My attempt at Annie build

[quote=kmph]My "goal" is to go from earliest to latest champs, bringing each of them to lv 7... Alistar done already, now's time for [[Annie]]... Lv6 already and 1 of 3 tokens done. Ashe's planned as my next champ when I'm done with Annie. As an exercise I wanted to try my own build. Not because it would be superior to any of the proposed builds published on this site, I doubt it would, but simply to learn. And for the same reason I'd like to ask You to rate it. Here are the results... The primary goals of this build are to maximize CDR and AP. AP is self-explanatory, but CDR... I simply notice that I think I seem to perform better when I don't have to wait forever till my cooldowns are down. Theoretically an APC's goal is to 100-0 whoever they can, but... going for 100-0 mainly somehow doesn't seem to get results as good as being able to spam abilites while still remaining able to 100-0 squishes. Might be because I'm a bronze who's being matchmade with bronzes and silvers, though. So. Summs first, no surpsise here: [[Flash]] and [[Ignite]]. Why [[Ignite]]? Effective early to mid game, very often this damage from [[Ignite]] means to kill or not to kill an enemy. While other options, especially [[Teleport]] give nice opportunities, I think being able to actually kill someone trumps all of this. Also with 40% CDR Annie can spam [[Disintegrate]] really fast, which contributes to an awesome total output of damage. Runes: Sorcery & Domination. Sorcery: * [[Arcane Comet]], because it does more damage than [[Summon Aery]] Now the next three are the reason why go Sorcery / Domination and not Domination / Sorcery, even though [[Electrocute]] seems superior to [[Arcane Comet]]: * [[The Ultimate Hat]], since [[Summon: Tibbers]] is [[Annie]]'s hardest weapon; if its on cooldown, [[Annie]] cannot 100-0, therefore cannot really gank, cannot try to stun enemies in a teamfight without a bigger risk ([[Incinerate]] has a range of 600, while [[Summon: Tibbers]] effect range is 600+290=890, so trying to stun with [[Incinerate]] means you have to get much closer to them - so it's better to hit them with [[Incinerate]] while they're already stunned), cannot hit hard enough, forcing her to at least hide among the crowd of her teammates and spam [[Disintegrate]], which can also be effective, but just not that effective as doing the same with Tibbers on * [[Transcendence]], for the sake of reaching this 40% CDR; With [[The Ultimate Hat]] and 40% CDR, a lv 11 Annie can have Tibbers on almost all the time! * [[Gathering Storm]], since flat AP is important Domination: * [[Cheap Shot]], mainly because [[Pyromania]] means lots of stuns while [[Taste of Blood]] can only activate every so often * [[Eyeball Collection]], for teh sake of flat AP I'm thinking though if taking [[Taste of Blood]] or [[Ravenous Hunter]] for not having to recall so often wouldn't be a good idea; also [[Relentless Hunter]] would somehow make her more mobile Skills: [[Summon: Tibbers]] > [[Disintegrate]] > [[Incinerate]] > [[Molten Shield]] The point is that [[Disintegrate]] should be used to kill minions, so its damage should be as large as possible as early as possible not to miss CS; also it can often be used when [[Incinerate]] can't Items [[Warding Totem]] > [[Sweeping Lens]] during laning phase due to jungler menace Later I'd like to switch to [[Sweeping Lens]] or [[Oracle Alteration]], I'm fed up with knowing that enemy ward is next to me and not being able to do anything with this, however I have a (maybe irrational) feeling that spamming [[Warding Totem]] will help me achieve a higher chance to get this S at the end of the match (though I usually forget it anyway...) If I feel charitable and I'm not too far behind I could buy a [[Control Ward]] and use it next to herald/baron, but usually I have a snake in my pocket and don't wanna spend 75g... Start with [[Doran's Ring]] and 2x [[Health Potion]] obviously Now then after the last patch there are three candidates for core items, and these are [[Luden's Echo]], [[Seraph's Embrace]] and [[Hextech GLP-800]] - all thanks to my insinstence on CDR, each of them gives 20%CDR. [[Hextech GLP-800]] - I don't really want it