What an awful change. I hope this doesn't go through.
I see why they did it. 50% 2s slow is strong, even more so if you could just use your 2nd smite stack 15s later (is it still 15s on smite use?). I like the MS steal instead since it's still good for the jungler but not as strong for ally in the gank. The CD put on 60s I really don't like, but again, I get it. I'd rather they just make it so champions hit with stalker's smite can't be hit again with it for 60s, or even make it so that it's 60s until you can use it against a champ.
Right now it's kinda dumb. I can use my smite at a dragon fight, win that fight, but end up losing dragon to the opposing jungler because I don't have smite available.
she also got a damage nerf on patch 4.20 and a heal nerf for the missing health part on top of higher mana cost
That damage nerf was an AP ratio reduction. Also, you can't complain about a nerf on healing in one breath and say this in another:
i'm really disappointed with riot's followup of sona. playing a healbot is boring
So they give a decent nerf to her healing, an ineffectual AP ratio nerf - that for all intents and purposes actually has more of an effect on ARAM outside of the rare odd duck who plays Sona mid - and a power chord damage nerf that's so meaningless Riot may well pull it back.
If Riot wants to make Sona a heal bot they're doing an awfully shitty job of it.
also sona fans' lack of satisfaction with the rework is important since it promised "more decisionmaking" and "more high points" and delivered on none of those
That's entirely subjective. I didn't like old Sona. I love new Sona. And yes, a big reason is that I have more stuff to do moving about, weaving in and out of danger to spread my hugs of love. It's that extra bit of interaction I appreciate. On a related note, fairly sure they didn't promise more decision making; they promised more interaction.
Even less chance for bot lane to kill them early maybe?
Bingo. The combination of tougher camps for laners to take and a 5 second delay negates a good portion of the advantage bot duos were gaining. I have a feeling we might see some thing more, like pushing timers to 2:05 or increasing monster damage while increase the hp regen from the machete items to offset.
Sofo said:
So uh, how are junglers supposed to get a leash now at 2:00?
They can't. Good riddance.