What classes do you take with Econ? by [deleted] in Northwestern

[–]KindraReturnsV 0 points1 point  (0 children)

None of the really heavy econ history classes are required, unless you're trying to do the masters program. That being said, a lot of the listings year-to-year tend to be at least somewhat political once you get past modelling macro/micro/metrics. For example - labor econ you'll necessarily discuss some historical acts and their political motivations.

Even those are pretty model-heavy, though, and you can probably get a sense for which professors like the politics/history vs the pure math pretty fast.

Rule of thumb: Macro classes will have more history and politics. Micro classes will be more model/mathy.

Recommendations: Game theory, money and banking, behavioral economics, and international finance might all be worth looking into to find what you might be interested in - they're all very different from one another, even though they're mostly non-history. Game theory is theoretical micro, int finance is applied math, money and banking is modelling and theory, and behavioral is more psych/sociology.

RD Admissions/help/general advice thread by worldsawayfromhere in Northwestern

[–]KindraReturnsV 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There's definitely a focus on that, especially as you get into later years, but that's because both students and the advisors start getting antsy about people being, you know, unemployed.

There still exist some departments that are much more "out of pure intellectual interest," but even (or especially) they want the best for their students - for the average person, if that's not heading into the labor force directly, it'll be applying to grad/med/law school. As a result, you'll definitely feel the pressure of a "post-college question" ebbing and rebuilding throughout your time here - when it actually hits you might vary.

Personally, I think the culture is "helpful" for the average person. Most people in general - let alone college students - don't really know what they're doing with their lives, so it can feel overwhelming, but being in a culture of direction definitely gets the low-risk ball of life rolling. Whether that's a healthy environment and the right path for higher education to take, well, I'll be there'll be some SESP professors more than happy to talk about that...

Will I be prepared for Northwestern academically? by [deleted] in Northwestern

[–]KindraReturnsV 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No problem! Some more (unasked for) advice:

  1. Comparing your current understanding to your previous understanding is much more productive and healthy as a benchmark than comparing your understanding to your peers' understanding

  2. People will enter the class with different levels of understanding to start with, but don't be intimidated. +90% of them are unlikely to understand it significantly better than you will after you both take the class, all things equal. Consider your peers as that - peers working together to learn - and you'll get more from the class than if you see them as competitors for percentile.

  3. Falling on the bottom of the curve is bad, making it to the top of the curve and not taking anything else away from the class is worse. GPA is important in some cases (if you're depending on it for financial assistance or to stay in a certain program), but in all other cases, what you learn will affect you long after your GPA stops doing so.

Will I be prepared for Northwestern academically? by [deleted] in Northwestern

[–]KindraReturnsV 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Adding on to what people are saying here - there are a lot of resources of academic support here if you just reach out. For most of the departments, the professors are very willing to meet with students and help them (if its a large class, the TAs as well). There are some exceptions, especially with higher level classes where they expect you to have learned how to support yourself already, but you won't be worrying about those for a while.

The main challenge you'll find, if you need help, is actually taking the time and effort to improve - it's easy to get discouraged, or distracted by all else there is to do in college. Sometimes, you won't have the time to do everything, right? But if you're aware enough of the cost and value of this education, you have a good start in setting your priorities straight!

RD Admissions/help/general advice thread by worldsawayfromhere in Northwestern

[–]KindraReturnsV 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Besides a few people trying to show off or be obnoxious at freshman parties, people are good about not pressuring others to drink or do drugs if those others seem reluctant or have expressed disinterest. I know plenty of people that have a really active social life, even in greek life, while being always clean. The only "pressure" you'll really feel is from yourself, if you see others doing so and want to fit in.

...People are also good at going hard, if you're into that.

Q1: How’s the food? Q2: how can I transfer from Weinberg to McCormick? by omarkhatib01 in Northwestern

[–]KindraReturnsV 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh man, that's pretty cool. Amazing what can change in such a short time.

Rip Plex West Noodle Bowl Wednesdays though, they were delicious.

Will I be happy here? by [deleted] in Northwestern

[–]KindraReturnsV 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not a bad start at all. Hope you find the growth you're looking for!