mainly because I'm pretty bad at using item actives when I have to act fast, pressured by situation; I always think "I shoulda used this item active" when the situation is no longer that intense and it is too late; [[Seraph's Embrace]] can grant theoretically more AP than [[Luden's Echo]], and it's shield should be nice, but it charges so slowly that it's only good if I know in advance that the game is going to be very long; then it's a good choice, but only if I want to improve late game at the cost of early and middle game; Ah and yes, there's also [[Nashor's Tooth]], but I don't take it into account because I think it'd be rather good on some sort of Teemo, not on Annie. So bottom line: I choose to build [[Luden's Echo]] and it's my first item, not counting boots Ideally I'd like to have my first recall with 1100 gold at least, so that I can start with [[Lost Chapter]] to remedy Annie's early mana problems. If that is impossible, I buy [[Sapphire Crystal]] and/or [[Amplifying Tome]] so that I'm able to buy [[Lost Chapter]] ASAP Having bought [[Lost Chapter]] I usually buy [[Boots of Speed]] to remedy Annie's immobility, then I usually finish [[Luden's Echo]] and then build [[Ionian Boots of Lucidity]] to complete 40% CDR. Now then goes the pair of items that seem to me essential on any APC: [[Spellbinder]] and [[Rabadon's Deathcap]]. This is because they give tons of flat AP, without which APCs cant do their job. I first build [[Spellbinder]] because [[Rabadon's Deathcap]] is most effective when I already have a few AP and because [[Spellbinder]] gives a nice 10% movement speed, which helps remedy Annie's immobility. Now if the game's not over already (it sometimes is even before I can complete [[Spellbinder]], I have slots for two more items. I'd love to be able to make a use of the [[Rylai's Crystal Scepter]] + [[Liandry's Torment]] combo BUT! Obviously this is only possible if the enemy team doesn't buy any MR. In practice, I may have to buy [[Void Staff]] even before [[Rabadon's Deathcap]]. So, counting this [[Void Staff]] as a sad necessity, there is a room for only one more item. And I'm thinking about [[Lich Bane]] because of its neat damage output to help my combo. That is, unless the enemies force me to [[Zhonya's Hourglass]] or [[Banshee's Veil]] before. (in which case buying [[Rabadon's Deathcap]] has to take place much later, possibly even not before the game's finished... Which impacts my damage badly.) This however exceeds 40%CDR, so I can switch [[Ionian Boots of Lucidity]] to [[Sorcerer's Shoes]]. Afterwards, there's not much to do really than to buy [[Elixir of Sorcery]] over and over. So, bottom line: The build is, ideally, somehow like this: 2x[[Health Potion]] + [[Doran's Ring]] -> [[Lost Chapter]] -> [[Boots of Speed]] -> [[Luden's Echo]] -> [[Ionian Boots of Lucidity]] -> [[Spellbinder]] -> sell [[Doran's Ring]] -> [[Void Staff]], unless not necessary -> [[Rabadon's Deathcap]] -> [[Void Staff]], unless still not necessary -> If haven't been forced to buy [[Void Staff]] nor [[Banshee's Veil]] nor [[Zhonya's Hourglass]] yet: [[Rylai's Crystal Scepter]] + [[Liandry's Torment]]; otherwise, if have been forced to buy [[Void Staff]] but not [[Banshee's Veil]] nor [[Zhonya's Hourglass]]: [[Lich Bane]] -> If I have [[Zhonya's Hourglass]] or [[Banshee's Veil]] or [[Lich Bane]]: Sell [[Ionian Boots of Lucidity]], buy [[Sorcerer's Shoes]] -> [[Elixir of Sorcery]] -> Repeat No choices: [[Morellonomicon]], because what item should I forfeit, and anyway if they have chance to heal they're usually out of my range already, so I can't kill them with or without grevious wounds (granted it could be helpful in teamfights though); [[Rod of Ages]], because this should be bought early, and early I have much urgent items to build; [[Hextech Protobelt-01]], for the same reason: early on I want to build ASAP [[Luden's Echo]], [[Spellbinder]], [[Rabadon's Deathcap]] for damage, plus whatever proves necessary in the meantime, and late on... will this 300HP be that meaningful to buy this over [[Lich Bane]]?; [[Mejai's Soulstealer]] because I'd have to buy this early and I can't be sure to play that good. Whaddya think?[/quote]

