In short, for the most part, I agree and it seems to me like we're on the same page- the thing is when people pull it out of nowhere and everyone may not be on board (for example I was somewhat opposed to all of those examples I listed when they occured but let it go anyway). But when Vega did that support Udyr thing it was because he was filling and wanted to make bot lane interesting because all the other games he was stuck bot were either boring or we got stomped; by that point we're just like "yeah man go for it" and he ends up carrying hard and we're all having a good time (as we do a lot when Vega plays with us- you should see his trundle (that obliterated an opposing Fizz jungle with his mid laner's (hi) help (and this reinforces the thing where you better know exactly what you're doing or you risk getting stomped by someone who does with a stronger pick)) *ahem* Anyway, THAT I don't mind. And like I said at the end of my thing towards Ryan:
Ultimately it's a game and you'll probably have to make it fun yourself on multiple occasions (if I tried to deny this game gets anti-fun more often than it should, I'd be lying to myself) but off-meta things won't always be amusing to everyone and the ones that don't agree are probably going to give you a hard time and it's really more trouble than it's worth. Not gonna lie, I've said more than once that anything can be played anywhere if you're good enough, but imo that's not always a safe bet. Another thing I forgot to mention is Ame's jungle Zyra phase (however short it was) in which she did perfectly fine; however, had our enemies been smart enough to invade (and do it right, as in, denying her blue and level 2) she would have been doomed and we all knew that going into the match. On that note:
^ yes
My main point was the difference between off-meta and (subjectively) ineffective builds. If you play AD LeBlanc you're gonna have a bad time. If you play Leona top but still build as you normally would (maaaaaaaaybe a trinity force or at least iceborn), you might not have a bad time. If you play AP Leona mid you're gonna have a bad time. I've played Quinn AD carry, mid, and top, and with the exception of very small alterations to the build for top lane (assuming we have a traditional carry) have played her the same way in each position, retaining her overall effectiveness regardless of where I was on the map. In fact, she might even be best mid for her roaming potential with Valor's movement speed. Things like this I personally don't question whatsoever, but then there's the things I mentioned a few sentences back that will make me want to hurt you unless you are very good at this game and pull it off anyway. (but i'll still hurt you because ap leona is terrible)