Itemization for carries/assassins when I am ahead, but my team is behind
For this I will use Vayne as an example as I am playing her a lot recently, but the question I think it does apply to any ad/ap carries or even assassins.
My first two major items are offensive items (BotRK and Phantom Dancer or Statikk Shyv).
The third item could be either another offensive one (Last Whisper, IE or Bloodthirster) or a defensive one (mostly GA).
Lets say that by the time I have to make the choice we are (partially) out of the laning phase and skirmishes are happening over the map with full 5v5 teamfights soon to come.
If I am behind then I choose based on whether or not I am being focused in teamfights and the ability of my team to protect me. If I am ahead and my whole team is ahead then I chose damage, as there is little risk involved.
My question is what to do when I am ahead but my team is behind (I am fed, but most of the kills in my team are mine and the enemy team has 2-3 fed champions).
- As I am the only one at this state of the game that does real damage in my team I could choose damage, as it will scale exponentially with what I already have. This way I think we stand a chance of winning if I manage to deal my damage but any little mistake (getting caught, being focused etc) will pretty much cost us the game since if I die my team loses any advantage or leverage it had.
- If I choose a defensive item I can survive a little longer to deal my damage, I can take bolder risks, I can escape some situations where I would have been otherwise dead. However I feel like I won't have enough damage. Also if I get caught most of the time won't matter what defensive items I have, I am dead anyway.
So what is the smart choice here? Should I risk it all and get more damage and hope I kill them before they kill me, or play safe and hope we can last longer and win (maybe they throw, maybe we get a few lucky kills/objectives)?
Please note that is only about the 3rd item choice, not about if I should go glass cannon all the way. Even if I choose damage, there will be be eventually a defensive item (maybe the next item, maybe the last).
Also the question I have is about the route: offensive or defensive, not which items specifically. Once I made my choice, I know what items to take depending on the game.
If it matters, I am Silver.
Thank you.
Best Answer
When you are ahead, if you are a carry or assassin, you need to continue to build damage.
Why? If you manage to catch an out of position enemy, you need to be able to capitalize on this. If you build defensively, there is a better chance that enemy will get away. You also need to continue to be a threat so that it is riskier for them to try to dive/take objectives. If you don't have enough damage, they can simply ignore you and shove harder without risk of dying when at a turret. Also, your team will likely need the damage if there is a good opportunity for a dragon or baron. Say the enemy team goes back and dragon spawns right as they do, you will have the time to clear the dragon very quickly and get back. If you build defensively, you might run the risk of killing it slower. Same with if you get a lucky ace then you will be able to clear the baron quickly enough before they respawn.
How? It is extremely important to be mindful of positioning. You need to be in a spot that will allow you poke or deal damage to an enemy but at the same time not get caught and focused down. While building offensively is riskier, it's also the best chance of pulling a win for your team (only if you are an assassin or carry. Tanks still need to be tanky). Try to get your team to focus on protecting you. If you can keep your damage up and live, you have a chance to win fights. Your team will need to focus on farming awhile and waiting on them to make mistakes or become too aggressive. Warding is still very important, so if you are the only one ahead it might be worth you buying wards to help out. Vision will win you games here because it could potentially help your team catch an enemy out of position or prevent your team from getting baited into killing someone who appears out of position.
TL;DR; Build damage if that is your role. It is riskier but you can mitigate this by helping to ward. Have your team focus on protecting you since you are the largest point of damage on your team.
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