/11/2016, 12:11:17 AM9 votes

So let me get this straight. Your frustrated with Riposte because it leaves no counter play. Aka you can't use your attacks on her for .75 seconds

So you want RIOT to punish her for using riposte when there was nothing to riposte? Aka.. when your not attacking her?

How does that solve your problem? If your not attacking, and she ripostes, what difference does it make to you? In-fact, isn't that a benefit to you because it goes on cooldown?!

Or are you just concerned with her using it offensively as a slow? If so the cast time makes it easily dodgeable...

On a side note: The people who best play against Fiora bait out her riposte to make her waste it then go all in. If you learn to bait it, you'll essentially do what your asking Riot to build into the game.

Arc Noir2/11/2016, 12:17:33 AM5 votes

It would be hilarious though if you kill Fiora after she ults you, you get the heal instead.

Ulquiorra9952/11/2016, 2:17:28 AM4 votes

Definition of riposte as a fencing move: blocking your opponent and then counterattacking.

What Fiora does: blocks everything, even if it comes from her sides and back at the same time, and then attacks multiple target regardless of if she blocked anything.

I'd like to see it being like an actual riposte: reduce the cooldown and increase the damage, make it only block attacks made from front (in a X degree cone) and only attack if it blocks something. This way both her opponent will be able to play around it and Fiora who properly utilizes it will be rewarded more.

Arsenic Sulfur2/11/2016, 6:03:06 AM4 votes

I also say make the ult fizzle upon Fiora's death. She lost the challenge, so her team shouldn't be able to get the heal.

Gregor Gysi2/11/2016, 3:28:40 PM4 votes

[{quoted}](name=The Rewritten,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=rKE00rPq,comment-id=,timestamp=2016-02-10T22:38:24.659+0000)

If there is one thing in the game that can be considered the ultimate example of "unfun" in the current League of Legends patch, it is Fiora's Riposte ability.

Nah, that's Tahm W..

[{quoted}](name=The Rewritten,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=rKE00rPq,comment-id=,timestamp=2016-02-10T22:38:24.659+0000)

Fiora's Riposte has no counters in the game, anywhere.

C'mon, that's not true. Also, Riposte is supposed to be some sort of "counterplay" itself - hence the name. Saying defensive abilities have "no counterplay" is sort of weird as counterplay is not really the word you are searching for.

[{quoted}](name=The Rewritten,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=rKE00rPq,comment-id=,timestamp=2016-02-10T22:38:24.659+0000)

So what am I getting at?

Fiora's Riposte should be changed so that if she does not use it to block anything for the whole 0.75 second duration, she does not attack and her Riposte is consumed and goes on cooldown.

I think removing the option to use Riposte offensively is actually not really a good thing gameplaywise, because it gives an interesting option to Fiora with obvious drawbacks. Because if you decide to use it offensively you are giving up an defensive option which means that you have an increased risk.

Then again, I do think that it would be thematically fitting for "Riposte" not to do anything when there is nothing that can be riposted. Also, while counterplay itself doesn't seem to be an inherent problem with Riposte, I actually do think that Fiora is too forgiving to play right now - atleast that is my very own experience with Fiora. Because of those 2 reasons instead of the generic "lack of counterplay" I find your idea to be very appealing. 0 effects when she blocks nothing, slow when she blocks something and a stun when she blocks major CC. That seems actually pretty reasonable.

charcharmunro2/11/2016, 12:58:07 AM3 votes

The problem I have with it is, yes, it can be used in a very skillful manner. It can ALSO be thrown out haphazardly in a panic and save your life just because of how strong it is. Sounds Yasuo familiar.

Jacknife2/11/2016, 6:24:01 PM3 votes

It would make sense for arguably the best defensive ability in the game (and a defense-only move realistically) to you know... be used defensively.

UnderscorBunnies2/11/2016, 8:30:39 PM2 votes

As someone who loves to play Fiora, and consistently thinks that people on these boards complaints are often times invalid and silly when it comes to Fiora's strengths, I see literally 0 issues with this. Ignoring the logical fallacy of balancing a game's ability off of its name and actual definition of the name, it adds a slight reward, or opportunity to punish, rather, to anyone who manages to bait out Fiora's W, or a slight punishment to a Fiora that burns her W too hastily. While losing that massive tool is already effectively a fight-losing action, making it so that it doesn't apply any form of CC or damage makes sense.

That being said, the damage isn't all too relevant, since it scales with AP, and really doesn't do all that much, though I can definitely see the movement speed slow and attack speed debuff being significant.

Slamurai Jack2/10/2016, 11:53:30 PM2 votes

Fiora has to stand completely still for .75 seconds in order to use her Riposte. If that isn't enough of a reward for dodging it, I don't know what to tell you. You just got a squishy melee champion to not move for .75 seconds for no benefit while also putting her outplay ability on CD. So kill her.

EvilRabbitt2/11/2016, 12:57:01 AM2 votes

Fizz ...

Von Revanchist2/11/2016, 6:30:05 AM2 votes

I have a level 5 fiora and i gotta say she is easy to play def OP and the current "nerfs" on the PBE are laughable. I read them and thought to myself LOL longer CD on riposte??? I use the ability ONCE in a skirmish and maybe and thats a big MAYBE twice in team fights. but they are lowering her E CD so they are giving her a bigger buff L M F A O. Do they drug test the balance team???

Zydron2/11/2016, 2:38:13 PM1 votes

I thought this was going to be about having her ultimate heal go on the enemies side if she fails to hit all the vitals/kill her target enforcing a high risk high reward playstype, but I like your idea too. I also think she should have her parry in a specific direction rather than having her counter everything from all directions

TonyTonyMordecai2/11/2016, 1:42:46 AM1 votes

I knew you were going to put something about making Riposte become active AFTER something hit her.

I just hate how there isn't a start up time to when she starts blocking stuff, because if she's gonna stand still in the middle of a sword fight, she should be punished for it.

Weiner the Pooh2/10/2016, 11:05:12 PM1 votes

Well, it does say she she blocks THEN stabs, so you know, they may not even be related, the riposte is the dodge, the stab is its own attack.