ARAM Tip: Essence Reaver Vs. Sanguine Blade

When it comes to ADC (and some bruisers) the lifesteal item usually comes down to 3 items. Blade of the Ruin King, Sanguine Blade, or Essence Reaver.

However when it comes to the last 2 items, most people argue about which is better. Let us compare the stats of the 2 items in question so we can see which one is better.

Sanguine Blade (2275 gold) +45 attack damage +10% life steal

Unique: Your basic attacks grant +6 attack damage and +1% life steal for 8 seconds (maximum 5 stacks).

Note: This is the cheaper item of the 2 and as such the damage is lower. If you manage to get all 5 stacks up that gives you 75 AD and 15% lifesteal. Very nice for it price but it can be difficult to keep the stacks up on minions due to ally wave clear/poke from enemies.

Essence Reaver (3200 gold) +80 attack damage +10% life steal +10% cooldown reduction

Unique Passive: Your basic attacks restore mana equal to between 2% and 8% of the physical damage dealt, based on your missing mana.

Not: This item is more expensive indeed but this offers more for it. Even if Sanquine Blade is at max stack, Reaver still gives more AD (80 compare to 75) and the added benefit of CDR. And since the 80 AD is up all the time the Champ's abilities that scale off AD will do more damage. Speaking of abilities, Reaver will allow the user to use them more thanks to the 10% CDR and the mana return they get from auto attacking.

Final Thoughts: While Sanguine blade is cheaper and offers more life steal compare to Reaver, Reaver beats Sanquine in everything else. So in my opinion, if you are deciding between the 2 items, go with .

But what do you prefer to buy and why?