You should try something else with 
Aatrox, and here's my thought process:
1) Aatrox seems pretty decent right now because games have a lot of auto-attackers and often burst is set aside for right clickers. He thrives against lack of burst;
2) Aatrox is a great splitpusher because he is an amazing duelist. How do I make him thrive?
3) I don't like BotRK right now, as it gives negligible AD;
My first problem was "how do I replace BotRK"? Hydra is a decent option, but I decided to go for Death's Dance. The item has the same gold cost as BotRK and, although I'm sacrificing attack speed, the dueling moments where it counts you should be using your ult and and your passive. Also, let's not forget Aatrox heals for a great amount and this item turns 12% of the damage into bleeding that you should be healing during the entirety of the duel. CDR is also a pretty decent stat that helps you have Q and E more often to applacate the lack of BotRK passive.
Now you may ask "what about attack speed?" This was the hardest for me to figure out. Guinsoo's is another great option on Aatrox just because the item is broken AF and you can get it second if you're going even/ahead for sure. However, there is no true amazing AS item for Aatrox ever sinze they got rid of Zephyr and BotRK is only an ok option to me. I decided Phantom Dancer was actually a good option for a splitpushing Aatrox because it isn't costy and, even if the crit isn't a stat you should count on, if you get it + death's dance you're effectively taking 12% reduced damage from your main target + 12% damage taken as a bleed effect. This is not a joke for a duelist.
Visage is a must have if they got any sort of AP for obvious reasons. If not, Randuins or Dead Man's Plate.
I also think Mortal Reminder is amazing for a duelist in the current meta, it gives you a lot of power over marksmen and other auto-attackers. Mercurial Scimitar gives lifesteal AND has QSS, so it's also a good item to consider.
Overall, I believe Aatrox can afford to go "squishier" this season, depending on how much impairment they have on the enemy team and how many tanks. Sure, if they got a beefy frontline you may consider BotRK, but overall I think the ability to placate 24% damage received on a splitpush should not be underestimated.
Aatrox, and here's my thought process:1) Aatrox seems pretty decent right now because games have a lot of auto-attackers and often burst is set aside for right clickers. He thrives against lack of burst;
2) Aatrox is a great splitpusher because he is an amazing duelist. How do I make him thrive?
3) I don't like BotRK right now, as it gives negligible AD;
My first problem was "how do I replace BotRK"? Hydra is a decent option, but I decided to go for
Death's Dance. The item has the same gold cost as BotRK and, although I'm sacrificing attack speed, the dueling moments where it counts you should be using your ult and and your passive. Also, let's not forget Aatrox heals for a great amount and this item turns 12% of the damage into bleeding that you should be healing during the entirety of the duel. CDR is also a pretty decent stat that helps you have Q and E more often to applacate the lack of BotRK passive.Now you may ask "what about attack speed?" This was the hardest for me to figure out. Guinsoo's is another great option on Aatrox just because the item is broken AF and you can get it second if you're going even/ahead for sure. However, there is no true amazing AS item for Aatrox ever sinze they got rid of Zephyr and BotRK is only an ok option to me. I decided
Phantom Dancer was actually a good option for a splitpushing Aatrox because it isn't costy and, even if the crit isn't a stat you should count on, if you get it + death's dance you're effectively taking 12% reduced damage from your main target + 12% damage taken as a bleed effect. This is not a joke for a duelist.Visage is a must have if they got any sort of AP for obvious reasons. If not, Randuins or Dead Man's Plate.
I also think Mortal Reminder is amazing for a duelist in the current meta, it gives you a lot of power over marksmen and other auto-attackers. Mercurial Scimitar gives lifesteal AND has QSS, so it's also a good item to consider.
Overall, I believe
Aatrox can afford to go "squishier" this season, depending on how much impairment they have on the enemy team and how many tanks. Sure, if they got a beefy frontline you may consider BotRK, but overall I think the ability to placate 24% damage received on a splitpush should not be underestimated.
Thank you Tsuki for the sig!
I've honestly been rushing Guinsoo's Rageblade in most games with the Trox. Either that or Ravenous Hydra into Death's Dance. The Guinsoos into Bork build seems to work out better though. I only didnt this game as Renekton would have pubstomped me if I had. I do agree though that Aatrox feels strong right now and can afford to not be tanky.
Guinsoo's Rageblade in most games with the Trox. Either that or Ravenous Hydra into Death's Dance. The Guinsoos into Bork build seems to work out better though. I only didnt this game as Renekton would have pubstomped me if I had. I do agree though that Aatrox feels strong right now and can afford to not be tanky.
Idk if it's worth as a first item because the item itself is only good on Aatrox when it's finished building. Perhaps I'd go vamp scepter - Guinsoo if I feel like I need the sustain. Unless you're in a lane where you need to max E, so the blasting wand doesn't fully go to waste.
Aatrox when it's finished building. Perhaps I'd go vamp scepter - Guinsoo if I feel like I need the sustain. Unless you're in a lane where you need to max E, so the blasting wand doesn't fully go to waste.
don't use center, use columns, rly hard to read big block of centered textYou need to log in before commenting.
I will supply a post game screen cap as well as the full game results, and I'd like some hard commentary on my item paths, contribution to the game, and CS.
Also I'm trying to corner myself to only top lane and support.
Anyway, here goes the first game;
Game 1:
Game Results
This was a rough game because I directly counterpicked myself into
They got a sneaky Baron at one point, but we just kind of turtled until they mispositioned and we killed them. On their second attempt at Baron, I made a very manly blind Q into the pit and stole it with E, then flashed out. I redeemed any poor play I had that game with that steal. After aquiring Baron, we just kinda steamrolled into their base and won.
My thoughts: I did the best I could with my limited champion pool. I may not have contributed much to the overall victory, but I did make the game finishing play. I feel like I could have got more damage, but my overall tank build worked out as I was mostly trying to peel for