Hey Riot you wanna know why adc's are building steraks

freepointzs·Feb 12, 2016·257 votes·10,401 views

Its not because it's Op. Its because it's pretty much the only current counter to your precious assassins. You know...the class you inexplicably decided to buff with an item tailor made for them. An archtype that's so obnoxious to face as they really only can be counter builded rather than counter played against, due to ridiculous amounts of lcs big play kits that let them outplay anyone.

So before you nerf sterak's because people are constantly building it, look at the symptoms first. It's build purely because it helps carries to survive the instant burst of assassins. So hopefully they can actually survive long enough to actually play the game of league of legends.

258 Comments

Z StatisticFeb 12, 201634 votes

Ok, so why aren't ADC building GA instead? That WAS why GA was standard on ADC in season 2, 3 and even early 4.

It's because Sterak's is just as good as GA's defenses if not BETTER, AND it also has a lot of offensive potential AND it has a better recipe. Quite frankly, Sterak's has strange design to begin with. The only people who benefit from it are the people who take lots of damage. Resistances make it harder to proc it and also longer. So it's only on bruisers who stack health. But they don't get bursted. They get kited or cced and ignored. No, the carries are the ones that get jumped AND are squishy. They are the perfect users of Sterak's, not bruisers.

If it's supposed to be a bruiser item, then the requires for the shield need to change so that it rewards tankiness, not getting burst down.

edit: Why are 90% of the replies in to my post attempting to answer my rhetorical question as if I'm wrong? They're even coming to the same conclusion I give: Sterrak's > GA. Like, do people even read posts that they respond to?

charcharmunroFeb 12, 201614 votes

Harder to really "fit" into a build. Rushing it makes you useless, leaving it for last takes forever.

Emperor TimeFeb 12, 201610 votes

If GA acted more like a mini kindred ult on yourself, then it would be a good item.

OverpoweredSoapFeb 13, 20166 votes

[{quoted}](name=Dark Chronicle 2,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=VAvN8Jmn,comment-id=00020001,timestamp=2016-02-12T22:44:46.787+0000)

If GA acted more like a mini kindred ult on yourself, then it would be a good item.

I feel like everyone would buy it then, though.

Emperor TimeFeb 13, 20163 votes

better than no one buying it.

The Voids CallFeb 13, 201610 votes

What are you talking about, it's core in my AD Malzahar build. 4 seconds of invulnerability while my voidlings rip everyone a new asshole, yes please.

QuortFeb 13, 201625 votes

Do you really want everyone to be Tryndamere? :/

BoundaryBreakerFeb 13, 201637 votes

http://memecrunch.com/meme/HXVJ/oh-hell-no/image.png

LankPantsFeb 13, 201618 votes

I don't even want Tryndamere to be Tryndamere.

BastionKrossFeb 13, 201620 votes

Because the best thing about GA was saving you from an assassin. No one cares about it's stats, to the point where people will actually sell it rather than wait for the passive to come off CD. A token amount of Armor/MR on a squishy isn't going to do jack, but the HP boost from Gage will.

I'd say this is more of an issue with how bad GA has been over the years, but since it had no competition everyone was forced to use it. Now that another item has come along that offers similar benefits in a better way, no one is even looking twice in GA's direction. And they shouldn't, it's a horribly put together item; build path and stat wise.

If anything, it's GA that should be changed, not Gage.

It Hertz When IPFeb 13, 20168 votes

My problem with GA is that it's really only useful if your team is there to cover you, which means that it's far weaker in YoloQue.

Meanwhile, Sterak's works well whether your team is there or not.

Protean ManFeb 13, 20169 votes

{quoted}

Because the best thing about GA was saving you from an assassin. No one cares about it's stats, to the point where people will actually sell it rather than wait for the passive to come off CD. A token amount of Armor/MR on a squishy isn't going to do jack, but the HP boost from Gage will.

I'd say this is more of an issue with how bad GA has been over the years, but since it had no competition everyone was forced to use it. Now that another item has come along that offers similar benefits in a better way, no one is even looking twice in GA's direction. And they shouldn't, it's a horribly put together item; build path and stat wise.

If anything, it's GA that should be changed, not Gage.

First intellectual analysis of the situation this thread

NaharaFeb 13, 201613 votes

[{quoted}](name=Menea Calais,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=VAvN8Jmn,comment-id=0002,timestamp=2016-02-12T21:51:48.202+0000)

Ok, so why aren't ADC building GA instead? That WAS why GA was standard on ADC in season 2, 3 and even early 4.

