Morde Rework, AD or AP? (math inside)

Alright so all over youtube we're seeing Morde smashing the PBE with his new change, but the builds are all over the place, and so are people's thoughts on him. So we'll be ignoring the balance part, the interpretation of the new kit, and the change of identity, and focusing on which build does more damage. I mean I love Mordekaiser a lot, so I'm honestly curious.

I'll be going over a few things here: -6 builds including Full AP, Tanky AP, Full AD (no crit), Tanky AD, Full Hybrid, and Tanky Hybrid -Discussion of item choice -Discussion of which is best

So if you don't want to see all of that, there will be a tl;dr at the bottom.

A few things to note as well -I will not be taking into account runes or masteries because with so many diverse builds it'll already take a while, and I don't think an optimal set will exist, rather what works best for you. The red herring here is his lowered MS, which we will probably compensate for in some way not including boot enchantment. -I will also not take jungle items into account; I mean it's not that he can't jungle, but I've never thought of him as one, and with his rework he's really versatile already. -Lich bane doesn't proc life steal or spell vamp, but triforce and sheen grant lifesteal (I honestly think this is a little unfair but that's just me). -As of right now in PBE, Morde has 151 AD at level 18, which is 12 higher than Mega Gnar. In all probability this will be nerfed. -Most of my builds will involve healing survivability options, because he needs them and with his damage it's hard to argue that he doesn't benefit a lot from them. You'll see when I include the health gain. -I will not be including damage mitigation because luckily WotA heals before, but I will make differentiate WotA healing from Lifesteal healing. -I might get flamed for this, but I'm really only taking E and Q into account for this. I will not ignore that his other abilities exist, they will be taken into consideration with the discussion of which is best when required. -It is unfortunate that cool-down reduction can't really be taken into consideration even though the builds will require it, once again this will be talked about in the bottom discussion. -I'm sorry if you don't like my item choices, the end result will still be the same in terms of damage. -THIS IS A VACUUM ENVIRONMENT; DO NOT SEE THE LARGE NUMBERS AND THINK IT'S OVERPOWERED. -It's PBE so numbers are known to change, but if the end result is definitive some small numbers aren't that big of a deal.

Item Discussion (Skip if you don't care about item choice)

AS Items I'll start here because there won't be a section on these. On the PBE his base is .6, which is next to annie for the lowest in the game, and his per level AS was reduced too. So in general it's very hard to attack fast with him. His new Q requires three hits for full damage, but most of the builds we'll be using involve an on next hit item. This is largely because he still needs burst to kill adcs for their ghost. Also with a guy this slow, he needs to kite as much as he can. And since his ratios are so high, it's not really worth getting rid of a whole bunch of damage for a little AS.

AP Items Abyssal Sceptor -Great item, however it's getting reworked (eventually), but the important thing here is that it gives AP and penetration. Old Morde loved penetration, but now his bases are a little low so this item isn't as needed. Also, spirit visage and banshees are both better options due a few things: you'll be healing a lot, you'll be getting poked a lot because you're initiation isn't the best, more health from both items means your shield is stronger, visage has cool-down reduction.

Archangel's Staff -...

Athene's -...

Banner of Command -We all know this item is OP, but on Mordekaiser it's only great if you really need to push.

Frost Quenn's Claim -I guess I should've made a support build, but this is for damage calculation. However on the support build this item would be good for the ranged slow.

Guinsoo's Rageblade -It's stats aren't great, and while it is gold efficient you'll be wanting more by late game. Part of the selling point is the attack speed you get, but we don't want too much of that. The AD is low, and life steal isn't too good since you won't be auto autoattacking much without q. The spell vamp is good too, but getting below half to get it isn't that great because you can't use it to get back to full health if it goes on cd because you're out of combat. If you like it, I understand, but I don't think I'll be using it.

Hextech Gunblade -Great hybrid item, but if you aren't using both sides you're not getting your moneys worth. Spell vamp is better from WotA on AP builds, and stronger AD items are better with the spell vamp. Also the active benefits from autoattacking, which once again you won't be doing too much.

