Mage players need to adapt or they'll continue to get crushed forever

Every single day I log into these boards I see endless QQ about how magic resist is "overpowered" and armor items for mages are "nonexistant", how assasins have 9001+ options for builds while mages have 3 items. (Usually linking Zhonya's). I'm here to tell you that if you do this on a daily basis you're an idiot, and you need to get your brain to work.

When I see a winning mage in my team (Plat I+ mid mains mind you) they are actually building VERY different to what they used previous season, and these builds change most games. THEY EVEN MAX SKILLS IN DIFFERENT ORDERS TO FIT THE CURRENT GAME. "WGAT? BUT BUT TEH BLHASPHEMYZ, MUH COOKIECUTTER MUH-" Shut the fuck up.

I'll give you a tiny example:

Orianna. A mage you can pick in literally any situation because she's versatile enough to adapt. Unlike most players in these boards.

Typical fail Orianna build I see feeders buying is something along the lines pretty generic, the most used last season. Usually feeds like crazy against most match ups but the ones this build is meant to be used.

Now

vs Mage vs Assasin. Utility vs Burst. Do we f*cking build rush ? Fuck no. Do we fucking build as first item (3500g, no mana, no health, average AP, 45 armor, 1 teamfight active)and try to 1v1 then complain about how broken assasins are? Fucking god no.

"Oh but what do we build then when mages have only 1 defensive item??111!111!!" Shut up Timmothy.

into into into [Insert situational AP Item] too much healing, too many high health targets prolonged siege/tower defense fuck Nidalee, Gragas, Rengar, Lee Sin if the game reaches late game with those long ass death timers/there is way too many people on their focusing you Add somewhere in that. "What? no penetration bootz? WHYY??" Because Orianna is an utility mage and the sooner the utility tools on your kit are up, the better. If you want a full burst mage with some utility pick (YES THERE IS ACTUALLY A REASON TO PICK CERTAIN CHAMPIONS BASED ON YOUR CURRENT NEEDS, YOU DON'T NEED TO "MAIN" ONE SINGLE THING)

On top of everything she maxes Q and uses it to shove the lane, prevent interaction and roam. Because she knows It's bad to look to trade against ANY FUCKING ASSASIN after lv 3

"But muh 45% CDR" you don't need CDR to play a mid mage unless you're going for the CC/Siege bullshit that is Lux. A single combo well executed should be enough to reap souls and shatter bodies.

"but dud that doesnt happuns zed built dem hexdrinkah!!1!" Oh are you telling me he survives your kit because he built AGAINST IT? What a genius idea, guy should be hired as president.

Now

If this same Orianna player were to play against would she build the same thing? If this Orianna was the same drooling icecream licker that complains about Zhonyas she would use her cookie cutter build, feed, get flamed and lose.

But this Orianna is one smart m8. She thinks and chooses a different way to handle it:

into / into if Tear, if Catalyst, into , into

"OMG NO RUSH ATHENE'S?" Athene's provides roughly the same benefits Chalice does, being 1700g more expensive, mediocre AP. It's a bad item to rush. You need mana to make it worth it.

"Omg Rylais? YOU N00V" Health. Health is necesary in this meta where damage flies around. Orianna is an utility mage, every Q will slow targets. Your move.

"QSS? H4H4H NOOO" This m8 is smart. This Orianna knows the champions she is facing are dependant on a debuff system of CC and surpressions to have sucess. This orianna doesn't want to feed, so she counter builds her lane opponent.

She also maxes W first for the most efficient trading, burst when ganks happen and better undertower waveclear because she knows these mages will push her to turret OR try to trade with her. But she can fight back.

This Orianna is smart. This Orianna doesn't feed. This Orianna doesn't cry on the forums about Zed. Be Smart. Be like fucking Orianna.

****