How to adapt ADC build for early snowball vs late scaling in patch 13.10 meta?

Patch 13.10 brought significant item overhauls to League of Legends, shaking up the bot lane meta and forcing Attack Damage Carries (ADCs) to re-evaluate their itemization strategies. The distinction between building for an early game power spike and committing to a late-game scaling fantasy has never been more crucial. Understanding when and how to adapt your build path is key to dominating the Rift.

Understanding the Patch 13.10 Landscape for ADCs

The introduction of new items like Navori Quickblades’ rework, Guinsoo’s Rageblade’s return as a Mythic, and various system changes (e.g., Mythic item flexibility, item component changes) heavily impacted ADC power curves. These changes created distinct windows of power for different champions and build paths. Some ADCs found new ways to dominate early, while others solidified their status as undisputed late-game threats. The meta now rewards players who can accurately read the game state and commit to a build that supports their team’s win condition.

The Early Snowballer’s Arsenal

For ADCs aiming to stomp their lane and translate an early lead into a game-ending advantage, a build focused on immediate damage and burst is paramount. Champions like Draven, Miss Fortune, Jhin, or even Lucian thrive in this aggressive playstyle. Their kits inherently allow them to bully opponents, secure kills, and push objectives quickly.

Key Itemization for Early Snowball:

• Lethality Items: Items like Youmuu’s Ghostblade (now a Mythic, offering mobility and burst), Collector, and Serylda’s Grudge provide massive flat penetration and burst damage that punish squishy targets in the mid-game.
• Aggressive Mythics: While Youmuu’s is a prime example, Eclipse or Duskblade of Draktharr can also be considered, offering additional burst or utility for skirmishes.
• Early Component Efficiency: Prioritizing items with strong early components like Serrated Dirk or Noonquiver can give you significant power spikes before your opponent completes their first full item.

The playstyle associated with an early snowball build demands constant aggression, securing vision, rotating for skirmishes, and converting small leads into larger ones through tower pushes and objective control. Your goal is to end the game before the enemy’s late-game carries can come online.

The Late Game Scaling Powerhouse

Conversely, some ADCs are designed to be unstoppable forces in the late game, patiently farming and scaling through item purchases. Champions such as Kai’Sa, Jinx, Vayne, Aphelios, or Twitch epitomize this strategy. Their abilities synergize incredibly well with a full item build, allowing them to shred tanks and carry teamfights.

Key Itemization for Late Game Scaling:

• Critical Strike Builds: Infinity Edge remains a cornerstone, amplifying critical strike damage. Paired with items like Phantom Dancer, Runaan’s Hurricane, or Lord Dominik’s Regards, these builds provide sustained damage and wave clear.
• On-hit Builds: Guinsoo’s Rageblade’s return as a Mythic has revitalized on-hit ADCs. Champions like Kai’Sa and Varus can leverage its phantom hit passive with items like Wit’s End, Blade of the Ruined King, and Nashor’s Tooth (for AP on-hit hybrid).
• Attack Speed and Survivability: Early attack speed components like Recurve Bow or Zeal items help with farming and consistent damage, while later defensive options like Guardian Angel or Bloodthirster ensure you survive crucial teamfights.

A late-game scaling ADC’s playstyle involves focusing on farm, safely navigating the early game, and participating in fights cautiously until reaching key item breakpoints. Patience and positioning are paramount, as dying early can severely cripple your scaling potential.

Adapting Mid-Game: The Art of the Pivot

While having a general game plan is good, the best ADC players excel at adapting their build based on the actual game state. A game might start favoring an early snowball, only for the enemy team to stack armor or acquire significant CC, necessitating a pivot towards scaling or survivability.

Factors to Consider for Adaptation:

• Team Compositions: If your team lacks engage or sustained damage, you might need to lean more into a scaling build. If your team is full of early game threats, an early snowball build complements it.
• Gold Leads and Deficits: A significant gold lead might allow you to complete aggressive items faster and press your advantage. A deficit might force you to build more defensively or prioritize components that offer cost-efficient power.
• Enemy Itemization: Are enemies stacking armor? Lord Dominik’s Regards becomes a high priority. Are they building lots of magic resist and AP? Wit’s End or even a Maw of Malmortius might be necessary.
• Game Timer: As the game progresses past 20-25 minutes, the value of early game items diminishes, and scaling options become more impactful.

Sometimes, a hybrid approach is best. An early Ghostblade might transition into a crit build with Infinity Edge, allowing you to pressure early but still have a strong late game. Flexibility in your build path, understanding item synergies, and reading the flow of the game are what separate good ADCs from great ones.

Conclusion

Patch 13.10 has made ADC itemization a dynamic puzzle, where simply sticking to a cookie-cutter build can be a costly mistake. Whether your champion excels at an early snowball or a late-game carry fantasy, understanding the nuances of item choices and knowing when to adapt is paramount. By analyzing team compositions, game state, and opponent’s builds, ADCs can strategically tailor their item paths to maximize their impact and consistently secure victories in the evolving League of Legends meta.