@meddler correct me if am wrong about how projectiles work.

But I want to point out to people is that. when you use an ability or an auto attack that is a ranged targeted projectile and the unity dies before that ability/auto hits. it gets consumed. if its melee targeted ability. like garen or darius ult. it does not go on cd if that happen and isn't consumed.

for example. if Jax activates W. and he autos. but the minion dies before the animation completes. Jax W does not get consumed. neither would his ult passive.

however something like for example twisted fate gold card or ziggs passive. would get consumed regardless.

now you're probably saying these are on hit abilities/effects. why are they consuming before they hit. well due to longer animation it would be very clunky and slow for the game to wait for the ability to hit and trigger other effects. thats what am guessing.

this was implemented in the game a while ago.