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AP items need buffs

Fakerr·8/26/2016, 4:44:22 AM·17 votes·1,260 views

RIght now, AP itemization is in a pretty sorry state compared to tank and AD itemization.

Over several patches, and items got 10 AD buffs, became stronger. ADCs are shredding anyone win their path whether its the crit build or the Armor Pen build. Mages like Syndra, xerath, ziggs, Orianna are barely seen. Pro-play is basically Taliyah, Vlad or Malz. And it's not even for the damage output. Vlad for the AoE dmg plus sustain, Malz for the slows, CCs and zone control, Taliyah for waveclear and ult.

AP items are not that weak, but right now has become a core mage item cause it almost seems that slow, that utlility is simply the main reason for picking mages. Gone are the days when mages made a CD item and rushed . Deathcap barely sees any light these days. It's usually the 5th or 6th item. Some times, it doesn't even make it to the build. It gives the largest power spike, but the MR items and tank items means, is a must. Deathcap being so expensive usually shows up after 40 mins only.

I hate the fact that is the only anti- AD item mages have. The active isn't even that important unless you're playing against zed or talon. and if your positioning is good, you rarely need that active. it's only good for ap assassins like and . and for certain situations like and . The AD counterpart to is , which is such a pain for any mage. It is a much better item.

Secondly, Aromr Pen vs Magic Pen. This is the main reason I feel itemization is so unbalanced. , , all give armor pen. and the way armor pen works right now, being a mage absolutely sucks. AP casters HAVE to rush as even a stupid can counter them hard. Going the Crit build some times ADCs dont even make any armor pen and still do tons of damage.

For me, Armor Pen is supposed to be good against tanks who stack armor, not shred squishies who barely have any bonus armor. I hate that change in this season. It's absolutely absurd.

Would love to hear what the community thinks. Please be respectful. Just sharing my opinion. Could be a very wrong way to view the current state of items, but just my opinion.

21 Comments

JoshuasDaddy8/26/2016, 10:20:12 AM7 votes

just stop mages are in a good place and their items are in a good place the armor pen items might not be deathcap is supposed to be one of the last items bcs it amplifies the ap u already have if u get it first or second item its not that good

WoonStruck8/26/2016, 6:21:48 PM4 votes

Its more that many mages are over-tuned to the point where they can build defensive AP items and still burst people.

Glass is just over-kill and you get murdered instantly.

Wheatloaf8/26/2016, 3:14:34 PM3 votes

Mages aren't bad right now. Yes, armor pen is fucking nuts right now, but buffing AP is the wrong response to that.

Greymoore8/26/2016, 5:13:23 PM2 votes

I only have two complains about AP items

is the only % magic penetration item
Manaless AP champions don't have efficient access to Grivous wounds

This can be fixed by simply making item 3151 do %magic penetration and giving grivous wounds to item 3135 . This will make them act similarly to item 3033 and item 3036 but for AP champions.

DrCyanide8/26/2016, 6:17:21 PM2 votes

I think a lot of the problem is that you feel trapped with the AP Items.

You feel smart when you buy a item 3155 , like you're getting the best item in the game. You feel trapped when you buy item 3191 , like it's a desperation move to keep the AD threat manageable.

item 3136 ? 1600 gold, and you're trapped into it's only upgrade item 3151 . item 3134 costs 1100 gold gives you the option to build into item 3142 item 3156 item 3147 .

item 3135 is your only % Pen item, vs the two/three for % Armor Pen item 3035 item 3033 item 3036

item 3089 is the most expensive item in the game, 1265 gold combination cost. item 3031 is the AD Equivalent, combines for 625 gold.

Mandang08/26/2016, 5:45:57 PM2 votes

Void Staff is freakin amazing because it's %pen that still applies to base MR, unlike Last Whisper.

Meep Man8/26/2016, 8:16:00 PM1 votes

It's more so many of the AP items were made incredibly niche while select few are still generic, like Rylai's. That's why AP items seem bad overall, but certain champions can really abuse each one. AD and Tank items on the other hand are all usually pretty generic in their use. Infinity Edge, Death's Dance, and Last Whisper can all be used on a ton of AD. Spirit Visage, Warmog's, Randuin's, and Deadman's can all be used on a variety of Tanks (and Fighters). Liandry's, Lich Bane, Hextech items, Rod of Ages, and Archangel's Staff are all pretty niche.

Maximum Morde8/26/2016, 4:27:53 PM1 votes

Nah I do fine with mages. The only complaint I could think to throw out is that they need to add AP back to IBG pls.

Sukishoo8/26/2016, 5:48:39 PM1 votes

item 3089 should have always BEEN a later pick. It only gives you a power boost once you have a good amount of AP anyway.

GULAG 4 U8/26/2016, 5:53:34 PM1 votes

Honestly I think DC needs a buff and everything else is fine. I mean mage items give a lot of utility and oftenly defensive AND offensive stats together.