The cooldown on the Sterak's Fury passive is 45 seconds. The cooldown on Guardian Angel's revive passive is 5 minutes...

Only Play DariusFeb 13, 201624 votes

Be honest, this problem of ADC's needing tankiness for assassins only arose with the new multi-ADC meta. Of course champions like Zed/Master Yi/Fiora are going to slaughter their way through a team with 3 ADC's (a comp I see too often these days), that's just the price you pay for not forming a balanced team.

The problem is artificial. ADC's are in need of defense not because assassins are eviscerating them with ease, but because they are now taking the lanes of the champions that traditionally offered them protection. I never see the classic single-ADC comp buying Steraks because they simply don't need it, they get more than enough defense from the 4 other champions on their team. It's only the solo lane ADC's like Graves/Quinn/Kindred who buy it because they have no one to protect them. They are just abusing Steraks in an attempt to overcome the intended weakness of their class. An isolated ADC SHOULD NOT stand a chance in hell against assassins, that's just the cold truth about how League works and was hardly a problem until people decided that 3 ADC's can each somehow carry all at the same time, and that solo lane ADC's are a safe and reliable pick.

Variks the LoyalFeb 12, 201613 votes

Assassins are supposed to burst you down. Limited counterplay is intended.

But there is counterplay, and it's called teamwork. When against an Assassin, just don't leave your allies. Most Assassins wouldn't be able to make it out alive, even if they do kill you, if you stay by allies.

QuephaFeb 12, 201625 votes

{quoted}

Assassins are supposed to burst you down. Limited counterplay is intended.

But there is counterplay, and it's called teamwork. When against an Assassin, just don't leave your allies. Most Assassins wouldn't be able to make it out alive, even if they do kill you, if you stay by allies.

Trading the most important threat on your team for the enemy assassin is a win for the enemy by a wide margin.

Dominick DestineFeb 12, 201610 votes

{quoted}

Its not because it's Op.

Yes it is.

IlliadFeb 12, 201616 votes

How is a limited shield op?

Dominick DestineFeb 12, 201610 votes

What shield is unlimited?

Your question is nonsense.

IlliadFeb 12, 201624 votes

Omg you cant be saved D: R.I.P Dominick Destine, you and ur brain cells

Dominick DestineFeb 12, 20162 votes

Whining after I decimated you is about what I expected from someone that does not understand basic game balance, gg.

IlliadFeb 12, 201614 votes

[{quoted}](name=Dominick Destine,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=VAvN8Jmn,comment-id=00000000000000000000,timestamp=2016-02-12T22:29:57.483+0000)

Whining after I decimated you is about what I expected from someone that does not understand basic game balance, gg.

This, this is not helping your arguement x'D its enforcing mine

Dominick DestineFeb 12, 20162 votes

I already decimated your argument, nothing further needs to be stated unless you change your argument.

IlliadFeb 12, 201613 votes

x'D Please Dominick, Please stop, you are hurting yourself without even realizing it

Dominick DestineFeb 12, 20161 votes

Your whining will not change reality.

You are wrong and have already lost, the item will get the nerfs it justly deserves, gg.

IlliadFeb 13, 20167 votes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n5E7feJHw0

BUDDHISTINKFeb 13, 20168 votes

How is a limited shield op?

This...

Then...

What shield is **un**limited? Your question is nonsense.

Reading is hard.

[zombie-brand-mindblown]

Dominick DestineFeb 13, 20161 votes

{quoted}

Reading is hard.

I hope the irony is not lost on intelligent readers.

Only Play DariusFeb 13, 20163 votes

Are you real?

BoundaryBreakerFeb 13, 20162 votes

No, he's just fantasy

VelasanFeb 12, 20163 votes

[{quoted}](name=Tetsu Juan,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=VAvN8Jmn,comment-id=00000000000000000000000000000000,timestamp=2016-02-12T23:33:47.550+0000)

x'D Please Dominick, Please stop, you are hurting yourself without even realizing it

Qft. I've never seen someone use the term strawman in their discussions in such an incorrect way so often.

I mean I even agree that Steraks probably needs the nerf, but I'm not that polarized on it one way or another. It wasn't breaking the game.

Biff ManlyFeb 13, 20166 votes

Mmm. "Decimated" indeed.

Now let's count these upvotes, eh?

Dominick DestineFeb 13, 20161 votes

Upvotes are meaningless.

You and others like you have already lost, gg'd kids.

