Do I Need a Defensive Item as a Carry?

Kit DoubleEdge·12/11/2015, 8:41:51 AM·1 votes·378 views

Just curious if I need a defensive item when I pay a carry of some sort. I almost never get one because i forget about it and I would rather have the benefits of offensive items.

I feel like the AD items aren't that great. The one I would consider is Frozen Mallet, but that's expensive. The ones that build from QSS are ok, but compared to the AP ones like Zhonya's, Abyssal, etc, they don't feel as good.

If I should get one, when should I get it? As my last item? Second to last item?

6 Comments

IcyPepper12/11/2015, 8:51:01 AM2 votes

Only if you need it.

However, don't be surprised if even a tank can kill you if you get caught out. If you build no defenses, you don't last long. It's not that they have tons of damage, you're just tissue paper.

Use your range. ADC's and APC's are ranged for a reason. If you stay out of melee range and avoid spells of melee champions, you'll have an easier time. If you build no defenses and let them close the gap, that's more on you than any champion balance issue.

So yeah, if you can utilize your strengths and stay alive (which is the priority here, a dead carry deals no damage... well, except Karthus and Koggy), you're golden.

disregardable12/11/2015, 8:48:26 AM1 votes

When you're dying more than you should be. I wouldn't consider Scimitar a defensive item though. It winds up in my builds pretty consistently.

SpartenA799112/11/2015, 8:50:13 AM1 votes

Ap carries : item 3174 item 3001 item 3151 item 3027 item 3116 item 3048 item 3157 AD carries : item 3812 item 3026 item 3022 item 3072 item 3139 You'd have to be more specific on which champ and the enemy team. If you're ad carry, blood thirster 1-4th item, GA 4-6th item, mericual is very situation but around 3-5th item? No clue on ap because I don't play ap carries ever. I hate mid. Hope this helps. [slayer-pantheon-thumbs]

AyRe CoNteMpT12/11/2015, 9:21:31 AM1 votes

what is "a carry" ?

Critmaster Garen12/11/2015, 10:19:12 AM1 votes

not anymore. you used to, but riot has been slapping defense on their offensive items to the point its silly.

a "defensive" itemization for a marksman nowdays is building something like bloodthirster and phantom dancers.

i remember the outrage over the old atmas, when people where pissed that the item gave bruisers damage from building defense. but apparantly its ok for marksmen to get tanky by building damage. kek.

% damage reduction is the best defensive stat in the game. of course its ok to just slap it on an item with 45% attack speed and 30% crit.

ProfDrDeath12/11/2015, 11:16:15 AM1 votes

It depends on the situation, tbh.

If your team peels for you well enough or their team is not that threatening to you, you don't need as much defense. If your team cannot do that for you or an enemy assassin is fed, you should probably get a defensive item.