Support champs, most versatile?

[quote=theBMB]Is it just me or do support champs seem like they're the most versatile in the game? I mean sure, technically any champ can be built any way and still be *used* but support champs can be built in pretty much every way except maybe lifesteal/jungler and still be marginally effective. Now I'm not saying support champs fill their odd roles better than other champs that are meant to fill those roles do, but the builds are still viable in game. For example, there are a lot of AD/AD hybrid builds for sona, soraka, and taric and they all work. But you could also build them full AP and still have it work. Or you can build characters like taric, soraka, zilean or karma tanky and it still works. Once again let me be clear, building this way can secure a modestly high K/D/A ratio and prove useful to the team, but generally AD carry ashe is better than AD carry sona. What i'm wondering is, did Riot intend to design support champs this way, or is that just a byproduct of their abilties?[/quote]

[quote=Grogolog]i think its just because of the abilities, for example even on an AD build jannas Q will always knock up. and her ult will always push enemies away making for easy kills before a teamfight[/quote]

[quote=theBMB]ya the utility in their abilities is always useful, regardless of the items they have, but generally these characters aren't considered OP. What is it exactly that keep them balanced despite the usefulness of their abilities even without the support of items?[/quote]

[quote=Scrax]Pretty much their base damage/absorbing powers before scaling, and duration of any CC they possess (if any).[/quote]

[quote=gwadzila]People like Taric and Janna can go AD because they have buffs for AD champions that they can use on themselves, can go AP because all supports' abilities do magic damage (for now at least; physical damage support would be... interesting) and can also go standard support because of their ability to do well with little item reliance.[/quote]

[quote=orochinagi][quote=gwadzila] People like Taric and Janna can go AD because they have buffs for AD champions that they can use on themselves, can go AP because all supports' abilities do magic damage (for now at least; physical damage support would be... interesting) and can also go standard support because of their ability to do well with little item reliance. [/quote] And AD sona... so fun to play... nobody expects Ezona![/quote]

[quote=gwadzila]Uhm... yeah.. and that o.o Never actually tried AD Sona, but I can sort of see how it would work...(not) Sounds pro anyways.[/quote]

[quote=orochinagi][quote=gwadzila] Uhm... yeah.. and that o.o Never actually tried AD Sona, but I can sort of see how it would work...(not) Sounds pro anyways. [/quote] It actually works... not easy to play tho. Start with doran's blade and carve your way thro opponents. It's also heavily reliable on blue as well. Doran's Blade > Sheen > AtkSpd Boots > Infinity Edge Your Q power chords hit like a truck since early game anyway :)[/quote]

[quote=theBMB]ya I tried AD sona in a coop game, it's pretty awesome. I don't know if I'd trust in a ranked game, but it is hilarious[/quote]

[quote=orochinagi][quote=theBMB] ya I tried AD sona in a coop game, it's pretty awesome. I don't know if I'd trust in a ranked game, but it is hilarious [/quote] I wouldn't call it viable in Ranked... but acceptable for normal games :)[/quote]