Protobelt vs. Luden's Echo

So, let's not mince words. I think that Hextech Protobelt-01 basically makes Luden's Echo in this game (AND the GLP too, but that's a different discussion). The actual stats on both items isn't the problem, but the proc of Luden's, which is really what you buy it for over buying Rylai's or Morellonomicon, is just completely outclassed by the Protobelt active.

Let's do a little math:

Protobelt's active does a minimum of 75 base damage. You will NEVER get one at level 1 unless you don't connect until WAY late in the game, so it will always be more, but let's just stick to 75 to be conservative with our numbers. It also adds 35% of your AP to that damage. With the 60 AP it gives you, that means that by itself, Protobelt active deals a minimum of 96 damage (35% of 60 = 21, 21 + 75 = 96). But Protobelt can hit the same champion more than once, increasing the damage by 20% for each extra rocket that hits. If you get hit by 2 rockets, you take ~115 damage.

Now, Luden's on its own has a minimum of 110 damage when it procs. 100 base no matter what stage of the game you are in, and 10% of your ability power, and it gives you 100 AP itself.

So, its actually quite easy to do more damage with the Protobelt active than the Luden's proc.

But also, the Protobelt costs 2500 gold, while Luden's Echo costs 3200 gold. So Luden's proc does less damage than Protobelt, despite costing 700 gold more. Also, Protobelt gives you 300 health and 10% CDR, while Luden's only gives you 40 more AP, and gives 10% move speed, which on most champions is only slightly more than buying regular boots of speed, which you can afford with the left over gold from buying Protobelt instead.

So what's my point?

Fellow summoners, do yourself a favor and just buy Hextech Protobelt-01 first, instead of buying Luden's first. You could still get Luden's if you really want, but Protobelt is just a better item right now I think. Riot should consider increasing the cost of the item by quite a bit, perhaps even to be AS expensive as Luden's.

Anyway, good luck friends!