I currently have 9124 IP and am saving to get to around 13k to buy all the tier 3 runes for both my AP and AD pages. However, I'm bored as hell and want to splurge on a new champion but I don't know if I'll be able to make all that IP back. I'm currently level 25.
ASAP
Don't buy a champion in my opinion. Buy the tier 3 runes you can afford now. Prioritize in this order: 9 AD Marks - these are useful on any AD scaling champion and will help last hitting on ANY champion. 9 Armor Seals - these are basic and useful on every champion in the game. 9 MR OR MR/level Glyphs (NOT BOTH, pick one). Like armor seals, these are almost always useful. I'd go flat MR glyphs if you tend to play mid lane, scaling otherwise. 9 Magic Penetration marks - if you play anything that does magic damage you'll want these on your second page instead of the AD.
Quints are really dependent on what you like to play. ADC or any other auto attackers: Attack Speed AD casters: Attack damage Mages: Ability power Tanks: Armor
Get 3 Quints for whatever you prefer. Once you can afford it, get the second three for your other page too.
E.g. Your basic first two rune pages: AD page: 9 AD marks, 9 armor seals, 9 MR Glyphs, 3 AS or AD Quints
AP page: 9 Magic pen marks, 9 armor seals, 9 MR Glyphs, 3 AP Quints
Now, as for why you should buy them now: Your option is really between buying runes or champions.
Runes are great. They let you play to max potential. You'll never be able to replicate what higher ranked players do without them. You can't jungle effectively without the raw stats they provide. You'll lose trades heavily without those same stats.
Champions are great too. Except you have what, 7 champions? Out of 133? There are lots of champions and every week there will be new ones available. You're level 25 - you have no idea what you like yet. I played for over a full year before I discovered my current main. 18 months before I discovered my current secondary. Admittedly only about 4-5 months before I found my current 3rd pick. The point is though - you have LOTS of opportunity to experiment with loads of different champions every week.
Look, here's what I did: I bought the runes like I'm suggesting to you, except I only played my main champs. I got good at them, sure. I won a lot of games. I also climbed to a much higher MMR though (even in normals) and quickly got to a spot where if I ever tried a new champion I'd feed like no tomorrow. It's really hard to not feed a Diamond 5 player on their main when you're trying something for the second time. It's not a good idea. HAVE FUN. Play a variety of champions, they're on the free rotation for exactly this purpose.
If you buy a new champion, you'll want to play it a lot. That's fine, but you'll miss out on so many other champions. I wouldn't suggest buying at this point. Play a few hundred games on different champions using the free rotation. You'll remember your favorites. Buy those once you've gotten a lot of experience on a load of different champions and in different roles. Do it while you have the chance when playing against people that won't punish every small mistake.
Another word of advice: NEVER buy more than 1 champion at a time. You buy a champion, you want to play it. If you buy 2 or more, you'll play one and sort of forget about the other - making it a bit of a wasted purchase.
i wouldnt worry about it being below lvl 30...
once you get lvl 30 and want to do rank is when i would worry about it
Sooner rather than later, as some of the tier 3 quints are 2000ip each and you need 3. Definitely finish them before you start even thinking about ranked.
Buy a 450 or 1350 champ you want to play, then get started on two basic rune pages: one for AP, and one AD.
"splurge on a new champion"
do you have all the lower ip champs?
As soon you find a champion/role you like to main as.
Example: AP Carry, Tank, Assassin, AD carry, etc
And build up a rune page for that one first. Then once you get that completed and look for a secondary role you like to play more and get a rune page for that one too and so on.
