Updated: 2024-08-28 (
Author: Wrekah

Why You Should Not Buy Potions in ARAM

In League of Legends' ARAM mode, it might seem wise to start with potions to sustain yourself in the early game. However, I strongly believe that you should avoid buying potions. Here’s why you should rethink that purchase:

Delays Your Core Items

  • Slows Down Power Spikes: Buying potions diverts gold away from essential items, delaying your champion's power spikes. In ARAM, where fights happen continuously, reaching your core items faster can significantly impact the game’s outcome.
  • Reduced Impact: By investing in potions, you might miss out on getting that crucial item that could help you dominate early skirmishes and gain a significant advantage.

Encourages Passive Play

  • Slows Down the Pace: Relying on potions can encourage a more passive playstyle, where players hang back and avoid fighting to preserve health. In my opinion, this mentality is less effective in ARAM, where continuous combat, tempo plays and frequent resetting is key.
  • KDA Griefing: Players who prioritize staying alive over making impactful plays might hinder their team's progress. The objective is to win the game, not just to maintain a good KDA (Kill/Death/Assist ratio).

Detracts From the Main Goal

  • Focus on the Objective: The primary objective in ARAM is to destroy the enemy Nexus. Investing in potions shifts focus away from this goal. Instead of using gold for items that contribute to team fights and pushing power, you’re spending it on temporary health sustain.
  • Objective Play: A potion-centric approach can lead to indecisiveness, where players are more concerned about survival than pushing towers or engaging in crucial fights.

Dying Is Okay

  • Embrace Death Strategically: In ARAM, dying isn't always a bad thing. It gives you a chance to buy items and return with full health and mana, ready to contribute to the next team fight.
  • Use Death to Reset: Strategic deaths can allow you to reset your HP and mana, purchase items, and re-enter the fight more powerful. This approach is often more beneficial than merely staying alive with low health and resources.

Exceptions to the Rule

While it's generally better to avoid potions, there are some exceptions:

  • Super Sustain Builds: Certain champions or builds might benefit from additional sustain, making potions more viable.
  • Safe Mages: Champions who can stay in the backline and avoid damage might find potions useful to stay topped up.
  • Personal Preferences: Some players might have a playstyle that makes potions worthwhile. However, even in these cases, the benefits of skipping potions often outweigh the costs.

Conclusion

Overall, avoiding potions in ARAM can lead to more aggressive, objective-focused gameplay that prioritizes core itemization and team fights. While there are exceptions based on champion and playstyle, the general strategy should lean towards investing gold into items that directly contribute to your champion's strength and the team's objectives. By doing so, you'll be better equipped to dominate the battlefield and lead your team to victory.