User blog comment:Rust x Rust/Elise Patch Preview (pending test in PBE)/@comment-4915885-20121018083407/@comment-5523473-20121018095709

Were there buffs? I think they're all nerfs xD

I agree, but I still find it sad/disappointing that these champions get nerfed, whether or not I play them. The loss in power experienced by these champions really makes the game feel less satisfying - for example, removing the AS debuff from Ez's W. When playing him now, I can't win trades by landing my W correctly, removing a lot of the reward from the skill. On the flip side, I can't move in for the kill on the other team after dodging his W or knowing he has it on cooldown. Removal of mechanics really seems like an aspect of the champion has been removed, and provides less reward/satisfaction to both sides. This ends up buffing "brute force" play somewhat - basically, see champion, kill champion, and reduces the skill cap of the game a little.

I know what Phreak and Riot have said about buffing champs - they worry about power creep, having to rebalance minions/turrets/jungle, and similar issues. I love LoL and I understand I can't compare it to DotA, but when it comes to the balancing attitude, it seems that DotA's doing fine with buffing - recent patches bumped up pretty much every hero that was tweaked, items got upgrades, etc. While the overall balance of the game appears to remain the same, due to across-the-board buffs, the satisfaction from playing a favorite hero that was recently buffed far outweighs playing a recently nerfed favorite.

Rant over. xD