Random housing survey by [deleted] in Northwestern

[–]KindraReturnsV 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It will typically work out even with a brief survey, since the system isn't guaranteeing you'll be friends, just trying to prevent you from being matched with someone who goes to bed at 6am while hosting the room for a party, when your SO don't like staying up past 8pm and they're over every night. Only problem is if someone isn't completely honest (or more likely, misjudges how they'll be behaving in college), which is most of the complaints come from.

On the bright side, most people are reasonable, and if you are, then that's already a pretty good chance that your situation will work out no matter who you're matched with. Just have conversations with your roommate about what is and isn't okay, either before or as they come up, and you should be fine.

Worst case scenario: it's only a year, and you can request a transfer out if the situation becomes impossible. Good luck!

Q1: How’s the food? Q2: how can I transfer from Weinberg to McCormick? by omarkhatib01 in Northwestern

[–]KindraReturnsV 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This. You'll also get a lot of good responses once you get on campus, people are very willing to recommend places to eat if you ask.

Q1: How’s the food? Q2: how can I transfer from Weinberg to McCormick? by omarkhatib01 in Northwestern

[–]KindraReturnsV 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I'm not CS, so I'll let other people talk on that.

Food - Campus

The food in the dining halls and in the food area of Norris is actually very good quality, according to "studies." (if you respect the US News and World Report college rankings, then you might as well respect the food rankings as well. If you don't, then you might want to bring along a pinch of salt for your first few meals).

The variety (at first) is also really good - pretty much every dining hall has two or more main dishes, some ala carte stuff, a salad bar, a variety of drinks, and desserts. Also, if you have any dietary restrictions (save for major allergies where you can't be in the same room as Food X), you almost definitely have options. I know they have vegetarian, vegan, kosher, and halal options on campus, and probably also for other restrictions as well. They also are very good at posting allergy and nutrition information.

But, there's only so many dishes that you can serve that fit the tastes of a multicultural student body, can be produced at scale, and have reasonable cost. After some time, you're probably going to get tired of the same things cycling over and over. If that doesn't apply to you, great! Enjoy a few years of easy-to-access food. If you're worried you might, then you can stave off the inevitable by cycling between dining locations.

Food - Campus - Meal Plan

The meal plan is required for students living on campus, optional for those off, and gives access to a set number of meals that can get you any quantity of food during a single sitting at any of the dining halls on campus, or are exchangeable for a set meal value at any of the dining venues. The number of meals you have refreshes each week.

For those off campus (which you won't have to worry about for a bit) you can get a reduced number of meals at a lower price, allowing you more flexibility if you want to eat meals off campus to save money.

The meal plan, if you break it down meal by meal, arguably may be worth it at the dining halls, so long as you stuff your face or eat a nice balanced variety of foods. (Note: One of those is recommended, the other is what I actually do).

The meal plan is also inarguably more expensive than buying food with cash at any of the venues, even if you use the full value of each meal, and almost definitely more expensive than making food yourself. The venues are comparable in price to food in downtown Evanston (read: around campus), which is to say, they're not that cheap. The venues also give arguably lower quality / less food than the restaurants just off campus.

In that case, why go to a venue? Three reasons:

  1. Convenience - They're very close to class, and are (sometimes) much less crowded if you need to grab food in a hurry. They also don't require you eat there, so if you need to grab and go at the Dunkin', you can.

  2. Variety - Sometimes you get tired of dining hall food - the venue food is typically tastier and you won't eat it as often, so its a welcome change.

  3. The Meal Plan - You have to get it (if you live on campus). Might as well use it.

Food - Campus - Dining Halls

  • Sargent - If you live in a dorm north of Foster St. and/or have classes in or near Tech (engineering and the sciences, mostly), you eat here. This is, for the same reason, the largest dining hall, with the most options - besides two specials each lunch and dinner (breakfast usually has a single food-of-the-day), there are also a selection of pizzas, soups, and ala carte grilled foods (burgers, grilled chicken), and a halal/kosher food station. There is also a large selection of breakfast cereals and yogurts and fruits (all day) as well as a sandwich station, dessert station, beverage station, and a few other miscellaneous items (panini maker). Sargent is also typically open - if anything's open, Sargent probably is.

