I realize it seems a bit pointless to talk about Flash at this stage of the game, but I had some bad experiences with it today so I thought it was time to discuss my least favorite mechanic in LoL.
The basic problem with Flash as I see it is that there are no real consequences to taking the skill. As a summoner skill it is simply a bonus, and for characters with high durability, killing power, pushing power, tanking power, whatever, summoner skills usually augment or fill gaps in the champion skill list. As a for instance, I was laned today against a Morgana/Twitch combo as Janna (Bumbleclot was in lane with me as Amumu). It was only my second game with Janna so I was trying to be reasonably cautious, but I also knew we could pull an easy FB on Twitch if we tried. Sure enough, we went for it at level three and had him, I mean nailed him to a wall had him, but just as my last auto attack was about to kill him (from approximately 18 HP), he flashes, breaking the projectile. Morgana lands a snare, Twitch turns around and I die.
Over the course of the game, I saw Flash save either Twitch or Morgana from 5 deaths, and save my opponent’s Ashe from at least one. The range has been nerfed to the point that it rarely bothers me as a positioning tool, but when it breaks attacks and spells that have already been cast I swear I could choke a kitten.
Thankfully, Riot’s taking a look, but they haven’t done much yet. There was the opinion thread asking what should be done with the skill, but it’s long gone from the front page and there isn’t much discussion going on. Personally, I think it just needs removed. There are very few toons that truly need a Flash type skill, and even those toons could probably do just as well with Ghost or some movement speed tweaks. I know there was support for a DotA-style Kelen’s Dagger, which would really be fine. If you really have the 1800g or whatever it is to spend on a statless item, by all means.
My hope is whatever is done with Flash is done soon. It’s one of very few mechanics in the game I still find infuriating.
