Ultimate Mage Itemization
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After a long wait, it is now time to release the Ultimate Mage Itemization guide!
The most radical changes introduced by the update 1.9 (Feb 2015) is that almost all +HP from late game mage items have been removed. This encourages an equilibrium between both physical and magical. If you want to increase your resilience and survivability, you need to invest slots of your inventory for armors and items giving +HP (not by buying more carry items with +hp). Same as for fighter now, mage with 5-6 carry items in normal builds should be much more rare, thankfully!
To compensate this reduction in bursting power, mage carry items will also receive a significant increased in +magic attack (10-20%). In average, with a 4-item builds, a mage should have similar +magic attack than their previous 5 items build, leaving that precious slot of inventory for +HP and armor.
Moreover, many item recipe have been changed, enabling the creation of a wider variety of efficient builds. As for fighters, itemization will become much more flexible and dynamic.
Two types of skills
Before going any further, let’s classify all skills in the game in 2 distinctive categories:
- Single Target Skills (ST): these skills are dealing damage to a single enemy. The skill description mentions “enemy” or “target” in singular.
- Area of Effect Skills (AoE): these skills are dealing damage to multiple enemies. The skill description mentions “enemies” or “targets” in plural. AoE skills include also all auras (e.g. Archimtrios’s Burning Aura and Flame Armor), ground effect skills like Goroshia’s Burning Flame or Migrove’s Shock Field.
Although this seems obvious at first, some skills could be confusing. For instance, Guervus’ Lava Snake is considered in the game as a ST, even through it “bounces” thereafter on subsequent enemies. Same with King Reega’s Aquatic Orb or Vigelos Arcan Orb, which are also considered ST. Other skills like Equellia’s Lightning Strike (first skill) is also a ST even through it burst AoE damage.
Two types of Mages
Knowing this distinction, we can thus classify mages in 2 different categories. This will be important as their itemization will vary.
- Single Target Mages: these heroes rely on one or more ST to deal most of their damage.
- Area of Effect Mages: these heroes rely mostly on AoE burst skills to deal most of their damage.
Why this distinction?
It all comes down to the itemization. Mages rely mainly on their skills for dealing damage, not much from their normal attacks. To achieve the best results all game long, Mages need to pay careful attention to their ability to pierce the enemy armor with these skills.
Let’s have an overview of the s key magical pierce/reduction items
Leviathan’s Cloak (1300g)
+32 Magical Attack, +4 HP Regeneration,
Passive(Unique): Pierce through enemy’s Magical Defence (20).
+32 Magical Attack, +4 HP Regeneration,
Passive(Unique): Pierce through enemy’s Magical Defence (20).
Arrogance Cloak (3270g) (upgrade from Leviathan’S Cloak)
+60 MAtk, +4 HPRegen, +4MPRegen,
Passive (Unique): Skills Cast will reduce target’s Magical Defense by 20 + (Target’s level X 2) for 5 sec
Note: AOE skills only take 50% of the effect
+60 MAtk, +4 HPRegen, +4MPRegen,
Passive (Unique): Skills Cast will reduce target’s Magical Defense by 20 + (Target’s level X 2) for 5 sec
Note: AOE skills only take 50% of the effect
If you notice Arrogance Cloak’s passive note, you will quickly understand the limitation of that item. The most armor reduction provided by Arrogance Cloak is 50 for ST mages, and just 25 from AoE mages. And for 1300g, the Leviathan’s Cloak is not only cheaper for similar results, but will work also for non-skill damage like normal attacks and passive auras.
How to build Mages efficiently?
From the pucture below, you can see the 2 types of mage have distinct path. At the top, there are the Mage heroes that are pure ST or pure AoE.
In between, there is a sub-class which includes Gambler, Anuir, Kurdzor, and Laurelai. These 4 mages could go on either side of the build (with or without Arrogance). That’s because they all have big AoE burst damage which is easily unlocked by a ST skill. For example, Gaia’s Seed of Corruption is the initiating skill for the Razor Leaf, dealing a huge burst of damage.
At the bottom, you have the Support heroes mage-based and the group they would fit if they build pure magical. Note that for some of them, it would be unviable and unreliable to do so (Grey Witch is much more efficient with a mix support/tank build)
General Considerations:
- As you will notice, I will not talk about defensive or mobility items. The reason is simple: choosing the right moment (if any) to buy armor and boots strictly depends on how the game unfolds. And selecting the right armor depends on your enemy (this will be part of another Itemization guide!).
- I present only rules for building mage carries. As a support, you are not meant to be the main damage dealer of the team. Thus, building full carry is normally not a good idea.
- Anyone that follow these purchase rules will build right in almost every situation for all heroes. There are minor variations possible (like buying components from next item earlier). But these are exceptions that wont be detailed here.
The Rules:
Step 0: Find the Mage Type you are using (ST or AoE)
In order the to do this, please refer to the slide above.
