User blog comment:Doeniel/Shaco, the Demon Jester Rework Concept/@comment-26815373-20150918072551

I put off writing this for longer than intended but I needed to mull it over. I was going to talk about his abilities and ratios, their mechanics and new functionality, different scenarios and play patterns, the pros and cons of your iteration, and what-have-you. I decided that wasn't the conversation we needed to have (though I can give you my thoughts on those things if you still wish.)

Frankly this rework scares me. Emphasis should be placed on 'rework' as this isn't a mere gameplay update with a few tweaks and QoL buffs. These are significant changes that affect the way Shaco works and the way enemies can respond. Assuming they can, that is. Your goal here was, it seems, is to create the ideal AD assassin Shaco operating from the jungle. You have succeeded. He is now an even deadlier ambusher, arguably a better split-pusher, and (we'll say) a potentially a better teamfigher (see: Xelnath - On Shaco.

Would the game be healthier for it? I'm not so sure. I don't think this rework makes him any less frustrating to play against. Don't misunderstand me, I like some elements you have here: his Q having a longer cooldown, Shaclone's Junk in the Box, E being a skillshot, the 'switching' with Shaclone (as cool as it may be I like micro-ing his ult currently, plus I don't think Riot has the tech to implement this type of thing). Your numbers, too, look decent for the most part - nothing immediately strikes me as overpowered. The synergy within his abilities is welcome, even if it feels a little forced.

It does little to comfort me, however. I said this rework scares me. It does. It scares me that the Red Gods will inevitably act on the many Shaco player's clamoring for (what amounts to) buffs to Shaco, "only to push him into the role of a squishy assassin indefinitely" (see: The Real Tragedy of Shaco). Or, possibly worse and even more likely, they'll continue ignoring him because giving into the wants of Shaco players doesn't actually fix any of Shaco's problems. Problems, I'm convinced, that are due to his identity, his theme, and his popular perception. Basically, Riot doesn't know what to do with Shaco.

I won't bemoan how I feel Shaco should be a support (not here anyway), but I would ask you to consider the following: What do you think this new passive does for Shaco that makes him either play better/smoother or enhances his play? What do you think the net effect of the changes here is as it pertains to his contributions to a team in the early, mid, and late game? What is it that Shaco should be doing (and that Shaco players want to do) in the late game that makes them and their teammates feel good about having him on the team? (see: Workshop Shaco's Proposal)

As far as editing or formatting is concerned, fixing your grammar and punctuation would go a long way toward communicating your ideas. I would also aim at using as little text as possible. The less you can say the better. It'll keep your design looking clean and professional. A change of templating might help, I'd use LeBlanc's page as reference for tying each ability to the ultimate. As it stands you repeat a lot of text describing the clone's abilities.

I'm glad to see someone else passionate about Shaco here on the wiki. Hope you don't take this too hard. It was meant to be constructive criticism. :D