How much is an infernal drake really worth?

MR KIMCHI SENPAI·Nov 29, 2016·1 votes·3,335 views

Obviously, the value of the drake is higher the later into the game.

I just got into an argument with our jungler who was mad about the fact that I stayed top to take a tower rather than compete for a fire drake (I also had no teleport). 1 player on our team died.

Disregarding the fact that the player died, what is worth more at around 15 minutes? Top tower or an infernal drake?

From watching the worlds games, I am positive that a tower (regardless of mid top or bot) is slightly worth more than an early fire drake because it gives early advantage by gold (the idea is that you want to "claim" your advantage earlier in the game than wait for the internal dragon buff scaling to kick in). Tower also grants map control.

Then he got all pissed about how the infernal drake is op.

?????????? Someone settle the argument.

10 Comments

GodhriNov 29, 20162 votes

Dragon for sure was better if you were able to make it in time to help contest it. Towers can always be taken later in the game. Dragons are permanent buffs that are limited.

I'll let you weigh that for a moment.

Darth SidioussNov 29, 20162 votes

The inferno drake is sleeper OP and its also a psychological way of winning too i would say close to the feeling of baron when its taken by the enemy team, taking an inferno drake can raise your teams moral and will to fight psychologically ! and nobody even peeps this. The general main reason is because if the enemy team get TWO fire drakes in a row then u got a fucking problem that scaling dmg % goes even higher and when you team fight you will start to see the punishment with the other team completely out dmg your own comp.

FlashnFuseNov 29, 20162 votes

In the grand scheme of things. I'd personally weigh the first infernal drake as being greater than the first tower.

That being said, if you had TP on cooldown (or if you didn't bring TP at all) I would say it would be better to take a guaranteed success in a tower than a risky drake halfway across the map.

Point being, there is no one universally right answer in this scenario. There is a lot of context that needs to be accounted for. Considering we have replays now, uploading that particular replay (or section of a replay) could be the best way for this community to give honest and accurate feedback for this particular trade off.

RequiemsfireNov 29, 20161 votes

IF you're in a disadvantageous position then it's always best to cut your losses than run halfway across the map and take whatever sure advantage you can.

KirbyCakeNov 29, 20161 votes

tower > dragon

what you deserveNov 29, 20161 votes

I'd generally trade a turret for an infernal if my team was damage-heavy like a Jhin or a Veigar who scale super well with it.

dim2aNov 29, 20161 votes

Infernal drake >> outer tower imho.

BUT, if it's a sure tower, and a maybe on the drake, it can be right to take the tower.

EschetonNov 29, 20161 votes

Turret wil still be there. Unless you are facing like, a Singed. In which case you will never get the wave close to the tower. Might as well go for it while ya can.

Shifue DravenNov 29, 20161 votes

about three fitty.

But seriously it's worth whatever you make it. If it's a battle you are near and can win help your team. if it's a losing battle and they are with drawing take the dragon.

IPinPCNov 29, 20161 votes

2 Infernals = team fight dps of 6th player. 3 infernals = GG. If I would skip any dragon that only would be Wind dragon, but even then I would put efforts to help my team to acquire it for the sake of team play, unity and grade S. The early game moral value is higher than dps value.