Crystal wolverine is a good example of a champion with real lazy and "we-didnt-think-about-this". He got rend 1, 2 and 3 in upgrades 1. But he also got eviscerating luminescene. and what does it do then? It deals 4 physical damage to champs and they get eviscerate when its deployed or start of it own turn! So now we can pick rend 1, 2 or 3! But we already gets rend 2 (2+1 damage) for free. Sure all rend upgrades deals more damage, but instead we could give him something useful! Something he doesnt already have! How about giving it: deep wounds Pounce 2 horrific howl as upgrades instead! alot more fun and more options!
It seems like Gedden throws out rend whenever he doesnt know what else to give a champion! Some champions got 7-8 different abilities to pick from! Others got 3 ranks of 2 different or even less! I think upgrades should bring variation and let each player chose what they prefer and what works best for them!