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Is it time to shift around some cooldowns via Mage update 6.9?

Rage of Face·5/6/2016, 4:35:26 PM·3 votes·748 views

Simply put, nearly every single mage item has cooldown reduction now. This update has basically made any mage build max cdr at full item build no matter what build route you take. There is no more decision-making on whether or not you want max cdr VS more ap VS a purely defensive item.

Here are some item changes that brought this upon us:

item 3001

Mage update 6.9 - Received 10% CDR, -10 AP, +10 MR

Now, this item was already a popular buy for mage vs mage mid lane, but adding CDR onto the existing item has made it a Core item on pretty much any mage no matter the cost change of +400 more gold.

item 3157

Mage update 6.9 - Received 10% CDR, -30 AP, Active Cooldown +30s

Once again, a core defensive item for any mage. Hourglass lost 30 AP, but obtained 10% CDR. The cost to build Hourglass dropped dramatically as well from 3500 gold to 2900 gold making it easily obtainable in the early game.

item 3152

Mage update 6.9 - Added to the Game

Seriously, for 2500 gold you get 300 HP, 60 AP, AND 10% CDR. Not to mention a 40s cooldown dash with an uptime that it quite frequent. Did anyone notice the .35 AP Ratio?? There is no reason to buy a Hextech GLP or Gunblade over this because it just isn't cost efficient plus the Protobelt offers cooldown reduction...

Questionable changes in 6.9:

item 3174

Mage update 6.9 - Lost 20 AP, -25% Mana Regen, New Unique Passive: Aching Blood + Harmony

Ok, so a core mage item in season 2-3 has gone from being the go-to sustain item to a SUPPORT item.

Item: Will of the Ancients

Mage update 6.9 - REMOVED

So what, we've lost all sources of Spell Vamp besides Morgana/Akali passive. Might as well change their passives as well and remove Spell Vamp completely.

Current Meta:

The problem with the current Mage meta is that if it's not cost efficient, it's not good. Why do you think prior to patch 6.9 everyone bought item 3165 item 3001 ? Because they were dirt cheap for what they offered. The only item unchanged in 6.9 that I can see as still the go-to item is item 3092 because of the Morello's nerf and its cost efficiency literally destroyed. Why does no one buy item 3146 ? Well it's 3 4 0 0 GOLD for whatever the hell this shit gives us. The base stats are just not suitable for any Mage and a waste on Mages that can make somewhat use of it Akali .

End Note:

So I know Riot feels that any major update needs some fancy gimmicks added and changed, but these changes via Mage update patch 6.9 have had a negative effect on the itemization of Mages. Hell mages never had any itemization choices to begin with. item 3070 Who uses this? Only Ryze... How about item 3174 ? Umm... Nobody. item 3001 ? EVERYONE.

Remember when max CDR was a luxury? And don't get me started on the mana regen removal on tear paths and Morello...

3 Comments

Raithofhel5/6/2016, 4:48:07 PM1 votes

This: "Riot feels that any major update needs some fancy gimmicks" is so unfortunate and at the same time true. I wish I knew a way to convince them that this thought is so retarded.

MunchCrunchLunch5/6/2016, 6:56:10 PM1 votes

gunblade is more than stat efficient. does not need cdr. and its not intended for pure mages

EcchiOtakuTM5/6/2016, 7:39:59 PM1 votes

Rocketbelt is only consistently great on manaless mages/ap tanks/annie.

Otherwise other mages don't need it at all (Not including underpowered mages ofc) they tend to already have range or heavy CC to get an enemy and have much better options.

Hell no to removing spell vamp from kits wtf, it was a good move to remove WotA since it broke vlad if it was usable by other mages and was holding vlad back+ kept us from having future sustain mage designs their goal wasn't to completely remove spell vamp just to remove it but to remove it for more sustain mage dream designs and items.

Hextech tbh I actually underpowered in stats it gives, the active/passives are fine but the stats are kinda lackluster. It's a good hybrid item but the AD and AP could be higher or it offer another stat....

I kinda wish they removed mana from catalyst and added the tear passive(the mana per skill use) to it then made archangel and manamune another catalyst item path build. The mana refund passive could be on something else.

CDR is fine now don't want to go back to mages having the short end, especially with losing 5 from lucidity, masteries and their items being so bad before.