Is Azir Single Handedly Shifting Competitive Play?

When released, Azir was not a very popular pick; in fact, it was questioned if he would ever be a viable. However, with the item changes, meta shifts, and some well deserved buffs for balancing, Azir seems to be in a great position approaching the end of the Summer Play-Offs, and the start of the 2015 World Championship.

What makes him so strong?

A lot of people wonder what makes him such a strong pick in current competitive play. Whether it's his game-changing ultimate, Emperor's Divide, or his passive ability to stall-out pushes, Shurima's Legacy- or even his W, Arise- (which is excellent in destroying enemy turrets), Azir has quite the expansive kit and blends in very nicely with the current meta. It is Azir's ability to be flexible and to create multiple opportunities for his team which makes him stand out. Not only can he catch players out, but he can also be a deciding factor in many close team fights. It is because of all this that Azir is truly a force to be reckoned with; and he consistently proves it by showing up big all over the competitive scene.

In the video (above), we see Soren 'Bjergsen' Bjerg, mid laner for TSM, score a Quadra Kill, in a clutch playoff (Azir) performance! He uses Emperor's Divide to propel any possible counter-engage, and then dissolves the remaining members of Team Liquid, with his nasty Q, Conquering Sands. Before that incredible play, however, it appeared that TSM was actually losing thefight, and had it not been for that clutch play, TSM may not have came out the victor.

In the next video (above), we see Team Liquid battling CLG in a regular season LCS match. Mid laner Miso, Jaehoon "Fenix" Kim shows off his incredible Azir mechanics and pulls off a remarkable Quadra Kill. Fenix was able to use all Azir's abilities to maximum effectiveness, and with some mistakes from CLG, Azir. In the hands of Fenix, Team Liquis is able to turn a 1v4 into a breath-taking Quadra Kill.

How Do You Counter Azir?

Being such a dominating force in the mid lane, Azir seems practically untouchable. But, just like every champion in League of Legends, there is counter-play. For instance, Azir is forced to start his W first, which makes him and his soldiers very immobile until he reaches level 3 to level up his E. It's between those first few levels where Azir can be punished early for having alack of an a escape, and fall prey to an early gank. In addition, even when Azir is level 3, his E has a generally long cool down. If you know he's used it recently, let your jungler know and take advantage of his lack of mobility while he's waiting for it to come back up.

 

In the video (above), mid laner Fabian "Febiven" Diepstraten, calls out a 1v1 solo kill on the God himself, Lee "Faker" Sanghyeok. He not only kills him once, but twice on his trademark champion Zed. Zed's innate ability to get in and out, and burst him before Azir can even escape/counter-attack is perfect for the match-up. Febiven absolutely destroys Faker in the 1v1 by taking advantage of Azir's weakness vs assassins. Zed can easily out-damage Azir in the 1v1, and that's why Febiven is able to solo kill him twice. However, in an overall team fighting impact, and what Azir can bring to the team, he still beats out Zed. Luckily, Febiven knew that, and when he had the advantage and was able to take Faker down because of it.

What Can We Expect From Azir In The Future?

Well, we can expect this: an Absolute Play Maker, who is only limited by the very people who happen to wield him. It's his impressive skill cap which offers such a huge range of tactical possibilities, that pros are able to exploit and master at whim.

Personally, I think it would require quite a large nerf by Riot for Azir to fall out of popularity. He's not picked so much in competitive play because he's overpowered as a champion. No, he's picked up so much because he's overpowered when you put him in the hands of someone who can actually use him in new innovative ways which take advantage of Azir's remarkable versatility.

Riot designed a beauty of a champion, and they should be proud. But with popularity comes change, and I hope they don't alter his kit too much. It's in Azir's kit, not his numbers, where we see what truly makes him such an elegant and devastating mid laner to watch and play. I expect only more highlight videos on Reddit, as this Sand Soldier Summoner will be charging onto the Rift for the coming 2015 League of Legends World Championship.

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