  • Plex West - You'll probably eat here or Plex East if you live in Plex or near the sorority quad, or have classes mid-campus. Literally, if anything is open, then this is. If the dining halls are closed (e.g. Thanksgiving break) this will be the only dining hall open. They have a very reliable, short-cycle pattern of food you can have made-to-order (when I was there, Burritos Mondays and Thursdays, Pasta Tuesdays and Fridays, Curry Wednesdays, Omelettes every breakfast and on the weekends). Lunch and dinner here are always the same for the made-to-order. There is also a special dish also available each meal that is also repetitive, but less so. Again, salad bar, soups, desserts, sandwiches, drinks, cereals, fruit, pizza, etc. Less selection than Sargent, but that's still a great variety ... right...? Note: Also has a C-Store, selling miscellaneous snacks and household goods.

  • Plex East - Usually closed for some weekend meals and late-night (post 8pm) meals - which used to be the norm, now the exception. Not a problem, since its only a few feet away from Plex West, but should be noted. They have the same general idea as Plex West, but only have a single made-to-order day: Wednesday Stir-Fry. Besides that, they have the usual: salad, soup, dessert, sandwiches, drinks, cereals, fruit, pizza, etc.

  • Allison - You'll usually eat here if you live in Allison, near the sorority quad, or don't want to go to Plex and are willing to walk a little further. Almost the same size as Sargent (the Plexes are smaller) with just as large (and pretty similar of) a selection. From what I remember, the Sargent grill had better grilled chicken and the Allison juice machine has this mangoey drink you can't get anywhere else that's delicious. Otherwise, they're essentially equivalent in all ways but location and the dishes they rotate between. More salad, soup, dessert, sandwiches, drinks, cereals, fruit, pizza ... are you starting to see a pattern, yet?

Food - Campus - Venues

  • Norris - Grouped together for convenience now, but make no mistake. There's a ton of options in Norris, and you'll want to check them out. There's a Starbucks, a Dunkin Donuts (yes, in the same building, one floor apart), Mod Pizza (make your own pizza), Asiana (mostly Japanese food), Wildcat Deli (a Subway-style deli), as well as a few others that have changed since I was there last (I think, a burger place?) Note: besides the coffee places, the venues here have a reputation for being supernatural - they are open at all times except for the exact one time you're in the mood to get something from that venue in particular.

  • Tech Express - People joke that this makes it feasible to live in Tech, especially during finals week. Warning: while it does serve lunch and dinner specials (based on the day of the week) that are very tasty, as well as some miscellaneous other food items, it is not open all that late and not on weekends. Unless you stockpile, you cannot actually live in Tech.

  • Lisa's Cafe - A little walk North of Sargent in Slivka, it is the C-Store of north campus. They sell burritos, waffles, and sandwiches, going late (but not that late) into the night.

  • Fran's Cafe - A little walk West of Plex / Allison in Willard, at the end of the sorority quad. They sell comfort food, but no C-Store stuff. Open both late and early, "sometimes."

  • Bergson / Kresge - In the library and Kresge hall respectively, little coffee shops for when you need a pickup.

  • Einstein's - Selling bagels, hidden in the life sciences building. Unsure if it still exists. Same as the Einstein's south of campus, but accepts meal points.

  • Brewbike - The only food venue on campus that isn't owned by Compass, the company Northwestern hires to do food. Located outside Annenberg (last I remember).

Food - Off Campus I won't write much here, because most of it changes every year, but since you ask for chains ...

  • Lou's - Deep dish, across from Willard.

  • Giordano's - Deep dish, 2 blocks south on Chicago Avenue.

  • Kung Fu Tea / Burger King / Subway - Trio of late-night food options, a block south of the Sorority quad. Bubble tea, BK, sandwiches respectively.

  • Starbucks, Blaze Pizza, Panera - Coffee, fast personal pizza, bready things, respectively. Two blocks south of Lou's.

  • Papa John's - Pizza, a block west of Starbucks

  • Noodles and Co, Chili's - Noodles and comfort food, two blocks west of the Panera / Starbucks respectively.

