Xayah, the Rebel
Overview:
As League's resident lovebirds, Xayah and Rakan provided an interesting design hook as a carry/support duo that were literally made for each other. However, aside from ability interactions that are exclusive to the happy couple (which feels like a bit of a cop-out and is unnecessarily restrictive), I feel there is definite room for improvement in this regard.
Xayah's gameplay hook of placing and recalling surprisingly sharp feathers is both iconic and fun, so don't expect any huge changes there. Mostly, any ability changes below are meant to create more natural synergies between Xayah and her bf, while taking small opportunities to further distinguish her from other marksmen.
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To turn Xayah into the perfect "aloof girlfriend carry" was a matter of finding ways in which she and Rakan could complete each other while drawing inspiration from their distinct personalities. Like a true bird of prey, Xayah stalks her quarry from afar before blindsiding them, and becomes especially dangerous when her opponents' eyes are on anyone but her.
Even moreso than her current iteration, Xayah is a swift and deadly ambusher - most effective against foes who don't see her coming or are otherwise too preoccupied to stop her as she prepares to strike. Thankfully, she knows a certain someone who is more than capable of hogging the spotlight and putting her in the perfect position to unleash her full assault...
All values in blue are meant to give a general idea of the ability's properties, and are subject to change.
Class: Marksman
Recommended Positions: Duo Sidelane (Carry)
Complexity: Low
Innate: Sleek Cape
After using an ability, Xayah's next 3 basic attacks penetrate through all enemies along a
900 range line, dealing 100% damage to he main target and 30/40/50% (based on level)
pass-through damage to other enemies. At the end of their path, a Keen Quill will be left in
the ground for 6 seconds.
Xayah can store up to 5 empowered attacks for 8 seconds, refreshed with further ability use
or upon attacking structures.
Q: Double Daggers
Xayah throws two feather-blades in the target direction, dealing 45/65/85/105/125 +
(50% bonus AD) physical damage to the first enemy hit, nearsighting them for 1.5 seconds if they are hit by both feathers (non-champions are disarmed instead).
The feathers then deal 25% damage to all other enemies in their path, before leaving two Keen Quills in the ground at their destination.
Range: 1100
Targeting Type: Skill Shot - Line
Cooldown: 10/9/8/7/6
Cost: 50 mana
W: Featherstorm
Xayah builds up a storm of blades over 3 to 0.75 (based on bonus attack speed) seconds, gradually increasing her attack range to 675 over the duration and gaining a Sleek Cape empowered attack every 1 to 0.25 (based on bonus attack speed) seconds. During this time, Xayah is slowed by 50%.
Xayah's next basic attack during this time will strike 1 to 6 times (based on empowered attacks) in quick succession, dealing 40/60/80/100/120 + (120% total AD) physical damage with the first attack and 20/30/40/50/60 + (60% total AD) with all subsequent attacks, and applying full on-hit effects with each attack.
After 5 seconds or once the ability is re-activated, Featherstorm is cancelled and 50% of its cost and cooldown are refunded.
Range: Self
Targeting Type: None
Cooldown: 17/16/15/14/13
Cost: 60/55/50/45/40 mana
E: Bladecaller
Xayah calls all Keen Quills back to her, dealing 55/65/75/85/95 + (60% bonus AD) physical damage to enemies they pass through, increased by 0% to 50% (based on critical chance). Minions take 50% damage.
Enemies take 100% to 10% (based on Quills hit) damage from a Quill.
Enemies hit by at least 3 Quills are rooted for 1.25 seconds.
Range: Global
Targeting Type: None
Cooldown: 12/11/10/9/8
Cost: 40 mana
R: Deadly Plumage
Xayah leaps into the air, becoming untargetale for 1.5 seconds, during which she is still able to move, then rains down daggers which deal 100/150/200 + (100% bonus AD) physical damage and leave behind a line of 5 Keen Quills.
Range: 1100 (range), 45° (angle)
Targeting Type: Skill Shot - Cone
Cooldown: 160/145/130
Cost: 100 mana