Patch 5.22: Supports and how to adapt to the Item Changes that affect them

The first of the preseason patches is live, and so are the changes coming with it. As most of you already know, the preseason changes are focused on the AD Carry role. However, there are some other changes in the game. So we are going to take a look into the items that affect the Supports. 

First, I am going to say a few words about how the changes affect the gameplay.

First thing, Stealth Wards are gone, but the Warding Totem (Yellow Trinket), now generates a new charge every 180 seconds (on level 1), down do every 120 seconds (level 18). So how is this going to affect Support's game? Since Supports always change trinket to Sweeping Lens at the same time they purchase Sightstone, this change will only affect their early game. The key in adapting to this change is to track the number of charges you have, and know where you are going to get the next one as well. 

The key change that will change the item path of the Supports in the early game, and affect their game the most, are the changes that are made to the Gold Income Items. Talking about the Tier 1 gold income items (Relic Shield, Ancient Coin, Spellthief's Edge), there are some changes on all of them.

Their gold cost is reduced from 365 to 350 gold, but individually:

- Relic Shield: Now grants 2 gold per 10 seconds
- Ancient Coin: Now grants 4 gold when a nearby minion dies, instead of 3 as it used to
- Spellthief's Edge: Now gives +8 gold on attack enemy champion or structure, instead of 5 as it used to

Art Credit: http://za-leep-per.deviantart.com/art/Cowboy-Thresh-364897052

So, this change will give you a lot of flexibility when choosing the starting item. It is recommended to get Relic Shield, when you play tanky Supports that need more Health at the begining of the game, so you can zone out the enemy carry, or have better stats that can improve your chances in winning lane trades. For example, Thresh, Braum, Alistar will all work great with the Relic shield, like they used to.

For Ancient Coin or Spellthief's Edge, choosing between these two items comes down to each player's playstyle. Janna is a great example of a Support that can be played with either of these items, but the choice comes down to whether you decide to stay more passive and defensive in lane (take Ancient Coin), or you are going to harass them as much as you can (take Spellthief's Edge). So there is no certain rule which item to take for certain Support. 

Those were the changes for Tier 1 gold income items for the Support. The changes to the Tier 2 items (Targon's Brace, Nomad's Medallion, Frostfang) are pretty much just a buff to the stats they provide, but I will not comment each of them right now, because they are just an upgrade to the Tier 1 item, so whatever you choose as first item will decide what Tier 2 gold income item you take.

The biggest change that affects the Support's item path in the early game is the Tier 3 gold income item (Face of the Mountain, Talisman of Ascension, Frost Queen's Claim). The thing is that you now have two possible upgrades for that Tier 2 > Tier 3 item.

- The first possibility is to combine the Tier 2 item with some other item (depends on what item), and buy the old Tier 3 gold income items we've used so far. However, the new thing that is possible with this patch is combining the Tier 2 gold items with the Sightstone, and create the so called Eyestones:

- Eye of the Equinox

This is the first of the Eyestones, which are also considered a Tier 3 gold income item. It's components are Targon's Brace and Sightstone. So what does this and the other Eyestones bring to the table? You can still use the Passive from the Targon's Brace (execute minions to share gold), but, instead of having the active shield that Face of the Mountain provides, this item works as a Sightstone as well.

- Eye of the Oasis

This is the second of the Eyestones, upgraded from Nomad's Medallion. Same as the previous one, it still keeps the passive from the Nomad's Medallion, but instead of movespeed buff, it works as a Sightstone.

- Eye of the Watchers

The last of the Eyestones, having Frostfang and Sightstone as it's components. Just like the other Eyestones, it is still keeping the passive from the Frostfang, but actively working as a Sightstone. 

- The changes that Eyestones bring to the table

So how do these items change the item paths that a Support can have. Well, the first thing is, if you choose to pick one of the Eyestones, that means that you have one item that works as a gold income item and Sightstone at the same time. This means that you will have an extra slot in your inventory for more items. 

This will surely be the item that every Support will pick up, to gain an extra slot in their inventory. However, to change things up and not totally destroy the classic Tier 3 gold income items (Face of the Mountain, Talisman of Ascension, Frost Queen's Claim), there is an option in which you can go a classic Tier 3 item + Sightstone as your Item Path.

Most of you will say that this does not make any sense, but it does, because of the Ruby Sightstone buff. It now grants +500 Health Points (instead of 400), and more importantly, Active Item cooldowns are now reduced by 10%. So, when and why should you go for Eyestone, and when should pick up the well-known classic build with the Tier 3 item + Sightstone.

There are a lot of arguments for and against each of these builds, but, in my opinion, these items are preparation for the later parts of the game, so you need to think a little bit ahead to make the decision. The next items you are going to make should help you in your decision which way to build your items. 

- If you are planning to play a game with a lot of active items in your inventory, then it is better to go Tier 3 item + Sightstone. The 10% cooldown reduction on the active items will be really useful in later parts of the game. Taking Tier 3 item means you can use his active as well (Shield, Movespeed Buff, or Slow, depending on item), so it works really well with the Ruby Sightstone. Items that can work really well with this build are: Mikael's Crucible, Locket of the Iron Solari, Randuin's Omen, and many, many more.

- On the other hand, if you plan on stacking more defensive items (like Frozen Heart, Sunfire Cape, Thornmail) and some other non-active items, then you will need that extra slot that you get if you decide to go with an Eyestone. So it pretty much comes down to the enemy team composition. 

If the enemy team has a lot of AoE damage output and CC, then it's safer to get some items that can provide shields and debuffs for the team, meaning you should go with the Ruby Sightstone + classic Tier 3 item. On the contrary, if the enemy team runs assassins and champions that have huge burst potential, then it is better to have that one more item slot for another defensive item.

However, if you buy active items that does not mean that you must go with the Tier 3 + Ruby Sightstone build, but it is preferred because the buff from Ruby Sightstone will show its true value. At the end of the day, it all comes down to each player's playstyle.

Conclusion 

The preseason has started, and so have the changes. Although these preseason changes are focused on the AD Carry role, there are some changes for the Supports as well. Hopefully with this article will help you learn something new, and the explanation gives some answers to the questions of "what items do I buy after this patch and why?"

 

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