This is akshan specific. It didn't get any nerf or something but since kraken's other component besides noonquiver is not pickaxe anymore you can't reliably clear caster minions lv9. Caster minions stays in an awkward health so if another minion puffs at them they die. Because of this some akshan players are purposefully delay kraken spike by starting dorans blade and when they can noonquiver + long sword, or absolute focus or opting into something else.