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AP is better than AD

K54·2/15/2015, 1:32:45 AM·2 votes·1,400 views

I issue a Howling Abyss challenge. The rules are simple. Mirror match (that means we both pick the same champ), you have to build full AD (no AP allowed), and I have to build full AP (no AD allowed). Heads up, negative comments will not be humored until you can say your AD build beat my AP build in a 1v1. As of right now, I'm undefeated in this challenge.

The champions are Jax, Warwick, Shaco, Kog'maw, Tristana, Ezreal, Varus, Teemo.

I've been under a lot of fire in the boards due to my preference to build my champs as AP. Never get flamed for it in game, because the people on my team see how effective an APC can be.

The champions of my "noob tactics", "lack of experience", "trolling" and being a "victim of low elo society" because I build them AP are Ezreal, Kog'maw, Tristana, Shaco, Warwick.

I've even used APC Varus a few times. I understand the issue with that and I am totally OK with being flamed for AP Varus by people who didn't witness those games. So let me give you the numbers. Maxing his W by level 8 (each attack does 26AP plus 25% AP magic damage). Meaning with a measly 400 AP, I'm dealing 126 magic damage per shot, detonating for 21% maximum health every time I use Q or E, and hitting for 750 damage with ult that stuns for 2 seconds and detonates for another 21% of your total health. Meaning at the very minimum (even tanks) are getting hit for 63% of their total health when I AA > AA > AA > R > AA > AA > AA > E > AA > AA > AA > Q. Keep in mind all of his abilities, QER hit multiple champs, so with a item 3091 item 3115 & item 3085 with a item 3100 in my build... GAME OVER! Of course you have your item 3020 and the last item is optional as item 3151 item 3135 item 3089 or item 3165 depending on who you're facing. This is my ideal build for Teemo as well.

The other champ I never understand that people hate when built AP is Jax, but I've never in my life remotely saw a reason to build AD Jax unless my team comp was horrible and we needed AD damage from any source possible. 2 out of 3 of his moves benefit from 60% AP scaling doing 230 and 180 damage, the one that doesn't (counter strike) I see more as a utility move (like Pantheon's shield bash) to stun and absorb damage. His 220 damage ult has 70% AP scaling and works for every 3rd strike. With Jax, Warwick, item 3020 item 3115 item 3100 are a neccisity other items being fit for the current match situation. Of course Jax and Warick are junglers, which automatically makes 1st item item 3710 for Jax and item 3708 for Warwick (not valid in Howling Abyss 1v1 but just letting you know how a "troll" carries his team).

16 Comments

Sage Troy2/15/2015, 1:53:27 AM2 votes

If you want to properly test your theory you need to swap roles also, or watch other people perform the same test. Even if successful this would only show that you are very good with AP carries

Cindikle2/15/2015, 1:59:41 AM1 votes

You're comparing champions that are often balanced around picking AP or AD even tough they have both scalings.

Trist is a good example. She is far better as an ADC than an AP burst. Even more so after her changes. Sure she could work, but she had to snowball to work. AD just needed to get through mid game or get ahead early game.

It's not rare to see teams in the LCS pick an AD heavy team. But it is rare to see an AP heavy team. There are reasons for that. A balance is always best. But when it comes to a full team of AD vs AP. AD generally as the upper hand.

therealdragon2/15/2015, 2:25:30 AM1 votes

I'll try this out. 1v1 as Jinx. You build ap I build ad k? edit: k turns out we were only supposed to use the champs he picked, so imma do ww lol

K542/15/2015, 7:23:33 PM1 votes

So I did 1v1 a WW in Howling Abyss and I must say that early game WW before CD reduction takes the cake. Though late game item 3100Warwick takes the cake. AP Warwick also clears jungle faster early game with a lot more health after taking blue.

BrofessorF2/15/2015, 7:39:36 PM1 votes

The only problem is the only true "APC" is casseopia, burst and carry are different roles all together

ezreal kog and teemo deal some sustained damage so can arguably be called apcs if built that way, but ezreal and kog are more of ziggs style long range poke mages if built ap, and teemo still deals the bulk of his damage in burst

while varus would qualify as an apc for sure if build ap, he has no mobility, innate tankiness or hard cc other than his ult that other traditional mages bring to the table in his position, hence why cass isnt as highly played as most other mid laners

what im getting at is while the champs can be played ad or ap, and can be successful either way, those champs are played ad and ap for different roles, different styles, or would perform subpar in almost all situations in the current high mobility/burst meta if not paired with a support(varus/kog)

insaiyanbacca2/15/2015, 9:44:24 PM1 votes

never underestimate ap kog

BluePolarizer2/15/2015, 1:45:17 AM1 votes

GL with AP riven, AP garen or AP pantheon.

Major Hardstuck2/16/2015, 5:17:14 PM1 votes

the problem with this whole thing is how it holds up in a 5v5 not whether one build on a champion can shrek another build on the same champion. Someone builds Bilgewater on Zed and I build Brutalizer ofc I'll have more damage in a duel and win, and continue to win with my increasing damage. It's almost a surgically precise process to perform well with these AP off-builds in normal situations. Can AP builds be strong? Yes. But is it always the right path?