The ability power system is broadly used by several classes of champions. There are AP skirmishers like Lillia, AP juggernauts like Mordekaiser, burst mages like Annie and LeBlanc, assassins like Fizz and Akali, artillery like Xerath, and ones who blur the lines such as Singed and Diana. Instead of looking at AP items through the lens of classes, let's talk about the needs for mana, durability, burst, and repeatability.
There are five mana items, which are Rod of Ages and the four Lost Chapter upgrades. Each of these should be distinct in what they provide. Bursty champions who opt in for Luden's Tempest, Lich Bane, Shadowflame, Stormsurge, Void Staff, and Deathcap have those burst options with the opportunity cost of not getting the level of ability haste that others can access. Meanwhile, champions who want a lot of repeatability via Seraph's Embrace, Blackfire Torch, Cosmic Drive, and Horizon Focus will notice lower AP counts as their path to victory is about multiple spell rotations, not destroying their opponents with just one. Overall, these changes are primarily about making different AP builds stand out as more distinct from one another.
Though not direct changes in the AP system, we've generally lowered the amount of MR in non-tank items, making those items less likely to invalidate magic damage, and lowered the health on several tank items, meaning those stacking armor purchases are less resilient to mages.
Caden "Riot Sakaar" House
