Game to Game Itemization

ActualPain·12/9/2014, 4:02:13 AM·1 votes·602 views

I often hear streamers/pros say they will get X item because the other team has Y champion, but I'm not really getting the logic behind these choices. Obviously I understand stuff like if the other team has 4 AD with a support Lux, then stack armor, or if they have an AP top and Jg, then get plenty MR. Also I get the obvious counters, like Zhonyas or QSS vs. Zed and such. But sometimes I hear somebody say stuff like "I'm building Sunfire b/c I'm against Riven". Point being that I don't understand why "Riven" is so important here and other cases like this.

Can anybody explain to me more in-depth about counter-itemizing?

6 Comments

TehNACHO12/9/2014, 5:20:04 PM2 votes

In the Sunfire vs. Riven case, Riven has no particular ranged abilities aside from her ult, and Health+Armor stacks well against her defensively. In other words, if Riven wants to fight, she has to sit in Sunfire's burn for the entirety of the fight while at the same time the Armor and Health are warding off her damage. She gets hurt, you don't.

It's more about realizing what champions have what strengths and weaknesses, and how to best take advantage of it with items. Champions like Riven for example have nothing but approximately melee ranged attacks in their kit, and do nothing but Physical Damage, putting them in danger of Sunfire's burn while at the same time Sunfire's stats defend well against them.

Leti the Yeti12/9/2014, 4:08:21 AM1 votes

Well, its like when they have all ad and you're rammus so you would build thorn mail partially yeah... they are all ad and partially cuz rammus really benefits from high armor and thorn mail or I'm building sunfire b/c I'm Mundo/Shyvana... whom already does aoe damage around them and no reason to whynot have more... also makes them tankier I'm taking tiamat cuz im Nocturne, works aprticularly well cuz it stacks with his passive which is already like a mini tiamat

Adc's might build 30% life steal because he/she is up against thorn mail maybe the midlaner is building morellos because the other team has Mundo, Mundo heals crap tons and you should really be buying it idk it JUST WORKS, dont question it

FiendOfOne12/9/2014, 4:11:07 AM1 votes

Riven is an all in champ. 1) Armor is good against her. 2) Health is good against her. 3) Sunfire is going to be hurting her the whole time, even when she knocks you into the air. If she uses her shield coming in, then sunfire will eat through some of it before you even hit the ground.

It's because Riven is required to be up close and personal, even while her CC is active. Armor, health, and burning down her health even while you're CC'd (or her shield, either way is good). It's things like that.

WiegrafOfValor12/9/2014, 6:49:14 AM1 votes

Most of the time is more useful to build something to expand or complete your champion.

WW for example, he is all AP dmg, even with his AD ratio on R, so I can complete him with M. Pen and on-hit bonus dmg since synergize with his ult. Mostly because he has % max hp dmg. So M. Pen is better than upgrade his ratios.

Every champ that has % max enemy HP dmg is worth invest on Pen, Amumu, Vi, WW...

On other hand we have Olaf, He has True dmg and Passive Tankness with his ult. You can invest in AD or Armor.. but you can expand your plays by building him as a HP tank, put one MR item ( Visage or Maw ) and one AR item ( Sunfire, cause it gives HP and over-time dmg is a good choice ). Now you're really tank and a good initiator because of your CC imunity, Put some Mov spd for chase and disengage, Use your True dmg often for good trades.

There's nothing wrong in counter enemies with items, but sometimes just a few attitudes can have a better effect, and enchancing your possibilities by covering up your champion weakness or buffing his strenghs could secure a win.

SummonerSquid12/9/2014, 2:01:38 PM1 votes

It's difficult to answer your question in a general way. Is there a particular situation you have in mind or can you think one up?