Can we buff Trackers Knife?

Yuyiyo·7/24/2017, 3:02:47 PM·3 votes·496 views

There are three jungling items currently, Skirmishers Sabre (red smite, SS), Stalker's Blade (blue smite, SB), and Tracker's Knife (green smite, TK). They all give the same stats and passives, however SS and SB also enchant smite to deal a small amount of true damage and have a bonus effect, reducing damage or stealing movement speed. TK however, does not enhance smite in any way but does grant 2 wards that renew upon returning to base, much like a sightstone.

While I don't have item analytics and am only using anecdotal evidence, I think most people would agree that TK is the least bought jungle item type. I've really only seen it consistently bought on lee sin, for ward jumping (and even then the trinket usually suffices), and Ivern (but even then, he might just buy a ruby sightstone for the reduction on his redemption active).

I personally think this particular item needs a buff, if its only really bought on 2 champions (correct me if I am wrong, maybe its more common in pro play or something).

I think, in keeping with the utility/"tracking" aspect of the knife, it could enhance smite to deal maybe 5% of smite's true damage, but also mark the target, revealing them while marked, for 3 seconds. Taking damage from the jungler who used the smite will renew the mark.

Now, the item can of course be used by Ivern and Lee Sin, but might also be a counter pick to champions who use invisibility (think talon, akali, ect).

If just a flat reveal is too OP against invisible champions, than maybe making it so that the "sparkle" effect on invisible units has a reduced cooldown, so that the sparkle occurs rapidly while marked, and just reveals other champions.

I also think that making the fully upgraded jungle item (when you add one of the enchantments) have 3 wards instead of 2 would also be nice.

A last possible buff to the item would be to increase the vision radius of the ward if it was placed in the jungle (or just if it was placed in the enemy jungle), thus solidifying it as a jungle-oriented item.

Any one of these buffs would be nice and very welcome, the item has been a bit under performing in my opinion.

Thoughts?

1 Comments

Baron Barian7/24/2017, 10:57:25 PM3 votes

I personally wouldn't mind if the ward just had a 3rd charge so I can maximize ward placement and still use Oracle. It would be especially great since almost no supports buy the ****ing sightstone.

Or maybe if each of the wards lasted longer, if for no other reason, then so Lee can't abuse the extra ward jump in a pinch. I do agree that this particular jungle item is underused.