Frostfang/Frost Queen's Need Buffs

Sugar Momma··18 votes·2,406 views

Right now, just like in preseason 4, item 3301 , item 3096 , and item 3069 are too strong in comparison to their offensive counterparts, item 3303 , item 3098 , and item 3092 .

I don't think item 3301 is necessarily overpowered. As a support main, I actually love the fact I can pick this up on Soraka or Janna and not be starved for gold.

However, there are two issues. item 3096 and item 3069 regen more health than item 3098 and item 3092 can do in dmg, even if you are using every proc. Not only that, but they produce more gold too.

This should not be the case.

item 3301 regens 5 health per minion killed, 6 minions per wave, 1 wave every 30 seconds, 5 x 6 = 30 health gained per 30 (roughly).

item 3303 gives you 10 extra dmg 3 times per 30 seconds, 10 x 3 = 30 extra dmg per 30 (granted you use every stack when it's up).

I think that the T1 items are actually fine. But the problem lies with item 3098 and item 3096 .

item 3096 , with its recent buffs, regens 10 health per minion killed, 10 x 6 = 60 health gained per 30.

item 3098 , gives you 15 extra dmg 3 times per 30 seconds, 15 x 3 = 45 extra dmg per 30.

Even if you are using item 3098 EVERY time the passive is up (and realistically this never happens), a support standing there playing passively with item 3096 will outheal the dmg you're doing with your item. Meanwhile you have no health regen yourself.

These changes would help, without pushing item 3098 over the edge.

Have it do 20 extra damage instead of 15, so it can do 60 extra dmg per 30 maximally, which would match item 3096 . This is how item 3303 and item 3301 are, and most people agree these are balanced. This buff would apply to item 3092 as well.

Have the tribute passive for item 3098 and item 3092 give 15 extra gold per hit from 10. While this seems like a major buff, there is not much reason to upgrade item 3303 because it's not as easy to get the procs after laning phase.

Finally, give item 3092 active down to 40 seconds, like item 3069.

52 Comments

The Bíg Ticket3 votes

Still gives you the most gold out of all support items by far in the earlygame if you know how to make use of it. You will easily have 300 or 400 more gold than the support with relic shield or Coin at the 15 minute mark which is worth a kill. Yes the active of Frost Queen's sucks but you can always swap it for Coin in lategame.

Sakura Mirage2 votes

I still think coin gives the most gold.

The Bíg Ticket3 votes

Not if you use Spellthief correctly.

Remlap12236 votes

Except for the fact that it's completely reliant on your opponent's positioning. If they have half a brain, they'll never put themselves in a position for you to stack it.

Meanwhile all you have to do to earn bank off of coin is for your carry to know how to CS and to not have yourself or your carry get bullied out of lane.

Hat1 votes

If they try to avoid your spellthief proc's then they will have a harder time farming. Wich is also a win for you. And there are supports who can stil stack it quite easily like Morgana, who can proc all 3 stacks with 1 spell. You then have to w8 for new stacks anyway. Leavin you with half a minute in wich you can look for another opportunity.

Although theres other reasons to decide between a support item. In a gank spellthief will add some more damage wich can help you ensure a kill. The coin will give some movememntn speed wich will help you dodge skillshots and you will regenerate health when minions die. ANd the Relic will give some sustain for both you AND your adc. I ussually base my decision on those things instead of how much gold I can make with it.

3TWarrior2 votes

something i believe the original poster is trying to say is that it is no longer worth the upgrade to Frost fang

it costs 500 gold for a roughly 5 ap boost, 25% ap recovery, no active, 10 gold per 10 seconds if you proc it

a champ like morgana can benefit, but your opponents can and will start playing more passive when you sling a spell so often to proc your item

also, by upgrading to frost fang, even keeping the item the entire match, you will only just barely gain back the cost of the frost fang in gold (800 gold)

that is a lot of farmed gold, but for what? 10 ap, 50% mana regen, no active

at this point, it's actually a better deal to save the 500 gold for another item and just using the 5 free gold per spell hit/auto from spell thief to upgrade your character faster

with utility enhancement line, the gold stacks up quickly, even as an ADC (though I haven't gotten to properly test using it on a marksman due to Rito lag and the horror that is where I live...)

