User blog comment:SirAston/Thoughts and suggestions regarding Summoner Spells/@comment-3297251-20130808154800/@comment-5331854-20130808175419

Barrier pretty much counters Ignite, so it's interesting that a gameplay element is so much more popular than it's direct, hard counter. Unless it's ARAM, Barrier/Flash is very popular for some reasons (I die all the time in ARAM, but still push our team forwards in most cases because being aggressive in ARAM is rewarding. When you do it the right way, of course).

That's the main problem with Flash in my eyes. Summoner Spells should be situational and either be a nice counter if the champion cannot provide one or something that enhances their strengths, like Ghost on Yi and Hecarim. Flash is just too versatile to be situational and even the high CD can't change that. Still, a good Ghost and some Map Control will have an advantage towards an enemy who's flashing away. Unless when he's flashing into the base, of course.

Limiting the number of uses isn't the right way for Flash, though. You always have the feeling that you shouldn't have flashed back then and need it now, it's very stressful. The only spell who would benefit from getting limited is Revive if the tradeoff is a lowered CD.

Vlad is played top nowadays? My, time sure flies when you don't keep an eye on a champ...