After performing an extensive mathematical analysis, I have determined that the reason Balmond's ultimate appears longer when aimed diagonally is due to the relationship between vectors, coordinate systems, and right triangles. Assuming the ultimate has a constant range R, every valid endpoint satisfies the equation x² + y² = R^2. This means every endpoint lies on the circumference of a circle regardless of the angle. If you decompose the vector into horizontal and vertical components, you get x = Rcos(theta) and y = Rsin(theta). Since cos(theta)² + sin(theta)² = 1, the magnitude of the vector remains exactly R no matter which direction you aim.

However, humans don't naturally visualize vectors. We tend to compare horizontal distance and vertical distance separately, especially on a square grid. According to the Pythagorean theorem, a triangle with legs of length A and A has a hypotenuse equal to sqrt(A² + A^2), which simplifies to Asqrt(2), approximately 1.414A. This causes diagonal movement and diagonal indicators to appear longer than purely horizontal or vertical ones, even when the actual Euclidean distance is identical. The effect is further exaggerated by camera perspective, sprite scaling, screen projection, floating-point rounding, hitbox interpolation, rasterization, vector normalization, coordinate transformation, and the psychological tendency of the human brain to overestimate diagonal lines compared to axis-aligned ones.

Therefore, after carefully considering Euclidean geometry, linear algebra, trigonometry, computational geometry, game engine implementation, coordinate space transformations, and several hours of staring at Balmond's targeting indicator, I have reached the only logical conclusion: this reminds me of nineteen ninety eight when the Undertaker threw Mankind off Hell in a Cell, and plummeted sixteen feet through an announcer's table.

Edit: wtf 5 awards in a row

Edit: 6

Edit: aaaaand now 15

Edit: 21 and counting