Hat1 votes

But the item would stil add in an aggressive playstyle were u can keep your enemy low enough so they can't fight back all to aggresive right? The whole "sometimes the best defensive is a great offense" kind of thing. I've recently started playing Bard, an this item synergizes really well with his passive. Even when I roam for a gank with my passive and this Item i got some extra damage with only 1 or 2 auto attacks.

But I agree that It doesn't veel that strong though, It could do with a buff.

The Bíg Ticket1 votes

So if I have 550 attack range with Nami and I play vs an adc that is not Caitlyn or Ashe....how are they gonna avoid me attacking them when they wanna lasthit?

Also her W has 725 range, you will always be able to harrass your opponents with it, unless thjey decide to not take any cs at all.

3TWarrior2 votes

something i believe the original poster is trying to say is that it is no longer worth the upgrade to Frost fang

it costs 500 gold for a roughly 5 ap boost, 25% ap recovery, no active, 10 gold per 10 seconds if you proc it

a champ like morgana can benefit, but your opponents can and will start playing more passive when you sling a spell so often to proc your item

also, by upgrading to frost fang, even keeping the item the entire match, you will only just barely gain back the cost of the frost fang in gold (800 gold)

that is a lot of farmed gold, but for what? 10 ap, 50% mana regen, no active

at this point, it's actually a better deal to save the 500 gold for another item and just using the 5 free gold per spell hit/auto from spell thief to upgrade your character faster

with utility enhancement line, the gold stacks up quickly, even as an ADC (though I haven't gotten to properly test using it on a marksman due to Rito lag and the horror that is where I live...)

Erockandroll2 votes

[{quoted}](name=Danielas Kitten,realm=EUW,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=klKzYUZj,comment-id=0000,timestamp=2015-07-29T00:46:34.671+0000)

Still gives you the most gold out of all support items by far in the earlygame if you know how to make use of it. You will easily have 300 or 400 more gold than the support with relic shield or Coin at the 15 minute mark which is worth a kill. Yes the active of Frost Queen's sucks but you can always swap it for Coin in lategame.

This is my actual problem with it. Theirs no reason to upgrade it. The only reason to upgrade it to frost fang is for increased GP10, but that's not really worth cause you would other wise be behind in more important support items such as your sight stone.

The GP10 is great, but it's not a good stat to rush.

The Bíg Ticket1 votes

I always rush Frostfang, get it on my first back even if it means delaying sightstone (I only play Nami if I support in ranked). The GP10 actually stays exactly the same at 2 but the damage if you attack a champion increases from 10 to 15 and the gold you gain on hit from 5 to 10. So basically you will get twice as much gold as from spellthief's. You jsut have to make sure to always proc it.

Champion Skin1 votes

Actually for the Frostfang to be worth it (gold wise as the stats really aren't any good and it is usually better to get other items for damage/utility) You need to proc it 100 times (this will give you +500 gold from the extra gold from procs) 100 procs will take at least 1000 seconds or 16 min and 40 seconds... However being able to always proc it is unrealistic so it will more likely take between 20-30 min

So in general it really isn't worth it...

High51 votes

[{quoted}](name=Danielas Kitten,realm=EUW,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=klKzYUZj,comment-id=0000,timestamp=2015-07-29T00:46:34.671+0000)

Still gives you the most gold out of all support items by far in the earlygame if you know how to make use of it. You will easily have 300 or 400 more gold than the support with relic shield or Coin at the 15 minute mark which is worth a kill. Yes the active of Frost Queen's sucks but you can always swap it for Coin in lategame.

That's like saying that avarice blade is awesome because of the extra gold generation. It probably needs to be changed and the extra gold generation is a drop in the bucket in the greater scheme of things.

Do people (who win) still hard farm lanes? I've found that amix of aggression and decent last hitting is a far better plan. Neither Coin nor Avarice support that play style.

The Bíg Ticket1 votes

I don't say Frostfang is awesome but I am saying it doesn't need buffs. It fits some supports better than others, of course on Janna I wouild never go Frostfang (or even Spellthief's) but on Morgana and Nami for example it is a great buy.

And btw Avarice Blade is a very solid buy on an adc if you don't have the money for a BF Sword on your first or second back, alot of players do it, even in LCS.

