User blog comment:AHarmlessTaco/Viz'roth, the Swarm Lord/@comment-26815373-20170113162547

I meant to review him sooner, but due to my schedule... anyway, it's kinda a shame that he doesn't have more comments / critiques, as the idea of a 'swarm lord' / 'hive-mind' / 'brood mother' / 'insect queen' is ripe for Riot to give the League treatment - it's a really powerful archetype that should readily resonate with people and across cultures.

I also approve of the clever use of icons. Very well done.

Brief thoughts on his kit:


 * Symbiotic Specter (Passive): I like that he can merge with his swarms to regain health. I think that has to be a feature one way or another to really 'sell' the idea you're going for. I think the word choice of 'spectre' works against your overall theme though, as specters are ghost or wraith-like creatures. I see that your potential backstory is that Viz'Roth was a wisp at some point, which makes it more reasonable, but I do have some thoughts I'll come back too...


 * Hive Cluster (Q): The passive effect is good, I like how he needs to place it in a brush, I like that it grants vision, I like the name.  I also like the active effect and I think it's appropriate. Very good ability.


 * Locus of Diminuation (W): Do I sense some wordplay with this name? A locus is a place, but a locust is the insect. I think the word 'Diminuation' is inappropriate here, despite it having the meaning of 'diminishing' or 'reducing'. IIRC 'Diminuendo' is the name of  effect. I'd like to avoid ability name redundancy if possible.


 * Regarding the effect itself: Very cool. Riot has mentioned how they've played around with the idea of destroying brush. I think this would be a great way to implement that.


 * Pestilent Tidings (E): A simple ability, not much to say about it. As much as I like playing with vision, and I can see the flavor behind the effect, I'm hesitant to see it on Viz'Roth.


 * Chitinous Carapace (R): The passive effect is OK, the active effect, despite being really powerful, isn't all that exciting IMO. There's not that much gameplay to it. It's kinda like old 's R, but in the reverse and effecting an ally. Press it, hope you can act as a damage soak long enough for your allies to carry the fight.

All in all, there are some good ideas here, and some need work, which is to be expected. Even Riot has to iterate and reiterate before the final product is worth of League.

My suggestions: I think he should be a she and should be a Void creature. Play up the idea of a 'brood mother' / 'insect queen' in this way. Being a Void creature, we can also give her a neat visual design that hints at insects but aren't strictly insects. I also think the Hive Cluster could visibly shake / writhe / stir whenever invisible champions are nearby, giving her a form of detection, which making her an even better support in that regard.