League of Legends developer Riot has drawn a clear line on how it plans to balance Mel. According to the champion’s designer, none of her abilities will be replaced as the team works to address her troubled launch state. The decision centers on preserving what Riot calls her “uniqueness” and “identity.”
This means Mel will be adjusted through number changes rather than mechanical overhauls. Cooldowns, damage values, and ability parameters are on the table. Swapping out an ability for an entirely new one isn’t.
The stance comes as Mel sits in an unusual position. Her win rate hovers in the mid-40% range across most brackets. Yet her ban rate remains around 50%. This profile typically signals a champion who feels oppressive to face even when statistically weak.
Mel’s W ability sits at the center of the issue. The skill creates a barrier that reflects incoming projectiles back at attackers while also negating damage Mel would take during its duration. It grants movement speed on top of these effects. Players describe tower dive scenarios where Mel activates W and survives damage that would kill most champions.
The ability reflects more than just basic attacks. Ultimate abilities like Nami’s tidal wave or Seraphine’s charm can bounce back and hit the original caster’s team. Some players argue this creates situations where using your most powerful skills becomes a liability.
Mel’s other abilities add to the frustration. Her Q functions as fast, low-cooldown poke that’s difficult to dodge. Her E creates a large zone with slowing and rooting effects. Her ultimate works as a global execute similar to Karthus’s Requiem.
The tension lies in Riot’s commitment to preserve these mechanics. If the abilities themselves create the frustration, tuning numbers alone may not lower her ban rate. She could end up weaker on paper while remaining just as banned in practice.
What changes are possible
Riot’s approach leaves room for mechanical adjustments short of full replacement. The W could be made directional like Yasuo’s Wind Wall rather than blocking all angles. It might reflect only one projectile instead of multiple. Reflected ultimates could deal reduced damage or be blocked entirely.
The ability’s damage negation could also be limited. Instead of blocking all incoming damage, it might only prevent damage from projectiles it actually reflects. This would leave Mel vulnerable to melee champions and non-projectile abilities while keeping the signature reflection mechanic intact.
