ADC build paths

Darkshade24·Mar 31, 2015·8 votes·4,802 views

I see many people on the boards wondering what to get on ADC's, and many people in game, who obviously don't know what to build. This post is meant to help with that.

First off, there are three "classes" of ADC's:

The "caster" class. this class includes champs such as: this class focuses on mostly using their abilities, with a few autos thrown in for the procs. A typical build path for a "caster" ADC, looks something like this:

2 the "Auto" class. This class includes champs such as: This class uses mostly autos to get their damage down, and usually have some kind of stacking proc(i.e. Rend, Silver Bolts, etc) A normal build for this class is this:

3 the "Traditional" class. This class includes champs like: (And basically every other adc in the game) By far the largest class, the "Traditional" class uses a mix of abilities and autos to do damage. A typical build path could be:

When deciding what to build, first determine what class does your champion fall into. Once you've done that, look at your opponents team comp. Say your champ is a "Traditional". If they have all squishy champs, then maybe you should get third instead of . If they have a long range poke champ, like , maybe you should get a as your defensive item. Always remember, your build is flexible. Never stick to the same six items in the same order without paying attention to your enemies and your team. And this isn't just to ADC's, every champion has a flexible build path. Don't stick to that one cookie cutter build.

I hope this has helped you out! Feel free to reply or message me if you have questions about a particular champion.

25 Comments

Old Man TeetoMar 31, 20152 votes

item 3078 or item 3087 or item 3046 -- or Kalista Only item 3085 item 3072 or item 3153 -- both situationally item 3006 --- item 3158 / item 3111 situationally (Very rarely) item 3142 - Mid-game centric build item 3031 - If building any other crit item (See row 1) item 3035 - Always 3'rd item. ALWAYS item 3026 or item 3102 or item 3139 item 3172 To replace boots if mobility difference doesn't matter.

Nova SkyeMar 31, 20151 votes

Thank you! Bookmarked! I was just about to post on how to know when to pick Triforce for an ADC LOL!

SonasaurousMar 31, 20151 votes

When is a good time to build item 3085 ? I usually build it as my last item, when i'm ahead, and the game hasn't ended yet for some reason, and I'm at the point where I'm just trolling until the game finally ends (which seems to be the only acceptable time to build that item for ADCs, because otherwise I see ADCs get flamed for building it). I think it's a hilarious item, especially when paired with item 3087 .

Also, when do you choose item 3087 over item 3046 ?

Remlap1223Mar 31, 20151 votes

It's a good time to build ASAP if you're fed as Kalista, Kayle, or Teemo. It's a bad item if you're behind, and is generally useless on the "Traditional" ADCs.

Darkshade24Mar 31, 20152 votes

Runaans is generally not a good item on ADC's, because it doesnt have a good place in the build order. If you want extra damage for your 6th item, instead of getting a defensive one, (Which I highly discourage, unless your hugely fed, and no one on the enemy team can kill you) getting a second item 3046 is much more slot efficient, and provides lots of extra damage. Basically the only ADC that builds runaans is Kalista . Because it synergizes extremely well with her E.

As far as the item 3087 vs item 3046 conflict, is far superior to on most ADC's. The only exception being Sivir , because it works well with her aoe damage. But even on Sivir, you can still choose if you prefer that playstyle.

I hope this helps!

DrathTurtle314Mar 31, 20151 votes

I've heard the argument that it is situational. Get item 3087 if you are split pushing or if you are in an extended laning phase and item 3046 if you are going to be team fighting a lot mid game. What is your opinion on this and are there situations where you would build shiv on other ADC's?

Darkshade24Apr 1, 20151 votes

There is some truth to this. But when split pushing, I would only consider item 3087 if my ADC had no waveclear, as item 3046 is more useful for actually hitting the tower, with the increased Attack Speed. just has more stats for a similar price. As another poster said, you should get if either your team has limited magic damage, or the enemy team is stacking armor. Also, Sivir can do quite well with it, but it's really a preference thing on whether you get it or not. An argument can also be made for Lucian to get item 3087 , with all his dashing around, and double auto's stacking it rather quickly. But it's really a preference choice like Sivir .

I hope I've helped!

Ariel the CruelMar 31, 20152 votes

Basically the only ADC that builds runaans is . Because it synergizes extremely well with her E.

Varus Twitch Teemo And potentially Urgot . Though it's more of a luxury item for his tank build(s).

XeroKimoMar 31, 20151 votes

For me item 3087 is for one of those burst like adcs like Graves Quinn Or adcs that can deal massive damage with one skill that procs on aa for a on hit effect like Vayne Draven ,Statik can also be optional on like ezreal as an example or cait if you can get your passive proc with it, it just people's playstyle, also statik can really be effective if they are stacking armor early so at least you are dealing magic damage. For item 3085 They are practically only effective on champs that have stacking/aoe/%hp/ap dmg in ranged like Teemo Kayle KogMaw Kalista Optional for Jinx when ahead as it's possible to overlap her rockets aoe if they are close enough

MattAkhavanMar 31, 20151 votes

There is nothing really wrong with builind hurricane last item if it is good on your champion, and that's really up to your discretion until you are pretty high elo. If you want to sell your boots for something i suggest either item 3046 or item 3172 . Tenacity is probably one of the most underrated stats in the game. I've had success with hurricane on champions like jinx or sivir cuz they do a shit ton of AOE damage.

