2 Things that make no sense, but are standard.

JJI744·1/9/2015, 5:06:54 AM·2 votes·557 views

See title.

Just a couple of things that have bothered me for a while. I actually understand (I think) the reason why these things are done, it is just absurd that these are the correct builds.

#1: The "standard" ADC build is IE>Shiv>LW. IE makes sense, but it is absurd that Shiv+LW is a good combo. Shiv gives you a burst of magic damage and AoE, while LW gives you %ArmPen. The ArmPen does nothing for the Shiv proc, and the %ArmPen works best against tanks while Shiv gives you AoE damage.

How the heck does that combo end up being the preferred DPS build?

#2: The standard build for a burst assassin is BotRK>Ghostblade>Last Whisper. A Burst assassin rushes an item designed to increase sustained damage against tanks. And then item 3 is another tank-killing item. Why are 2 out of 3 of a burst assassin's first items focused on killing tanks instead of squishy targets?

10 Comments

disregardable1/9/2015, 5:10:00 AM1 votes

I prefer IE->Bork->Shiv or IE->Shiv->BT

Either way the goal is to get lifesteal in before/as soon as teamfights start happening. Really if you get bork you don't need lw.

TehNACHO1/9/2015, 5:12:59 AM1 votes

Dude it's so weird right?

Leti the Yeti1/9/2015, 5:17:24 AM1 votes

the shiv works cuz adcs want that one burst.. and thats pretty much it as they proceed to take out the rest of the targets hp

assassins have absolutely no trouble assassinating squishy targets.. so they dont itemize for squishies... instead they itemize against tanks cuz they are alot more bothersome

GhostButter011/9/2015, 5:27:05 AM1 votes

The Shiv is just for wave clear. Faster wave Clear = more CS = more $$. Faster wave clear also means its easier to keep that lane pressure up. A good example for Shiv: You have one tower left bot lane, The enemy minions are pushing to that tower and the entire enemy team is coming down Mid. With Shiv on your ADC, your ADC can go Bot, Clear two minion waves (This gets you easy $$$ and allows your minions to start pushing back to the other side of the map giving you that lane pressure.) and still get back to Mid in time to contribute to the team fight PLUS now you are one the outside of the team fight shooting in, meaning its puts you in a really good position to dominate the other team because you just blind sided them.

Last Whisper works well against ANY target. It ignores a % of your armor. doesn't matter if you 10 armor or 1000 armor, that Last Whisper is still going to be a decent damage boost.

Botrk is really good versus high HP champs. That's why you'll see some ADC's build both Botrk and Last Whisper if they are facing a team with a bunch of tanky champs.. say you are going against a Riven(Jungle), Volibear(Support), and Nasus(Top). I'd probably go with a Botrk and a Last Whisper.

DrCyanide1/9/2015, 6:11:23 AM1 votes

IE is a great auto attack damage multiplier. You get AD, more crits, and harder hitting crits. Shiv gives even more crit, and attack speed, which decreases the time between you getting crits. It also adds to wave clear. Last Whisper is there to remove any defenses built against you.
Assassins want to deal as much damage as they can as fast as they can and get out. BotRK gives attack speed (so more autos while you're close), attack damage, bonus damage, life steal, and an active that helps you live/collapse on your target/kill your target. Ghostblade gives you armor pen and a move speed boost, along with some crit and CDR. The engage potential from this item and the armor pen are the big reasons for getting it. Last Whisper again because the enemy has the audacity to try and live in your presence.

Last Whisper and Void Staff are too good not to take for most damage dealing champions. They are not weak against squishy champions by any means, and they help you deal with the tanks.

Vesarixx1/9/2015, 4:04:22 PM1 votes

I usually go PD instead of Shiv, but that's probably just because of the type of ADC I play.