Meta Report is a video series by Riot Games that compiles and explains to players the gameplay and trending strategies in professional League of Legends. In its latest episode, Death’s Dance is the focal point due to its popularity and overwhelming power, even being a contributing factor in giving Marksmen a stronger presence than before.
So what exactly happened? Previously, Death’s Dance seemed to only be used by Aatrox as it fit perfectly with this Darkin champion’s playstyle. However, in patch 10.6, when the item’s formula changed by replacing the Pickaxe with the Legion’s Shield, along with the addition of armor and magic resistance, it immediately became extremely popular.
In fact, according to Riot Games in the video, this item is so overpowered that it can help you escape from Silver rank and climb to Diamond with incredible ease, just by purchasing it.
The problem with Death’s Dance is that unlike regular lifesteal items that only restore health when you land basic attacks, this item will heal you from all sources of damage. And with the nature of many champions in League of Legends where skill damage is significantly higher than basic attack damage, Death’s Dance allows them to heal and survive much longer in fights without needing to build too much tankiness.
The effect that converts a portion of burst damage into bleed damage from Death’s Dance will further increase your survivability as the healing makes this damage almost meaningless. Death’s Dance is simply the perfect “anti-death” item with almost no counters.
If it were only used by Fighters, this item would be balanced, but it is rampant among Marksmen, covering up many of their weaknesses. If you have low health but heal continuously, it’s incredibly difficult to take you down, and the fact that it provides both armor and magic resistance is something Marksmen greatly appreciate, as most items for this champion class do not offer both stats at the same time.
In conclusion, Death’s Dance has become the strongest defensive item in League of Legends right now; your champion can hardly be taken down quickly if they can still deal damage. And when you don’t die while your opponents are out of spells, that’s when victory belongs to you. Don’t believe it? Just look at this “200 years” clip and you’ll understand.