When to buy Rabadon's Deathcap?

Rux100·7/30/2017, 7:14:54 AM·4 votes·5,233 views

I've been getting into playing mid lately, and every time I play I can't find a good time to start building Rabadons. I feel like I'm back at base so often and Rabadons is such an expensive item that if I try to build it I'll be setting myself back when I could've gone for something else that will still help but be much more easily attainable. I think this way of thinking comes from being in a lower elo where fights are constantly happening and everything is kinda one big mess, so delaying anything useful at all seems like a bad idea... but I'm probably wrong?

On the other hand, I'm sure that Rabadon's is a must grab for most mages. So when exactly is a good time to grab it?

If it helps, I'm learning right now and I love her. Plan to learn , , , and (I already play her a little and LOVE her, but I'm currently focused on Cass). If anyone has advice for any of these specifically, that'd be nice, too.

22 Comments

Durzaka7/30/2017, 7:20:22 AM9 votes

Short answer, almost never.

Long answer, its super fucking expensive, and has a terrible build path. You are much better off building other items and getting the damage + utility instead of raw damage

Doctor Jarvis7/30/2017, 7:26:16 AM5 votes

You just don't, unless you're either Veigar or super ahead, and even then the awkward build path to the Deathcap might set you back. There are "better" items (read: items you can actually build that actually do something). Void Staff, for instance, adds a comparable amount of damage to your kit for 1000 less. Besides, with Cass you're dropping so much on item 3040 item 3116 item 3151 that I doubt you have time for Deathcap.

Very Hard Engage7/30/2017, 10:20:47 AM1 votes

2nd item it breaks even in terms of damage, 3rd or later is when the passive actually matters and rab cap only gets better with more ap items.

the only person who should consider buying rab cap early is veigar. everyone else should finish off rab cap after they finish their 2nd or 3rd core item builds.

Hexs Fortune7/30/2017, 1:40:10 PM1 votes

I'd only buy death cap on long rage mages who don't need any defensive stats

Carteeeer7/30/2017, 4:26:19 PM1 votes

only build it if ur veigar or ahead

LOSINGISMYPRIDE7/30/2017, 6:15:38 PM1 votes

end game last item . There are better item to buy and rabaddon only give few ap if you buy it early for how much it cost .

Raxistaicho8/7/2017, 8:52:24 PM1 votes

Last, and hope that it never comes to that.

Linna Excel8/7/2017, 8:55:28 PM1 votes

3rd or 4th unless you get really fed early. Basically you get the first 2 core items for your champ first, boots, then as 3 item 3089 or item 3135 depending on how much MR the other team has, getting the other 4th, and then your optional item last.

Dark Nephthys8/7/2017, 9:01:10 PM1 votes

The only time I really build it is when I'm playing Anivia and I feel like I don't need to get a item 3102 item 3151 or item 3157 as a 3rd item. When I do get it, its usually as a 3rd item (well 4th if you count boots) item 3040 item 3027 item 3089 item 3020

but yea in most cases I won't get item 3089 and rather spend my 3rd item on item 3102 if they have strong AP and CC, or item 3151 item 3135 if they have a lot of tanks, or item 3165 if I need GW or more CDR/Mana. I personally feel the item is to expensive, maybe they should just decrease the total cost by 200g (take out of the combine cost) and see how it is with 3600g cost and go from there.