Merlin's Ward [Item Concept]

Recurve Bow + Seeker's Armguard + 800g = 2900g total

35 Ability Power 25% Attack Speed 45 Armor

Passive: Basic attacks deal 5(+15% AP) magic damage on hit.

Unique: Basic attacks grant 8% attack speed, 2.5% AP, and 2% pre-mitigated damage reduction for 5 seconds, stacking up to 6 times, granting a maximum of 48% attack speed, 15% AP, and 12% pre-mitigated damage reduction. At 6 stacks, gain MERLIN'S MIGHT. While at half stacks, melee champions' next basic attack will fully stack Merlin's Might.

Unique: MERLIN'S MIGHT: Half of the damage reduced by this item is reflected back at the attacker.

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As you can tell, this item is very inspired by Guinsoo's Rageblade, but it is definitely more of a tank item. I wanted this to be for champions who scale with Ability Power, and excel in prolonged combat.

Gold efficiency 35 Ability Power [761.25g] 25% Attack Speed [625g] 45 Armor [900g] Total 2286.25g

Like with Guinsoo's Rageblade, this item is 70-80% gold efficient, but with full stacks it is closer to 200% gold efficient, or more when combined with other items.

I was initially considering this item with a Ruby Crystal, but I decided to intentionally not give flat health for this reason. I felt that Armor and Damage Reduction would be too strong when combined with flat health in the same item The player will need to buy a different item to give them Health, Magic Resistance, and/or additional Ability Power in order to increase the effectiveness of this item.

This would definitely be a good item for AP tanks who also work well with on-hit damage, and AP fighters/skirmishers that need more resistances to survive extended fights

I'm also going to throw this in here because I get these comments every time I pitch an item idea on here. No, this item is not necessary. None of these champions "NEED" this item in order to be relevant. I think this item would be an interesting option for many champions that I mentioned, and still others. I also fully expect that I am overlooking some champions / combinations that would be overly powerful with this item. I don't expect that it will be perfectly balanced as it is, and I would fully expect that Riot would need to do plenty of play-testing in order to find that balance. That is their job, and I would be happy to leave them to it.

Again, I simply think this, or an item similar to this would be an interesting addition to the game, and I am hoping that people will be willing to discuss this with me in a civil and constructive way.

Thanks :)