League of Learning #12 - Underplayed Legends

Underplayed Champions

League of Legends has a lot of champions. I am one of the few people who think that nearly all of them are viable in the correct situations. More and more people have been sticking to their go-to picks, pro-approved champions that have had builds thoroughly thought out for them. Luckily I think now is a time for change!

As Season three comes around and people are more willing to accept suggestions on their gameplay we are starting to see a few of the league’s bench champions being called upon to surprise people. Some of these champions may have similarities to other “Top Tier” Champions but don’t count them out as they can perform perfectly well in their own little niches.

 

Annie

I don’t really understand why she has fallen from favour so much, especially considering she is one of the more user friendly APs out there. Her Q does very good damage, makes CS a non-issue, all while being a ranged stun. Coupled with her ult and some nice timing and you have a very scary little lady. Annie’s AoE capabilities cannot be overlooked either because If she gets a full combo down on a team it’s likely going to be a won fight. She seems especially potent with the new AP based items in season 3, specifically the new Deathfire Grasp.

 

Galio

He’s always been a very strong pick and was, for a while, almost permabanned in ranked. Unrivalled pushing and initiation PLUS a spammable slow that hits pretty damn hard, he’s a great addition to any team. He also couples well with some of the more sought after junglers/tops of the recent Meta. Malphite and Amumu being the obvious ones. Again the newer items favour him well, with the inclusion of Mikael's Crucible and Seraph's Embrace. 

 

Fiora

Constantly underestimated in lane, often leading to an easy first blood and subsequent lane domination, I actually really like Fiora. Despite being outmatched by more common tops in terms of numbers she is generally entirely looked down upon, making it relatively easy to play mind games with your opponent in top lane. Few people expect the lvl2 burst she can put out, even less expect the 100-0% she can do to you once she hits 6. Using this to speed your way to an early Black Cleaver might just get you that win!

 

 

Kennen

Top lane Kennen was once one of the most feared matchups for a long time, before the reign of Jayce and Teemo. Mid Kennen was also very strong and I see no reason for the decline in his play. He has solid manoeuvrability, decent damage, decent poke and an amazing ultimate that can completely swing teamfights. In short, play some Kennen!

 

Kha’Zix

I, like most, completely wrote off Kha’Zix on his release, didn’t really give him a second glance. Recently though I have seen him pentakill a fed team with very skilful use of his Ult. Two charges of invisibility and a passive that punishes out of position/panicking ADCs and you have a scary assassin/initiator, just be sure you put in some practice games first. He does rely heavily on his initiation to get up in peoples faces, and a well organised team will kite him if he misses his slow, not that he does often, it has a decent cone of effect.  

 

The worst thing you can do is limit your playing field, play things people underestimate or don’t expect. Use surprise to your advantage, they won’t know what hit them, then killed them, then destroyed their nexus. Who knows, maybe you’ll discover the next permaban!

 

GLHF

@Neonhowl