Xerath Mechanics Preview

[quote=RoIand#64773][b]"Xerath, the Magus Ascendant, is our newest mage-type character in League of Legends. His playstyle offers a new way to perform the mage-carry role; long range barrages and sieging. The cornerstone of this is in his ability Locus of Power. This makes Xerath immobile, but gives his spells massively increased range and defense penetration. This really allows him to set up and barrage an area before becoming mobile again to perform a more standard mage role. Using this range gameplay, Xerath has wide-area spells he can use to really saturate an area with major damage. Arcanopulse, his bread-and-butter ability, shoots a short-delay beam at the area, zapping anyone hit for significant damage. Arcane Barrage, his ultimate, allows him to launch up to three massive explosions at a long range, both doing area denial and good team damage. To protect himself, Mage Chains is a reliable single-target spell that will allow Xerath to stun an enemy if he hits him with a subsequent spell. Xerath is something we liken to a Howitzer or artillery piece. He should really appeal to people who enjoy very long ranges and like aiming skillshots and leading targets. We’re excited to offer a new mage paradigm to League of Legends, and will be continuing to add new ways to play existing roles into the game."[/b] So he's like a Kogmaw that doesn't move (or like a giant ballista or something of that nature). I guess that's unique, but doesn't seem that exciting imo.[/quote]

[quote=gwadzila]Agreed. It's cool, but... yeah. It's ok.[/quote]

[quote=Lugignaf]OOH!!! It's like Ezreal... Only, better... So.. he has an immobilizer on a normal skill? I fear for the people that take it at level 1.[/quote]

[quote=caucheka]lol[/quote]

[quote=theBMB]so it sounds like he's a heavy artillery gun, he has to set up in a position before he can unload massive damage at long ranges, sounds pretty powerful, I still can't imagine how this will work though, requiring a champion to basically root themselves in place sounds really dangerous unless they make his range REALLY long (like cait ult long), but then that just sounds OP since he can then just harass you while standing right next to his turret.[/quote]

[quote=Lugignaf]I'm guessing that his skills will increase in mana costs at increased ranges. It'd be OP otherwise.[/quote]

[quote=XnMiller]How would he gain xp if his range is too long? That would force him to lane for a while. Teamfights are when his range would be optimal.[/quote]

[quote=JunSupport]I like long range. :] edit: Not exciting? I know it'll probably be not as amazing as what I've got running in my head, but an artillery style champion with CC is going to be totally wicked awesome. Being able to rain death from above is hilariously enjoyable. He'll probably be a top pick in Dominion. Sit in a brush 1 wall away from a capture point, and bomb them to hell and back. :D[/quote]

[quote=caucheka]so hes a siege tank from sc2 then?[/quote]

[quote=Lugignaf]I guess so... Except, he can fire at point blank range. :P And you only need to wait like... 1 min to research siege tech.[/quote]