Step 1 : Build your Pierce
ST Mages: Build Arrogance (3270g)
+60 MAtk, +4 HPRegen, +4MPRegen, passive Skills Cast will reduce Mag Def by 20 + (Target’s level X 2) […]
When bought early game on ST mages, this item can drop all enemy (beside tanks or hero with magical defense) to below zero armor, providing bonus damage for 5 seconds! As it is a “reduciton” for a time period, this bonus damage is applied not just for you, but for all other magical based allies!
When bought early game on ST mages, this item can drop all enemy (beside tanks or hero with magical defense) to below zero armor, providing bonus damage for 5 seconds! As it is a “reduciton” for a time period, this bonus damage is applied not just for you, but for all other magical based allies!
AoE Mages: Build Leviathan’s Cloak (1300g)
+32 Magical Attack, +4 HPregen, passive: Pierce through enemy’s Magical Defense (20).
Paired with the talent and pierce inscription, this item unlocks full potential of all damage dealt (AoE, normal attack, aura, etc) throughout the game. Cheap and very efficient because of the fix pierce value!
Paired with the talent and pierce inscription, this item unlocks full potential of all damage dealt (AoE, normal attack, aura, etc) throughout the game. Cheap and very efficient because of the fix pierce value!
Step 2: Increase your damage
Ruby Ring (860g)
+40 Magical Attack
Buy only if you don’t have enough for Enchanter’s Ring when getting back to base and you cannot afford to wait before increasing MATK. This will then be upgraded in various end-game items like Frost Ring, Rectitude Staff, Storm Cloak and more.
Buy only if you don’t have enough for Enchanter’s Ring when getting back to base and you cannot afford to wait before increasing MATK. This will then be upgraded in various end-game items like Frost Ring, Rectitude Staff, Storm Cloak and more.
Enchanter’s ring (1-2x) (1700g)
+84 Magical Attack
Very cheap item for very good bonus. Before going further in the build, this is a must for any mage carries. There are 2 ways of doing this one: either buy 2 Enchanter’s, one for Boneflame and the other to Searing Orb. Or buy just one and upgrade directly to Boneflame for “similar” results.
Very cheap item for very good bonus. Before going further in the build, this is a must for any mage carries. There are 2 ways of doing this one: either buy 2 Enchanter’s, one for Boneflame and the other to Searing Orb. Or buy just one and upgrade directly to Boneflame for “similar” results.
Boneflame (3800g)
+110 MAtk, +250MP, +3MPRegen, passive: Increase the hero’s Magical Attack by 3% of maximum MP. + add 8MP per skill used
Instead of going dual-Enchanter’s, you can go Boneflame directly after the first Enchanter’s. Works specially well if you have the full 2100g upgrade when coming back to base.
Instead of going dual-Enchanter’s, you can go Boneflame directly after the first Enchanter’s. Works specially well if you have the full 2100g upgrade when coming back to base.
Step 3-4-5: Get your Utility/Damage
From this point, all mages can go in any build path depending of the game. They have a very wide choice of tools and should adapt to the enemy. Read the item comments to have better insight of when to use them and if they fit the particular mage you are using. These items can be bought in any order depending of how the game unfolds.
Frost Ring (3600g)
+400 MP, +50 MAtk, +6 MPReg, -15% CD, passive: Increases your MP Regeneration by 1% for every 1% of missing MP
By far, this is the best MP regen tool of the game. And stats wise, this could be used on EVERY mage with great results. It worth more than what the value if the stat increase is giving! Think of using this item on every mages that are very MP intensive, like Goroshia, Phase, Migrove, Kurdzor. It enables them to spam skills without worrying about MP at all!
By far, this is the best MP regen tool of the game. And stats wise, this could be used on EVERY mage with great results. It worth more than what the value if the stat increase is giving! Think of using this item on every mages that are very MP intensive, like Goroshia, Phase, Migrove, Kurdzor. It enables them to spam skills without worrying about MP at all!
Essence of Labaulan (3600g)
+210 MP, +55 MATk, +60 MDef, -10% CD, Active: Poison nova causing 45 + % magic dmg/sec + slow 20%. Duration: 4 seconds.
For mage carries, this is the best mage defensive item. Not only you get great value for the price (magic attack, CD, etc), but the active is quite nice in melee fight, or as an escape tool. Melee heroes like Horse, Goroshia and Acridix love that item.
For mage carries, this is the best mage defensive item. Not only you get great value for the price (magic attack, CD, etc), but the active is quite nice in melee fight, or as an escape tool. Melee heroes like Horse, Goroshia and Acridix love that item.
Fername’s blade (3300g)
+600 MP, +6 MPRegen, -15% CD, Passive: Spells cast will slow down target’s movement speed by 15% for 2 seconds (except DoT).
This item does not give any increase on MAtk. But with the amount of MP added, the CD reduction and the passive slow, this item is excellent on heroes like Anioah, Migrove or Khlint. It turns these heroes in very good CC mages. To know if your hero could benefit from it, it should 1- have naturally low CD skills to chain the slow CC and 2- must not be based on DoT skills like Horse or Goroshia and 3- ideally have already skills that slow, for even more speed reduction!
