Midlane Matters: Are you entitled to blue buff?

On the rare occasion where I have an off day to kick back and relax, nothing usually keeps me more at peace and entertained than watching some League streams. Most of the time I don't sit still with just one stream, so I'll hop around until I stumble across one that really intrigues me. The more insight I can get from a larger pool of players, in my eyes, is a better way to learn this game. But sometimes you stumble upon some interesting topics which the streamers seem to convey.

Well this one streamer I was watching pointed out that, as a jungler, he feels that too many mid lanes assume direct control of blue buff regardless of the situation they're in. If their champion uses mana to cast spells, then it's a no-brainer they should be getting the second blue buff and all other blue buffs afterwards. So I thought to myself, how valid is this argument?

I agree that too often, mid laners assume blue buff as their source to direct power and control over their lane. They don't spend time looking at the more advanced things which you can also do when you obtain the buff. It's not a tool that'll guarantee you that you've won your lane.

The Verdict:

Now if you plan on finding a direct answer within this article, you can think again, there's just too many variables to consider to flat out give a 'yes' or 'no' answer. You can argue that some champions absolutely need blue buff to push effectively, or harass effectively, yet they're just more variables to the ever expanding equation. YOU need to decide how heavy each one gets weighted.

Thus, the convoluted answer you've been waiting for: It depends on the situation at hand and your own judgment will have to come into play.

What can a Mid Lane do with Blue?

Blue buff allows you to push a lane without the worry of losing mana in the process. If the enemy mid lane does not have a blue buff of their own, it's very easy to push them under tower or force them to lose their mana pool trying to even out the lane again. This isn't the only advantage of having blue buff though. It also allows you to apply a great amount of pressure and harass to the enemy, granted you're keeping track of where that pesky jungler might end up. These are two examples of what blue buff can bring to the table specifically in mid, which can evolve into more advanced forms of control around the entire map.

If you provide enough harass, or force him under his tower one too many times, you have the option to roam without having to worry about the enemy mid assisting. These are great advantages to have IF you actually take the time to use your buff for these reasons. I've fallen victim many times to just sitting in mid with my blue buff, mindlessly pushing the lane over and over again, leaving me vulnerable to jungle pressure and more importantly not using the buff to it's full power.

Now if your plan is to get that jungler away from your other lanes and into yours then try to communicate that idea. I feel as if not enough people communicate what they plan on doing with the buff, simply because they don't have the idea in their mind what they're trying to accomplish while under it's power. They say absolute power corrupts absolutely and so is the same with blue buff's effect.

The jungler might benefit more: 

There are many situations where getting blue buff as the mid should not be your priority, and giving it to your jungler might actually be a better decision. Junglers with blue buff typically clear their jungle faster, will have their longer base cooldowns (typically ultimates) up for more ganks, and just like the mana-user in mid, not have any issues with their mana pool. If you're dying in 1v1 situations I might be hesitant in providing you with a blue buff, simply because I'm not looking at your lane all the time.

This is usually when tunnel-headed junglers will assume direct control of the blue buff and not give a second of thought about giving it to the guy in mid. Junglers like this usually have the incorrect attitude while playing the game, and at this point are assuming they're going to have to carry this team, or at least the mid lane which leads to rather pungent team morale. If you see your mid lane die in a 1v1 multiple times before that second blue spawns, communicate with your mid lane. Provide him with oppurtunities to prove himself worthy of that blue buff. And if even after all you've done to help him, you still feel that it's a lost cause, don't lose contact and continue to communicate with your team.

Communication is the Key to the heart of this game!

If the jungler decides that giving you blue buff will more or less equate giving the enemy team the blue buff, don't get upset. Prove yourself for when the next blue spawns, or communicate to steal the enemy blue, or co-ordinate a gank to take the enemies' blue.
There are still many options to be had, even if you don't have a blue buff of your own.

In almost every situation out there which excludes champions, communication is the key to success. If you communicate to your jungle before blue spawns, what you motives are going to be when getting the buff, odds are he'll pass it on and hope you stay true to your words. Show your team respect, and they'll show you respect (most of the time) back.