Most Annie players opt for Rod of Ages as their first item for Annie. In this guide, I will walk you through another play style of Annie.

Annie requires many different stats in order for her to scale in the early game.

Greater Glyph of Ability Power x3
--> Additional AP.

Greater Glyph of Cooldown Reduction x6
--> It gives early 5% CDR.

Greater Seal of Armor x4
Greater Seal of Magic Resist x5
--> Annie needs both of these components because you don't know what you're up against. It may be an AD mid and AP jungler or vice versa. Also expect occasional teleport plays from the top lane, which could be AD or AP.

Greater Mark of Magic Penetration x9
--> It strengthens Annie's damage especially to enemies who did not buy early magic resist items.

Greater Quintessence of Ability Power x3
--> A small amount of starting AP.

As viewed above, I chose the keystone mastery Deathfire Touch under the Ferocity tree. Not only it allows me to pick Piercing Thoughts but also its damage can kill enemies with a very low amount of health who just escaped from your range.

Under the Ferocity tree, Expose Weakness can be replaced with Double Edged Sword if you want additional damage.

Under the Cunning tree, Meditation can be replaced with Merciless if you want additional damage and you care less about your mana consumption.

Ghost and Teleport PERIOD!

Advantages and Disadvantages of Ghost over Flash:

+ Usually for kiting and easier dodging of fatal enemy spells
+ Easier chasing of the enemy for potential kill
+ Has synergy with Rylai's Crystal Scepter
- Weaker set potential
- Can't go to the other side of the wall, etc.

Why choose Teleport?

Teleport is best for lane ganks and winning lanes. Effective use of Teleport can turn a losing bot lane, for example, to winning one.

So say goodbye to Annie's Flash-3Spells-Ignite combo for the meantime if you're following this guide. :)

Starting Items

...The Dark Seal: Because of Annie's Disintegrate, she doesn't need mana regeneration that much. Additionally, the bonus health from Potions is a very great sustain. Buying this as an early item would give Annie 3 Health Potions to start with. But unlike Doran's Ring, The Dark Seal gives flat mana instead of flat health. Take note that The Dark Seal won't be upgraded to Mejai's Soulstealer as we progress through this chapter.
...Health Potions: a.k.a biscuits :)
...Warding Totem: Basically for warding against potential enemy ganks.

First Back Items

...Needlessly Largely Rod: It will give Annie the burst she wants to start dishing out large amount of damage and send enemies home, recalling or respawning.
...Boots of Speed: Chase or kite. You choose. :)

Core Items

...Rylai's Crystal Scepter: This is the heart of this guide. This makes Annie the slowing pyromaniac you want her to be. Plus the health from this item for early sustain.
...Sorcerer's Shoes: The best Boots of Speed upgrade for Annie.
...Abyssal Scepter: Thanks to Patch 6.9, this item now gives 10% cooldown reduction which is more helpful for Annie. Also it makes Annie more resistant to magic damage and lessens enemy's resistance from Annie's magic damage.

Luxury Items

...Void Staff: Annie's permit to delete whoever she wants. :)
...Zhonya's Hourglass: Another changed item from Patch 6.9 and it now gives 10% cooldown reduction. Aside from that, it's active can be used to avoid massive damage or dodge lethal damage. Also gives Annie the armor she lacks.
...Rabadon's Deathcap: Amplify Annie's AP with this.

This play style has its own pros and cons. But once you master this, you will enjoy how it works.

Feel free to comment on anything written here. Thanks for reading. Have fun!