Besides a walking gay joke what is Taric precisely?

I feel like his rework was only done to emphasize his sexual orientation because his playstyle took a massive blow. Condemned to botlane support. His secondary role is/was fighter but he only has 1 damaging ability that does minor damage. His passive doesn't fit him at all anymore since it no longer synergies nor supports his playstyle as a damaging support/fighter.

I always felt more usefull playing old Taric (especially in toplane) as a tanky support with still respectable damage and great peel. And yes I was Diamond 2. Managing his spell rotation, stacking armor vs AD teams to give my team a huge armor bonus aura, his ult gave a lot of power as well. His point and click stun was limited by range and time but it felt reliant vs hypermobilty and was much needed in the meta. His heal was strong and he actually had a decent waveclear after ranking up W a couple of times. He was a fun and strong champ to play if you played him the right way. Old Taric was a basic support but a great toplaner vs AD champs, especially melee.

Actually everything about him got nerfed. A bit of heal, a bit of shield, a bit of circumstantial stun and a passive that is useless. As compensation he got one of the best and most influential teamfights ults in the game. And that is the problem with every Repertoir-rework. He always trades an entire kit for 1 purpose. He has become predictable and boring to play. His window of power revolves completely around a good ult during/prior to a teamfight. Other than that he is lackluster.

I always felt more usefull playing old Taric (especially in toplane) as a tanky support with still respectable damage and great peel. And yes I was Diamond 2. Managing his spell rotation surprising enemies with my damage and peeling for teammates. Even in botlane I felt I could play passive lanes and just rank up Q first and later in the game peel for my adc vs assassins like Zed or Talon.

What Taric lost

• Micromanagament of spell rotation and AA's
• Going sololane or jungle for that matter
• His secondary role as fighter
• Good heal
• Armor aura
• Armor penetration
• Damage on his W and R
• Reliant stun
• Clear reasons when and when not to pick him

What Taric gained

• One of the most decisive teamfight ults in the game.
• High manacosts so he goes oom fast to cast lackluster spells.
• Circumstantial stuns that are predictable and very low range
• Depends a lot more on others to be successful now