Iceborn Gauntlet -I'll just say it has mana, and there are better slows. It's hard to advise getting this over other on-hit items.

Liandry's Torment -It has all the stats a good AP item needs, but the DoT is against his bursty ideal situation. Also because you're getting rylai's a lot so it's not bad. If you like it I won't say it's a poor choice, but I'd rather get other items.

Lich Bane -Great item for on-hit, especially since Morde has such high AD so you still get a good bonus. The mana isn't the best, but you get MS too so you can't be too mad about it. However it's not worth a rush because of the mana and you have to be gold efficient.

Luden's Echo -Movement Speed, a ton of AP, more burst, what else do you want?

Morellonomicon -It's got good AP and the cool down is good, the mana regen ain't. What you should take from this item though, is that if you get it while potions are still worth buying, enemy champions that don't have any regen can't use potions to stop your ulti from killing them.

Nashor's Tooth -The attack speed isn't really needed and neither is the passive, but it gives good AP and cool down. All in all I don't think it's worth it.

Rabadon's Deathcap -Best AP item out there.

Rod of Ages -No

Rylai's Crystal Sceptor -This item is great for Morde since he has no cc, and his q procs the full slow. It's the largest reason you don't want too much attack speed. The HP gives you more shield too.

Trinity Force -While not really an AP item, it has a large amount of stats that are all useful on Morde (except for the mana). The proc is great since his base attack is 151, and even better it procs life steal.

Twin Shadow's -Twin Shadow's is actually a pretty solid item, it's just more worth getting Luden's if you don't need the cool down.

Void Staff -A very large portion of Morde's damage (no matter the build) is magic, and since his bases are worse and ratios are better this item is devastating. I even put it on an AD build I think because it just gives so much extra damage.

Will of the Ancients -Morde's bread and butter healing item for an AP build. His Q's bonus damage is magic in entirety, so you heal for 15% of all the damage, not to mention his ulti's damage. You get cool down too.

Zhonya's Hourglass -Great defensive choice for an AP item, but Morde's not about waiting for cool downs since he has nothing to catch back up. You should still pick it up, just not really early. An armguard can go a long way.

AD Items Blade of the Ruined King -If you need AS and a utility slow go with it, but it doesn't give you too much AD and you're not benefiting a lot from the passive.

Essence Reaver -No.

Infinity Edge -You're not really looking for crits on Morde.

Last Whisper -Most of your damage is magic so this isn't really worth it. Even on a full AD build a void would still increase your damage.

Manamune -No.

Maw of Malmortius -This item isn't bad, and I recommend picking it up if you need some MR and AD at the same time.

Mercurial Scimitar -Another AD and MR item, you're melee so you will be picking up a lot of heavy CC.

Ravenous Hydra -As of now the other new tiamat item is bugged with Morde's Q and doesn't work 100% of the time. This item is great for wave clear since you can't clear as well and it gives good life steal and damage. If the bug is fixed it'll be a great pick-up on heavy AD Morde.

Black Cleaver -Cool down, HP, and AD, and the armor cleave isn't the greatest for Morde. Your team could use it though.

Bloodthirster -Solid AD item, but again Lifesteal isn't too strong and that's this item's bag, but when you need a lot of AD it's a tossup.

Youmuu's Ghostblade -Crit and Armor Pen, with an AS active?

Zephyr -If you don't want to go Merc Treads, this is probably your best bet despite the attack speed.

I'm not going over armor and magic resist, but there is one item that you should really build on Morde: Dead Man's Plate. The item gives you 60 MS at max stacks, before the percentile bonus' kick in. It's all gone when you auto, but your rylai's or some other CC you have with items can help you with that.

Basic Combo Like I said, no W or Ult, but they'll be taken into account later. Most of the builds have some sort of CDR so two E's will be used. So here it is E from range Q>Q>E>Q Like I said it's a vacuum environment, so getting two E's off at a 3 second cd with max cdr isn't always possible. The purpose of the combo is to get two E's, two on-hit procs, and all three Q's, with the last Q having a proc for MAXIMUM BURST. For the maximum burst you'd probably E>R>Q within one second.

