Meh...we both have valid points which goes to show just how many different ways there are to play and build champions. Sometimes I like to use the currently top rated Alistar guide by Playeer2 on this website sometimes I use this guide and other times I just try entirely new ideas. All my decisions are dependent on the current game, co-op team comp, enemy team comp, etc. But, in general I've found that this build works best for me. I think you should give this build a try and see if you like it. If you don't like it but like some aspects of it, it might give you some ideas for an alternative build. Anyone that tries to play a champion seriously should succeed to some degree. It's how we use our champions and builds that make us successful. Probably the only thing that keeps people playing LoL is all the different play styles and build options.

Enjoy :)

I've read through and still have to disagree with the build, as it is.

Your mana pool and regeneration are too little to be considered a sustained threat.

Considering how much mana Alistar's ult consumes, you NEED to enhance both your pool and regeneration rate. If you do not, Ali will either be forced out of position by being too unthreatening, or he will go OOM from trying to harass and then be useless because of it.

Utility masteries are what Alistar really needs.

Secondly, you should really consider building crystal scepter before the sunfire. Yes, creep farming is serious business, but player farming, especially feeding a carry, is what is going to win you the game.

Slowing enemies will help you position to setup ganks and disallow escape.

consider this: you can get swiftness boots and a banshee's veil for about the same price as sorc boots and a FoN.

compare the stats there. Alistar doesn't need the spell pen, but you will love having that first cc mechanic get absorbed by the veil when you initiate, you'll get the move speed earlier which will help ganks and chasing, extra hp is always good, a larger mana pool means more abilities means more farm.

Drop the defensive masteries- with vet scars nerfed a while back, its hardly worth getting. Ardor is useless (4% of not much is zilch) Strength of spirit is perhaps the worst mastery in all the trees. So losing the tiny bit of MR, Armor, HP ect is barely noticable.

If you are having trouble with survivability playing Ali early game, something is really wrong (stun, knockback, AND a heal!?) You are most likely to die early game because you were oom and couldn't use your abilities.

All the problems you are pointing out are valid but I have also discussed them and given recommendation. If you read into the guide a little closer you should draw the following recommendations.

FoN or Lich Bane is suppose to be your main source of movement speed but it does come a little late in the build. I also recommended that if you are in dire need of movement to get Teleport, Boots of Swiftness, Boots of Mobility or Quints of Swiftness. I recommended Doran's ring and Seals of Clarity for MP5 and if you are still having problems with mana/mana regen I recommended you use clarity or go to blue buff often. I'll be adding in and discussing RoA and Shurelya's as option/situational items because of the concerns you have mentioned. But, I don't really like these items because they don't have MR or armor and we are using Rylia's which is also defenseless and could leave you being kind of squishy.

I have a feeling you just looked a the build saw it's problems and didn't like it. But, this is a full guide not just a build so I have taken all your concerns into consideration. Please read it all, let is swish around for a moment and give it a try then let me know what you think.

Alistar is very dependent on move speed to be effective. Not getting any move speed upgrades beyond lvl 2 boots is severely going to hamper your effectiveness.

Couple this with an almost complete lack of mana / mana regen and you have a pretty useless champion here.

Your on the right track when it comes to itemization. But there is a lot to improve upon in the other parts of the build.

Nice too see someone stressing how important cs is