Talk:Brand/@comment-26380451-20151211143906/@comment-10136989-20151221154955

People ask for nerfs against champions who are overperforming, regardless of skill level.

This is a fair way of doing things, but what is ignored is the hole filled by other champs when some are nerfed. AP champions across the board were given more expensive items, and a much tougher time surviving late teamfights because of the change to Zhonyas. Brand wasn't one of the champions affected by these changes because his optimal build remained unchanged, and he was even buffed as a support with the changes to the spellthiefs line. As a result the best magic damage champions in the game are ones filling the hole left by the departure of champions like Viktor, Xerath Orianna and Ahri. All still viable, just not right at the top. Coincidentally (or not) all four of those champs smashed Brand, with either much stronger laning or versatility throughout the mid-game.

Calling for nerfs to Brand is a knee-jerk reaction to his current strength but is also the wrong thing to be looking at. Riot seems to also know this and has simply raised the cost on W to appease the mob, knowing he'll drop back to more appropriate levels once they've finished tweaking the metagame.