Flat AP Runes better than Magic Pen - IF - Rush Rabadon's?

Boxleitner·Nov 26, 2016·1 votes·1,051 views

Hi Guys,

I know that Phreak, many other players, streamers, and masters all use and suggest Magic Pen for Mages... but my question is:

If my mage is going to rush Rabadon's Deathcap, wouldn't it be wiser to multiply it's effect by using AP runes? Flat or Scaling, that would "drastically" increase my AP, and maybe get me ahead more than taking a little Magic Penetration? (Then we can take other items to replace the missing penetration such as Liandry's and Sorc shoes.)

What do you think?

Sincerely,

Box

6 Comments

PennsNov 26, 20162 votes

You shouldnt rush Rabadons at all in the first place imo (unless youre playing Veigar I guess but even then Id go for Morello first), so... :o

Maximum MordeNov 26, 20162 votes

No. Do the math. Magic pen is generally superior damage around rank 3 or so of spells. It can be even earlier if the ratio on those spells are lowish.

Void staff generally also outperforms deathcap in slot efficiency and damage. It always does as a rush item. And, if we talk damage output for the gold spent, it always does.

OglafNov 26, 20161 votes

AP + item 3135 IMO.

oSEXYPLATYPUSoNov 26, 20161 votes

if you think you can invest 3800 gold early game for one item that provides zero utility then go ahead

BoxleitnerNov 26, 20161 votes

So what i see you all saying is that more AP does not outperform Magic penetration at all.

oSEXYPLATYPUSoNov 26, 20162 votes

consider early game +8 magic pen from runes and lets say you go 18 points in the 1st tree and have +7% magic pen

all champs start with 30 flat mr ... and if they take flat mr blues they will have 42 mr

that flat magic pen and %magic pen makes your early game damage alot stronger as a mage... where you are weakest early

and you combine it with items like item 3020 for +15 magic pen and item 3135 +35% magic pen

for a total of +23 flat magic pen and +42% magic pen which would cut through most players mr effectively leaving them with no mr making your damage stronger with out having to invest 3800 gold for item 3089 but that magic pen would make stronger by applying more magic damage my ignoring the magic resist of champions