Some Ideas for more permanent URF
First off, Riot thank you for bringing URF back. It is such a fun, crazy mode. I think with a little tuning, URF could be a solid go to mode for the super casuals like me. I only play ARAM because I just can't get into the rhythms of SR laning phase. It is just too slow for my tastes.
In my opinion, what makes URF so much fun is everyone getting to their late game builds and abilities when all sorts of craziness happens. One of the setbacks of URF in its current state is that it really depends on the players if a game reaches the late stages. Some champs are very strong early game, and with a few lane wipes due to differing champion power spike curves, the early game champions could easily push a turret or two incredibly early. With dedicated focus, a team comprised of mostly strong early game champs could push deep into the base very quickly. 12-15 minutes games are readily possible.
I have two suggestions to help delay the game that could be used in conjunction with each other.
1)All structures are immune to champion damage. You have to use the minions to take out all structures. Just a very simple way to prolong the game. And it helps put the focus on teamfighting as well because your goal is to take out the enemy champs so they don't kill your minions. Obviously, this idea might take some math tinkering to get a good balance of minion damage/turret health.
2)And this one can be more optional: require a full structure clear before the nexus is open. Again, I've seen URF matches end very quickly when a team just pushes up one lane straight to the nexus.
I think allowing games to last longer will balance out some of the differences in champion power. Poke champions are very strong early, and auto attack marksmen take a while to ramp up. But once you have some offense and defense, those marksmen can be very powerful. The late game situations would allow builds to be a little more varied as well, as you will probably need to find a balance of offense and defense especially against some of the very strong URF champs.
Anyway, Riot, URF is great. I think it could definitely work as the super casual mode maybe alongside or in place of ARAM. I love ARAM, but sometimes I do like being able to pick my champion while still having a casual game mode experience.
I would be curious to hear other ideas for tuning URF into a possible permanent game mode.
Random note: my opinion of most OP URF champ: 