Aatrox concept design
We have the darkin of murder who has a dual identity in kayne so why not make the darkin of war just as fun. Base aatrox can be balanced in both terms of attack and defense with his current kit very similar keeping the thirst on his blade. now my first idea i'd like to iterate on is the idea of attrox the darkin of warfare!!! a little different title but essentially in war a weapon is best chosen due to its situation. Why not have aatrox (retaining the core detail of his kit the blood thirst) choose his identity based on the game hes in and transform into either a less lifesteal but more tankish bruiser (ie. damage on blood thirst/price becomes based on his max hp. so heals for 5% hp and gains passive armor and mr per level and a bit more health growth but also does damage based on 2.5% of his max hp). His Q becomes an unstoppable that has either a lower cooldown or more cc involved. I'd suggest more CC such as a .5 sec stun after the knockup. his E has increased slow and a slightly larger radius (for that cc tank identity) his ult can change to where he gains instead of attack speed a gargoyle stoneplate ( or is it called stoneskin) ability. Passive adds reduced death timer by 5% or the like (the darkin of war has gotta be fighting constantly) and retains his defied death bloodwell. Pros tankish hp bruiser that deals sustained damage and moderate cc. Cons slow moving juggernaut that can easily be kited and suffers severly against grievous wounds/hp%damage
Now comes the crazy part. sometimes we all have to admit melee aatrox is useless against some matchups so hear me out. A weapon of war should be able to adapt to this. Marksman aatrox!!!! passive is now blodowell charges (max of 5 stored charges) similar to rengars charges but are not based on hp lost but instead %hp dealt. Q is now similar to a lucian dash but moves more distance based on blood meter charges. Blood price/thirst now has a similar effect to bloodlust however he gains 5% lifesteal when toggled off and gains bloodwell charges. When toggled on he expends all bloodwell charges to deal damage equal to 2.5% max hp of enemy per blood charge (max 5 counts as on hit effect runaans hurricane synergy) his e becomes a displacement mechanic in which enemies caught in his familiar V shape skillshot sufffer a minor knockback similar to graves autos. his R will become an untargetable effect similar to xayah or fizz's pole however he may move and cast q or e while untargetable to add to his utility. (Big note here his health should sit at a point where if someone gets to him he will explode but with the right skill level people shouldn't be able to do that. ALSO FIRST MANALESS MARKSMEN!!!)
max E, insane poke and waveclear
Tank enemy? Aatrox is your definition of a tank killer
AP? Spirit visage is sick on aatrox, with a ranged poke that costs no mana, plus his sustain