User blog comment:Simbey/Real Talk: Kassadin/@comment-24574897-20140319165815

I think you're being a little to harsh.

Riot did not 'kill kassadin'. he'll still be a good champion. just not totally OP.

The Q shield absorbing magic damage is obvious, Kassadin is the antimage of the League and it wil help him in Mid. the interrupt is also nice, it would be worse if they took away the entire silence part. so atleast we still don't have to care about Katarina or Vel'Koz.

The netherblade is godlike, period.

Damage nerf was needed, part of that damage is now on netherblade, but it was an AoE slow to begin with honestly.

If you build some CDR the mana cost on your ult is not that bad. you might've overlooked this but netherblade actually gives you 40% of your missing mana if you hit a champon, combine this with a AUG and the mana cost on your ult might not be so bad. (the mana/damage scaling should be ignored though, totally not worth it. flat AP > all)

PS: Nice reference :p