@Morello, if you are concerned about Soraka, what about Taric?

Although they fill 2 different role and fantasy, gameplay wise, and don't stretch that far out. They both suffer the same issues, which is a gameplay that mostly involves keeping their adc as healthy as possible, and occasionally peeling.

Also, IMHO he has one of the same problem that brought Sona to attention: his ultimate aura often goes unappreciated.

Both in lane and in teamfight, his core gameplay revolves around stuns, walking to stunned enemy, and Shattering/Radiance.

Taric is also waiting eagerly for a VU, but that's not (in my opinion) the worst aspect of him. I wouldn't say that he's weak, or outdated, his kit is actually straight forward and quite efficient. However, I think the reason he isn't seeing a lot of play is due to his kit being kinda stale and boring. Unlike Sona's, he's not so flexible and hasn't that huge play making ability that Crescendo is. Unlike Raka's , he has more mana issues in keeping his adc healthy while also dishing damage.

I honestly liked the idea of the fighter support that could dive the enemy to deal some damage while peeling for his adc with a targetable stun, but I honestly think that his current kit doesn't live up to the standard you'd expect from a support champion. Janna's kit is as old as his but it still good, regardless the fact that Taric actually went under a lot of work with the support revamp.

I think that your team is also pondering about the gem knight since quite some time, and here's some things that I thought could be interesting as an healer/fighter.

1.** Imbue mana costs scale down with the ally missing health, or Taric's missing health if he's the one targeted.** Healers shouldn't be effective in keeping their ally at full health or they inhibit any interaction with the enemy. On the other hand, a playstyle that rewards the support if he saves his heals for when they are actually needed could make Taric a less all-rounder healer who still has his niche in keeping marksman or allies into the fight with cheap mana costs on low health allies.

2.Current iteration of Gemcraft is a little lackluster.** Gemcraft could enhance differently regular autoattacks, and the first autoattack after a spell is cast.** For example, regular gemcraft could deal bonus damage on autoattacks based on mana+cooldown reduction on abilities(tuned down), and bonus damage based on armor+some form of cc or utility on the first attack after using an ability. **Gemcraft could also differentiate this cc or utility on the ability used. **

Example of the new Gemcraft.

Regular attacks deal a % of his max mana as bonus magic damage.

Gemcraft with Imbue: Taric regenerates health with his next attack, more health agaisnt champions.

Gemcraft with Shatter: Taric deals bonus damage as a % of his armor as physical damage (since shatter reduce armor).

Gemcraft with Dazzle: Next autoattack deals extra damage and slows. If it's used against a dazzled enemy, enemies in a small area near his target are also slowed.

Gemcraft with Radiance: Steals a small % of the enemy AD+AP.