AP Master Yi: Worth it?

[quote=RainDance]Hey all, Rainshade here, So, I am nearly 30 and have been enjoying Master Yi alot! He's a very fun, mobile champion. On a whim I started to build him AP, just to give it a shot and am really enjoying it. However, I have YET to get into a game without my teammates calling "WTF NOOOB!" and "Build him with AS/Vamp!" or "I used to play Yi all the time, youngster, and let me tell you..." I am curious, at level 30, especially in ranked games, is an AP Master Yi build viable? I understand it rather moves him away from a Carry position into a Mage/Nuker position, but in terms of K/D ratio and survivability, AP Yi seems substantially more usable. Any thoughts?[/quote]

[quote=Nighthawk]In ranked games, I would only do it if you don't have an AoE bursty mage already (annie, malz etc) but he can be a lot of fun for sure. Lichbane is god on him if you want to kill turrets. Ignore anyone who tells you to build AS/Vamp because they are a noob and that build sucks. But with good teammates, AP Yi is certainly a lot better in teamfights. Just don't expect to kill all of them and get a penta kill, especially if they get MR. AP Yi is a one trick pony, Alpha Strike, proc lichbane if your not getting focused, highlander if your STILL not getting focused and Meditate somewhere in there if you are getting focused.[/quote]

[quote=Searz]No, AP Yi is not viable in competitive play. His only damaging spell forces you to get right next to your enemy and that's not really ideal for a caster, right?[/quote]

[quote=Nighthawk]^ Meditate + Zhonya's = 7 seconds of healing for your full health, then Alpha Strike again? :P[/quote]

[quote=Searz]Yeaa.... no.[/quote]

[quote=Trojan995]If you like AP yi, go play annie She's viable in competitive play[/quote]

[quote=Searz]Or Anivia :D Love her.[/quote]

[quote=Kirluu]I'd say playing AP Yi, kind of removes his tower-killing capabilities. A Yi with good minion farm is supposed to, in the case of a long game, be able to go take out any buildings around half health without dying. Ofc. AP Yi might potentially be able to do this, but having to heal in the middle of it, kind of ruins the concept as it's likely you won't get away having to waste time on that. Potentially Yi needs one lane pushed forward, and while the enemy takes either baron or is pushing your mid, you're supposed to be able to do just the same damage to their base, if not more. That's my image of Yi at least.[/quote]

[quote=animorte]AP Yi is not viable, but I promise you Hybrid Yi is.[/quote]

[quote=BOTTLEOFWIN]AP Yi is viable, but I don't think it's right for ranked games, unless your transitioning from AP yi to HYBRID yi, then aight that might work. Because AP Yi rapes faces early game cause of your Alpha Strike but end up falling apart mid-late game. I would usually buy a hextech or guinsoo's rage blade around mid game to makes my Highlander more useful, with the AP from guinsoo's and hextech your Meditate would be OP. I would also recommend getting clarity for baiting and early game, for example if a person chases after you and your oom, pop clarity then meditate and finish him. AP Yi = Early Game Hybrid = Mid-Late game[/quote]