Talk:VPBE/@comment-9477978-20140719134753/@comment-3974211-20140720015911

Vel'Koz fits the same niche that old Xerath filled, and old Xerath was also unpopular. Both champions deal/dealt area of effect, indiscriminate damage that kills/killed tanks and squishies alike - but it comes at the price of low mobility (to the extent of a self-immobilize). I mained old Xerath last season, and Vel'Koz has been one of my top picks since his release (particularly since I don't like the new Xerath, Vel'Koz filled the void Xerath left in my heart). I honestly don't understand why people didn't like old Xerath, nor why they dislike Vel'Koz... I just hope that Vel'Koz doesn't get "fixed" like Xerath was.

P.S. Yes, we do. Riot seems to be terrible at balancing mages and supports with regards to having them lane where intended. Karma is played virtually everywhere EXCEPT mid; Zyra has been played almost exclusively as a support since her release; Lulu has seen more screen time mid than as a support and despite all her mid-focused nerfs, etc. Players value different things in champions than Riot seems to foresee. Vel'Koz is an amazing peeler with strong base damage and his true damage scales regardless of items - all the qualities of a good support. His poor scalings also make high-utility builds worthwhile, focusing on support-CDR items with some health-AP items thrown in for good measure (Rylai's, Liandry's, Queen's, Morello's, etc).