@Riot, Why is 1-2-3-X such a popular design choice?

Big Sexy Himself·Oct 1, 2014·1 votes·959 views

Not saying that it's bad, but there are quite a few champions who do use the 1-2-3-X formula;

Aatrox (heal/damage) Annie (Stun) Braum (Stun) Diana (Splash damage) Gnar (Damage + % HP) Jax (damage) Kennen (stun) Master Yi (double hit) Malzahar (Spawn Voidling) Skarner (stun) Twisted Fate (damage) Vayne (% HP) Vi (% HP) Varus (% HP) Vel'Koz (True Damage) Volibear (Damage + % HP) Xin Xhao (Knockup) Yasuo (Knockup + Bonus range)

Why is this particular design used so often? Why three as opposed to two, four, or any other number? etc.

5 Comments

67chromeOct 1, 20142 votes

Why is this particular design used so often? Why three as opposed to two, four, or any other number? etc.

Because 3 shall be the number of the counting and the number of the counting shall be 3. 4 shalt thou not count, neither shalt thou count 2, excepting that thou then proceedeth to 3. 5 is right out. Once the number 3, being the number of the counting, be reached, then thou shalt smite thou foe.

WullfOct 1, 20141 votes

I belive that annihe has 1-2-3-4-stun, but that does not matter.

making it shorter would end with effect being too often at hand. (remember vayne with high attack speed)

making it longer would end with effect taking too long to use and put you in situation where you would stick in fight longer then needed to "hit once more"

that is my opinion

TravistyseOct 1, 20144 votes

As a Designer of a few games of my own, I can back this theory as the main reason I choose the 3rd time's the charm thing. Also you (OP) forgot Riven. :P

Edit: Basically, you want an encounter to last long enough to make the ability's skillful use result in its proper outcome while not making it feel like it drags on or causes the player to be surprised by the thing happening (you don't want the player AND the enemy being surprised by something) but you also need to balance it so that it's not just an on-hit effect or something close enough to it that it might as well be. Four isn't much worse than three, but three is typically chosen.

Lumus AvatarOct 1, 20141 votes

Nintendo's Rule of Three. You do the same quest three times to actually complete it: 3 Spiritual Stones, Deliver letters to 3 random dudes, Collect 3 chickens, find 3 hidden locks to open a door...