Why I'm starting to take Exhaust with every game. (and you should too)
As someone who really loves playing Off META and extremely odd picks it's not only essentially for me to play well but the fact of the matter being that the majority of the time, a lose for my team isn't my fault. Technically specking that shouldn't be too much of a surprised.
The tactical value I get from having exhaust just seems to trump everything else.
I won't need a shield if they can't do much damage to me.
I won't need 200 true damage to snipe them or to burn them when when they can't get away from me in the first place.
WE don't need to heal or run when they can't catch us or if they can't damage us.
Now of course for certain champions you'll have to not take it because Singed with out ghost is just weird same with an exposed mage with cleanse.
I've just seen near infinite value out of taking exhaust over other summoners because. It turns that feed enemy into just another opponent and it almost assures you've won the duel. There's also been many times where an enemy would get away. Where this allows for my team to just lock on. Wit things getting more bursty for my tastes taking this all the time has really improved my play.
Examples:
Solo Bot Lane Vlad http://matchhistory.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/#match-details/NA1/2027840675/214095541?tab=overview
Support Trynd http://matchhistory.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/#match-details/NA1/2027814236/214095541?tab=overview
Mid Rengar http://matchhistory.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/#match-details/NA1/2027775564/214095541
and
Aatrox in general http://matchhistory.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/#match-details/NA1/2027640568/214095541
I really enjoy these kinds of picks because they're extremely fun to me and the value exhaust has just makes them powerful. The last 12 games (excluding PBE) I've had it with me and I haven't crazily feed like what would from time to time happen nor has the game just been a smash because well, it's easy to see who's ahead and just make them near useless.
So I just want people to give it a try. Next time you're going Mid, ADC or Top and you're a little worried, take exhaust. You could even take it if you're not, you'll never know when you'll need it.