Items problems
I recently had a discussion in which it was noted the lack of diversity in building paths. Though there are a large number of items within the shop there is very little that creates options. In this matter I think that ADC's are most loved and junglers have some options as well, though most others have a strong difficulty buying in a manner other than the one prescribed.
The best way to describe what I mean is to look at items like catalyst and tear. You ONLY purchase these if you are intent on going for their final version, period. Once you make your initial purchase you no longer have any options for that item. This is less true when you look at B. F. Sword. You can pick up a B. F. Sword for the damage and later decide, do I want IE, BT, ER, or should it go with MS.
In my previously mentioned discussion we came to the conclusion that the current set of items is kinda backwards from what you expect. There is no need for the system to have an excess of small items to build out of. Just with AD you are looking at Longsword, Pickaxe, and B. F. Sword as base items. These all are combined with something to make a better version of what you already had. The system should be more along the lines of Longsword and pickaxe, then you choose what direction you want to build in ad. Doing it in this way would create more final items than base items and allow more usability for the players. As I said before the main problem that I personally see and that other people agree with is that the base items are too numerous and the finalized versions are too few.
This is further emphasized by items like Frozen heart, where you have to have 2 armor items to build 1 armor item, and on the other side of the build path, an armor item and a mana item to make a shield, then you have to combine them to make the final item. These middle items cant be built in any other direction (minus the 1 alternate option) . Instead you should merely need to start with an armor item that can be built in numerous directions to a medium item that has multiple options for finalization. This would allow players to have their own options for places to go with items and make the system more user friendly for newer players.
This doesn't have to be a complete item overhaul and Riot kinda started in this direction a couple of times, though it seems to be a very, very gradual process each season.
Please give me your thoughts and maybe some possible directions that items could build in order to get this kind of effect out of the game.
