If you're ever going to nerf Vladimir, nerf the thing that makes him problematic.
Phase Rush.
The ability to invalidate all melee top laners with the simple push of Q E W allows this champion to farm safely from a distance and hit his late game power spike with relatively no risk.
Nerfing his damage/survivability/whatever won't matter if no one can effectively trade against him. (See: Kennen)
It would also screw over a lot mid lane Vladimir players for no apparent reason. Remember that time Viktor became useful top? In response Riot made top lane Viktor weaker (but not un-viable) at the expense of gutting mid lane Viktor, who was already struggling massively.
This is what I don't want. I don't want Vladimir top to be even remotely viable and in turn completely annihilate mid lane Vladimir.
Get to the core of the problem. Keep Vladimir mid where he's supposed to be. Don't force Vladimir top and balance him that way.
NERF PHASE RUSH.
