About the GU for Viktor, important: @Solcrushed, would you like to read this?

EDIT2: New thread with new information: http://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/gameplay-balance/YK3N7etK-viktors-gameplay-update-and-the-problems-it-causes-petition

The chances are small, but I hope this gets to the top for Solcrushed to see.

Hello! First of all, I have to say that Viktor is my main champion and Vik practicaly got me into playing LoL. Being a Viktor main became a very easily used title recently, mostly because of the upcoming GU, but I really am one, since day one of my LoL experience. His icon grabbed my attention, out of all other champions, and his playstyle earned him a place as my main champion, ever since.

I believe I know very well the mechanics and tactics of this champion and I would like to offer some of my thoughts on his upcoming rework, and I'm certain many other Summoners share my point of view.

I've noticed that I'm not the only one who is concerned about his GU. There's an overwhelming amount of comments that claim they aren't very happy with the direction of this GU. People are afraid, particulary the Summoners who play Viktor as their main champion.

There's not much information about it, but there are some things that can be derived from the hints we've been provided. As far as I can see, they aren't looking good. Please Solcrushed, if you ever read this, please note that these are the things we are afraid are going to get destroyed in his GU. Vik's originality is one of the things that keep his fanbase so strong.

The Hex Core I agree there is room for improvement here. But the idea of having a final upgrade is not appealing – what kind of evolution would it be if you knew from the beginning with what you were going to end up with? Evolution should be about adapting around your opponent and choosing an adequate Augment for each situation. Why force a build path onto players? Shouldn't it be up to us to choose? And besides, that makes it all the more interesting – the challenge to think out a strategy and outplay your opponent in advance. To adapt to the playstyle of the enemy. The fact whether or not you know which Augment to buy in each situation differentiates a good Viktor player and the one who needs more practice. Also, adding a lot of Augments (meaning, more than the previously suggested three of the second upgrade, besides the current normal ones) would force players to spend gold on them, while they should in fact be spending it on other items. It's not practical, and would again leave Viktor in the dust. Another problem I see are the stats on the Hex Core: Ultimate. This may seem strange, but giving Vik that much ap would in fact harm him! That's right – that flat ap means that his scaling on abilities would have to get nerfed just to keep him balanced. And we don't want him to become another mediocre mage! He would loose his mid-game power spike (which is one of his core characteristics), just to gain ap late-game which would just make him equal to any other mage in late-game. Summoners asked for more niche picks, not more champions with exactly the same playstyle. I agree Death is currently the Augment that offers the most – but nerfing it just to make the other two more favorable would be bad news. Power and Gravity give good and practical stats (I wouldn't want to loose the movement speed on Power, for example). They just may need bigger numbers. I play him top and support, as well as a burst mage. We received a hint that he might not be viable anywhere else except mid after the update? That would be very bad and would cripple the champion whose main theme is adaptation.

Power Transfer Judging by the image we've been shown, Power Transfer now looks something like LeBlanc's E or Karma's link. This would completely ruin the skill, not to mention that it would be a rip-off – how could Vik run way if he has to be linked to his target? That would make ganks unsurvivable for him. And no matter how weird it may sound, the boomerang is also – iconic, just as his any other ability. Forcing players to buy Lich Bane is just an unnecessary change to his playstyle, and it would harm him. He isn't supposed to rely too much on his basic attacks. Adding the auto's proc on Q would just create additional problems, like the one Leona has after using her Zenith blade – if you're running away, the last thing you want is your champion turning to attack all on his own. EDIT1: Perhaps the mechanic of the Q isn't going to be changed, if the image on the thread http://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/champions-gameplay/W47to2On-the-truer-evolution wasn't showing Power Transfer, but was in fact showing Viktor auto-attacking, regardless of whether his shield was up or not.

Concerning his** Death Ray**, it's important to note that being able to target the laser out of the range circle and having Vik walk up to that point is essential to his playstyle. I believe you've mentioned that yourself.

Chaos Storm I don't know what is planned for his ultimate, but I hope it's not something to do with its mechanic. Currently, it feels just right – the silence, the ability to cast it from a distance and having it chase after opponents for additional damage are perfect. It's one of the best crowd control abilities in the game.

Changes that wouldn't mess him up

Here are some of my suggestions that I think could be addressed without harming the character: His auto attack speed is very small. If this got changed, he would benefit a lot, especially in early game, which is his weakest. Currently, he has problems farming and the auto-attack is not very responsive. I'm not thinking of linking his auto to his Q or making him over dependent on it, just a speed buff. A speed buff for the boomerang is again, a very frequent suggestion – he doesn't gain an instant shield on purpose, that's to allow counter-play. Trying to use Q in a precise time for a shield is incredibly fun and rewarding. There are players who rely mostly on the specific mechanic of Power Transfer, and their gameplay revolves around it. The Ultimate (a.k.a. the black hole) is great at the moment – the only thing it could use is the ability to traverse terrain. This has been suggested many times, as well. And that Yi. Maybe have the Gravity field count stacks without slowing him, but when it hits max, Yi gets stunned even if he's in his ultimate? Because it says he can't be slowed, not stunned. Second tier upgrades – available only in late game, they would effectively remove his small late-game drop, and his 5 item problem – because they would act as the 6th item, replacing the previously bought Augment. The ones that were leaked earlier are perfect in their form and stats, just if they had smaller numbers.

I intend to update this thread if I find some errors, or if someone makes a good suggestion. My intention is to somehow inform Riot that Viktor is a unique champion with a very strong fanbase, which is afraid that the changes might ruin him. If you wish, join the discussion below, and hopefully, help Vik survive the GU. For the Evolution!