ZephyrDrake3 votes

[{quoted}](name=Danielas Kitten,realm=EUW,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=klKzYUZj,comment-id=000000020000,timestamp=2015-07-29T12:48:08.151+0000)

I don't say Frostfang is awesome but I am saying it doesn't need buffs. It fits some supports better than others, of course on Janna I wouild never go Frostfang (or even Spellthief's) but on Morgana and Nami for example it is a great buy.

And btw Avarice Blade is a very solid buy on an adc if you don't have the money for a BF Sword on your first or second back, alot of players do it, even in LCS.

here's the thing, you are wasting 500 gold on an item that is giving you 5 extra gold and 5 extra damage per proc since whatever extra stats it gives you is so low that it doesn't even make a difference whether or not you have them (5 more AP and 25% extra mana regen?) you really aren't getting anything worth the effort specially when you have no intention of fully upgrading it to item 3092. You might as well just go get an early sightstone and boots and then proceed to get any other support items you want

Hat1 votes

I often just keep the itme on the first upgradw ( wichever support item I take) and lategame when I used all my item slots switch it for something like Randuin's or Righteous Glory.

Champion Skin1 votes

item 3303 does give you the most gold yes... however upgrading it to item 3098 is silly... Why? Well because it costs 500 gold which delays your other items And for it to make up the 500 gold investment you need to proc it 100 times after upgrading it 100 procs will take at least 1000 seconds or 16 min and 40 seconds However being able to constantly proc it is unrealistic so it will likely take 20-30 min to make up that 500 gold

Remlap12233 votes

The really ironic thing about Frost Queen's is that the best champion it works on is Brand.

Yes, Brand, the burst AP caster mid lane who's entire shtick is the more flamy flame mage than Annie, does insanely well with Frost Queen's claim as a support due to his passive.

Almost as ironic as him getting healed by a Nami W, or Corki flying faster with boots, or Cassiopeia turning Malphite into stone, or Gragas being a more mobile champion than half the roster.

Dr Poro3 votes

item 3303 is slightly OP but the upgrade to item 3098 is litterally USELESS. A small nerf to the first and a decent buff to the second and third item of this line would balance it out. Currently, most AP supports start with item 3303 but sell it for item 3069 later.

Profirix3 votes

[{quoted}](name=Dr Poro,realm=EUW,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=klKzYUZj,comment-id=0006,timestamp=2015-07-29T09:25:24.898+0000)

Currently, most AP supports start with item 3303 but sell it for item 3069 later.

This tells me that there is something wrong with the first iteration or the second and third iterations of the item. AP supports should WANT to upgrade item 3303 as soon as possible similar to the item 3096 and item 3097 . But as it stands, the item does not reward the AP support as much as the utility support or melee tank support are rewarded for their perspective items.

ZephyrDrake2 votes

i literally never upgrade my item 3303 anymore, since i found that i could get all the items i wanted faster by skipping item 3098. All you really are getting is a pitiful amount of base stats increase and 5 extra gold/damage per stack and none of those is worth delaying your other more useful items like item 2049. The only time the extra gold you get from item 3098 is ever going to be useful is when the laning phase is extended to stupid amounts of time where you can actually poke and use it's stacks effectively. Then there's item 3092 which gives terrible stats and an active that is ok at best... at least you can get the extra gold from poking even when you cs so that's something right?

item 3303 is a great pick-up but both item 3098 and item 3092 are terrible, because the stats they give are horrible and you could be getting something else that is way more useful than a pitiful amount of extra gold that you can't even take advantage of after the laning phase ends

Champion Skin1 votes

For it to be worth it to upgrade item 3303 to item 3098 You need to proc it 100 times after upgrading it... Will it at minimum take 1000 seconds or 16 min and 40 seconds

And well that is rather unrealistic as you will have times when you can't proc it so it will likely take like between 20 - 30 min after buying the item (so it will possibly be worth it if the games drags on until like 40-50 min... if it was worth delaying your other items)

ZephyrDrake1 votes

[{quoted}](name=Champion Skin,realm=EUW,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=klKzYUZj,comment-id=00070000,timestamp=2015-07-29T19:04:39.932+0000)

