Why do the top laners never buy a 
to start with?
I always wonder why they don't because they could get a lot of CS shared with the ADC when they are quick pushing those towers for the first part of the game. It grants gold per second and shares CS gold and after the time it takes to bust those towers down in a tower trading swap they could have a pretty good chunk of gold in excess of the 350 it cost to buy this item.
Nahui6 votesIt wouldn't pay itself off in a meaningful amount of time. Each charge regens once every 40 seconds. At about 25-30g per hit, it would take like 10+ minutes assuming you never let it hit 2 stacks. This would also set back the top laner building this item, and as it's been shown this season, you don't want to give any advantage to either top laner or top because a one sided wrecking ball. Better off grabbing a dorans or potion, because it's never guaranteed to switch lanes. Those are typically situational calls, there just happen to be many situations.
StoryDuck1 votesIt also grants 2gp/10. It is weaker then Doran items but not by a huge amount (and you get extra pots). They wouldn't need to sell it right off either continuing to get that 2gp/10 and occasional share with roams/tps or jungler ganks (which can heal both during a 2v2 situation). I know it's not 100% to get a swap but it is very common in LCS and if a team is planning to try for the swap wouldn't it make sense to buy it?
Amasa Delano4 votesIt's never guaranteed to switch lanes. Those are typically situational calls, there just happen to be many situations.
Came here to say this. You would have to buy the before you leave base, and you aren't always sure if you are going to swap lanes then.
CrazFight 5 votesI thought similar thoughts X_X We are to alike.
Kingnewgameplus4 votesBecause a top laner starting isn't in the script the lcs follows.
StoryDuck1 votesSometimes I wonder if they really do have a script. I miss the days of innovation, when they used unique builds, picked unique champions, and had unique play styles. I do understand that at their level of play some champions really are stronger then other champions so it limits their choices but it seems a bit extreme this year. Ah well, I don't really want another LCS has no variety thread. I was actually legitimately curious what the reason was for not choosing this item. It could very well be there is no reason. I can't imagine this is a tactic that can get tried very often.
Only Play Darius3 votesPlease don't give lane swappers even more cancerous ideas
StoryDuck1 votesYou have problem with lane swappers? Damn, I've never seen one in any of the hundreds of games I have played. The only time I see it is in the LCS.
Only Play Darius2 votesIt rarely happens in soloQ but it makes LCS incredibly stale
StoryDuck1 votesIndeed, most LCS matches I just skip the first 10 minutes to get through the all too common lane swap. I guess the last thing we need is more incentive for them to lane swap. To any LCS players, "please don't read this post!" (Do LCS players even read the forums? I kind of have a hard time imagining Huni or Bjergsen being on the boards)
Blue Moon Wolf2 votesIt can't be utilised to it's fullest unless there is a nearby ally. unless the jungler camps top lane then , you can't use it's healing passive which is a major part of it's use (part of why it is an item made specifically for support). Otherwise it would be a great option for top lane. Not to mention quite a few top lane champs could use more AD rather than health at the start, so they would rather get something like 
that can give them extra damage. Top lane Tanks on the other hand could benefit from taking since it's not much worse than 
and it upgrades, but it does offer more health regen and a bit of resistance early on.
Honestly Riot could think about making it more of a tank rather than a support item during preseason, might prove helpful for both support and top lane tanks.
StoryDuck2 votesTrue, a non-tank top laner would get even less but as you say as a tank item it isn't much worse. A utility tank top laner could start with this if they were planning to lane swap. It would give them a pretty huge advantage early. At LCS level play even a 10 CS difference in top can make a big difference in who bullies the lane (at least that is what I see often).
warpenguin5552 votesthat doesnt sound too bad really. there probably a reason they dont though
StoryDuck1 votesI know, but try as I might I just can't think of a reason why a tank top laner planning to lane swap wouldn't take it.
crabface52 votesIt doesn't really give combat stats, which is the major issue. Buying this means you would have to buy biscuits and rely heavily on your jg. Beyond this, for your first back, you either have to sell it or upgrade it fully to Face of the Mountain, which only will provide a shield if activated. Unless your playing an uber-tanky champion up top, maybe malphite or rammus, it wouldn't add any benefit to your lane other than that passive bonus gold and once your jungler ganks you, some free easy health. That said, I haven't tried relic shield up top, so I might give it a try. Thanks for the idea!
StoryDuck1 votesGlad I could be an inspiration. :) It does have 75 HP so that can be nice. I don't really have any experience in team-play which is why I ask. I've been a solo player forever (occasional duo) so watching LCS is about all the team-play experience I get. It seemed like a uniquely LCS only thing to me which is why I posted this in the e-sports section. I don't even think it needs to be upgraded just kept...sort of like a Cull for early tanks planning a lane swapping scenario.
Crazy Chatter2 votesThey usually get solo gold from the turrets. Also, it's a commonly practiced thing, but lane swaps somewhat represent teamwork. You can clearly see it by comparing the lane swap of a team like TSM to a team like FOX.
JimmyNtheKudos1 votesProbably because they soon end up in solo lanes, and have to 1v1 the other top laner.
