Your lack of AP confuses me...

[quote=The_Nameless_Bard]^^Which is why I get it. To get back on topic, the question was not: Why don't people buy AA staff on Soraka? It was: Why do I see all these AP-less Soraka builds when Soraka's ability to heal is based entirely on how much AP she has?[/quote]

[quote=Searz][quote=Trojan995] Soraka: 1320 base mana Archangel's Staff: 45 AP, 3% of maximum mana is converted into AP, 1400 mana [b]when capped[/b]. Rod of Ages: 725 mana [b]when capped[/b]. Banshee's Veil: 375 mana. Total mana (base @ 18, RoA, Archangels, BV): 3820. So, Archangels will give (3820 x .03) + 45 = 159.6 AP.[/quote] Still less than Deathcap. It's just not reasonable..[/quote]

[quote=The_Nameless_Bard]that's why people get both lol XD not one or the other[/quote]

[quote=Trojan995][quote=The_Nameless_Bard] that's why people get both lol XD not one or the other [/quote] Exactly. If going for max AP, those 4 core items I mentioned (archangels, RoA, BV, and Deathcap) will have good survivability between RoA and BV, and still have over 500 AP. The boots would be whatever the situation requires (I'm no soraka expert) and the last item would be situational. EDIT: Last item slot could be a ward slot.[/quote]

[quote=SixSonatas]AA Staff, RoA, Banshees, Deathcap, Shoes. This is a build that Soraka can't nearly afford... Unless you don't plan on warding, KS with Infuse, and get every dragon/tower/baron in the game. Deathcap, Shoes, RoA, and MAYBE Banshees COMPONENTS make up the general budget of a Soraka. I'm not saying builds are bad, I'm saying that they're too idealistic and will cripple your play if you expect to ACTUALLY build all of them. If you want to have an idealistic game, just play League of Legends on Paper. I summon Veigar, who idealistically has infinite AP. Good luck, summoners![/quote]

[quote=Trojan995]My point wasn't to say that AA should be a core item (though it certainly comes off as such), but more to emphasize that AA shouldn't be considered solely a mana item - combined with typical core AP items, it becomes an AP powerhouse that people often overlook. On soraka, who can't always afford a big build, it becomes very situational - however, with a very, [b]VERY[/b] long game and many kage's lucky picks, it's not a bad idea on Soraka at all when you complete your item build. Six said it best when he said the build is limited by time, but don't disregard it entirely, and never disregard it because it's looked on as a mana item only.[/quote]

[quote=The_Nameless_Bard]Since I can afford at minimum CDR boots, AA staff, and RoA nearly every game I play with Soraka (and I do none of the above things you talk about doing to get gold), I'm assuming you don't kill creep waves while your laning partner is going back (which is a waste of gold btw). I should also point out that my friends actually refuse to "steal" farm from me (And most of them have over 500 wins, ironic isn't it), so unless I go into solo queue I'm getting just enough farm to afford items (no more than 70-80 minion kills by the end of an average game).[/quote]

[quote=Searz][quote=SixSonatas] AA Staff, RoA, Banshees, Deathcap, Shoes. This is a build that Soraka can't nearly afford... Unless you don't plan on warding, KS with Infuse, and get every dragon/tower/baron in the game. Deathcap, Shoes, RoA, and MAYBE Banshees COMPONENTS make up the general budget of a Soraka. I'm not saying builds are bad, I'm saying that they're too idealistic and will cripple your play if you expect to ACTUALLY build all of them. If you want to have an idealistic game, just play League of Legends on Paper. I summon Veigar, who idealistically has infinite AP. Good luck, summoners![/quote] What he said.[/quote]

[quote=Temzilla][quote=The_Nameless_Bard] Since I can afford at minimum CDR boots, AA staff, and RoA nearly every game I play with Soraka (and I do none of the above things you talk about doing to get gold), I'm assuming you don't kill creep waves while your laning partner is going back (which is a waste of gold btw). I should also point out that my friends actually refuse to "steal" farm from me (And most of them have over 500 wins, ironic isn't it), so unless I go into solo queue I'm getting just enough farm to afford items (no more than 70-80 minion kills by the end of an average game). [/quote] Because Shurelia's + Deathcap + CDR boots is better heals?[/quote]

[quote=SixSonatas][quote=The_Nameless_Bard] Since I can afford at minimum CDR boots, AA staff, and RoA nearly every game I play with Soraka (and I do none of the above things you talk about doing to get gold), I'm assuming you don't kill creep waves while your laning partner is going back (which is a waste of gold btw). I should also point out that my friends actually refuse to "steal" farm from me (And most of them have over 500 wins, ironic isn't it), so unless I go into solo queue I'm getting just enough farm to afford items (no more than 70-80 minion kills by the end of an average game). [/quote] Wait wait wait wait wait. Did you just say "go back"? I don't think that term applies for good babysitters such as Soraka! If you're killing more than 3 creeps if your partner -has- to back to buy items and gain advantage, then you're probably auto attacking or your partner is not coming back to lane.[/quote]