[quote=Mr. Nyahr]This looks like a pretty solid start. I know this is a pretty generic statement, but you should check out some of the guides on the site for tips on build paths. Some pretty good ones right now are [url=https://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/burn-them-dasant-ko-challenger-annie-guia-v8-3-523605]Dasant Ko's Challenger Annie Guide[/url] and [url=https://www.mobafire.com/league-of-legends/build/8-4-annie-reforged-fallen3s-guide-to-annie-wip-new-i-505449]FalleN3's Annie Guide[/url]. You may want to consider swapping [[Gathering Storm]] for [[Scorch]], because [[Gathering Storm]] pretty much means you don't have a rune there for the first 20 minutes of the game.[/quote]

[quote=Ronyk]kmph, thank you very much for this post. The detail you've written, along with your thoughts about why you do it is invaluable to more experienced players trying to help you. I think you're off to a good start with your build. Because of Annie's relatively low range with her [[Incinerate]] and [[Summon: TIbbers]], many Annie players consider defensive stats on her a must. [[Hextech Protobelt-01]] and [[Rod of Ages]] are common purchaces on Annie for this reason. You're correct in building max CDR. Due to the many good items that grant Cooldown Reduction, it's a staple of every AP build for every AP champion to include getting Max CDR through their itemization - many people avoid [[Transcendence]] because of how easy it is to get through items + blue buff, but I don't think there's anything wrong with [[Transcendence]]. Flat AP is nice, but the reason you're building it is to increase your damage. Flat Magic Pen increases your damage by a surprisingly high amount (especially against enemies who build little or no MR), and I'd suggest building the Voidstaff as your final item almost every game. The [[Rabadibble deathcap]] got a nice buff this last patch, making it more cost-effective to purchase earlier on, though the later in the game you purchase it (so long as you're making sensible purchases before it) the more it's worth compared to the amount your spend on it. You said in your post that you don't always remember to use item's active abilities. That's a problem, but it's good that you identified it! Remember that the item's cost takes those abilities into account - you'll get more bang for your buck by purchasing items without active abilities for this reason. I agree with Mr. Nyhar that the Annie guides on here are worth taking a look at. Let us know how your journey goes! I'd love to hear updates! Ronyk[/quote]

[quote=kmph][quote]I know this is a pretty generic statement, but you should check out some of the guides on the site for tips on build paths.[/quote] Yes I did and admittedly, I based my build idea on their builds. [quote]You may want to consider swapping [[Gathering Storm]] for [[Scorch]], because [[Gathering Storm]] pretty much means you don't have a rune there for the first 20 minutes of the game.[/quote] True but [[Scorch]] seems pretty UP? THat's not EVEN one auto? I'm not saying you're wrong but it seems pretty odd to me to use up space for one rune just to have half of an auto every 20 seconds? [quote]Because of [[Annie]]'s relatively low range with her [[Incinerate]] and [[Summon: Tibbers]], many [[Annie]] players consider defensive stats on her a must. [[Hextech Protobelt-01]] and [[Rod of Ages]] are common purchaces on [[Annie]] for this reason.[/quote] Well true, the solution for the dilemna of either not engage or go into the fray and die... But, but when should I buy these items? In the beginning or later on? I believe in the beginning? Then, how are they better than either [[Zhonya's Hourglass]] or [[Banshee's Veil]], depending on who am I laning against, instead of [[Luden's Echo]], as my first item? Also will it not render me unable to 100-0 an opponent earlier on? I guess I'll have to try starting with [[Rod of Ages]] and/or [[Hextech Protobelt-01]] and see. [quote]many people avoid [[Transcendence]] because of how easy it is to get through items[/quote] My thinking is, [[Transcendence]]+items will allow me to switch [[Ionian Boots of Lucidity]] for [[Sorcerer's Shoes]], thus gaining a nice flat +18 MP. [quote] Flat Magic