How to improve Olaf

[quote=Ace Ventura]Olaf is currently outclassed by other champions that fit DPS / off-tank role. If you want an off-tank, get [[Jarvan]], if you a beefy DPS, [[Xin'Zhao]] is way better. What is [[Olaf]]'s problem? He lacks on movement speed or an ability to get to target quickly, like [[Xin'Zhao]]'s [[Audacious Charge]]. He can be very difficult to play and in some games you will get down to low HP until your reach your target. Here I will add things that would make Olaf more viable and more playable. First of all, [[Olaf]], he is Viking, Vikings shouldn't use mana, I guess it would be a good idea to make Olaf use its own health rather then mana, just like [[Vladimir]]. Since his [[Reckless Swing]] cost only health now, why not to make all of Olaf's abilities cost health, through [[Ragnarok]] and [[Undertow]] doesn't makes much of sense of costing health. [[Berzerker Rage]] -- None. This ability is good as it is now. Really I don't think this should be ever changed. [[Undertow]] -- Olaf gains increased movement speed (3 / 6 / 9 / 12 / 15%) when it hits an enemy with Undertow (not stackable). This would make him really back in old days and even better. This ability isn't always reliable as a ganking tool and I think this would be great idea. [[Vicious Strikes]] -- None. Yes, it is possible good idea to add some attack speed passive, but remember how strong this ability was pre-nerf. I don't think anything should be done here. [[Reckless Swing]] -- Olaf now deals 100 / 160 / 220 / 320 / 380 rather then 100 / 160 / 220 / 280 / 340 true damage. Damage isn't really noticeable late game or on high Hp champs, so Im guessing this would be nice. Through some people will rush to max this first and soon people would start crying and saying Olaf is OP and things. Possible good idea, but not necessary. [[Ragnarok]] -- Now has percentage damage reduction (10% / 17.5% / 25%) instead of flat. Many people requested this thing and I do. This should be done since Olaf has been released because flat reduction is weak and it will not save you in 90% of cases. What do you think?[/quote]

[quote=Wintermond]Reckless Swing should be a viking leap that deals moderate damage, like Jax's Leap strike. The rest of his skillset is fine, maybe tweak his Ult for more dmg reduction and more arp, maybe add a speed boost.[/quote]

[quote=Ace Ventura][quote=Wintermond] Reckless Swing should be a viking leap that deals moderate damage, like Jax's Leap strike. The rest of his skillset is fine, maybe tweak his Ult for more dmg reduction and more arp, maybe add a speed boost. [/quote] Yah, it's pretty nice idea to make [[Reckless Swing]] vikings leap, similar to Jax's. About ult, I do really think he needs percentage reduction, armor pen is good enought in my opinion, and speed boost maybe would be a good idea to do on [[Vicious Strikes]]'s passive.[/quote]

[quote=TheJohn]I like Olaf, but as you said, either Jarvan or Xin Zhao are better picks. I liked the idea of manaless skills, that can be interesting. But wouldnt it make people complain that Xin is a warrior and need to use stamina instead of mana? Making [[Reckless Swing]] a jump can be a nice gap-closer, and that'll make his gank a bit OP since he can slow with [[Undertow]]. Theres only one way to know if they work: tell that to RIOT and they'll make the magic and we test afterwards.[/quote]

[quote=Luther3000][quote=TheJohn] I liked the idea of manaless skills, that can be interesting. But wouldnt it make people complain that Xin is a warrior and need to use stamina instead of mana? [/quote] Xin is basically manaless already, I don't think I've ever run out of mana on him before.[/quote]

[quote=TheJohn][quote=Luther3000] [quote=TheJohn] I liked the idea of manaless skills, that can be interesting. But wouldnt it make people complain that Xin is a warrior and need to use stamina instead of mana? [/quote] Xin is basically manaless already, I don't think I've ever run out of mana on him before. [/quote] Well, thats true. I think I've never run outta mana as Jax either.[/quote]

[quote=PsiGuard]You might want that slow on [[Undertow]]. Red buff is probably going to be a speed buff for the carrier instead of an on-hit slow in the coming jungle rework. I think a leap-strike E and %reduction ult would be reasonable.[/quote]

[quote=GodSlappedMe]Too many heroes, especially carries have escape abilities and olaf doesn't have a gap closer. The only viable gap closer he has right now is ulting and ghosting then hoping the slow from Undertow is enough to let him catch up. Even after that he needs to either reorient himself to pick up an axe or build a decent slow item like randuins or frozen mallet. Biggest issue as an offtank or tanky dps role he needs to fill. With that said, the only skill that really hinders that is Undertow so there needs to be a change to the skill. Some kind of gap closer or make Undertow a more reliable cc. Doesn't have to be a stun cause slows work but having to pick up the axe as you try to gank can be a pain.[/quote]

[quote=DuffTime]Olaf has all the distance closing he needs in a spam-able 40% slow. What he needs is like 325 move speed >:P You actually wouldn't always want the true damage to hop because then it wouldn't be instant damage, which is what you play olaf for. Chunky burst on squishy's, on a tanky DPS who cannot be CC'd. Currently he's a very effective albeit niche counter pick who is strong very early, remarkably weak during mid game, borderline useless, and unstoppable late. *Shrug*[/quote]

[quote=DuffTime]And idea to improve his E (Which is still effective against squishers which is what I pick Olaf for...) would be to add a 1% of max HP in true damage which scales to each skill point added. 1/2/3/4/5% max hp dealt in damage. The damage itself can be left as is or modified slightly.[/quote]