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What is the relationship between champion identity and their resources?

Solerian·1/22/2016, 5:58:12 PM·1 votes·984 views

I've noticed that there's not really a clear pattern in why certain champions use mana, the general resource, or have a completely different resource (or none at all).

The only champions that really has a solid pattern in their resources are the ninjas, primarily using energy, beasts, and health users.

Rengar and Gnar are both bestial, wild creatures and don't use a resource. Makes sense to not use mana.

Champions that rely on their health pools as a resource (Aatrox ,DrMundo ,Mordekaiser ,Vladimir )do not have a resource or use a modified resource.

For the rest, there's a glaring disparity that I'm not sure why one has mana when it should have another (or none) and vice versa.

  • Why do Katarina and Garen not use mana? Why are they resourceless?
  • Why do champions who seemingly use nothing magical use mana? Vayne, Talon ,Graves , etc.
  • What are the characteristics needed to deserve having "Rage"? Like Renekton, Tryndamere use it but not Olaf ,XinZhao

So, is the decision to modify the resources of a character based solely on gameplay, or do they have some sort of backing with the character?

2 Comments

Fasmodey1/22/2016, 11:22:44 PM2 votes

They're more likely for game style, not lore thing. But looks like theme is also important.

FrickendaChicken1/23/2016, 5:23:58 AM1 votes

Soley for gameplay. Some character's kits need the stopping power mana provides. If Olaf had no resource, he'd be almost perfect, but inhibiting his power behind a resource helps to balance him. If Riot has to change Xin, they can nerf his mana pool. If Riot has to nerf Renekton, they can't nerf his rage, they have to nerf his numbers outright.

Some kits are better with just number tuning, some are better with resource tuning, and others are designed around their resource: rengar, Ryze, Gnar.