There are a lot of ways to start off the game with items, but I think a lot of people have misconceptions. They think Doran's items provide more health and stats so they're a better start. Let me clear this up.
Starting with a Doran's gives you 100~120 effective health.
Starting with boots + 3 health pots gives you 150 x 3 = 450 effective health
Starting with mana + 2 health pots gives you 150 x 2 = 300 effective health
Starting with cloth armor + 5 health pots gives you 150 x 5 = 750 effective health.
Starting with a Doran's gives you either mana regen + AP, AD + lifesteal, or armor + health regen.
Starting with boots gives you movement speed to avoid ganks and harass efficiently.
Starting with cloth armor gives you armor to counter AD lanes and junglers.
I'm pretty sure 450 and 750 is a higher number than 100 or 120.
If you're going mid, buying boots 3 or mana 2 gives you more effective health in your lane.
If you're going top, buying boots 3 or cloth 5 gives you more effective h…