A few days ago, we reported on the heavy backlash against Riot Games for seemingly “forgetting” about the dominance of the God Slayer Axe. As a result, this item has become overwhelmingly strong in patch 12.10, with both damage output and healing increased due to all statues gaining extra health. This led to champions using the God Slayer Axe becoming stronger than ever.
Among the champions benefiting from the God Slayer Axe, Katarina is one of the most frequently mentioned names. With major changes to her skill effects, Katarina can now build Fighter items, utilizing attack effects while still dealing massive damage in every team fight. Naturally, the key item for this incredibly annoying playstyle is the God Slayer Axe, which has led to numerous complaints from players about Katarina.
Furthermore, when Riot announced changes in the upcoming patch 12.11, players were even more dissatisfied because the infamous assassin was not mentioned. It was only when a well-known streamer known as “one champ Katarina” – Katevoled spoke up that Riot representatives promised to research and adjust this character in the next version.
Essentially, the changes to Katarina’s skill effects that Riot previously implemented aimed to diversify her playstyle. However, instead of using pure attack effect items, that adjustment led to the God Slayer Axe Katarina playstyle, making her both “tanky” and capable of dealing significant damage. Combined with the rapid power increase of the God Slayer Axe in patch 12.10, Katarina has become even harder to control.
Perhaps Riot Games should further reduce the rate at which attack effects are applied in Katarina’s skill set, especially when she picks up her Shuriken. This would help tone down the power of the God Slayer Axe playstyle and encourage players to return to a full AP build as in the past. Of course, reducing the application rate will not eliminate the God Slayer Axe Katarina playstyle, but it will depend much more on the situation and the enemy team composition.