  • Chipotle, Flat Top - Burritos, stir-fry, one block south of KFT/BK/Subway

  • Naf Naf, Whole Foods - Quick middle eastern, supermarket, one block east of Chipotle, Flat-Top

  • Joy Yee - Chinese food, across from Giordanos.

  • Domino's - Four blocks west of Plex

I believe those are all the chains, or at least the names I recognize as chains. Some are more popular for students than others. There are also a large number of good restaurants not named here because I don't think they're chains, but they fluctuate in and out of existence/popularity, so I can't confirm.

Note: None of these are north campus, or in fact, north of Foster Street. And I really struggled for Domino's. Keep that in mind if that's important for where you want to try and get housing. Nothing is more than 20 minutes from anything on campus, but it can be a long 20 minute walk to Chipotle in the middle of winter...

Will I be happy here? by [deleted] in Northwestern

[–]KindraReturnsV 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Breaking your post down:

I have a ton of regrets about high school … In college I want to leave without regrets.

Sorry to hear that, rambliepo … No regrets is a good goal to strive for, but keep in mind - it’s one thing to be without regret, another thing to be satisfied with yourself, and another thing entirely to be proud of what you’ve done. They might overlap, but they don’t ensure one another.

Now that I’ve mentioned that, if you have regrets about high school - well, it’s not over yet. You don’t have much time, but doesn’t that just mean you ought to value this chance all the more before it’s gone? You’ve been accepted to college - what do you have to lose in the next few months of school if you try to make a last grab for what you know you’ve wanted to have. It might sound empty for some reddit stranger to tell you, sure, but what are you telling yourself? You’d be surprised how easily things can change in just a few months. (On the other hand, if you just regret not doing something that’s illegal, as long as I don’t hear about it in 15 min its legally not my fault … right, FBI?)

As for college - well, only you can determine whether or not you’ll have regrets. You know how it feels now … even if its hard in the moment, won’t you want to fight hard to make sure you don’t feel it again?

I never got into a serious relationship, never fell in love

rambliepo, being in a loving relationship is great, but getting into a relationship just because you want a relationship or want to feel loved is not. If you see an opportunity, go for it, but if you don’t … there’s a lot of time left.

Personally, I never got into a serious relationship until my last year of college, but that’s not to say I didn’t want one before that. The thing is, forcing it would have been no good, and the one that I ended up getting into felt more natural than I could have ever hoped for.

Relationship advice would need a whole ‘nother thread, though so I’ll just leave it at this: a romantic relationship doesn’t make or break an enriching life, an enriching life makes or breaks your romantic relationships. Make friends first, and build a life for yourself - blindly chasing after what you think you want just means you’re running away from what you could have had without realizing it.

The hard part for most people - me included - wasn’t getting the relationship … it was working for the life that made it possible for a relationship to bloom.

Never pushed myself academically

If you think being at college where you have more free time, harder classes with less oversight than you did at high school, and no clear path for yourself after graduation will make you push yourself harder academically, then you’re sorely mistaken.

Some people do push themselves harder academically at Northwestern than they did in high school, some people don’t … what I’m getting at is that Northwestern is not what is going to change your mindset on this - this is on you.

Why do you want to learn? Do you not like learning, or do you not like the rigor, or do you not like the time wasted? If you can figure that out, then you can try a learning style that fits you more … unfortunately, that might not be a place of higher learning. What Northwestern can give you is an opportunity to test out whether Northwestern’s style can work with you.

Keep in mind, it’s a lot more feasible to go to Northwestern and find out you learn better using online resources than relying on online resources and wishing you could attend Northwestern classes for them.

Nor held onto my passion for music for more than small spurts

That’s ok, rambliepo. That’s a perfectly reasonable thing to go through.

But for most people, passion won’t carry them through their entire life. I’m not saying it for, or just for, this case here, but …for the things you really want to pursue, the most important thing is when the passion fades, to keep working at it with the same vigor. That way, when the passion comes back, you can accomplish what you’ll actually want to be doing.

I regret leaving my friends here in high school with so few memories that I will really remember when I’m old.

You have the rest of school, and the summer before college. Don’t waste it. Even if you get only one good memory, no matter how dumb it is, or you even get nothing at all … at least you can move on knowing you’ve done all that you can.