For it to be worth it to upgrade item 3303 to item 3098 You need to proc it 100 times after upgrading it... Will it at minimum take 1000 seconds or 16 min and 40 seconds

And well that is rather unrealistic as you will have times when you can't proc it so it will likely take like between 20 - 30 min after buying the item (so it will possibly be worth it if the games drags on until like 40-50 min... if it was worth delaying your other items)

you seem to be forgetting the GP10 component of the item

Champion Skin1 votes

I am not... You don't gain any more GP10 from upgrading it to item 3098

The only extra gold you gain from upgrading item 3303 to item 3098 is 5 extra gold on each proc (that's it)

ZephyrDrake1 votes

[{quoted}](name=Champion Skin,realm=EUW,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=klKzYUZj,comment-id=0007000000000000,timestamp=2015-07-29T21:47:38.610+0000)

I am not... You don't gain any more GP10 from upgrading it to item 3098

The only extra gold you gain from upgrading item 3303 to item 3098 is 5 extra gold on each proc (that's it)

even if you don't gain any extra GP10 you are still gaining extra gold from it so it takes less procs to gain the 500 gold back. It might not be super high but it's still there, you can't just ignore the GP10 you gain from the item just because it doesn't increase, it's still active on the item

Champion Skin1 votes

You gain 5 extra gold (and damage) on each proc and 5 ap and 25% of base mana regen for 500 gold when you upgrade item 3303 to item 3098

Which means that yes it will take 100 procs or more then 16 min and 40 seconds to earn back that gold... which means it will delay your other items

item 3303 is really good item 3098 is really meh and quite bad

ZephyrDrake1 votes

[{quoted}](name=Champion Skin,realm=EUW,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=klKzYUZj,comment-id=000700000000000000000000,timestamp=2015-07-29T22:30:25.920+0000)

You gain 5 extra gold (and damage) on each proc and 5 ap and 25% of base mana regen for 500 gold when you upgrade item 3303 to item 3098

Which means that yes it will take 100 procs or more then 16 min and 40 seconds to earn back that gold... which means it will delay your other items

item 3303 is really good item 3098 is really meh and quite bad

way to dodge the question and say the exact same thing i said before. THE GP10 DOESN'T MAGICALLY STOP WORKING WHEN YOU UPGRADE IT! IT'S STILL THERE GIVING YOU GOLD SO YOU DON'T NEED 100 PROCS OR ALMOST 17 MINS! you are getting passive gold from the item and gold from the procs, you will need considerably less procs than that and less than 16 mins 40 secs. How long and how many procs? i don't know and i don't give a damn about since it's still a bad item overall but don't come spewing false information to people since the only way you would need to wait all that time is if you never proc the item once in which case why would you even get any of the items in the item 3303 line? just grab item 3301 and since you are always getting the passive gold regen from the item you will never need to proc it that many times in order to gain back the 500 gold

Champion Skin1 votes

THE UPGRADE which you pay 500 gold for only gives +5 gold per proc and no additional GP10....

You pay 500 gold and you get +5 extra gold (damage) per proc and 5 ap and 25% mana regen... that's it That isn't worth 500 gold... which means upgrading it is inefficient and bad...

ZephyrDrake1 votes

[{quoted}](name=Champion Skin,realm=EUW,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=klKzYUZj,comment-id=00070000000000000000000000000000,timestamp=2015-07-29T23:07:38.127+0000)

THE UPGRADE which you pay 500 gold for only gives +5 gold per proc and no additional GP10....

You pay 500 gold and you get +5 extra gold (damage) per proc and 5 ap and 25% mana regen... that's it That isn't worth 500 gold... which means upgrading it is inefficient and bad...

THE FUCKING GP10 STILL HELPS YOU PAY THE DAMN UPGRADE! YOU SIR AN IDIOT IF YOU THINK THAT THE GP10 THE ITEM HAS DOES NOT HELP YOU WITH PAYING THE ITEM!

High51 votes

Coin provides no stats and is ... good ... in few situations. I disagree with the analysis. Queen provides a good set of attributes for poke supports. The active is a nice stop for engage teams.

manbearswine3 votes

{quoted}

Coin provides no stats and is ... good ... in few situations.

Not really,coin gives pretty good hp regen,and about the same gold income,without you have to constantly poke to get this gold(which can often get risky).

