I have been one-tricking Soraka in the almost end of season ranked community.
The champion has been a long-term favorite back from season 3, along with the other sustain supports who could but at the time not match what she brought to the lane and its longevity.

With what is currently allowed-- through the runes change putting the certain problem champions back onto those paths-- though not at all aimed at the support, passively opening new paths with additional AP or utility for Soraka and others to consider for flexibility on a support icome.
See Ahri for mid, Sion top, and Soraka, Untested: Zyra/Sona

With the changes to our runes and income, a build that I have been working on has been made more efficient (I swapped my planned Luden for the Hexbelt).
With that, the introduction is over for the guide, and I can begin with the build's blueprints. The build is optional and to be tested further, with comments very much welcomed.

Tree 1: Inspiration

--Glacial Augment
-Magical Footwear. If you need boots early or plan to get Boots of Swiftness, pick up -Stopwatch (essentially if you don't need mercs/tabi)

-Biscuit Delivery. If going SpellThiefs into a risky matchup(Covered later) not because of poke (IE Pyke, Thresh), use -Future's Market for staying on par

-Approach Velocity is the better choice over -Time Warp, even with seal, and -Cosmic Insight at all points of the game with how much uptime you can have with the rune.


Note: Pick Glacial Augment, not shroud :). Thanks kiddo_rt[/i]
Secondary Tree I: Domination
If they have a hook or you need bush control for any other reason, or you want the extra damage, use the domination tree. [Reccomended]

-Cheap Shot
-Either Zombie Ward for vision control, which I prefer, or -Ultimate Hunter if the other lanes are even/they have globals-- at your discresion.


Secondary Tree II: Resolve

-The standard

-Revitalize and either -Second Wind/Bone Plating, at your discresion
-Extremely boring build to use if you're maxing W second (IE if they have huge burst that'll come into effet before you can max W third)

Ignite & Flash in most situations, unless either: your AD goes with Ignite for whatever reason; OR Top, mid has ignite and it's a Shaco jungle with Ignite. It's rarely a less efficient summoner over exhaust with its current patch.

Heal & Flash is great if they have a ton of burst damage, or can chase easily. It does require your AD taking barrier, though. Is preferred to have sacrificing a W max less punishable.

Q > E> W is most preferred. Unless they hit a powerspike that puts you or your aD in lethal, or if your AD can't position in fights, max W seconds.

Q (Starcall) is almost always maxed first as its most of your rune and build choice. With the additional AP your passive will heal for more over time with a lower cost of using W. Use W at the beginning and when your passive grants additional healing, then often.
Work on the rotoations of abilities, knowing the cooldown of W and having damage vs healing insight will help you decide between ultimates and W, while putting more efficient zoning/healing/damage.


An alternate is maxing E first, into W. I don't like this personally, but it's primarily to zone for damage reduction over relying on your Q hit, passive and W. It's also said to do more damage.

Starting Items:
Spellthief's Edge in most cases. Coin for difficult lanes that won't do anything until the phase ends.
However, if going up against a counter or difficult matchup, I would still go Spellthief's Edge to either use Q at range or Q>E>AA for longer trades, to not be countered furhter by playing a weaker start without your advantges.
Coin is decent if you're unable to poke, or if you think it's a farm lane without a push to tower.


First Back:
Poor Start: If poor, upgrade your support item and buy faerie charm, pink ward, potion in order of being able to purchase 1, 2, or 3. Faerie is better than health potions by being able to Q more often.
Costs: 575-650 for support item + Faerie Charm-with/without ward, up to 725-850 with full Fearie Charms- with/without ward & x2 potions. Back before 1,000 gold and if backing on this gold get another pink, and buy refillable if the AD is staying for B.F.

Average, doing fine: Either buy a Hextech Revolver and refillable option if you're able to trade, else buy 3 Faerie Charms and upgrade support item with one if possible. Buy 2 pinks.
- If against problematic AP bot lane, Buy the Null-Magic Mantle, updrade support item, buy up to 2 Faeir charms.
Costs: 1350 for Hextech & x2 Pink Ward (Fully control River option), 525-775 with Support Item, Pink ward-plus x3 Faerie charms (including support item)

Ahead, ready to snowball: Lost chapters and Doran's ring, opt out of Faerie for now but Null-Magic-Mantle is still a viable choice against AP. Buy a pink but prioritise refillable over a second. Spam Q's and Q>E>AA combos off cooldown & tether.
Costs: 1825 for Lost Chapter, Dorans, Refillable. This is literally a double or triple kill early, though.


Further building:
Viable items are:
-Hextech GLP-800. Get first part ASAP, finish second.
-Boots of Swiftness. Finish Third. Tabi or Mercs if against AD/CC, respectively; if opting out of early Lost Chapters and leaving with less than x2 Faerie Charms, Chalice of Harmony is better than Merc Treads.
-Chalice. Finish later, such as 4th. Against AP.
-Ardent. Idol builds from Charms for sustain in lane until it's finished, at which point W is effective. Ardent over Redemption for the AP and AA damage, even if there are no AS champions on the team. Rush Idol, complete before/after Support item
-Either Twin Shadows. Additional AP.
-OR Abyssal Mask for the AP Mid or Jungle
-OR Omen for chase, Frozen Heart for AS without Tabi if tank is needed.
-Either Knights' Vow for additional Tank, or if opted for TS/AM
-OR Again, Abyssal Mask if not above
-OR Banshee's Viel for seiging, allows agressive Q's needed as the team takes poke, and for almost a health potion ticking for a tank healed before engage (+ Ardent, Chalice.)
-OR Morello/Liandaries if they have heals, Liandaries if fights are drawn out and long with them winning through comp/where damage and bleeds are otherwise needed.

The purpose of this guide is not only to reccomend a certain playstyle and build with the champion, it's here for you to judge and comment on, improve or shed lights on weakness and hidden oppurtunity.

So please do speak your mind on this guide, and encourage discussion on external webites if you prefer your debates elsewhere.

Regards,