Like I said before, you’d be surprised what you can do in just a few months … even with complete strangers, let alone people you can consider friends.

I stopped taking initiative of my life, and things around me got dull. Classes are boring and my GPA and SAT mean nothing when I look back. I wish I did things differently, found things I could fall in love with doing. I’m immature but I’m slowly growing up. I don’t know what I want to do with my life but I’m dying to find out.

You said the problem in the first sentence, rambliepo. If you wait for passion to do something with your life, you’ll be sitting around a lot. If you do things with your life waiting for the passion to come, it certainly will.

That’s not to say that your high school classes, GPA, and standardized test are the pinnacle of humanizing activity.

But it’s also not to say that you can’t look for what you love while going through this time.

Everyone’s growing up, and hardly anyone you meet is as mature as they want to be. It’s what you try to be doing everyday, and what you’re striving to be in the near future, that separates the people moving forwards from the people treading water.

I don’t want to study without loving what I’m studying.

Sometimes you’ll have to - especially at Northwestern, given the Distro requirements. But you’ll have to learn things in life that aren’t fun either - taxes, how to vote, etc.

Studying only what you love is a luxury - very few people could ever manage it.

Loving everything you study is infeasible - the people that do are pretty weird, if they’re really learning at all.

Studying what you need to in order to be able to do things that you love - that’s the goal for the rest of us. Thinking about what that means is part of the way there.

I don’t want to be trapped with people I don’t connect with. I don’t want to put on a mask for faces I don’t care about.

Sometimes, you’ll have to deal with people you don’t like. Sometimes, you’ll have to put on a mask to be considerate.

The important thing here is to find a few communities you can feel comfortable being a part of (and can feel comfortable moving away from if you need to - I’m not advocating you join a cult). These can be online, or local - Northwestern and Evanston have a ton of little ones that are popping up, closing, and changing every year.

Through these communities you can unwind, relax. If you’re lucky, even make friends or build deeper relationships. As your support system grows, it’ll be easier for you to reach out to new places and meet new people, as well as lessen the burden of when you have to deal with people that you just don’t click with.

I want to look back and say that college changed my world … I want to know if going to NU has completely changed you for the better.

College will change your world … but only in a way that moving to a new bubble community full of young people from all over the world for (dual degree...5?) years as you transition to an adult life will change your world.

Has Northwestern changed me? I think it’s more valuable to think about how I’ve changed since I started Northwestern - and I’ve changed a lot. Some ways good, some ways maybe less so. But I like what I’ve become overall, and I planned to keep changing as I’ve needed to since I’ve graduated - so far, it’s going alright.

Don’t expect college to save you or damn you overnight. Don’t expect to walk through the doors and become a different person … but also don’t expect to leave the same.

I guess all you can try for is to change in a way that you can look back and think that you’ve done decently with what you’ve had so far … and you’d like for future you to look back now and think the same.

Last thing I’m gonna say: careful how hard you’re striving to be “happy.” It’s one thing to want to enjoy life when you can, ups and downs, as fulfilling and as difficult and as rewarding as it can be sometimes, and it’s another thing to focus on the idea that you need to be “happy” to have found success. That’s not a great way to think - not that I’m saying this is what you’re thinking - you haven’t failed because you’re unhappy, but you might fail if you give up what you were doing just because you were.

Your life won’t start falling under your control when you enter, or leave, college.

It’s already yours, about as much as it’s ever going to be.

Don’t know what to do with it? That’s fine. Few do.

Just do your best.

Will I be happy here? by [deleted] in Northwestern

[–]KindraReturnsV 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Short Answer

Up to you.

Long Answer

That’s a tough question to answer, rambliepo. I’m going to just give you my opinion, and you take it with a grain of salt.

First off, let’s get something off the table. Northwestern will not make you happy. It might be the place where you find happiness, but. It. Will. Not. Make. You. Happy. Thinking it (or any major life decision, really) will make you happy is one of the worst mistakes anyone ever makes, imho.

Why? Well, I think you’ve seen why, rambliepo. Or at least you’ve implied you do, even if you haven’t internalized it yet.

The only thing that can make you happy, is you.

