Why Gunblade is actually damn good on Jax

PatMcGroyn·Jan 31, 2015·2 votes·974 views

T8 CaliTrlolz just built Gunblade as a second item on Jax in his LCS game against Coast, and in his post game interview, he didn't really explain why Gunblade is so good on Jax (neither did Jatt & Phreak on the analyst desk). The real reason why Gunblade is great on Jax isn't just that the raw AD + AP synergize really well with his ability ratios; it's that Spell Vamp is a GODLY stat on Jax, who gets the full spell vamp value on his Q, W, and Ult AA procs. Combined with the lifesteal from HTGB, Jax functionally becomes a drain tank hyperbruiser. Every Q, W, and Ult proc give Jax huge bust heals, on top of Jax already crazy high damage.

BotRK is more commonly built on Jax, and overall it DOES give him more sustained damage than HTGB, but Gunblade gives Jax the burst damage and burst healing that make him better at diving the back line (which is generally Jax' job in team fights).

8 Comments

Juggernaut628Jan 31, 20152 votes

You are supposed to get BOTH item 3153 and item 3146 on Jax . Learn your builds dude.

P.S. The last sentence was a joke. The first was not.

PatMcGroynFeb 1, 20151 votes

{quoted}

You are supposed to get BOTH and on . Learn your builds dude.

P.S. The last sentence was a joke. The first was not.

But if I get a BotRK, I don't have much room for my Last Whisper + Void Staff in the build. Unacceptable tradeoff IMO

Matthias9119Feb 1, 20152 votes

Gunblade has always been good on Jax. Not like some huge secret.

Compared to BOTRK you get less sustain from AAs but more burst heal from abilities. Also you deal more magic damage and get a little more MR on your ult active.

PatMcGroynFeb 1, 20151 votes

{quoted}

Gunblade has always been good on Jax. Not like some huge secret.

Compared to BOTRK you get less sustain from AAs but more burst heal from abilities. Also you deal more magic damage and get a little more MR on your ult active.

The healing you get from Gunblade, overall, is superior to BotRK. Every 3'rd auto heals your or a metric fuckton, especially with W and Spellblade procs working with lifesteal.

Matthias9119Feb 1, 20151 votes

Hmm. Forgot they reduced the LS on BOTRK but left it unchanged on Gunblade. So yeah, probably more sustain overall now with Gunblade, although you lose the 40% AS and the active isn't quite as strong (but is up more often).

PatMcGroynFeb 1, 20151 votes

Yeah, plus the burst heals from Jax' Q, W, Ult Procs, and even his E are so substantial that overall the healing is pretty insane.

Hasztalan2Feb 1, 20151 votes

Don'T forget cdr is godly as well. Ppl seem to forgot about how deadly Jax is withe the 20% cdr items. Having all his abilities on

PatMcGroynFeb 1, 20151 votes

{quoted}

Don'T forget cdr is godly as well. Ppl seem to forgot about how deadly Jax is withe the 20% cdr items. Having all his abilities on

Yeah, CDR is awesome. I'm a big fan of Tri Force - Gunblade - Spirit Visage - Frozen Heart. Round off the build with Tabi/ Mercs, and a final defensive item like Randuin's/ Banshee's/ GA/ Frozen Mallet, and you got yourself a STEW