This item does not give any increase on MAtk. But with the amount of MP added, the CD reduction and the passive slow, this item is excellent on heroes like Anioah, Migrove or Khlint. It turns these heroes in very good CC mages. To know if your hero could benefit from it, it should 1- have naturally low CD skills to chain the slow CC and 2- must not be based on DoT skills like Horse or Goroshia and 3- ideally have already skills that slow, for even more speed reduction!
Saintly Silver Staff (3200g)
+50 MAtk, +50% AtkSpd, +350 MP, Active(Unique) Increase 50% HP leech
Slightly underused, this item is a great tool for range ST mages like Guervus or Equellia. Not only it increases the attack speed (good choice over Watcher’s Whisper), but when activating the item, your leech gets to the roof. Not idea for AoE mages
Slightly underused, this item is a great tool for range ST mages like Guervus or Equellia. Not only it increases the attack speed (good choice over Watcher’s Whisper), but when activating the item, your leech gets to the roof. Not idea for AoE mages
Cloak of Choking Words (2800g)
+50 MAtk, +20PhyDef, +20MagDef, -10%CD, Active (Unique): Silence one enemy hero for 3 seconds.
Good Damage-Defensive combo item with nice CD. The passive is great. This item tens to have more value on the Support mages (Anioah, Witch, etc) than on the pure carry ones.
Good Damage-Defensive combo item with nice CD. The passive is great. This item tens to have more value on the Support mages (Anioah, Witch, etc) than on the pure carry ones.
Storm Cloak (3500g)
+80 MAtk, +230 MP, +2.5 MPRegen, Active(Unique): Inflict 100 + (20% of target’s current HP) magic damage to a single enemy. Increases by 4% for every 100 Magical Attack points.
This is an excellent item to buy from mid game, specially if your hero will stack a lot of Magic Attack (Guervus, Phase, Goroshia, Equellia, etc). The overall damage of this burst can go beyond 1k HP (30% or more) on tanks, which is excellent. Initiate with this item before bursting all your other skills!
This is an excellent item to buy from mid game, specially if your hero will stack a lot of Magic Attack (Guervus, Phase, Goroshia, Equellia, etc). The overall damage of this burst can go beyond 1k HP (30% or more) on tanks, which is excellent. Initiate with this item before bursting all your other skills!
Lollipop Staff (3600g)
+80 MAAtk, +250 HP, +6 HPRegen, Passive (Unique): +10% Movement Speed
This item is the god of the mobility. THe speed bonus is equal to a free 300g boots. Pair this with Chain/Tempest boots to be a master of escape. Heroes like Grey Witch, Gambler, Horse, Guervus, Khlint love that item. End game, you can even think of replacing your normal boots by this item on all mages for great upside.
This item is the god of the mobility. THe speed bonus is equal to a free 300g boots. Pair this with Chain/Tempest boots to be a master of escape. Heroes like Grey Witch, Gambler, Horse, Guervus, Khlint love that item. End game, you can even think of replacing your normal boots by this item on all mages for great upside.
Holy 110 Trinity – Boneflame (3800g)
+110 MAtk, +250MP, +3MPRegen, passive: Increase the hero’s Magical Attack by 3% of maximum MP. + add 8MP per skill used
The Nuker: this item is the highest +dmg increase item of the game. Not only it gives +110 MATK, but the passive grants you a bonus of 3% of you Max MP, which represent an extra of 50-80 MAtk. This item is a must-have for every pure mage carries
The Nuker: this item is the highest +dmg increase item of the game. Not only it gives +110 MATK, but the passive grants you a bonus of 3% of you Max MP, which represent an extra of 50-80 MAtk. This item is a must-have for every pure mage carries
Holy 110 Trinity – Searing Orb (3900g)
110 MAtk, +459 MP, Passive (Unique): Burn through 30% of enemy’s Magic Defense.
The Piercer: this item, compared to Boneflame, provides less damage increase. But where it shines is in the passive piercing. It MUST never be taken before Boneflame, unless it is clear the enemy is going to build magic defense earlier. This item has value MAINLY if enemy is buying magic defense (defense a above 100). Great choice on any mage carries from mid game.
The Piercer: this item, compared to Boneflame, provides less damage increase. But where it shines is in the passive piercing. It MUST never be taken before Boneflame, unless it is clear the enemy is going to build magic defense earlier. This item has value MAINLY if enemy is buying magic defense (defense a above 100). Great choice on any mage carries from mid game.
Holy 110 Trinity – Staff of Rectitude (3845g)
+210 MP, +110 Magical Attack, +10% Leech HP
The Leecher: compared to his brothers, this one has only one key advantage, the leech increase. It can be used ONLY ON ST Mages, never on AoE ones. The Leech Hp value from AoE skills is reduced to 30% of the value, rendering its advantage meaningless. Great choice on Guervus, Vigelos, Equellia.
The Leecher: compared to his brothers, this one has only one key advantage, the leech increase. It can be used ONLY ON ST Mages, never on AoE ones. The Leech Hp value from AoE skills is reduced to 30% of the value, rendering its advantage meaningless. Great choice on Guervus, Vigelos, Equellia.
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