User blog comment:Alien Paranoid/Volibear: Champion rework/@comment-25235491-20161105133630/@comment-26902312-20161105163709

Thank you for your feedback :)

I actually posted a long block of text but there was an error and its lost :D

Summary:

I agree with you, a lots of things were just a misunderstanding (bad English, or I forgot to finish some sentences). Some things were just on lore basis (more lightnings in P and Q, in Q - energy slowly decreases after being powered by lightning - means decreasing attack speed + it's new mechanics in the game). I don't think, it would decrease his dueling potential, still has instant boost of AS, stun and % damage.

His niche is meatshield, chasing people down, locking single target for his team while doing good amounts of aoe damage - he is the Thunder's Roar after all, he should wreak havoc in teamfights. But he is not an assassin to 1shot bad positioned ADC.

Q and E switched for the same reason as Hecarim's Q,E (Q spammable, E strong engage - higher CD). Every champion has his main, spammable ability on Q.

Q has low CD with some CDr, so slow would make the problem of permaslow.

I removed damage from his W, mainly against squishy targets, and now is more reliable against all targets, even if behind (8% max. HP). Currently, Volibear deals no damage to tanks and fighters late game (no shreds, % damage, on-hit effects, sustain). I don't count items such as BC or Botrk.

About bodyguarding, there are better options (Poppy, Maokai, Nautilus). He is more about engaging and chasing + with this changes, he still has 2 hard CCs  (it is enough for protecting your allies).

He was always weak and bad champion if behind (not enough tanky, no execution on W) but strong, even OP, if ahead (1shots with W). He was never picked in competitive scene (?? not sure) but OP, perma-picked in soloQ if in the meta, but not cause of other abilities, but cause of his ability to gank early, jungle fast and healthy and his W alone. Buffing other abilities, nerfing W in one way (damage), adding more AoE damage in teamfights and more chasing potential (less kiting) would make people to pick him for the same reason - early ganks, good single target lock-down, Aoe damage; but not only for his ability to snowball games thanks to his W potential.

E fear is situational and unhealthy - free trades in the top lane, no minion damage in 3 seconds (like Hecarim with ignoring unit colision + Q not drawing aggro) and too healthy jungling (Graves with resistances in jungle).

This would buff his niche - tank, meatshield who excels at chasing people down and once he is in, he deals a lots of Aoe damage. But it will nerf his single-target damage against squishy targets. Overall, Volibear would be more useful late game, even if behind.

I hope I didn't forget anything. I am looking forward to your response.

Have a nice day :)