Pen increases your damage by a surprisingly high amount (especially against enemies who build little or no MR), and I'd suggest building the [[Void Staff]] as your final item almost every game. [/quote] Flat MP you say! so why build [[Void Staff]] as my final item even if enemies aren't building much MR? (This is rarely the case, even in my div, yet sometims it does happen) Wouldn't [[Sorcerer's Shoes]] be better here? Or maybe even, [[Sorcerer's Shoes]] + [[Morellonomicon]]? [quote]You said in your post that you don't always remember to use item's active abilities. That's a problem, but it's good that you identified it![/quote] Dang. I really suck at this. Even if I limit myself to [[Spellbinder]] only. Usually, right AFTER a teamfight, I slap myself, finding out I shoulda used it. But I haven't. [quote] I'd love to hear updates![/quote] I've been experimenting with less usuall positions for [[Annie]]. Here are the early hypothesis: 1. When I'm being forced supp cuz all other positions are already taken. (ehh this racing whoever first spams "MID" in Blind Pick... and then all these #typical Yas mains who say they're mid no matter what and u know u gotta let them mid cuz they can easily deny u farm anyway... Still trial and error taught me blind pick gives me a greater chance to get mid than draft pick... OK I'm digressing) Frankly I believe (I may be wrong) [[Annie]] is a suboptimal supp, I usually underperform as Annie supp bot, so if I'm forced to go there I usually choose to instead... support the top laner. Though my team is usually furious at me for doing this. And trial and error taught me that indeed, even though we usually win top in this setting, the bot problems outweight this UNLESS I can later take the role of a carry and the lone ADC doesn't feed. But if this saves me from supping bot... Maybe I should supp mid instead, ganking bot all the time? Worth trying. Anyway, I yesterday managed to get the second S out of 3 required... on this exact position. The fact that the enemy ADC left certainly helped. I was duoing top with Brand, I was the one to have [[Spellthief's Edge]], but somehow I got fed, not him. I helped take Herald & Drake & 2inhibs. The other 2 roles that seem, to me, pretty promising for Annie, are solo top and bot CARRY, not supp. Top: This is because Annie (and actually most ranged champs, burst mages or marksmen) seem to me to hard counter some common toplaners like [[Garen]] or [[Nasus]]. I learned that when I saw a [[Garen]] mid, I destroyed him totally that time. Also (for that reason?) we sometimes see marksmen top, and I don't only mean Teemo, why I once faced a [[Jhin]] and the other time a [[Tristana]]. [[Annie]] seems to me to counter these champs. However this is a dice roll, since on the other hand, as [[Annie]], I get beaten up badly by [[Tryndamere]] or [[Urgot]]; [[Olaf]] seems to be a hard matchup as well, but if it's a possible-but-hard or impossible matchup I can't yet tell, since that time when Olaf beat the hay outta me, he had a huge advantage thanks to enemy WW babysitting him early. And here we get to the problem that, I admit, might invalidate the idea of going top with Annie to counter [[Garen]]s, [[Teemo]]s and [[Nasus]]es. To use my advantage over these champs I have to push them, bully them, zone them, HARD. Especially with teemo, I need to lock him under his tower ideally and not allow him to farm minions, since while I can destroy a [[Teemo]] when I'm ahead, a fed [[Teemo]] destroys me in a rather nasty way. So ideally I should lock them under their towers. But doing so is literally equivalent to inviting the enemy jg to come and get me. And while 100-0'ing an overambitious enemy jg is pretty rewarding, I need to be ahead to be able to do this and even then I can't do this with tanky jgs. Unlike mid, top is a long lane, and I can't do much to escape from ganks there. Bot carry: Actually I wonder why is this position not more popular? Especially with supps like Blitz? I think Annie counters squishy marksmen that are usually seen there? I'm more brutal than them? Plus with Blitz, it is really nothing easier, he hooks'em, I burst'em, they need to recall or I gain a kill. Thoughts?[/quote]