Aegis, the Geomancer
http://img08.deviantart.net/2555/i/2013/289/3/3/elemental_summoner_by_billcreative-d6qohpi.jpg
(I take no credit for the image, just pulled it from Deviantart as a concept.)
Aegis is a versatile champion who relies on positioning and planning ahead to get the most out of their kit. Although viable as a Midlaner, Aegis can also perform efficiently as Support or as a Jungler, using their utility to help their teammates score kills or secure objectives.
Passive: Motes Aegis has no secondary resource. Instead, Aegis can store a maximum of 2/3/4 (levels 1/7/14) motes of each element for use in any type of terrain. Standing still in each type of terrain restores one mote every two seconds. Being damaged by an enemy champion disables this passive for two seconds. Air Motes are gained by standing in range of any turret or fallen turret (allied or enemy), Water Motes are gained by standing in either river, and Earth motes are gained by standing in brush. The number of remaining motes for each element are displayed as buffs above the skill bar. Passive: Geomancy Aegis' abilities are enhanced with added damage & effects when standing in the type of terrain for that ability. Additionally, these enhanced abilities do not require motes.
Q: Gale / Howl Cooldown: 9 seconds at all ranks When Cast Outside of Turret Range (Costs 1 Wind Mote): (775 range) Aegis consumes a Wind Mote to release a gust of air in a target direction, slicing the first enemy hit for 70 / 100 / 130 / 160 / 190 (+60% AP) magic damage. When Cast Inside of Turret Range: (50 area radius, centered around Aegis) Aegis creates a whirlwind around him that lasts for 2 seconds, dealing 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 (+20% AP) magic damage every .25 seconds.
W: Surf / Torrent Cooldown: 18 / 17 / 16 / 15 / 14 seconds When Cast Outside of Water: (700 range, 75 area radius) Aegis consumes a Water Mote to create a flow of water in a target direction, sliding forward 500 units and knocking aside all enemies in the path. Enemies that are knocked back take 60 / 80 / 100 / 120 / 140 (+60% AP) magic damage. When Cast In Water: (800 range, 125 area radius) Aegis kicks up a wave from behind and freezes the water beneath them, sliding forward 600 units and knocking enemies behind them back 200 units. Enemies caught in the path or knocked back by the wave take 100 / 130 / 160 / 190 / 220 (+80% AP) magic damage. The path remains for 3 seconds before melting, slowing enemies that walk over it by 20/30/40/50/60%.
E: Tanglevine / Parasite Cooldown: 20 / 18 / 16 / 14 / 12 seconds When Cast Outside of Brush: (125 area radius, centered around Aegis) Aegis consumes an Earth Mote to summon vines around him. After a .75 second delay, the vines latch on to enemies in the area, rooting them for 1 / 1.1 / 1.2 / 1.3 / 1.4 / 1.5 second(s) and dealing 80 / 120 / 160 / 200 / 240 (+60% AP) magic damage. Additionally, the vines attach to his body and shield him for 40/70/100/130/160 (+30% AP) damage for two seconds. When Cast In Brush: (950 range, 1750 speed) Aegis roots himself and sends out branches in a target direction, rooting the first enemy hit and dealing 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 (+20% AP) magic damage every .5 seconds for 2 seconds while also healing himself for 10% of the damage dealt (50% against Champions). Other enemies can break the branches by attacking the connection.
R: Scathe / Shock / Flare Cooldown: 120 / 100 / 80 seconds This skill can only be used when a basic ability's persistent effect is still active. Q: Howl ---> Scathe Aegis ignites the tornado, renewing the 2 second duration, doubling its radius, slowing enemies inside the area by 50 / 60 / 70% and increasing the damage to 30 / 40 / 50 (+20% AP) magic damage every .25 seconds. W: Torrent ---> Shock Aegis sends down a bolt of lightning, dealing 100 / 200 / 300 (+80% AP) magic damage and stunning all enemies on the frozen path for 1.5 seconds. E: Parasite ---> Flare Aegis ignites the branches, dealing 200 / 350 / 500 (+80% AP) magic damage to the enemy champion and releasing them.
Strategies / Chains / Counterplay
Aegis is a battlemage who is all about setting up plays ahead of time, and this is most evident when it comes to his empowered skills combined with his Ultimate. In a meta where Dragon and Baron are more important than ever, being able to push the enemy Jungler away when it comes time to Smite with a well placed Torrent could be invaluable to a team. Additionally, it can also be used offensively if enemies are careless with where they step to stun an entire enemy team.
Aegis also offers great protection for turrets with his empowered Q. Large waves of minions can be quickly cleared if under siege without needing to worry about motes. A well-timed Scathe might also save you from a dive, or ensure that you at least take an eye for an eye. However, you must be wary about harass while recharging motes, especially early in the game.
Tanglevine and Parasite allow Aegis to set up plays for his team, albeit putting himself in the middle of the fray.
Although being resourceless has its benefits for most champions, running out of Motes might be problematic for Aegis if they are pushed under their turret. Not having easy access to nearby bushes or the river means less abilities available, less CS and more time wasted trying to walk where you need to go. However, the need to replenish Motes when pushing the lane also leaves room for roams and ganks as well.
Aegis lacks waveclear unless pushed under turret. Because of the need to replenish motes for any sort of AoE damage, it is easy to punish Aegis early when he runs out of motes and must stand still to replenish them. Aegis' ultimate, while versatile, is only available in specific locations. When in the jungle or in lane, he is very susceptible to ganks due to his inability to fight back with much damage, mobility or CC, especially if his motes have been used to push a wave. Long-range harass is especially effective against Aegis and can be used to deny him motes.
With the amount of interaction with the rift we've seen from recent champions, (Bard, Skarner, Kindred) I thought I'd try my take at truly, ahem, "using the environment"... So to speak.
Please leave comments and feedback!