So I'll repeat 2 Es All item actives 2 procs or one Luden's All of Q

Some quick math Q procs 260 base damage +.3 total AD +.9 total AD +2.7 total AD =3.9 total AD +.2 AP +.6 AP +1.8 AP =2.6 AP All Magic Damage

+3.0 AD (autos) physical damage

Trinity Proc 302 physical damage

Lich Bane 113.25 + 50% AP magic damage

Luden's Echo proc 100+10% AP

E 155 base damage +.6 total AD +.6 AP All Magic Damage

Full AP Boots (of your choice) Rabadon's Luden's/Lich Rylai's WotA Void Staff

151 AD 594 AP with Lich 621 AP with Luden

Lich 453 physical damage Q =2393.3 magic damage Lich =820.5 magic damage E =1204 magic damage Healing from WotA =418.593 total damage =4417.8 magic damage with 453 physical damage

Luden 453 physical damage Q =2463.5 magic damage Luden =162.1 magic damage E =1236.4 Healing from WotA =438.75 total damage =3862 magic damage with 453 physical damage

Tanky AP Boots (of your choice) WotA Luden's Rylia's Zhonya's/dead man's plate Tanky MR item (calculated with visage)

151 AD 360 AP with Zhonya's 260 with Dead man's

Luden's 453 physical damage Q =1784.9 Luden =136 E =923.2 Healing from WotA (with visage) =384.2 total damage =2844.1 magic damage +453 physical damage

Dead Man's 453 physical damage Q =1524.9 magic damage Luden =126 magic damage Dead Man's =100 physical damage E =803.2 magic damage Healing from WotA (with visage) =330.27 total damage =2451.1 magic damage +553 physical damage

Full AD Boots (of your choice) Black Cleaver (needed cdr) Maw of Malmortius Ravenous Hydra Bloodthirster Trinity Force

436 AD 30 AP

1308 physical damage Q =2038.4 magic damage Hydra =436 physical damage Triforce =604 physical damage (procs lifesteal) E =869.2 magic damage Healing from Lifesteal =657.88 total damage =2907.6 magic damage +2348 physical damage

Tanky AD Boots (of your choice) Trinity Ravenous Hydra Sterak's Cage Dead Man's Plate MR item

293.75 AD without Sterak's active 331.5 AD with Sterak's active 30 AP

Without Sterak's cage ability 881.25 physical damage Q =1483.6 magic damage Hydra =293.75 physical damage Triforce =604 physical damage Dead Man's =100 physical damage E =698.5 magic damage Healing from Lifesteal =201.86 (242.23 with visage) total damage =2182.1 magic damage +1879 physical damage

With Sterak's cage ability 994.5 physical damage Q =1630.85 magic damage Hydra =331.5 physical damage Triforce =604 physical damage Dead Man's =100 physical damage E =743.8 Healing from Lifesteal =224.95 (260.34 with visage) total damage =2374.65 magic damage +2030 physical damage

Full Hybrid Boots (of your choice) Hextech Gunblade 80 WotA 80 Trinity Force 30 Bloodthirster Void Staff 80

301 AD 270 AP 30% Lifesteal 20% Spellvamp 15% WotA Spellvamp

903 physical damage Q =2135.9 magic damage Gunblade =258 magic damage Triforce =604 physical damage E =995.2 magic damage Healing from Lifesteal =452.1 after mitigation Healing from Gunblade Spellvamp =544.46 after mitigation Healing from WotA =411.01 before mitigation total damage =3389.1 magic damage +1507 physical damage

Tanky Hybrid Boots (of your choice) Gunblade Triforce Hydra Dead Man's MR item

296 AD 110 AP 22% Lifesteal 20% Spellvamp

888 physical damage Q =1700.4 magic damage Gunblade =184 magic damage Triforce =604 physical damage Hydra =296 physical damage E =797.2 magic damage Healing from Lifesteal =349.73 (419.68 with visage) Healing from Spellvamp =429.5 (515.4 with visage) total damage =2681.6 magic damage +1788 physical damage