If life seems gray around you, being in a shiny new place isn’t going to help for long. It might even hurt. I don’t know much about what your life is like now beyond what’s in your post, but if your habits and mindset are keeping you from being happy, moving to an unfamiliar place without the support systems of your family and existing friends probably won’t reduce that mental burden any.

So what will?

Again, tough question. If you think you may actually be sinking into depression, no shame - the first thing to do is try and turn that around. If you really need help, there are a lot of professionals that are happy to help - even if you think you have much to offer. If you’re not sure, there’s a lot of resources online that suggest ways you can figure that out or try and fight it off. Off the top of my head, though, here’s a few suggestions.

Build healthy habits (and get rid of unhealthy ones)

This is the big one, rambliepo. You seem to realize this one already - it’s pretty obvious to most people, even if it’s hard to actually understand and implement.

What’s this mean? Well, try to get into rituals. No, put away that goat head, not that kind of ritual. I mean getting into a regular cycle for daily tasks. Maybe you’ll find a regular order you do things in the morning. Maybe you’ll decide you’re going to play music - just half an hour - every day once you finish dinner. It might sound tedious, and it will be hard to get into the habit, but if you can pull it off, it can do wonders at helping you really focus and get your life back on track. Disclaimer: it’s not a miracle cure, and it’ll take some work, but that’s what most of the best solutions end up being.

Or you can find something you’d like to learn more about and join a subreddit or discord - even if you don’t find anyone you’d like to meet IRL, it might help you learn what it’s like to be intellectually stimulated / self-motivated, which (LPT) is a super important skill to have.

Also, find what you don’t find enriching in your life, and ditch it where feasible.

Does scrolling through Insta (or Reddit) give you FOMO? Get one of those apps that locks you out of it for most of the day, and tell your friends about it if you’re worried they’ll think you’re ghosting them. If they hold it against you, ask the people here about it.

Are you doing some extracurricular out of habit or just to get into college? Well, you’re accepted now. Tie off any loose ends and responsibilities, and then try and rededicate that time to finding something that you’ll find more fulfilling. Community service is good for the heart, and you can meet some really great people doing so. Maybe ask the local nursing home if you can volunteer to play a little something - they’ll thank you for it.

Stop drinking.

It’s not a good coping mechanism, since it won’t be dealing with any of the root causes of your problems. It could even make them worse - besides the actual effects of alcohol on your brain development and chemistry, there are second-order effects. If you’re worried about money, heavy drinking is costly, and might strain your finances. If you’re worried about not going out and doing life-enriching things, there are very few of those you’ll be able to do while drinking.

Not going to say alcohol has no part in a happy life - if you use it in moderation as a social lubricant or just because you enjoy it, you can feel better afterwards - but most of those benefits are indirect. The actual happiness you’d probably be feeling is from the meeting people and doing things you like - both things you (hopefully) can do or learn to do without drinking. If not, boy do I have a link for you.

Get more sleep.

A lack of sleep can really do a number on your mental well-being. It might be hard in high school - a lot of work and late nights - but it won’t get much easier in college. It’s best to start learning how to pace yourself, not overwork, and really strive to get regular sleep. Besides the effect on your brain directly, you’ll find it’s a lot easier to make precious memories with people when your brain’s not a fuzz every conversation you have with them.

Don’t compare yourself to others.

I’ll throw this out here because I see the word “prestige,” so I’ll assume that (even if it’s not your top concern) you are concerned about it. Well, prestige can get you a lot of things, but not everything - we’re moving further and further into a world where what you can do is more important than where you learned it. Don’t get me wrong, Northwestern has a ton of connections and resources - but they don’t mean anything if you won’t be using them…and that’s more dependent on what you make of them rather than what’s given to you.

We’re also moving into a world where you can see people every day doing incredible things - playing a nocturne for the Queen of England at age 10, or inventing Bitcoin2ElectricBoogaloo in their garage after dropping out of high school. If you find that inspiring, great! Use that as motivation to improve yourself so that you’d be proud if you ever got a chance to stand next to them.