I disagree with the analysis. Queen provides a good set of attributes for poke supports. The active is a nice stop for engage teams.

Ok I disagree with everything here,the stats it gives are plain bad,that's why you generally leave it at spellthief,morrelos costs about the same gives way more stats and itself isn't considered very good on supports,whereas the active helps peel a bit but is quite worthless against strong engages,this item is only good when: 1)you intend to win the lane early,so more damage helps with that,it also means you rely on being able to constantly proc the passive. 2)you really have no other choice-supports like zyra/brand/velkoz need damage to justify their existence,they don't gain as much from cdr/mana regen/hp regen as other supports,they just have no choice,even if the item is subpar.

Overall yeah,it's pretty shit right now.

Partholonian1 votes

Morellos only costs "about the same" if you ignore the spellthief you already have, otherwise there's almost 500 gold difference which is a lot for a support. On the other hand if you start amp tome instead of spellthief to build up to Morellos then you lose a lot of gold and damage in laning.

Plus, when you get to Morellos, it has higher raw stats but still lacks the gold proc (supports almost never reach full build so this stays useful forever) and active.

I'd like to see buffs to FQC so that selling spellthief to switch lines isn't so common, but the Morellos comparison isn't really right.

manbearswine2 votes

{quoted}

Morellos only costs "about the same" if you ignore the spellthief you already have, otherwise there's almost 500 gold difference which is a lot for a support.

yes 500 gold,for 30 ap +10 cdr +passive vs active,that's about 1k of stats.

On the other hand if you start amp tome instead of spellthief to build up to Morellos then you lose a lot of gold and damage in laning.

Nobody said anything about starting amp tone,where do you bring this nonsense from?

Plus, when you get to Morellos, it has higher raw stats but still lacks the gold proc (supports almost never reach full build so this stays useful forever) and active.

I'd like to see buffs to FQC so that selling spellthief to switch lines isn't so common, but the Morellos comparison isn't really right.

The poinst was that it is very inferior to morrelos stat wise,while morrelos itself is not a good support item.

The big problem is that even the ap supports(as in mages) don't want ap(as that one scales hard with rabadons,which you will never get),but would rather go for the one with strong passives(rylais,lyandries,void staff,banner or just locket anyway),and that is the main stat that item gives,while also not doing a very good job even at that.

IcyPepper1 votes

I think it's purposely kept in a state where it's not as powerful as the other two. Mostly so midlaners can't abuse it.

Remlap12234 votes

But it already has a failsafe for it, if you CS, the passive gets disabled.

This isn't Skirmisher's Sabre or Runeglaive, it can't be abused solo laners. It is literally impossible for you to use it effectively in solo lane.

IcyPepper1 votes

shrugs

That's all I heard. Take it with a grain of salt.

Aeolian Melodies1 votes

The FQC line of item provides considerably more gold than the Talisman and FOTM line of items, if you are using the procs correctly.

Hat1 votes

Frostfang should have the active on the second upgrade, and have it stronger on the 3rd. That would make it more interactive.

RogueWill1 votes

Well item 3301 was buffed pretty recently because he was feelign shorter than the other 2 items (item 3302 and item 3098 ) and right now I think he is on a better place considerng that talisman will give you some mana regen that was the only readiming thing about item 3098

GamerThink1 votes

It's almost balanced right now, but I agree a little buff should make it more interesting and skill-rewarding (it clearly requires more skill than coin to get farm). On the other hand, maybe a little cooldown on the passive (3 seconds?) would be a good thing, it procs too fast on AoE spells.

sp4411 votes

Frostfang is fine, since it does give the most gold out of every support item if you're audacious enough to constantly harass and poke your opponents, but Frost Queen definitly needs buffs. Honestly, I think I'm better off just keeping Frostfang and then just selling it once I need the slot. It'll eventually pay for itself anyway.

