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AD Caster Itemization

Legalize Riven·7/16/2015, 1:49:09 PM·14 votes·1,816 views

Does anybody else think that AD Caster/Assassin itemization feels really awkward (not to mention bland) at the moment? The only real item that feels right is brutalizer, and pretty much all else that they build feels like a waste of stats, in my opinion. (EG- Finishing Brutalizer on Riven, even though Crit and AtkSpd aren't exactly stats she prioritizes) Ever since the Black Cleaver rework, I've felt awkward, not that Cleaver isn't good on these people, it just feels like it's catering more toward tanky bruisers now. Even life steal can feel wasted depending on the champ and your playstyle. I don't exactly think that AD Casters need a buff, I just don't feel like their build paths are optimal and it just feels weird. I'd enjoy a new item, but that would indirectly buff so many of these champs that it would probably throw off game balance. TL;DR- It would be cool if there were better itemization choices specifically for those AD Casters/Assassins out there, builds can feel really weird and it's hard not to waste gold on stats you don't need at times.

29 Comments

KirynDawn7/16/2015, 1:58:07 PM6 votes

AD spell vamp item would be awesome

Abyssphere7/16/2015, 5:00:44 PM3 votes

Yeah AD Caster itemisation is horrendously bad. There is not a single class in the game that I enjoy hitting full build on less, even bruisers/tanks have a better time of it, and supports too.

I genuinely think I'd enjoy AD assassins/casters in general so much more if I could actually enjoy building them, but it feels like after two items you just get whatever filler you can come up with to take up the rest of your slots. Not at all fun.

AyRe CoNteMpT7/16/2015, 2:12:17 PM1 votes

i think assassins have totally fine items and choices to make. ad-casters are like, who exactly? really only pantheon, or who did i miss? because i think, champs like renekton, riven, wukong, darius etc who live mainly off of their strong damage and cc spells are still GENERALLY "ad casters" but are really more fighter/bruiser type champs while pantheon is a true caster who optimally wants to be full damage backliner who peels and inches his way forward, like spartans would.

i used to build him warriors, hydra, blood thirster, essence reaver, maw, last whisper, but yeah, all those things have on-hits and even if he can use them, hes not really super happy about them.

there are no real ad-caster items except maybe black cleaver and thats only mediocre for him too.

Dr Poro7/16/2015, 3:19:23 PM1 votes

Last whisper is a perfect item, but you don't build it as first. Hydra is generally a very good first item. While life steal is not a priority, it does help in lane. You can regenerate with it after a fight so you can finish of damaged enemies. The active also acts as a "free AA reset" (no on hit effects though). Other than that, it's true that AD casters (assassins) have to take items with stats they don't really favor. But it's okay because they're balanced around this fact. If they'd get an item like item 3104 used to be (with the spell vamp + ArPen) they'd be over the top.

CrazedPorcupine7/16/2015, 3:38:07 PM1 votes

Riot will never give strong HIGH AD items for AD casters. AD champions already have a lot of advantages over AP champs (Tower taking and strong autos). The only way an AD caster would be able to be created and balanced, is if there was an item that reduced auto attack damage against everything, and also reduced AS, then MAYBE we'd be able to have a proper AD Caster.

ChaoticPinecone7/17/2015, 3:29:30 AM1 votes

I always thought their itemization is pretty good.

Hydra for the extra burst/farming. Ghostblade to position better, CDR, and ArPen. Maw for the AD + MR. Mercurial for the MR and active. BC for the teamwide % pen. LW for the selfish % pen. Trinity and Manamune if you can use/farm it. Plus the ADC items like IE and BT. And certain autoattackers like Zed and Rengar can use Botrk. Plus you can always throw a Randiuns or GA in there if you want to be more defensive.

At least its not stagnant like the tank items. You basically need Frozen Heart, Randiuns, Banshees, Thornmail, (GA/Warmogs/Spirit Visage) to tank anythnign once everyone hits lategame.