The difference between energy and mana explained in 2 sentences.

Kowe The Ewok·Dec 31, 2014·5 votes·922 views

Being out of energy means you have slightly higher cooldowns. Being out of mana means you're useless for the next 2 1/2 minutes, or until you get back to base.

Balance interpretations are up to you.

6 Comments

ProfDrDeathDec 31, 20145 votes

To put it in other words:

Energy is a short-term limiter, but not a long term one.
Mana is a long-term limiter, but not a short-term one.

Kowe The EwokDec 31, 20142 votes

If it only would limited any champion OTHER than Shen

Sire HippingtonDec 31, 20144 votes

you forgot some things: number of rotations till out of energie:1-2 number of rotations till out of mana:3-4 without items

Number of items that give energie or regen: 0 Number of mana/regen items:~30

also, with blue or with grail, out of mana also becomes just some higher cds. Mana is very limiting in lane, but more or less total freedome later on if u built properly, while Energie is pretty free in lane, but rather limited in clashes.

Kowe The EwokDec 31, 20141 votes

You forget runes. You can take energy runes and purchase the stat you have "sacrificed" for it. It doesn't matter that there are no energy regen items.

P.S. mana regen items were horribly overnerfed, try playing Orianna now. You can invest 5k in mana reg items and will still go oom in a single teamfight.

7ha7guy777Dec 31, 20143 votes

you could then argue that because there are items for mana regen, some high mana cost champions need to spend gold on 1-2 mana and/or mana regen items while energy based or resourceless champions can simply buy pure damage. on the other hand, a large number of cool down reduction items (as well as blue buff) have mana regen attached which results in them being less cost effective for mana-less champions.

Kowe The EwokDec 31, 20141 votes

That's only AP itemization though. It does not apply to the dozen item 3134 upgrades.