CDR is the root of the problem for AP itemization

Let R = AP ratio on champion X's ability Let C = cool down time for champion X's ability

Back then, a late game mage's dps scaling looked something like this: (old late game AP value) x R x C

Nowdays, a late game mage's dps scaling looks like this: (recent late game AP value) x R x (1/0.60)C

Set them equal to each other and solve for the new late game AP value that would keep mage's dps in check. (old AP value)RC = (1/0.60)(a new AP value)RC (old AP value)=(1/0.60)(a new AP value) 0.6 x (old AP value) = (a new AP value)

even this oversimplified calculation shows that mages can only have 60% of old full AP build to be kept in check without making ADCs near useless. If I actually count in things such as cc, ally buffs, base damage, runes, etc. then that number would have to be way below 60%. And of course, this ends up with a lot of mages being too weak to actually do enough burst damage to be useful. Riot's response to the issue? Power creep ADC itemization to allow a bit more power budget and keep some AP. But mages still feel terrible.

and obviously, this also leads to riot unable to give mages proper defensive items due to power budget issues.

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Riot probably wanted to give mages 2 ways to scale for better gameplay: AD and AS AP and CDR but rito aint learning; it's doing the opposite of intended.