It's just a ball of stats that doesn't add any gameplay to the game. Whenever it's strong it breaks the game and whenever it's bad nobody buys it. In season 2 everyone was rushing IE every game, then in season 3 nobody bought it, now it's the best item again. It has the same problem atma's did.
Can it be balanced so it isn't so hit or miss
Maximum Zilean3 votesIt's just a ball of stats that doesn't add any gameplay to the game.
You just described about 60% of all items in the game.
Fed by Snu Snu1 votesIt's just a ball of stats that doesn't add any gameplay to the game.
You just described about 60% of all items in the game.
More like 95%, since most actives aren't anything groundbreaking either in terms of interactiveness. Only Zhonya's is unique. Everything is either damage or shield.
Cerbearus3 votesIt gets bought regardless, shifts in the meta just change when it gets bought.
FalconPawwwwnch3 votesHow many end game items are just stat balls with no unique niche or active?
IE, Atma's (Removed), Deathcap, Mallet (removed in s5), warmogs (changed to be a niche item in s5)
Almost every other end game item these days has such active or actual reason to buy it other than stats are too high. Deathcap has the same problem, in season 1 when deathcap gave 155 AP everyone rushed it for the same reason
Kuroi862 votesthen in season 3 nobody bought it
o.0 It was still a core item, it just wasn't first rush.
was the first rush item, then 
, 
or 
/
with IE following, then 
. Least that's how I saw it go for the longest time.
Marthian1 votesPretty much how I remember it. The exception being Tristana rushing IE instead.
ElysMustache1 votesIt is the only item in the game that increases your crit factor.
Crit factor is one of the four terms of the DPS equation for auto attacks. Well, five counting armor penetration.
Crit%, AS, AD, Crit factor, armor pen. Hello, DPS.
Don't forget life steal, though.
IE is fine.
buster kiton1 votesIE is fine, base damage on crits is not. Even if IE raised crit damage to 200% from, let's say 150%, it would still allow damage to outscale defensive stats late game.
Kuroi861 votesSad to say though that 250% is necessary. Have you seen a crit build without IE in it? Woefully lacking in damage.