Essence Reaver has two main flaws. It's a dead end item, and it's build path makes no sense

5G8Nri0B54·Jun 23, 2014·7 votes·1,051 views

Let's start with the first point being a dead end item.

Quite frankly, it suffers the same problem as old Malady, Haunted Guise, etc. The item is nice and cost efficient, but cost efficiency only goes so far, the item isn't slot efficient. You'd rather sell it and buy a Youmu's or something instead.

Solution: Up the item's price and make it stronger OR make it upgrade into something relevant? Like I don't know, if it upgrades, have it's mana drain passive extend to ABILITY damage as well as AA damage or something. Then maybe it might be useful.

As for the second point about it's build path making no damn sense. The ONLY champion who'd consider this item useful are super mana hungry AD champions. But mana for all the ADC's that'd want this item ceases to be a thing by the time you save up for it. The item has a mid game price, while it tries to solve an early game problem. What's worse, at no point in building this item are you getting any mana-aid that a champion that'd want this item really needs. If you're desperate enough to buy such a terrible item, it means you really need help with this item. But it's build path does NOTHING to help you sustain your mana!

Solution: Add a mana-related item in this item's recipe.

Those are the main issues. Asides from that, it appears to be a laning item. The mana regeneration passive will rarely come up much in a fight. Maybe it'd work out in a siege, but you'll only get so much mana back competing with your allies to kill the minions asap.

16 Comments

ManchetteJun 23, 20143 votes

ADC's can sustain for days with it now. Its meant to be an extended team fight item, or a split-pushing item. It doesn't fit the mold of the meta because there was nothing else like it until now. Thus, the application of the item is still being evaluated.

If you are having trouble applying it, try not spending mana while using it.

Cosmic WarperJun 23, 20142 votes

It's still a trash mid-tier item that provides nothing worthwhile mid-late game for its cost. It's a noob trap, and it puts you behind while the other ADC is getting an IE and a vamp scepter as you're barely starting to build toward an IE. It's crap. It either needs a better recipe, something to build into for late game, or more AD and a higher cost. I'd prefer the first two options.

5G8Nri0B54Jun 23, 20144 votes

The mana costs for most ADC abilities aren't nearly high enough to justify it's cost unless you're like...Kog'maw or something. But even with Kog you'd rather have the recently buffed BotRK or BT instead.

Also..."try not spending mana while using it?" Maybe I'm just tired, but what do you mean?

Remlap1223Jun 24, 20142 votes

The mana costs for most ADC abilities aren't nearly high enough to justify it's cost unless you're like...Kog'maw or something.

Graves and Lucian would like to have a word with you.

5G8Nri0B54Jun 24, 20142 votes

They aren't having mana problems before the item existed,and they will continue to not care about mana after this item exists...although their dps may drop quite considerably if they pick this item up.

Remlap1223Jun 25, 20142 votes

You're not serious right? Graves is mana hungry until endgame. And Lucian's early game is quite mana intensive as well.

PorkcchopJun 25, 20141 votes

You'll do 100 times more damage rushing IE than building a trash item that barely gives back mana. You also don't get reaver early enough in the game to fix mana problems. By the time you get it, you should be fine mana wise.

yami545Jun 28, 20141 votes

i tried it on Lucian by the time i got it i no longer needed it as much and the mana problems were eliminated by trin force.

LìlyBeeJun 25, 20141 votes

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5G8Nri0B54Jun 25, 20141 votes

It still offers more DPS by a significant margin compared to Essence Reaver, and when you're Kog'maw, that's what you want. This is not AP Kog we're talking about, with AD Kog'maw, your best weapon is that W-enhanced auto-attack sped up by his Q Passive, that shield may not be too much, but for someone with zero self-defence like Kog'maw, it wouldn't hurt either. The alternative is BotRK which is a realistic choice as well especially after his buffs, plus the Active helps a little against divers too.

And after these two is Essence Reaver...which adds less damage, FAR less slot efficient, and a chunk of it's cost is to provide a trivial Passive. It may be cost efficient in theory, but the alternative is just so much better.

LìlyBeeJun 25, 20141 votes

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5G8Nri0B54Jun 25, 20141 votes

You do know that BT/Essence/BotRK holds the same sustain item base niche right? You get a Vampiric Scepter for sustain, and later you want to upgrade it to one of those three.

Linna ExcelJun 23, 20142 votes

I don't mind that it's a dead end item for that cost. Frankly it gives about as much as it should for the cost.

I've talked about fixing the build path here: http://community.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/live-gameplay/4kgLB4aA-essence-reavers-build-path

I think that ER is fine on some champs but most people don't notice the passive's effect. It is relatively invisible.

That and I think people are still trying to figure out it's usefulness. I think it works on some ADCs, some tops, and some AD junglers: http://community.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/live-gameplay/fAyIy7ww-how-does-essence-reaver-interact-with-skills-and-items

Remlap1223Jun 24, 20141 votes

Honestly, I see Essence Reaver as more of a Top Laner's item (Jayce is really the first one that comes to mind.) It allows for much better sustain top lane while still giving that lifesteal bonus. BORK is better, but if you aren't Renekton and your champion goes through mana like I go through Taco Bell, it isn't a bad option.

5G8Nri0B54Jun 24, 20142 votes

Except the laning phase is pretty much over by the time you get this item unless your teammates find a way to force the laning phase to last even longer somehow.

Also, it's a terrible item on Jayce.