Ariel the CruelFeb 13, 20166 votes

I agree up-votes are meaningless. They're an indication of popularity, not correctness.

However, you have failed to actually beat anyone. Or even compete for that matter. You simply responded to a question with another question and called it a win.

If you want to convince them it is OP, then explain why it is OP. I'm fully aware you have no reservations against making your case on long verbose posts.

NsEternalFeb 12, 20168 votes

assassins are better than tanks im welcoming the assassin meta back with open arms

Ariel the CruelFeb 13, 201660 votes

Not all of us have the 2ms ping and twitch reflexes needed to survive that meta. Much less play.

Voluug13Feb 13, 201662 votes

Not to mention tank meta allowed everyone to play. yes, even assassins, the difference that they couldnt simply rush to the adc and get a triple, they had to actually play like assassins, but none was ''useless''.

Assassin meta is back to 3s teamfights and assassins crowding out anyone that isnt an assassin or an assassin counter (counters that Rito loves to nerf or remo- rework Malzahar Swain Zilean Heimerdinger Lissandra Karma ).

iamleburkFeb 13, 20164 votes

tbf, Malz and swain do need reworks. Also, you forgot to mention Kayle and Veigar. And now Poppy and Tahm exist to counter assassins as well, as does new shen.

If juggernauts were done properly they would counter assassins as well.

Only Play DariusFeb 13, 201612 votes

Juggernauts were designed primarily for doing damage rather than peeling though, so not really intended to counter assassins. They can stand in front of their squishy allies and try to zone off assassins with the threat of massive damage, but that's it really.

MelledoneusFeb 13, 20168 votes

I can't wait for the tank meta to come back in full swing. And yes, without Tahm Kench.

DengedenFeb 13, 20163 votes

Which would be an issue if every assassin didn't have such a hugely telegraphed part of their combo with "COUNTERPLAY" written all over it.

Ariel the CruelFeb 13, 201629 votes

Leblanc has 1 combo that is telegraphed with a mile long tether that roots. Annie Not technically an assassin. But not "telegraphed" is limited to "does she have more than 1 stack on passive"? Talon Did you see him ult? No? Sucks to be you. Rengar Are you surrounded by your team? No? Sucks to be you. Khazix Are you within 5 miles of an allied champion, minion, or butterfly? Yes? This guy is harmless. Akali Did you see her? Yes? Too bad, it won't help.

"Telegraphed" is a funny word. (I'm not calling all these OP or anything of the sort. They just don't give a lot of notice before they insta-dead you.)

DengedenFeb 13, 20161 votes

Talon Akali Rengar Khazix buy pinks and ward your flanks, low elo scrub. Leblanc Annie there will come a time when she has to choose between killing you and the minions. This time will never come for you.

Ariel the CruelFeb 13, 201617 votes

buy pinks and ward your flanks, low elo scrub.

Warding applies to all champions. Not just assassins. My point was they their assassination patterns come out super fast. You can position all day long, but you don't know they're going in until they actually 100-0 you (or die trying). The exception being Rengar who sprints on top of you at high speed from stealth.(Kha'Zix was a joke. I was going for the cheap laugh. I'm not sorry.)

This is counter from other assassination who have clear telegraphs pre-empting your untimely death. Zed Ult. Ekko stun. Evelynn Actually has a very slow assassination. Nidalee Lands ~~ICBM~~ spear. Shaco AD: slow assassination pattern. AP: you're chasing him or he is chasing you.

DengedenFeb 13, 20161 votes

Let me put it this way, if a champion had a super fast assassination every time the clock hit X:00 or X:30, would his pattern be telegraphed?

The thing is, those assassins can't do anything if you ward against them. Thats definitely not true for everyone.

Ariel the CruelFeb 13, 20167 votes

If they always all-in at X:00 or X:30, then yes; the pattern is telegraphed.

I don't know of any assassin (or champion for that matter) that follows the clock that closely.

You can pink Rengar (though he'll just barrel past it Rammus style), Shaco, Eve, Talon (who will also barrel past it). Wards won't do squat for stopping Leblanc, Akali, Annie, Nidalee, Zed, or Ekko.

(Note that [generically] getting flanked/ganked is not inherently an assassination pattern as it pertains to this discussion.)

MelledoneusFeb 13, 201613 votes

I heard pink wards are good for dealing with Kennen's ultimate.

Voluug13Feb 13, 201610 votes

Jus pink ward Zed's Ult, scrub.