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League of Legends (LoL) Question: When to build Doran's Shield as support and Why?

Posted in General | Tags: Alistar Blitzcrank Doran's Shield Janna Karma Leona Lulu Nunu Sona Soraka Thresh 18,168

When to build Doran's Shield as support and Why?

Asked by Burnboy37 on March 16, 2013

So recently I've seen a lot of higher level players and professional players building when playing support. Specifically I've seen a lot of , , and players building .

So I was just wondering why would you build as support and when would building one be useful.

Any insight at all is greatly appreciated.

Answers (3)

(1495) |

Why - For a lot of durability in lane (plus some sustain). You can also keep if for most if not all of the game because supports usually don't finish 5 or 6 item builds. It's a very cost-efficient item, which is great for a support since your gold will be rather scarce.

When - If you need sustain and durability more than your gp10/sightstone/locket/aegis/whatever. If there isn't much action in lane and you would prefer to itemize for mid game or focus on wards, then you don't need to build it. If there are a lot of 2v2 fights in lane and/or you want to make some aggressive plays, you should consider building it.

Personally I forgot to build it a lot on my supports (heh heh...), but when I remember to do so, I really like it on . and would probably use it well too. The melee supports tend to get poked and kited a bit more, plus you have to be in the fray to use your abilities, so I would expect to buy it more often on those ( is sorta like a melee, since his combo is close range), though it can be good on ranged supports too.

(117) |

I have same problem, but PsiGuard is correct as usual.

(539) |

Y CANT I PRESS DAT +1 BUTTON D:

(29) |

You build Doran's Shield when you expect to trade a lot in the earlygame. It gives you solid defense against poke, so you'll end up winning the fights. I think it's a very good purchase if you wish to be aggresive and you're not behind.

I can see the use of that item for tanky support characters like Taric, Leona, but Lulu better start with other items, she needs mana alot so building philosopher's stone or chalice of harmony before deeping in defense items may be wiser, and just don't take risks and get killed. Lulu is a ranged support so she needs to stay behind her mobs and poke the enemy from that place.

I just say there are better options. Doran's Shield is a solid starting item, but one that is of more use on a guy who deal in hand to hand combat. On the other hand, Doran's Ring give ap and mana regen, so you can poke and keep poking with ur skills, and Doran's Blade give some sustain and a little more ad, so they may also be used as starting items for Lulu. Doran's Blade is a very good choice especialy if u plan on building as+on hit items like malady and wit's end next.