The ban rate of certain champions in League of Legends typically signifies an assumption of their overpowered status, often leading to adjustments from Riot Games.
Interestingly, one such champion, despite boasting a remarkably high ban rate, does not quite match the dominance of Skarner. According to data from U.GG, Shaco stands as one of the most banned champions in Patch 14.8 with 22.3% ban rate on the leaderboard.
Shaco being one of the most banned champions in League of Legends
Skarner’s prevalence in bans aligns with his recent rework, solidifying his dominance on Summoner’s Rift, where once he secures an advantage, reversing the tide becomes a daunting task. Patch 14.9 is slated to introduce a series of nerfs to address Skarner’s overwhelming presence.
In contrast, Riot has refrained from making adjustments to Shaco’s abilities since Patch 14.4, with his win rate hovering around 50%, indicative of a balanced champion. Despite this, players continue to ban Shaco frequently, suggesting a discomfort in facing him.
The rationale behind this ban trend likely stems from Shaco’s kit, which combines stealth, mobility, and crowd control, alongside burst potential. In encounters with Shaco, using the Sweeping Lens becomes imperative, aiding in the detection of his traps and locating him post-Deceive.
However, the prevalence of Shaco bans does not necessarily correlate with his being overpowered; rather, it underscores players’ struggles in contending with his capabilities. Shaco is strong in the early game, capitalizing on the slightest positional errors to punish vulnerable targets.
Yet, should he falter, his effectiveness wanes, hindered by a sluggish jungle clear speed and limited utility when playing as a support.