Support: Early Game Situational Item Paths

Support players need to keep up the vision coverage for the team in the early game, so usually, they buy Sightstone early. Although it is preferred to buy Sightstone early, sometimes it may be better to delay buying it. In this article I will say a few words about when to delay buying Sightstone, and how to replace it's value.

Early Boots of Mobility

Most of you would not agree with taking Mobility Boots before the Sightstone is completed, that is why it is very situational item path. So, when is the best time to take Mobility Boots before Sightstone? Lane swap. Although we do not see many lane swaps in Solo Queue games, if it occurs, early Boots of Mobility are definitely worth. Why? Since your AD Carry will be left 1v1 against the enemy top laner, it opens more time for you to do other stuff, like helping other lanes, or call your Jungler and help him counterjungle.

How to replace Sightstone's value? Before completing your Boots of Mobility, make sure that you have some extra gold, enough so you can buy 2 Stealth Wards or 1 Stealth + 1 Vision ward. Delaying the Sightstone does not mean that you should not ward at all. You should still contribute in the vision your team has, so a ward or two in your inventory before you purchase the Sightstone is a MUST.

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However, lane swaps are not the only situation where you should buy Mobility Boots before the Sightstone. It can also happen if you have enough gold on your first back and you have to choose between Mobility Boots and Sightstone. In this situation the best thing is to ask your AD Carry whether he is fine with the decision you to roam more, or he wants you to just stay in his lane.

If he approves your roaming call, that does not mean that you should get Mobility Boots and totally leave the bottom lane not warded. Whenever you delay the purchase of the Sightstone, until you get it, you must have few Stealth Wards in your inventory, so you can replace its value.

Gold Income Item Upgrade

Another item that you can buy, and with that delay the Sightstone, is fully upgrading the gold income item (whether Aincent Coin, Relic Shield or Spellthief's Edge). This may sound weird, but it is an opportunity as well. So, when and why? Definitely the best way to do this is if there is extended laning phase on every lane. What do I mean under extended? All laners are just farming, with few attempts here and there for a gank.

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Why do I consider it worth? Well, having passive and long laning phase cannot last forever. At some moment, you or the enemy duo botlane will engage (whether commiting to a Teleport flank, or a gank). At that moment, it is important to have better stats than the enemy laners, as that will increase your chances to win the trade (or fight).

Another thing that is an advantage when you upgrade your gold income item, is obviously the gold income. Face of the Mountain recharges every 30 seconds, but it has 4 stacks, instead of 3 (as Targon's Brace). So if the laning phase is passive, you will be able to execute more minions, and with that increase your gold income. 

Same as when you get Boots of Mobility, you have to have your lane entrances warded, meaning you will have to purchase few Stealth Wards. 

With the three core items in the early game for Supports being any Gold Income Item, Boots and Sightstone, it is up to you to choose your item path. With this article I do not want to say that upgrading the other two items is better itemization than the Sightstone, yet that sometimes delaying it can have more value. However, whenever you decide to delay it, you have to replace its value, the vision it provide.

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Managing the items in the early game will dictate the flow of your game. Want to play defensive and allow your carry to farm as much as possible? Get Sightstone, as quickly as you get 800 gold, ward the lane entrances and make the laning phase safe. Want to create picks over the map? Early Boots of Mobility should help you rotate faster between lanes. 

Conclusion

With the Sightstone being a core item for every Support player, it is preferred to have it as soon as possible. However, in some situations, the better choice might not be to buy it as soon as you have 800 gold, but to delay it, whether to get early Boots of Mobility or upgrade your Gold Income Item (whether Coin, Spellthief's or Relic). At the end of the day, it all comes down to each player's mindset and playstyle.