Lucian, Lee Sin and the "Fanbase" Problem

DiamondStef·Oct 30, 2014·3 votes·920 views

Lucian is an example, as well as Lee Sin who reflect why Riot cannot correctly balance these champions. If Riot attempted to, they would be either;

Accused of being "racist" or some other dumb excuse I've heard.
The fanbase of these champs would throw a hissyfit and leave the game.

After looking at the last few years worth of patch notes. I have come to the conclusion that Riot are aware that nerfing some of the more "popular" choices, even when they are seriously broken (Lucian has no weak phase, his damage stays relevant throughout the game. Nerfing Tristana slightly made him come back to haunt us, again) would result in a loss of revenue. I am pretty sure they know that players are that fickle and if they suddenly lose their "freelo" (hate that word) champ, then they would rather rage quit rather then being forced to learn a champ with some level of balance.

However this is extremely negative because it turns League of Legends from what should be a "skill-based" game into a popularity contest. With the most liked and most played champions unable to be touched, anything more then a minor tweak (the Yasou nerf last patch was an example of that. We all know that his damage is the source of frustration however Riot ignored it) because it would spark an outrage that would lose Riot revenue.

I think we need to come down from our "Look at me, I'm Diamond I" attitudes and think for a moment. Is winning really that more important then balance? Would you like to win with dignity and pride, knowing it was a fair contest with ANY champ or would you prefer to steamroll and continue being a sheep to a "imaginary meta"? I doubt many people would really choose the first option but I felt that it was worth pointing out. We need to let Riot feel free to make the changes to champs that they want to make and then maybe we will get closer to more and more champs becoming viable, strong picks on the rift because variety is more interesting then seeing Riven spammed 20 times or Yasou, or Zed, or Lee Sin.

Variety is the spice of life.

5 Comments

DrinkMoreWhiskeyOct 30, 20141 votes

People like playing champs that are op, more at 6

Matthias9119Oct 31, 20141 votes

Well, they nerfed Lee noticeably earlier this year (although they backed off from a major rework). With major jungle changes coming in the preseason they're unlikely to bring out the nerf bats on any junglers until they see how things shake out with the new items and buffs.

Lucian has nerfs/changes up right now on PBE.

So, uh, yeah.

ProfPeculiarNov 15, 20141 votes

Um. What noticeable nerf are you talking about? Because I'm familiar with Lee Sin's patch history, and they've done nothing but perform minor tweeks on the utility of his skills since Season 1. The entirety of Season 2 passed without seeing a single Lee Sin patch, nerf or buff.

That is nice to hear that Lucian has nerfs/changes on the PBE though.

Matthias9119Nov 15, 20141 votes

Um. What noticeable nerf are you talking about? Because I'm familiar with Lee Sin's patch history...

http://leagueoflegends.wikia.com/wiki/Lee_Sin/Background

V4.13: Stats Base health regen increased to 8.95 per 5 seconds from 6.95. Safeguard Shield duration reduced to 2 seconds from 4. Cripple No longer reduces enemy attack speed (reduced to 0% from 20/30/40/50/60%). V4.5: Stats Base armor increased to 20 from 16. Safeguard Cooldown increased to 14 seconds from 9. Cooldown is now reduced by 50% if the target was an allied champion (including self). Shield duration reduced to 4 seconds from 5. Will now only shield allied champion targets (can still target any ally). Iron Will Buff duration reduced to4 seconds from 5.

They hit his early game dueling pretty hard with the change to Cripple, and he has a much longer cooldown on early ward jumps. He's still strong early, but he doesn't auto-win duels against every at level 2/3 anymore.

Riot posted some more extensive changes they were considering, but after massive backlash they decided to try some more targeted nerfs and then re-evaluate rather than dramatically change one of their most popular champions.

OhBoyItsaMegamanOct 31, 20141 votes

With the most liked and most played champions unable to be touched, anything more then a minor tweak (the Yasou nerf last patch was an example of that. We all know that his damage is the source of frustration however Riot ignored it) because it would spark an outrage that would lose Riot revenue.

A minor tweak?

Without looking up the date for Patch 4.18, I want you to take a look at this picture and tell me if you can take a wild guess when that patch was implemented.

http://i.imgur.com/7G7ZTqz.jpg

(Ignore the day where no data was collected.)

You're calling that patch a minor tweak for Yasuo and saying that Riot wouldn't touch a champion like him because he's well liked and most played. His win rate this week (10/22/2014 - 10/29/2014) is lower than Urgot's. I don't think Riot's balance team is influenced by a fear of outraging or alienating players who have a favorite champion. 4.18 shows that pretty well.