Damage Recap Full AP 4417.8 magic damage with 453 physical damage (Lich) Healing =418.593 3862 magic damage with 453 physical damage (Luden) Healing =438.75

Tanky AP 2844.1 magic damage +453 physical damage (Luden) Healing =384.2 (includes visage) 2451.1 magic damage +553 physical damage (Dead Man's) Healing =330.27 (includes (visage)

Full AD 2907.6 magic damage +2348 physical damage Healing =657.88

Tanky AD 2182.1 magic damage +1879 physical damage (without Sterak active) Healing =201.86 (242.23 with visage) 2374.65 magic damage +2030 physical damage (with Sterak) Healing =224.95 (260.34 with visage)

Full Hybrid 3389.1 magic damage +1507 physical damage Healing from Lifesteal =452.1 after mitigation Healing from Gunblade Spellvamp =544.46 after mitigation Healing from WotA =411.01 before mitigation

Tanky Hybrid 2681.6 magic damage +1788 physical damage Healing from Lifesteal =349.73 (419.68 with visage) Healing from Spellvamp =429.5 (515.4 with visage)

All right with all this into account, I think the answer is very definitive as to which is the best in a vacuum. While I didn't take W's or R's damage into account, it's notable that they both scale with AP. So builds with AP will do more damage and heal a little more. Also Last whisper isn't a very good pick up, so any build with a lot of physical damage will suffer very much from even squishies with a small amount of armor. Lifesteal goes off after mitigation as well, so all AD builds that have a lot of recovery aren't as powerful as they look. Straight AP Morde still reigns with the most damage overall. This is mostly because a void staff was included into that build. The healing in that build is also from WotA, so that is how much you would heal. Full AD has more damage, but a lot of the physical damage is stopped, and so is the healing. However I will tie it with Full Hybrid for damage. The highest sustain though, has to go to Full Hybrid. Hybrid also has access to a fair bit of AP, making W and R even better.

Now it's not fair to compare them like that, I understand, but that's not the point. Full AD is not the best, that's what I was trying to say. If you see anyone building Morde like that unless they're building crit they aren't outdamaging AP.

Of the tanky builds, AP is arguably the worst. With no void involved, he can't keep a good amount of damage sustained. The tanky hybrid is superior here in terms of damage and healing, but way less tanky than AD and much less versatile in terms of items. Any tanky build involving triforce with some sort of life steal is incredibly good. Tanky builds also don't need your ulti to do as much damage, further harming the tanky AP build.

Farming This change will hurt his farming, but with the right items you can off-set the nerf. AP is destroyed here, mostly because Luden's is a pretty poor rush on Morde I think. So any build involving a hydra or the other tiamat item (with the bug fix) will do better. Again here, for being tankier go for the AD bruiser build, but for more damage and sustain use the tanky hybrid build.

Shield So your shield comes from 25% of magic damage dealt. I would say AP is best for this, but with the new effect of E (15% of total shield per champion hit) I have to disagree with myself. Your total shield also scales with your total HP, so having more HP gives you a bigger cap anyway. So any of the tanky builds will do pretty well with the new shield change as long as they have some decent cdr.

tl;dr Full AP has highest damage, Full AD is an awful idea, Full Hybrid has the best sustain. The tanky AP build isn't all that good, especially since tanky Hybrid and AD have better farm and sustain. This is largely due to triforce. Oh and Gunblade is good due to the natural hybrid nature of Morde's new kit, but combined with triforce it gets insane.

P.S. I put in the Boots (of your choice) because all of the builds may not be able to do the combo, so inserting cdr boots is possible. Also if you thought these numbers were crazy, think how crazy they could be with 21/9/0 masteries!!!

One last thing, I apologize. I feel like I should've put mallet instead of sterak's cage in the tanky AD build.