How much do items really affect gameplay?

[Insane n00b]

Obviously they do a lot, but when I play and I'm building I don't seem to think hard enough about what that item will actually do and if there's a better item to chose, I usually go for recommended build or the general meta but I don't feel like the items do much, this is all part of me improving as a player but are there any tips to building properly in general not on specific champions?

 

[Sypherz]

You want to build based on what's happening in the game, as well as core items that synchronize with your champions.

Does the enemy team have 5 ad champions? Get that armor going.

Mid getting really fed and transitioning into mid game? you might want a negatron cloak to stay safe.

You're 3-0 and the enemy team has no early kills? Maybe build some heavy damage to continue snowballing.

You have to constantly think about what you can build to keep yourself in the game.

 

[Insane n00b]

I just played a game as nid support/nid carry and I noticed we had heavy AP enemies so I started building magic resist, I just can't seem to tell if there's any difference between that and building AP, like I don't notice it in the fights?

 

[PijaVenosa]

You're 3-0 and the enemy team has no early kills? Maybe build some heavy damage to continue snowballing.

Just noting that if you are getting fed, you have already bought damage, and have a few levels ahead, you should buy a defensive item, a fed enemy with some armour is much more threatening than a fed enemy with loads of damage.

 

[Almond Joy]

You want to build based on what's happening in the game, as well as core items that synchronize with your champions.

Does the enemy team have 5 ad champions? Get that armor going.

Mid getting really fed and transitioning into mid game? you might want a negatron cloak to stay safe.

You're 3-0 and the enemy team has no early kills? Maybe build some heavy damage to continue snowballing.

You have to constantly think about what you can build to keep yourself in the game.

I usually go with boots, 3 offensive items and 2 defensive items but 6 items would mean super late game.

I just build my core item then if I fall back behind, I stick with defensive items that lets me do damage while giving me mr/armor or whatever. A good item for falling behind adcs would be statik shiv.

 

[EliteEloBoosts]

Yeah item builds have a massive factor, many champions have certain builds that are pretty much basic but will vary depending on what you are going against and if you are ahead or behind.

In lower Elo's ive noticed that this is a big issue and many players have talent to proceed and only need to do a bit of research to improve

~You are smart to consider this, goodluck

 

[Proportions]

Just noting that if you are getting fed, you have already bought damage, and have a few levels ahead, you should buy a defensive item, a fed enemy with some armour is much more threatening than a fed enemy with loads of damage.

This, of course if you are a fed AP caster or AD carry there is no point stacking armour .. but worth getting some armour pen / magic pen with the extra gold to help counteract everyone stacking defensive items against you.

 

[Dragon Balls]

If you don't know how to play a specific champion, I suggest you to do the general build you find on Solomid or LoLPro. Riot's recommended item is usually out of date (but it's pretty general as well) but I wouldn't used it unless I know what I need.

The truth is, learn to play your champion first with the recommended build. After you learn to play your champion well, the item will naturally come your way on what you want to build. Good luck in the field of justice!

 

[Insane n00b]

Alright, I will take in to account all suggestions and analyse my games and champions specifically and learn what the best items to build at what points in a game are. Sidequestion, though.. there are often guides for what to do on "first backs" and what to buy, how do you determine when to back? Because most of the time when I back first it's because I lack mana or health but then I feel like I'm doing it wrong if I can't afford all the items on my first back, does it really matter?

 

[KerokeroCola]

If you are pushed out of lane, buy whatever you can that works next in the build. For example buy a Longsword if its all you can and you are trying to rush Bloodthirster.

However, once you lane a lot in the role, you learn your mana limits and should no longer have problems with mana. In this case, following suggested "first back" is always good. As an ADC it's always nice to back at 1550 gold to get a BF sword.

Also consider the builds, though. Get an extra Dorans if you plan to have more lane strength but weaker lategame. Dorans are really good if you have trouble staying in lane safely.

 

[PijaVenosa]

In season 3 when stacking doran's blade was a good thing.
Did anyone ever decide to get IE before Bloodthirster because you had 3 DBs and just 875 gold? (IE>BG>BT instead of BT>BG>IE)

Also, does anyone ever buy a Crit item before IE in an adc? I would only do that in vayne. But it makes me uncomfortable when someone buys stattik shiv on anyone before/instead of IE.

 

[KerokeroCola]

Sometimes you shouldn't build IE until your third or fourth item. If you are an ability based ADC, or you are going for a seige comp rather than teamfight, getting the raw AD from Bloodthirster is definitely better than an IE.

Since LW is guaranteed 100% necessary in every game ever now (tank meta OP), getting a pickaxe on 875 gold back isn't a bad thing.... it is useful for a Last Whisper.

Also, as ADC don't be shy of spending 750 gold on two longswords if you are pushed out early. They can be built later into Bloodthirster (needs 1), BotRK (needs 2), or Last Whisper (needs 1).



For mid and top, it's not as easy to simply prescribe a "first build item."

For a mid assassin like LeBlanc, you want to back when you get your first Needlessly Large Rod, at 1600 gold. For a mid AOE caster, backing early by 880 can give you an early game edge because it allows you to buy a chalice of harmony. If you get pushed out, usually a Blasting Wand is a good choice because it is used to build a Deathcap and a Void Staff (both are core on 90% of mids).

For top as a tankier player, I try and wait for 1325 so I can get a Giant's Belt and boots.




Of course, the important thing is to not back based on your gold, but more based on the game. If the enemy is pushed out, it's usually a good idea to push one more wave (so his tower absorbs 4-6 creeps) and then back. If you stay in lane, you'll be an item down which can really hurt you once the person decides to engage on you.

 

[Dragon Balls]

Alright, I will take in to account all suggestions and analyse my games and champions specifically and learn what the best items to build at what points in a game are. Sidequestion, though.. there are often guides for what to do on "first backs" and what to buy, how do you determine when to back? Because most of the time when I back first it's because I lack mana or health but then I feel like I'm doing it wrong if I can't afford all the items on my first back, does it really matter?

You back if you are dying or you can purchase your first core item or you've push your wave all the way. It doesn't matter, if your losing and you need to go back, than go back. This is normal.

 

[Insane n00b]

You back if you are dying or you can purchase your first core item or you've push your wave all the way. It doesn't matter, if your losing and you need to go back, than go back. This is normal.

Alright, I'll try not to get lost in "first back" guides for when I desperately need to back.

Thankyou everyone, this has been a great help and I will take into account everything that has been said and anything said in the future to improve my LoL experience.

 

[Chlue]

Just make sure you don't build the same shit every game it changes per game