Just seems really weak whenever I, or see someone else build it. 9/10 
is better as a first buy. Did Luden's get a nerf awhile back? Or did Morello get buffed?
Even looking at some core AP builds they just skip it now and build 
.
Something happened I'm unaware of for sure, but the cdr and mana refund just don't seem to be worth losing the early magic-pen.
Ludens is like the best first buy for so many champions
Did I miss something? Every mage I've looked up so far still builds it as a first item. It offers almost everything you need early. Unless the champion builds something else with the same passive, I don't know what mages you're looking at that don't build it. Unless this is a weird April fool's joke maybe? [sg-lux-2]
It depends on the champion you are playing.... who you are playing against... and your play style.
Ludins works quite well for me, because otherwise I do not have the little extra bit of damage... along with an easy 40-45% cdr early on.
Other times i like Rod of Ages because it gives a little more sustain.
Other times I will go for Liandries after a tear and wait to get the Archangels staff.... it just depends on my mood at that point in time and who i am playing as mostly.
the main reasons I could see people buying Morell first is if;
The enemy champion is an "anti-mage" (i.e. Galio, Malzahar, etc).
The enemy champion is building MR/Armor early.
The enemy champion has high health regen.
I typically rush Luden's first on most mages for the mana, poke, and cdr.