Kalista can do hurricane first because she can infitely stack her E

go Shiv if you need wave clear, PD if you want to do more single target damage. Shiv synergizes with sivir as OP said and ashe because you are ensured 1 crit with the shiv proc making it do more dps in general.

SonasaurousMar 31, 20151 votes

I have recently gotten into the habit of selling my boots for item 3172 after I complete my build, but most often the game doesn't last that long. I also build item 3087 as my second or third item, but intend to sell it for item 3046 later, before or after (but again, games tend not to last that long).

So I guess my ideal final build (most cases) would be item 3031 item 3072 item 3035 item 3026 item 3046 item 3172 , though that is not at all set in stone and often changes every game (like if the enemy team is squishy, I usually pass on and get another AD item)

I usually play Tristana or MissFortune

MattAkhavanMar 31, 20152 votes

also it should be noted that if they are pretty squishy and don't have a ton of cc double pd gives you 90% crit chance so there's that. as for the second or 3rd item shiv, it's all preference honestly.

Remlap1223Mar 31, 20151 votes

I prefer Yomumu's for the "auto" class. I also enjoy building Black Cleaver and Wit's End on Miss Fortune, but generally those are really bad items on ADCs.

Darkshade24Mar 31, 20151 votes

item 3142 is an interesting item. It's very different from the usual ADC items, as i gives more burst damage. The best ADC's to get this item on would be Graves or Lucian , but only when ahead. Also, as you stated, the "Auto" class of ADC's do benefit from this item, it's really up to you on whether you get it on them or not. It definitely helps when assassinating someone, like with Twitch , but in building it, your sacrificing sustained damage output, as the only real item you can replace is your item 3046 .

As far as building Black Cleaver and Wits End on MissFortune goes, there are better options. Black Cleaver used to be situational for her a few Seasons ago, but now it's just outclassed. Wits End isn't that great on ADC's in general. I understand where you are coming from, but it's just not as strong as other ADC items. Most ADC items provide more damage then Wits End.

Remlap1223Mar 31, 20151 votes

The reason why I build Wit's End on MF is so her magic damage doesn't get instantly nullified. At max rank, yeah, her impure shots hurt a lot, but by end game, everyone's going to have enough MR to completely nullify it. Plus with MF, because 50% of her abilities do physical damage, Black cleaver allows her to shred her opponent's armor. Wit's End does the same thing, plus augmenting her magic resistance and auto attacks. The real icing on the cake is when she activates her Grievous Wounds. Penetration + armor shred + magic resist shred + scaling magic damage x Greivous Wouds = a dead tank. While not as effective as Vayne or Koggles in terms of taking out tanks, MF offers a lot more utility, and as such is how I build her.

Sergeant StephenMar 31, 20151 votes

So, basically, nerf Berserker's Greaves, because everyone takes it.

Remlap1223Mar 31, 20151 votes

It absolutely doesn't need to be nerfed, but if they were to change anything, it'd probably be the armor pen version of sorcerer's shoes.

Remlap1223Mar 31, 20151 votes

It absolutely doesn't need to be nerfed, but if they were to change anything, it'd probably be the armor pen version of sorcerer's shoes.

Darkshade24Apr 1, 20151 votes

These are the boots that most ADC's get, but there are a few exceptions. For example, Corki builds item 3020 , because of his high magic damage. And Ezreal can get item 3158 if he's going blue build.

CorvooApr 1, 20151 votes

item 3074 is without a doubt the only item you need on ant adc in the game

Darkshade24Apr 1, 20151 votes

Oh definitely, I actually get six of these, it's too OP. :)

Solidair3Apr 1, 20151 votes

You should note that Kalista is best off building a item 3085 rather than a phantom dancer.

Darkshade24Apr 1, 20151 votes

Yes, she does get item 3085 , but no other ADC does, so I didn't put it into the normal build, so people didn't think I was suggesting to get it on all "Auto" ADC's. But thank you for bringing this up! :)

VrashkApr 2, 20151 votes

I would like to make a case for BotRK on Varus as a situational item based on whether the enemy team has anyone that would scale up to a certain level of health, or if you just go back with 1400 gold. Considering the way Blighted Quiver stacks, and how much of his damage it is, if you don't need to poke the enemy laners out with Q, it's quite the option.

Darkshade24Apr 2, 20151 votes

Yes, it is an option to go that Attack Speed Varus, It's just not optimal compared to the traditional route, but, like you said, it's extremely viable if the enemy team is tanky. The combined Blighted Quiver stacks plus Bork will do insane %health damage.