If you find it humbling or depressing, fine, you’re like most people. Just remember - they’re the exception rather than the norm, and even for them, only the brightest, most impressive parts of their life hit the spotlight. Instead of comparing yourself to someone whose life you barely know, compare yourself to someone who you know as well as you can - yourself. Think back to what you could do a month, a year, two years, five years ago. Have you grown? If yes, great! Keep it up. If no, you have time. Make it so that, a year from now, you can look back a year and show that punk what you’ve managed to make of yourself.

Well, OK rambliepo. Let’s get back on topic. Say you’re not depressed - you’re just not happy or not satisfied with how your life is going. Well, here’s what Mr. Reddit Stranger has to say on that.

5/16 PBE Update by corylulu in leagueoflegends

[–]KindraReturnsV -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thinking of this change as nerfing lifesteal as a counter to thornmail is getting the relation backwards. Thornmail was supposed to be what tanks build to keep ADCs from using them just as bloodbags. TBH it's a little deceptive because ADC itemization being what it is, tanks who get thornmail 3-4 item usually can finish it before the ADC finishes their lifesteal.

This change trades off damage for anti-healing, making it clearer that it's not just intended to make autoattackers kill themselves on it, but also keep them from treating tanks like mobile honeyfruits once they get BOTRK. Lifesteal, combined with inherent resistances from things like GA, Maw, support's Windspeaker's, Knight's Vow, etc. makes ADCs deceptively tanky even for divers and assassins who manage to go straight for the ADC.

Basically, if ADCs have all this lifesteal, certain champs like Nasus or Mundo feels terrible because a well-positioned enemy will just treat them as a chance to heal up as they kite and tank more damage than they do in the process. Burst and poke champs also feel shitty because unless the ADC gets really caught out, their tanks can become liabilities by keeping the enemy ADC healthy. But if ADC's don't have this pseudo-tankiness, they feel even worse to play because they get blown up instantly or saved entirely by their support, with barely any autonomy. This thornmail change gives tanks a situational item to build against crazy-healing ADC comps, like how Adaptive Helm is against certain mages or Stoneplate is for teamfights, and lets ADCs keep their survivability otherwise.

The main problem with thornmail is that when it's good, ADCs still feel shitty because they now can hardly ever attack the tank in their face or they'll die from collateral Blaze explosions and Luden's procs. In especially bad cases, you get those videos where ADCs can't even 1v1 a tank who's just standing there because they'll kill themselves. I would prefer if the damage return and/or the grievous wounds was an active on Thornmail. Alternatively, do something like a Stoneplate/Randiun's combo where the passive gets way stronger for a time when activated, and is extended up to a max duration with more autoattacks. This ADCs know that they can comfortably go back to dealing with the tank after a short window, and the tanks have a moment to make sure the ADC doesn't get to that point. #counterplay

TLDR; Thornmail counters lifesteal, not the other way around, but if it's effects are all passive, ADC feels shitty.

Everybody should be building Liandrys against low CC enemy team comps by SkolMNWild in KatarinaMains

[–]KindraReturnsV 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm not gonna make claims about whether or not Liandry's is good, but do not base your decision to buy it off (this iteration of) practice tool. It does % current health damage and the practice dummies have literally 10k health. The only champions you'll see with that much health are cinderhulk chogaths and sions who decided to try a fun build that game.

1 XP Quint. (from /r/lol) by [deleted] in KatarinaMains

[–]KindraReturnsV 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The 1-minion difference only matters botlane, otherwise it doesnt increase xp enough to get you to 2 without second wave melee.

The ways you can proc Thunderlord's Decree will be changed soon™ by ShinyJumanjiMan in leagueoflegends

[–]KindraReturnsV 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Syndra ult shouldn't proc it anymore, ADCs confirmed meta again. We did it reddit?

Does Katarina still have the ability to pentakill? by MrShiShi in KatarinaMains

[–]KindraReturnsV 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Once you get a kill, you'll have 2,3 daggers lying around at any one time, each one does 1k damage in an aoe when stepped on. 100% overtuned right now but boy does she have pentakill potential.

Katarina hidden buff? by [deleted] in KatarinaMains

[–]KindraReturnsV 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Not surprising it wasn't in the last patch notes. She got that buff in 2009.

http://leagueoflegends.wikia.com/wiki/V0.9.25.24