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Rod of Ages in League of Legends: A Comprehensive Guide

The Rod of Ages was a staple item in League of Legends for years, offering a blend of health, mana, and ability power that made it a popular choice for scaling mages and certain bruisers. While it has been removed from the game in its traditional form, understanding its legacy and the reasons behind its popularity is crucial for understanding itemization strategies in League of Legends. This article will delve into the history of the Rod of Ages, its stats, its users, and the reasons for its eventual removal, as well as explore the new item with the same name introduced in Season 2023.

The Original Rod of Ages: A History

The original Rod of Ages was introduced early in League of Legends’ history and quickly became a core item for many champions. Its appeal stemmed from its unique passive, which granted increasing health, mana, and ability power over time. This scaling effect made it particularly valuable for champions who wanted to survive the early game and become powerful carries in the late game. It was a quintessential item for those who prized consistent stats and long-term scaling.

Stats of the Classic Rod of Ages

The original Rod of Ages typically provided the following stats:

Ability Power: A moderate amount, usually around 60-80 AP.
Mana: A significant amount, often around 300-400 mana.
Health: A substantial amount, typically around 300-400 health.
Passive: Eternity – Restores mana equal to 15% of damage taken from champions, and health equal to 20% of mana spent, up to 15 health per cast.

The passive, Eternity, was a key component of the item’s strength. It provided sustain in lane and during teamfights, allowing champions to stay in the fight longer and cast more spells. The Rod of Ages was a strong pick for champions who wanted to be able to handle a lot of damage.

Champions Who Loved the Rod of Ages

Certain champions synergized particularly well with the Rod of Ages. These champions often had mana-hungry kits, benefited from the added health and ability power, and appreciated the sustain provided by the Eternity passive. Here are a few examples:

Ryze: Ryze, the Rune Mage, was arguably the most iconic user of the Rod of Ages. His kit revolves around spamming spells, making him extremely mana-dependent. The Rod of Ages provided him with the mana he needed to cast his spells continuously, as well as the health and ability power to scale into a late-game powerhouse.
Kassadin: Kassadin, the Void Walker, also benefited greatly from the Rod of Ages. His ultimate ability, Riftwalk, consumes increasingly more mana with each use, making him another mana-hungry champion. The Rod of Ages allowed him to use Riftwalk more frequently and survive longer in fights.
Anivia: Anivia, the Cryophoenix, is a control mage who relies on her mana to control the battlefield. The Rod of Ages gave her the mana she needed to keep her spells up and the health to survive burst damage.
Swain: Swain, the Noxian Grand General, could use the item to survive longer in fights and deal more damage. Swain’s kit allows him to drain health from enemies, making the item a natural fit for his playstyle.

The Reasons Behind the Removal of the Original Rod of Ages

Despite its popularity, the original Rod of Ages was eventually removed from League of Legends. Riot Games cited several reasons for this decision:

Lack of Diversity: The Rod of Ages was often considered the optimal first item for many mages, leading to a lack of item diversity. Riot wanted to encourage players to explore different itemization paths and adapt their builds to the specific game situation.
Scaling Issues: The item’s scaling nature meant that it was most effective when purchased early, which further limited build diversity. Players felt compelled to rush the Rod of Ages, even if other items might have been more optimal in certain situations.
Balance Concerns: The combination of health, mana, and ability power, along with the Eternity passive, made the Rod of Ages difficult to balance. It was either too strong, making it a must-buy item, or too weak, making it unappealing.

Riot Games aimed to create a more dynamic and diverse item ecosystem by removing the original Rod of Ages. They wanted players to make more strategic decisions about their item builds, based on the enemy team composition and the current state of the game. [See also: League of Legends Item Changes]

The Return of Rod of Ages in Season 2023

In Season 2023, the Rod of Ages made a return to League of Legends, albeit in a significantly reworked form. This new version retained the core concept of scaling stats but with a different passive and overall stat distribution.

Stats of the New Rod of Ages (Season 2023)

The Season 2023 Rod of Ages provided the following stats:

Ability Power: A moderate amount, around 60 AP.
Health: A substantial amount, around 300 HP.
Mana: A significant amount, around 300 Mana.
Passive – Eternity: Restore Mana equal to 20% of damage taken from champions. Restore Health equal to 20% of Mana spent, up to 15 Health per cast. For every 100 Mana or 200 Health restored, gain 35% Move Speed that decays over 3 seconds.
Mythic Passive: Grants all other Legendary items 5 Ability Power.

This version of the Rod of Ages aimed to address some of the issues with the original item. The Mythic passive encouraged players to build other legendary items, promoting build diversity. The Eternity passive remained, providing sustain, but the added movement speed component offered a new dimension to the item’s utility.

Changes and Considerations for the Reworked Item

The reworked Rod of Ages was designed to be a more balanced and versatile item. The Eternity passive still provided sustain, but the movement speed buff added a new layer of playmaking potential. The Mythic passive encouraged players to build other legendary items, preventing the item from becoming a one-size-fits-all solution. [See also: Mythic Item System in League of Legends]

However, the reworked Rod of Ages also faced its own challenges. Some players felt that it was weaker than the original, particularly in terms of scaling. Others argued that the movement speed buff was too situational and difficult to utilize effectively. The item’s overall effectiveness depended heavily on the champion and the specific game situation.

The Current State of Rod of Ages

As of late 2023 and early 2024, the Rod of Ages has undergone further adjustments and re-evaluations. Riot Games continues to monitor the item’s performance and make tweaks to its stats and passive abilities to ensure that it remains a viable and balanced option for mages. The specific build paths and champion synergies associated with the Rod of Ages are constantly evolving, so players should stay informed about the latest changes and strategies.

The Rod of Ages is a powerful item when used correctly. Knowing when and how to use the item is critical to success. The item is a good choice for champions who need mana, health, and ability power. It is also a good choice for champions who want to scale into the late game. However, the Rod of Ages is not always the best choice. In some cases, other items may be more effective.

Conclusion

The Rod of Ages has a rich history in League of Legends, from its initial popularity as a scaling item to its eventual removal and subsequent rework. While the item’s specific stats and passive abilities have changed over time, its core concept of providing health, mana, and ability power remains the same. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the game, understanding the Rod of Ages is essential for mastering itemization and maximizing your champion’s potential. The item’s legacy continues to influence item choices and strategic decisions in League of Legends. The Rod of Ages is a testament to the ever-evolving nature of League of Legends, and it will be interesting to see how the item continues to develop in the future. Understanding the nuances of items like the Rod of Ages is key to climbing the ranks and achieving victory on the Rift.