Let's talk about Janna

cshakes·7/19/2014, 5:54:14 PM·4 votes·1,326 views

Janna is the quintessential disengage support. Her laning pattern is very passive, and she doesn't offer many offensive bonuses. Sure, her shield gives bonus AD, but only until it's popped. Post-6, one can flash+ult into the middle of the enemy team and separate them, but she's so squishy, she'll die for it.

I'd like for Janna to be able to do more. Currently, her laning is passive and not very interesting to play as or against. Her shield's bonus AD scales off her AD, so I'd like for her to be able to use the Frost Queen's Claim support item line. It would also help a bit with her passivity and lackluster damage (go in to poke with extra damage). There is one thing, however, that stands in its way: Janna's auto-attack range. Currently, it's 475. The most common ranged champion autoattack range is 550. Apart from Morgana and Thresh at 450, all ranged supports have ranges larger than Janna's. Annie's sits at a whopping 625. I suggest that Janna receives more autoattack range (550 would be nice, 525 or even 500 would be ok) and perhaps a base AD buff. Post-3, I don't even see my autoattacks on the enemy squishies.

Another thing going against Janna being active in lane is her high mana costs. They change the required decision-making from "Should I use my tornado/slow to poke now, or avoid giving the enemies a window to engage?" to "I'll only use them for disengage because otherwise I'll be oom." I'd like some mana-cost buffs.

9ProbsSupAint1 has talked on Janna's situation and potential buffs here. I suggest you read the post and its replies.

What do you think about Janna? How would you change her?

20 Comments

wtvdd7/20/2014, 12:18:54 AM5 votes

They can tweak her Q with no problems. Her Q costs, absurdly, 90 mana at level 1, and we have absolutely no reason to let it charge. The current bonus for charging is not noticeable. Increasing the travelling speed for her Q when charged would be soo much good, as well reducing the mana cost. Her W is fine for me, could use a range increase with no problem, tho.

Hyrum Graff7/19/2014, 8:02:35 PM2 votes

I think the issue is, if you give her a range buff, you get into this situation where she can harass her opponents from range, and if they try to engage on her, well, she's Janna.

WIth regards to her passive laning, I've played aggressively with her was well (only really works against immobile carries) by setting up a whirlwind, then slowing the enemy carry so they can't get out of its way. Makes for a really favorable trade.

PokladnicaZla7/20/2014, 2:13:31 PM2 votes

Well she got her passive range increased to 1000 from 800 on PBE.

I also remember a RIOTer(maybe Morello?)that Jannas kncokup duration could get higher while charging,said that would be healthy,but didnt state if it would happen.

MrSc0tty7/21/2014, 12:49:06 PM2 votes

I have an idea.

25% damage buff on Q.

Q does 50% less damage to minions and monsters.

Toxic waveclear mid Janna is gone forever; support Janna is buffed.

Stacona7/21/2014, 7:04:43 AM1 votes

undo the janna changes to bring back mage janna, done, discussion closed, this is the only way janna will get played

ratcharmer7/22/2014, 7:08:49 PM1 votes

Looks like they're testing some minor Q buffs on PBE?

(+0.25 seconds knock up on fully charged Q, coolddown starts as soon as Q is cast)

. . . doesn't look like much that will make any difference (pretty much only applies if you're charging Q a long time, and who does that?)

I think they also tested increasing her aura range? (seems like the sort of buff Riot usually hates)

MaknBacnPancakes7/19/2014, 7:22:20 PM1 votes

Keeping her abilities as is without a total rework, I believe a possible fix to be making her able to bubble shield enemies.

While teammates are bubbled: they gain attack damage and protection until popped

While enemies are bubbled: enemies are silenced and slowed, however still retain the protection.

This gives Janna some options, other than shielding the most fed carry on the team, whirlwind, peel, Ult, repeat bot that she feels like.

I use to love supporting with Janna, then I tried Sona, Zyra and some other squishy supports and just fell out of love..

Thanks for the memories Janna, was fun while it lasted.