Champion Skin1 votes

Actually frostfang isn't fine... You need to proc it 100 times to make up the gold you used on upgrading it (500 gold which could have been used on other things which might be more powerful or useful) And it will take at least 1000 seconds or 16 min and 40 seconds... So after you you bought it you need the game to go on for at least 16 min and 40 seconds to make up for the gold you put into it (and that is if you are able to hit a champion at least 3 times every 30 seconds)

sp4411 votes

Actually, Frostfang sells for 200 more gold than Spellthief, meaning that ultimately you only permanently spend about 300 gold. assuming you proc all 3 stacks in the first second, you only have another 270 gold to make up to. Frostfang also has good in-lane stats with a small but still useful AP boost and Mana Regen, not to mention the passive improving your poke as well.

Champion Skin1 votes

The thing it that then you have to sell the item... which you likely won't... so getting the gold to complete an item faster is usually better And no 25% base mana regen and 5 AP isn't much... (that is a fairy charm and 1/4 of an amplifying tome and it doesn't even build into anything good)

sp4411 votes

Uhn, except I do sell it?

Champion Skin1 votes

The increase in sell value 346 - 146 = 200 gold Gold lost 300 (when the item is sold)

the time it would take to get back the 300 gold lost is 60 procs or 600 seconds which is 10 min So if you buy it and sit on it for 10-15 min depending on how often you are able to proc it... you will go even (why delay your item by 10-15 min when you don't even earn any gold on it?)

While if you look at item 3303 At the most you will earn 7 gold per 10 (5 from proc and 2 from GP10) and if you want to go even (sell it) you would need to earn 365(cost) - 146 (sell value) = 219 gold to go even would take 219:7=31.28 And since it is per 10 it will be 312.8 seconds or 5 min and about 13 seconds

**TLDR ** item 3303 cost 365 gold and gives at most 7 GP10 (and at least 2 GP10) item 3098 cost 500 gold and gives at most 5 GP10 (Yes Frostfang gives at most 12 GP10.. however 7 of it is from spellthief's edge and you would have regardless of if you payed the 500 gold to upgrade it... and the 500 gold upgrade only grants and additional 5 GP10 for 500 gold)

Frostfang cost more (500 gold to upgrade it) than spellthief's edge (365) and gives less gold... So in general frostfang is bad...

Profirix1 votes

I feel like the AP value isn't high enough for a 3rd tier item dedicated to utility and damage. Maybe that, or the passive on hit proc should do significantly more damage at the second and third tiers than it does. As it stands, I see no reason to pick spell thief over coin. Relic is good for melee tanks and fills its own role quite well.

Reaper Soraka1 votes

I feel that Frostfang is in a pretty good spot right now. If it gave more gold and damage, I would see myself buying it for early harass, and selling it to break even or gain gold in the early to mid-game, then switch to Talisman.

FQC feels like a problem right now. The stats on it are nice, but they're too small to feel useful. The active ability should be the shining point of this item, but the range is sooo short and the missile so slow... I feel like I need the Talisman of Ascension's active to land the FQC active, unless the enemy is just going around face-checking bushes.

We can't have two support items, so I'll sell the Frostfang when I start working on my fifth or sixth item for now. It has paid for itself in gold alone; the damage dealt, mana regained, shields/heals boosted by AP are just bonus.

Champion Skin1 votes

I would recommend against upgrading to frostfang item 3098 (if you are selling it and not building item 3092 ) As frostfang costs 500 gold (will delay other better items) and it will take 16 Min and 40 seconds to earn back that 500 gold (if you always proc it) so it will likely take about 20-30 min after buying it to get back the gold you put into it

If you sell it you would lose 300 gold which would take 10 min to earn back if you proc it all the time and never go longer then 30 seconds without hitting a champion or tower So more realistically it will take 10-20 min after buying frostfang and that's just to go even... (and what's the point of buying it and delaying your other items if you don't even earn any gold from it)

item 3303 is really good though

item 3303 costs 365 gold and gives at most 7 GP10 (at least 2 GP10) item 3098 costs 500 gold and gives at most an additional 5 GP10 (at least 0 GP10)

Also keep in mind that you get item 3303 earlier so it has more time to give you back the money you put into it

Champion Skin1 votes

item 3303 cost 365 gold and gives at most 7 GP10 (and at least 2 GP10) item 3098 cost 500 gold and gives at most an additional 5 GP10 (and at least 0 GP10)

yeah the upgrade to frostfang seems pretty bad... paying 500 gold for potential 5 GP10 and some garbage stats (5 AP and 25% mana regen)

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