ADC: Is stacking outdated? A detailed analysis

The ADC role in Smite is a very interesting and difficult one. The lategame is where they shine, being able to destroy enemies and carry games. But how do they get there safely? Before the buff to Soul Eater, building stacks was mandatory in order to compete with the enemy ADC. Nowadays, more and more players prefer to rush core items in order to get earlier power spikes. Even during Super Regionals we saw the new trend. Let’s do some comparison.

Death's Toll

Cost: 800 gold
+15 Physical Power
+90 Health
PASSIVE: Hitting an enemy with a basic attack restores 6 health and 1 mana.

Since Season 1 Death's Toll has been a valid starter item for the ADC role. Providing power, health and a passive that rewards your for successful basic attacks, the item gives hunters everything they need. Favorable gods are Rama, Apollo and Anhur - whose kits are based around basic attacks and synergize very well with Death's Toll. Moreover all 3 gods have trouble poking the enemy to build Bluestone stacks.

After buying Death's Toll you'll have 700 gold left. Now there are 2 common paths you can go:

1. The classic start

  

This is the classic ADC start and has been established since Season 1. Providing strong sustain due the passive of Death’s Toll, 7% lifesteal and 90 health, the hunter can easily heal himself by hitting enemies with basic attacks. The 7% lifesteal grants 2-3 health at level 1 and increases with higher levels. Once out of mana you'll have a hard time clearing the wave. After 1400 gold you can return to base, purchase Devourer's Gauntlet and start to build your stacks. 

2. The alternative start
Since the remake of Soul Eater people tend to build it instead of Devourer's Gauntlet, which led to a new common start:

    

With Death's Toll and Boots you also have strong sustain combined with 6% movement speed. The big deal is a price of 1100 gold, which lets you buy some potions and save some gold for later items. Having 2 or 3 of each potion allows you to use abilities often and to fight the enemy ADC.

Which one is better for me? - Each start has its pros and cons:

From entering the lane until the first back:

During this period the alternative start is way stronger than the classic one. As mentioned before the 7% lifesteal is not a big deal in the early stages of the match, but having more Mana and Health Potions can get you ahead after 1 or 2 minutes! Imagine yourself poking during the first minion wave and both ADCs have half health and mana - which start would have an advantage? There is no doubt that having 2-3 of each Potions would be more than helpful in this situation. Win for the alternative start!

The first back:

Even after the first back, the alternative start has its advantages. In the duo lane, an early rotation of mid and jungle often leads to a kill or forces someone back to base. Let's compare backing with both starts:

With the classic start you want to have at least 1400 gold before you return to base for the first time in order to start stacking. With alternative start you want to have 1250 gold in order to finish your Warrior Tabi. Being able to return to base 150 gold earlier is one positive aspect, but let's assume both ADCs return to base with 1400 gold. Who has the advantage after backing? 

Classic start with Death's Toll and unstacked Devourer's Gauntlet (2850 gold):
+40 Physical Power
+90 Health
+10% Lifesteal

Alternative start with Death's Toll and Warrior Tabi (2350 gold):
+55 Physical Power
+90 Health
+18% Movement Speed

Even though the classic start has a small amount of lifesteal, the ADC with the alternative start will probably have the advantage in lane. More power and more movement speed is a good trade for the 10% lifesteal, moreover there is enough gold left for the first Active, Wards or Potions. Not to mention the possible advantage you already have because of easier laning until now. Win for the alternative start!

After 3 items:
To complete our comparison let's compare both builds after finishing 2 items (Devourer's Gauntlet fully stacked):

Classic start (4400 gold):

  

+110 Physical Power
+90 Health
+18% Movement Speed
+25% Lifesteal

 Alternative start (4350 Gold):

  

+70 Physical Power
+390 Health
+15 Physical Protections
+18% Movement Speed
+20% Lifesteal
+15% Attack Speed

At this point, the alternative start will still outperform the classic start. Having more health, protections and attack speed is just a huge advantage. Especially since the lack of penetration in the early stages of an ADCs game. But the later the game goes from now, the more beneficial Devourer's Gauntlet will get. This is because the protections and health of Soul Eater won't have a big impact due to penetration. Still win for the alternative start!

All in all, the alternative start without stacking is a small risk and a pretty high reward. You will have an advantage over someone who builds Devourer's Gauntlet from the moment you enter the lane until the mid/late game. It even gives the ADC more safety against the enemy jungler bringing you sooner and safely towards the lategame. Overall, it is really safe and has a high chance of getting you ahead. Studying this week's Super Regionals, one might notice that there are clearly more ADCs building the alternative start and now you know why!

 

Bluestone Pendant

+15 Physical Power
+100 Mana
PASSIVE: Enemies hit by your damaging abilities take additional 30 physical damage over 2s. (Max 2 Stacks) 

Bluestone Pendant is a pretty strong item for all ability-based gods. It rewards you with additional damage for each ability hit and is an aggressive way to enter the laning phase. Due to the extra damage you can clear the Minion wave easier and poke or even kill the enemy. It is however mandatory to keep the stacks on the enemy as often as possible, that's why some gods work better with Bluestone than others.

Favorable Gods: Medusa, Ullr, Neith, Xbalanque - Each has a relatively easy way to put 1 or 2 Bluestone stacks on the enemy, granting them lane dominance and kill potential.

For ability-based hunters there are 3 common possibilities to start: 

1. The non-stacking start:

   

The safe way to start with Bluestone is to buy Boots and 2-3 of each Potions. Like mentioned before having money over for potions makes the life of an ADC easier. By finishing Warrior Tabi after only 1250 gold you'll get your first power spike early. However if your playstyle/god is really mana-hungry, you should probably go with Transcendence.

2. The greedy Start:

  

This start is probably the strongest one in terms of raw power and kill potential. Giving you 25 power + the incredibly strong Bluestone passive, your abilities will hit like a truck. It is risky though, since you have no health sustain and gold for only one potion. Once out-poked you’ll have a hard time. The second downside is the huge amount of gold you need for your first power spike – 1900 gold to finish Transcendence.

3. The Trans Start:

  

Before Bluestone got reworked ability-based hunters tended to start with Charged Morningstar + a few potions. Building mana stacks after 1400 gold afterwards allow them to use abilities often and have a huge amount of power. With the additional mana and the potions this start is a relatively safe. 

The agony of choice:

This choice for ability-based hunters is more about personal preference than pros and cons. If your playstyle is mana-hungry, you should definitively build Transcendence. If you want to finish core items as early as possible and have an efficient mana management you don't have to stack mana. If you are greedy and confident of getting an early kill, go for the Bluestone + Morningstar start.

 

Conclusion:

To answer the question "Is stacking outdated?" - Lifesteal stacks? Yes! Mana stacks? No!

Soul Eater gives just too much to not buy it for only 2000 gold:
+300 Health
+10 Physical Protections
+15 Physical Power
+20% Lifesteal
+15% Attack Speed

The fact that Soul Eater is incredibly strong for a small amount of gold just replaces Devourer's Gauntlet as the lifesteal item in most cases. However, ability-based hunters can still stack Mana and buy Soul Eater.

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