Possible Yasuo Rework Idea
I just wanted to post a possible rework set for Yasuo. I know some people feel he doesn't need a rework and that this could get some flaming for existing, but I'm creating this for a possible build that could create a more balanced kit that, from what I have noticed in Youtube comments, videos, and other LoL comments, could adjust Yasuo to not be perma-banned in lower rank match-ups. I've avoided using exact numbers or altering the damage or character stats as I'm unsure of how those could be adjusted for balance and don't feel like trying to do the math. As such, I will also stay away from adjusting damage output like playing with the scaling or armor penetration he gets. I also just like thinking of champion kits or how others could be altered. I haven't played in the high-tiered ranked games or follow the pro players to see how well he can be played against. I would appreciate feedback. Please don't give any hateful comments, but I don't mind critical, constructive, or informative comments about what I mention incorrectly or any negative sides to my concept.
Passive: For Yasuo's passive, I think Yasuo's movement and Sweeping Blade would fill the meter he can use for his Q and W. When Yasuo's wind meter is full he gets a shield that is active on the health bar and begins a cooldown when the shield is replenished. If the shield is damaged, but not destroyed when the cooldown expires, a full wind meter would reset the shield and go on cooldown. Personally, I don't think he needs a shield because of how well he can snowball and win fights almost unscathed, but in cases he doesn't do so well or that this kit stops him from snowballing too hard, the shield helps him survive. If gaining the shield with a full bar is too hard, adjustments can be made to how it is gained, like using Sweeping Blade on a champion or large monster grants the shield and starts the cooldown. This possible addition would help his survival so he doesn't have to wait in the back or near minions to build up a shield.
I would break the 3 bars of the meter into 6 bars. Movement would generate about as much of the bar as it does now, but the Sweeping Blade would generate 2 of the 6 bars dashing through champions and large monsters and half a bar for minions and small monsters.
Q: For Steel Tempest, I think there isn't much risk for how much poke damage he can do. My concept would give Steel Tempest a small cost of wind he stores through movement and Sweeping Blade. Using 1 of the 6 bars will effect how often he can spam it, but I don't think damage or cooldown nerfs would be needed if there was a small cost to use the ability. The enhanced Steel Tempest that launches the tornado would be free of the wind cost.
W: For Wind Wall, I think it is a really strong ability and I think most complaints I've noticed is that it can block almost all projectiles on both sides and is free to cast. I think the cost would be 2 of the 6 bars in the wind meter, but I won't make changes to what can or can't be blocked. I think playing around the wall against a ranged champion is what makes the ability unique and giving a cost would make using it a bit more situational in a fight, using the Wind Wall or using Steel Tempest 2 more times. This will also make use of Wind Wall when running away from enemies as the movement and Sweeping Blade would raise the meter.
E: For Sweeping Blade, I think there isn't anything "broken" about it, really. It is a great gap closer and my idea would be to use this ability to replenish his wind meter. Using the ability on champions and large monsters would grant 2 wind bars and using it on minions and smaller monsters would grant half a bar. This would promote initiating on champions, but also provide wind to harass when dashing through waves of minions. When using Steel Tempest after Sweeping Blade, 1 bar would still be subtracted from the wind meter. This may affect his jungle clearing, but I've seen kiting monsters during their long attack animations to be helpful in many jungle clears and the movement will start to fill the meter as well. Using the addition I mentioned in the passive would also make a shield activate more often to reduce the damage he takes.
R: For Last Breath, I wouldn't change it. The ultimate can be used without a cost and still requires a knock-up. I don't want to add damage nerfs to this concept so I will leave the ultimate the way it is.
If you made it this far, thank you for your time. Since Riot is reworking several champions, I thought it would be fun to think of a way Yasuo's kit could be changed to remove his perma-bans in normal games. This is my opinion on what would be interesting and I hope this doesn't get too much hate as this is just done for fun and is in no way, exactly gonna happen to Yasuo. I also don't own the champion, but see him banned quite often. Thank you for any feedback and I hope you found it interesting at the very least.