Lets Talk About Annie

Is a champion that I am fairly surprised has not been touched by any nerfs recently, especially with champions such as getting so much attention in the balance department. So, I made this post to go over the list of reasons why Annie is having a negative impact on the overall game. I won't go over her Q or W as they are deemed "balanced" compared to the rest of her kit. They are very strong abilities and I will leave it at that.

Tibbers This ultimate by itself does not really pose a huge threat balance wise. While it is an extremely powerful ultimate with huge AOE burst with the addition of a minion that does massive AOE damage and tanks, that's surprisingly not what makes it broken. Annies passive allowing this ability to also AOE stun is the terrifying part. Since this ultimate has such a fast cast time ifs basically impossible to miss. This not only allows Annie to burst anyone in a 1v1, but also engage and burst an entire team if she burns flash.

**Issue:**As long as this ability remains in its current state there will be no reason to play champions such as or even over . Annie has just as much burst while retaining amazing sustain, reliability, and huge innate tankiness. This ability, on top of the rest of her amazing kit will always ensure she is an amazing champion whether it be mid top or support.

That damn Molten Shield This is somehow the most overlooked of Annies abilities and I never will understand why. This ability max rank gives Annie 50 armor AND magic resist. It then makes enemies who attack the shield suffer 60 (+20% AP) damage each hit.

**Issue:**Why does the burst mage, who doesn't need to stay in sustained fights need such a shield? Look at her base stats already, they are incredible! She has over 10 more base armor max rank then even Tahm Kench. If you don't see a problem already your not looking hard enough.

THE SOLUTION!

Tibbers: The easiest way to balance this ability would be to give it a cast time. Make Annie literally throw Tibbers to the target area before transforming. You can adjust the cast time or even increase the range to adjust. This not only gives the ability more counterplay but makes it better in some situations, most notably Annie not having to flash to engage.

Molten Shield: Honestly, I just think this ability needs a nerfs. The base stats on top of the cooldown are just way over the top, and make her more innately tanky than even any support. There is no reason to play when Annie is innately tankier, can peel just as well, actually can play aggressively and well, doesn't need to wait for 3 stacks to burst and cc someone, and can engage much better.

Annie would still be an amazing champ after some select tweaks to these abilities so Rito, I beg of you, please try to balance this little girl.