User blog comment:Aphostropils/A short statement on new masteries/@comment-26815373-20160112182528

I mostly agree with you. I think the new masteries are bad, not because they're underpowered or overpowered or the way they're arranged within their respective 'trees', but because they don't really improve on the old system. There are some good ideas tangled up in the new masteries, don't get me wrong, but there were also some good ideas in the old masteries that were totally scrapped.

I actually would argue that the number of masteries is sufficient, but that they aren't particularly unique or interesting. I don't think they really help define a player's playstyle like Riot intended. Instead, we have a handful of niche champions that have great synergy with a particular final tier keystone but the majority of players just grab all the best stat bonuses they can which is why Thunderlord's is so popular. It's power and impact is obvious, and is virtually universal in what it offers (more damage) that is irrespective of class or playstyle.