Itemization

Patch/context note

Expanded primarily from X9yhG5vKca4
Reinforced by macro-first framing from BrcJ9h4mulc

Core ideas

Buy for your current lane problem and near-term map job.
In lane phase, a few high-impact/situational buys usually outperform greedy full-build rushing.
Efficiency matters: soul spending should produce immediate survivability, pressure, or conversion power.

Lane-phase item heuristics

Flat early-value items (damage/proc stats) are strongest when HP pools are low.
Wave-control tools are high value when shoved in or when contesting farm tempo.
At least one sustain tool is often correct, even when ahead, to maintain pressure uptime.
Barrier-style defensive procs can be lane-winning if enemy kits trigger them reliably.

Healing options: when to prefer what

Prefer proc-based sustain if your hero can trigger it consistently.
Prefer channel/regen choices when you can fit recovery into productive movement windows.
Re-evaluate sustain based on matchup hitbox reliability, lane volatility, and your ability to safely activate heals.

Scaling and spike logic

Percent-scaling items typically gain value later; many are lower-impact in early lane unless matchup-specific.
Prioritize mathematically efficient investment spikes before broad, unfocused shopping.
Practical rule from source examples: by around early-mid spend thresholds, strong builds usually commit into a clear stat line rather than splitting everywhere.

High-frequency execution rule

If an item is balanced around cooldown procs, play to its cooldown:

Trigger it intentionally and repeatedly.
Don’t buy proc items and then ignore proc windows.
Treat missed/unused procs as lost soul value.

Common build traps

Buying only for lane and sacrificing all midgame conversion power.
Copying builds without understanding why each slot exists.
Panic-disengaging after defensive procs instead of using temporary HP windows to trade back when appropriate.