ADCs in 2017: Improving Itemization
It is quite common knowledge by now that playing ADC in the current season feels less desirable than it should. The root cause for this basically boils down to three things: Jungle pressure, snowballiness and itemization. As the first is being worked on by Riot come 7.1, and the second one will probably be tackled sooner rather than later, I want to talk about the third point: itemization.
Well, what is the problem with ADC's current itemization? With 6 items, they are even stronger than in previous seasons, aren't they?
Yes, actually, that is true. Hence, the current issue is not necessarily with the completed items, but rather the situation during the earlier stages of the game.
I am aware that ADCs, as a class, are not supposed to be overly strong in the earlier parts of the game, as a trade-off for the higher strength these characters possess in the later stages of the game lies in their comparative weakness in the earlier part. At the same time, I believe that this early weakness is a bit too pronounced currently.
What I want to blame for this, as far as itemization is concerned, is the simplification of build paths that took place in the last few seasons. Most items either got more flexible build paths (like smaller component items building into bigger ones), lowered combine costs, more power in the respective components or several of the above.
For an example of what I mean by that, let's look at 
: In season 2, this item build out of Chain Vest (700 gold) and Giant's Belt (1110 gold), both of which were basic component items that did not build out of anything, and 800 gold combine cost. Today, Sunfire still builds from two components, Bami's Cinder (1100 gold) and Chain Vest (800 gold), with a 1000 gold combine cost. However, compared to back then, you can build both its components from the smallest items (Cloth Armor and Ruby Crystal), and Bami's Cinder is a pretty much an upgrade over Giant's Belt with its dual offensive and defensive benefit. Also, Sunfire as a completed item has 50 more HP and 5 more Armor.
Compared to that, ADC items became worse: While the first B.F. Sword is nowadays a more accessible powerspike (40 AD for 1300 gold), later ones are much less immediate power than before (the item used to be 50 AD for 1550 gold), shifting the gold from the lowered cost into the finished item's combine costs. Moreover, three of the big AD items are 3-component recipes, with IE having the most costly components among all items (the lowest component to that item is 800 gold) and Bloodthirster having a huge combine cost. This fact makes building Bloodthirster and Infinity Edge bitches to buy later on in the build, as you are inevitably restricted for item slots (for example for a third item IE: Doran's (or Pink Ward slot), Boots, two completed items, BF Sword, Pickaxe - and 1425 gold combine cost). A further effect of these expensive three component recipes is that, as an ADC, you can hardly afford to branch out - for instance, say that you'd want Last Whisper as an anti-tank measure after your Zeal item + IE. Congrats, you now have only one remaining slot for your big item, leaving you with a 2400 gold combine cost for your Bloodthirster. That is almost a complete tank item (which, btw, never have over 1900 gold combine costs if you have an open slot - and that is with Dead Man's Plate, which is not normally a fourth item).
Thus, what I would suggest is to simply add two intermediate items, turning the build paths of Infinity Edge, Essence Reaver and Bloodthirster (and also a few non-primary ADC items) into 2-component builds.
Noxian Headman's Axe In Noxus, executions are part of the entertaining business.
Cost: 1900-2200 gold (depending on exact stats)
Builds from: 
+ 
(or 
, if one wanted to delete Cloak)
Stats: 40-45 AD, 20% Crit Chance
A component for Infinity Edge and Essence Reaver. Essentially combines B.F. Sword and Cloak of Agility. The 1900 gold recipe could be used if Riot were to get rid of Cloak of Agility (which only builds into ER and IE anyways) and kept Brawler's as the basic Crit item, with the final NHA having the same stats as BF and Cloak, whereas the 2200 gold recipe could be used if Cloak was kept in the game (I don't think 0 gold combine cost recipes are possible).
Emerald Sword Said to be enchanted with the Glory of Angels
Cost: 1800-2000 gold
Builds from: 
+ 
(which would need to be reduced to 10 AD. And 800 gold?)
Stats: 35 AD, 12% Lifesteal
The Bloodthirster component. Can also build into 
, 
and 
.
Both new items only have a bit of gold premium, if any at all - but that is not their supposed task. These items are not there to be huge powerspikes as an AD carry. They are simply items that have the purpose of making it simpler to build necessary mid-tier items without being stranded on huge combine costs and power trophs afterwards.
What do you think? Would this help AD carries for season 7?
