Talk:Vladimir/@comment-78.128.173.181-20120301090918/@comment-50.44.15.7-20120308052949

Ahri's Burst combo requires you to stick relatively close to the core of the enemy formation; both Spirit Rush and Foxfire require it, and Orb is generally easier to hit multiple targets at close range.

Rumble has similar range issues since Flamethrower is his bread and butter.

Karthus's Defile is a gamble of a skill at close range, due to its crippling mana consumption and short range, but I give Karthus a pass since Lay Waste is simply amazing in teamfights.

I'm guessing that Riot intended to balance Vlad's innate tankiness with a flaw that would force him to become more susceptible to general damage, and range is the way to do it.