When to take cleanse over heal? (If ever)

Probs feeding·Jan 4, 2018·1 votes·2,188 views

I've been trying to pick up ADC lately since I'm tired of top being my secondary role. For the most part, I'm getting it down learning it on my own. One issue I've run into a few times is [insert title here].

In a very specific scenario I ran into earlier, there was a Riven, Rammus, Twisted Fate, MF, and Bard team comp. I felt like I should have taken cleanse all the way up until finishing my QSS, which I then felt the pain of being 1300 gold behind in damage.

So for anyone willing to answer, when would you take Cleanse over Heal? (If ever.)

6 Comments

d1v1ne beastJan 4, 20182 votes

do they have a Zoe ? then take summoner 1

RenownedWheat42Jan 4, 20181 votes

As ADC I'd go heal and work to QSS in a CC-heavy comp pretty much all the time. Cleanse isn't worth it in lane unless the CC is enough that you just auto-die because somehow your support can't do shit to keep you alive.

If you REALLY wanna opt to take it over heal then just do so for a CC-heavy supp-jungle/supp-mid/etc combo.

Mysticman89Jan 4, 20181 votes

This isn't addressing the question directly, but casual reminder to the masses that cleanse doesn't work against suppression (e.g. malz ult), as the most common time I see people take cleanse is against malz incorrectly thinking they're countering him.

SlythionJan 4, 20181 votes

{quoted}

This isn't addressing the question directly, but casual reminder to the masses that cleanse doesn't work against suppression (e.g. malz ult), as the most common time I see people take cleanse is against malz incorrectly thinking they're countering him.

First (and only) time I've ever taken cleanse as a midlaner was when I was Xerath against a Malz mid and WW jungle

We won the game, but I was so fucking embarrassed when I realized mistakes were made

FooDangJan 4, 20181 votes

Cleanse was Viable until they buffed Heal. Mid lane will sometimes take cleanse because in a 2v1 situation hard CC could mean death via Rammus flash taunt. Bot lane you have 2 people which makes taking heal the most efficient and you have a support to back you up if you get in a sticky icky situation. Heal is always recommended for ADC unless support is taking it, then you will take barrier.

Mysticman89Jan 4, 20182 votes

To elaborate slightly on the support back up, the majority of good supports when facing a CC heavy team (that cleanse would be helpful against) will end up building item 3222 for you anyway. Still an early game window that can be scary, but it lets you keep building what you want to build.

QSS doesn't feel that bad on most adcs since item 3139 is not a bad item offensively in the long run, but mid lane mages feel somewhat worse about it so makes taking cleanse more appealing relatively speaking.