LeBlanc re-rework suggestion
I know Leblanc is being difficult to make match her vision as an illusionist and deceiver while keeping her balanced and interesting to play. To that end, I've been mulling over some suggestions to share as an alternative to both her rework, and her old self. I don't think she lives up to her fantasy in either version.
WWLBD: What would LeBlanc do? "It's all smoke and mirrors." "Classic misdirection." Leblanc is conniving, and likes to use deception and manipulate others to achieve her ends. So far, only Distortion, her original passive, and her new R-R have stuck to that theme.
She needs to retain stealth as a component of her kit, and I believe she's a good candidate for the underused near sight mechanic. I would also like to see her incorporate some abilities that use others, to fit her manipulator theme.
Positive play should reward the LeBlanc that is able to fool her enemy, and punish those who fall for her tricks.
My proposed kit:
Passive - Mirror Image - Old LB passive
Q - Sigil of Malice - skillshot version of old LB Q, with the same mark functionality
W - Distortion - Blinks Leblanc to target location, working as current, but also leaving a Graves-like smokescreen. the smokescreen ends when Leblanc returns.
E - Ethereal chains - Works as current with the addition of: for the next 1.5 seconds, Leblanc can recast the ability at no additional cost. The second chain will have no affect to the target of the first, but can be cast on another target to instead tether the two to each other. The 1.5 second root timer resets once the second target is chained. Allies are a valid target for the second cast of chains. If both targets are enemies, both are damaged and rooted.
R - Mimic - (Global targeting) Leblanc creates a clone of the allied champion (including Leblanc herself) closest to spell cast location that appears at Leblanc's side, and is controllable a la Tibbers. Does no damage. Upon expiration, death, or R recast (after a short lockout), damages and applies sigil of malice in an area around itself. A valid target for the second cast of Ethereal chains.
Gameplay/Reasoning: Q - The classic combo spell for LeBlanc, skillshot because the era of point and click is coming to an end, and LB can reposition with W.
W - Smokescreen gives her a bit of utility to replace her toxic ranged burst. She can jump on a target and instigate a duel-or-run choice. She could jump on a strategic target other than her main target to limit their impact on the fight. When running away the enemies will have to go through or circumvent the W to chase, and LB has the potential to snap back while they're in the cloud for a bit of surprise factor. Takes the sting off losing RW with my new ult.
E - Again, some extra utility for losing her easy ranged burst. Tether an enemy to his minions to force him to seperate so you can land Q. Tether two champions together to disrupt their attack or retreat a bit. Or simply use it like you used to and trade a potential second target for more sure landing ability.
R - The true deciever potential:
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Walk into fog or brush and ult yourself for a fakeout. If they fall for it and jump on your clone, they are punished with damage and the potential for even more damage from the sigil when the real you dashes in for the kill.
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Target your jungler for a fakeout gank, either to scare off a pursuer or to trick an enemy into blowing cooldowns.
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Target a fleeing ally and send their chasers the wrong direction (ideally into a trap). Assist your subterfuge with a W smokescreen.
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Make an enemy believe you have an ally with you, and stall an attack.
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Walk through wards with your jungler clone to "gank" bot lane. The real jungler ganks top!
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Use Ethereal Chains to help your clone close the distance to your target once they've found you out. They must either run, take the damage, or if ranged, choose to focus the clone before it reaches them.
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If you can get your clone to a group of enemies, the sigils from detonation will be able to be popped with W for massive aoe damage.
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Or, just W onto your target and R, then recast R for immediate detonation that feels like the old double distortion bomb, but there's a price: Can you survive the short R recast lockout? Perhaps your passive will help you. And, you are now out of aoe spells, and can only trigger sigils from R with your skill shots.
And there we have it. No more instadeath ranged burst. She must either fool her enemies with R clone to fully combo, or find a way to get her clone to the target. In compensation, she gets some mean tricks with the W smokescreen and E chaining. Alternatively, she can forgo the R damage entirely for some mind games.
Please tell me what you think. I look forward to the feedback.