Could I get context on why was Spell Vamp virtually removed from the item base?

Cherysse·Jul 8, 2016·3 votes·1,009 views

We only have R.I.P Will of the Ancients

But seriusly, is Riot ever planning to add a new Spell Vamp item?

19 Comments

Jungle Lux GodJul 8, 20164 votes

Spell Vamp was extremely problematic for less than a handful of champions and almost useless for every other AP champion. Vladimir in particular was extremely problematic with spell vamp, being balanced around having spell vamp because it singlehandedly removed one of his biggest weaknesses in his health costs. Riot removed spell vamp and reworked Vlad around the assumption that it wouldn't be available, and likely wouldn't introduce it back into the game, at least in item form.

CherysseJul 8, 20161 votes

Removing a sole stat from the itembase because a single set of champs broke it is never good design, NEVER. And BTW, I always found Vlad to be more efficient without the Spell Vamp build, more damage.

Sightless66Jul 8, 20166 votes

Removing a sole stat from the itembase because a single set of champs broke it is never good design, NEVER.

First, it wasn't a set of champions. It was 1. Vlad was the only champion who viably built WotA. Second, If an item is warping a single champion's design and balance to the point where it is never viable on anyone else, and that champion's design is made more unhealthy by the item, then it is absolutely appropriate to remove it. It was only viable on Vlad, and it warped him around healing off of creeps and interacting with his enemies as little as possible. On every champion except Vlad, WotA was an inferior item 100% of the time, because it had to be balanced around Vlad, and Vlad had to be balanced and designed around the expectation that he would have it.

Getting rid of the item helped force Vlad into more interaction with his enemies. Given that he was the only champion that was actually affected by its removal, getting rid of it was purely beneficial. Mind you, I'd still like to see spellvamp reintroduced in a healthier state someday, but barring that, removing it was absolutely better than leaving him shackled to the item.

And BTW, I always found Vlad to be more efficient without the Spell Vamp build, more damage.

I'm going to just have to disagree with your opinion here. The vast majority of Vlad builds at all levels of play had spell vamp as a first item, and it was pretty much a universal build among Vlad mains. If we can say anything objectively about League's balance, then we can say that Vlad was objectively better with spell vamp.

CherysseJul 8, 20161 votes

Hmm I always played Vlad quite a bit different than most persons: item 3068 item 3020 item 3151 item 3001 item 3157 item 3285

I was always more about landing a good W at the enemies, now the W doesn't deal sht of a damage.

Sightless66Jul 9, 20161 votes

I've actually done that build before back in season 4 (although with an earlier Zhonya's and obviously without Luden's). It was a really fun build, but it was definitely worse than WotA. Couldn't pull it off well unless I was smurfing. That was Vlad's curse.

CherysseJul 9, 20161 votes

Whenever I use that build I play him different than most Vlads, I just jump in the middle of all the enemies R+W and let them burn while my team engages. I've actually done some pentas with it. Of course now it is imposible, the W deals no damage.

Also, I believe item 3152 is bugged on Vlad and deals more damage than it should, it also interrupts E.

APrinnyDoodJul 8, 20163 votes

"less than a handful of champions"

That's a fancy way of writing "Vlad". Cause, let's face it, WotA was Vlad, Vlad was WotA, and no other champion even touched that trash.

yoshi2790Jul 8, 20162 votes

item 3146 IS NOT SPELLVAMP! It's 15% of DAMAGE DEALT.

I personally hate that they removed it, it wasn't necesarry. But I thought RIOT said it didn't fit the mage playstyle.

Also, I think only Morgana Akali LeeSin and Ryze have spellvamp.

BUT Ryze his spellvamp will be removed with his rework.

So we only have Morgana Akali and LeeSin

BUT LeeSin his spellvamp is only with his W, he does not have it permanent, so you can argument he doesn't really has it.

So we only have Akali and Morgana

Also, Vampirism (a masterie) and Runes give it.

item 3156 - Lifeline passive, gives it.

So it's not completely removed from League or Items. But it does suck.

item 3070 R.I.P. Spellvamp, 2009 - Patch 6.9, You will be missed.

balbraakselJul 8, 20161 votes

You forgot Ahri .

yoshi2790Jul 8, 20161 votes

Ahri is not spellvamp.

Its a set amount of heal per hit, not % heal of damage of the spell.

balbraakselJul 8, 20161 votes

O I hadn't realized yet that had changed, I did check it recently but thought it was unchanged. Guess I assumed that too quickly.

jaymc1130Jul 8, 20162 votes

Vladimir

This guy kept breaking every spell vamp item introduced for 5 years straight. He was either oppressive, or weak. Never in between. Instead, Riot reworked him and removed spell vamp entirely.

yoshi2790Jul 8, 20161 votes

Vladimir pre-rework was IMO way more balanced than now, that E is just ridicolous.

jaymc1130Jul 8, 20162 votes

{quoted}

Vladimir pre-rework was IMO way more balanced than now, that E is just ridicolous.

Reworks tend to be done pretty half assed and things come out of the rework dramatically overpowered. Regardless of how strong the champ was before.

Examples:

Evelynn Darius Fiora Graves Gangplank Malzahar Mordekaiser Nidalee Skarner Sion Taric Veigar Vladimir Zyra Ryze

Sightless66Jul 8, 20163 votes

Sure, but balance is a temporary thing. Design and game health is what we worry about with reworks, and the new Vlad will absolutely be healthier and less annoying than the old one once he gets nerfed to a balanced state.

khorneyJul 8, 20161 votes

It made azir to op. Every soldier basic proc it and made swain unkillable

yoshi2790Jul 9, 20162 votes

Azir wasn't too OP with spellvamp.
Swain and Vladimir are reworked so they don't need spellvamp anymore. They're the same now, as when spellvamp was still there. Now they're even more OP actually.

CherysseJul 10, 20162 votes

Swain is now a lot worse, he tanks too hard yet deals a shit ton of dmg