FOTM Report: Nunu is Broken Again

One of League's oldest champions is also one of its hardest champions to balance. Nunu constantly fluctuates between useless and overwhelmingly powerful, with little time spent between. As of Patch 8.2, he's moved into the overwhelmingly powerful category.

Introduction

One of League's oldest champions is also one of its hardest champions to balance. Nunu constantly fluctuates between useless and overwhelmingly powerful, with little time spent between. As of Patch 8.2, he's moved into the overwhelmingly powerful category.

What Happened?

Ever since last patch, Nunu's gained an extra bonus on his Bloodboil [W]:

W - Blood Boil

NEWMAGIC FINGERSNow additionally increases ability power by 40% (max increase: 40/60/80/100/120) on both targets.

This provides a MASSIVE damage boost to his AP carries, and synergizes particularly well with a few in particular.

He also received a HUGE damage boost to his auto attacks in the form of the below (now hotfixed to lower).

Original Buff:

Q - Consume

NEWTHESE HANDSWell Fed now additionally grants 3/5/7/9/11 (+5 per 100 ability power) magic damage on basic attacks

Hotfixed Amount:

Q - Consume

NEWTHESE HANDSWell Fed now additionally grants 1/2/3/4/5 (+5 per 100 ability power) magic damage on basic attacks

These two buffs in combination greatly enhanced Nunu's abilities to the point where he not only boosts an ally's power tremendously, but also dishes out quite a load himself as well.

Nunu's Best Friends

Here are some of the greatest beneficiaries of the Bloodboil buff (besides every AP mage in the game):

• Azir
• Diana
• Kayle
• Kog'Maw
• Lulu
• Teemo

With the massive double scaling on the champions above for both attack speed and for AP ratios, Nunu and a duo can utterly dominate the game.

Conclusions

Nunu in his current state deals a massive amount of damage building full tank as a result of his consume buff (though hot fixed). His Bloodboil also provides a tremendous amount of free stats that are further magnified on champions that receive double scaling. 

If you're not planning to play him on your team, banning him is a good idea. This is a champion whose skill level required to play is not high, so even a jungler picking him up for the first time could still be an extremely high impact.

Thoughts on Nunu right now? Got more ideas for champions that duo well with him? Comment below!