So, you're diving into the world of Gwen, the Hallowed Seamstress, and you're wondering about the age-old question: Riftmaker or Nashor's Tooth first? Don't worry, you're not alone! This is a common debate among Gwen players, and the answer isn't always straightforward. It really depends on your play style, the enemy team composition, and what you're trying to accomplish in the game. Let's break it down, guys, and figure out what works best for you.

Understanding Gwen's Core Playstyle

Before we jump into the item builds, let's quickly recap what makes Gwen tick. She's an AP bruiser who thrives in extended fights, dealing consistent damage with her abilities and auto-attacks. Her Hallowed Mist (W) provides crucial survivability, while her Needlework (Q) is her primary damage source. Gwen wants to get in close, stick to her targets, and melt them down with her sustained damage output. This playstyle is heavily influenced by itemization, making the first item choice extremely important. Choosing correctly can drastically improve your early game impact and set you up for success in the mid to late game. You should consider your team's needs and the enemy team's weaknesses. If your team lacks consistent damage, focusing on damage early might be beneficial. If you need to be more of a sustained damage threat, building towards survivability may be better. Understanding these nuances is key to maximizing Gwen's potential.

Riftmaker First: The Sustain and Scaling Option

Riftmaker is often considered the default first item on Gwen. Why? Because it provides a fantastic blend of damage, sustain, and scaling. The Omnivamp is invaluable for staying healthy in lane and sustaining through skirmishes. It allows Gwen to heal off the damage she deals, making her incredibly difficult to push out of lane. The Mythic Passive, which grants bonus Ability Power for each legendary item, synergizes perfectly with Gwen's late-game scaling. As you build more items, Riftmaker becomes even more powerful, amplifying your overall damage output. The item provides mixed damage through its Void Corruption passive, converting a portion of damage dealt to True Damage. This is extremely useful against tanky opponents who build magic resistance. In summary, Riftmaker is the go-to option when you want to prioritize scaling, sustain, and the ability to deal with tanky opponents. It allows you to play a more self-sufficient style, farming up and becoming a late-game monster.

When to Build Riftmaker First

• Against Tanky Teams: If the enemy team is full of tanks and bruisers, Riftmaker's True Damage conversion will help you shred through their defenses.
• When You Need Sustain: If you're in a tough lane where you're constantly taking damage, the Omnivamp from Riftmaker will keep you healthy and allow you to stay in lane longer.
• When You Want to Scale: If you're confident in your ability to farm and play for the late game, Riftmaker's scaling potential makes it an excellent choice.

Nashor's Tooth First: The Early Game Power Spike

Nashor's Tooth offers a different approach. Instead of focusing on sustain and scaling, it provides a massive early-game power spike. The attack speed and Ability Power significantly boost Gwen's damage output, allowing you to bully your lane opponent and snowball your lead. The on-hit damage from Nashor's Tooth also synergizes incredibly well with Gwen's kit, as she frequently weaves auto-attacks between her abilities. This item excels at dueling and skirmishing, enabling you to take over the game early on. It allows Gwen to pressure towers more effectively and provides more consistent damage in shorter fights. However, it's worth noting that Nashor's Tooth doesn't offer the same level of sustain as Riftmaker, so you'll need to be more careful about managing your health.

When to Build Nashor's Tooth First

• Against Squishy Teams: If the enemy team is full of squishy targets, Nashor's Tooth will allow you to burst them down quickly.
• When You Want to Snowball: If you're confident in your ability to win your lane and translate that lead to other parts of the map, Nashor's Tooth is an excellent choice for aggressive players.
• When You Need to Push Towers: If your team needs someone to push towers quickly, Nashor's Tooth's attack speed and on-hit damage will help you shred through structures.

Comparing the Two: A Detailed Breakdown

Let's dive into a more detailed comparison of Riftmaker and Nashor's Tooth to help you make the best decision for your games.

• Damage: Both items provide significant damage increases, but they do so in different ways. Nashor's Tooth offers a more immediate burst of damage, while Riftmaker's damage scales over time. Nashor's Tooth excels in shorter trades and skirmishes, while Riftmaker shines in extended fights.
• Sustain: Riftmaker is the clear winner in terms of sustain. The Omnivamp provides a significant amount of healing, allowing you to stay healthy in lane and survive extended fights. Nashor's Tooth offers no sustain, so you'll need to rely on other sources of healing, such as runes or potions.
• Scaling: Riftmaker scales better into the late game due to its Mythic Passive, which grants bonus Ability Power for each legendary item. As you build more items, Riftmaker becomes increasingly powerful. Nashor's Tooth provides a strong early-game power spike but doesn't scale as well as Riftmaker.
• Cost: Both items have similar costs, so the price shouldn't be a major factor in your decision.
• Playstyle: Nashor's Tooth encourages a more aggressive and proactive playstyle, while Riftmaker allows you to play a more patient and scaling playstyle.

Adapting Your Build: Considering the Game State

Ultimately, the best choice between Riftmaker and Nashor's Tooth depends on the specific game you're in. You need to consider the enemy team composition, your team's needs, and your own playstyle. If you're facing a tanky team and need sustain, Riftmaker is the way to go. If you're facing a squishy team and want to snowball your lead, Nashor's Tooth is a great option. Don't be afraid to experiment with different builds and see what works best for you.

Additional Considerations

• Runes: Your rune choices can also influence your item build. If you're running Conqueror, Riftmaker's sustain will be even more valuable. If you're running Electrocute, Nashor's Tooth's burst damage will be more effective.
• Summoner Spells: Your summoner spells can also play a role. If you're running Teleport, you can afford to play a more scaling playstyle with Riftmaker. If you're running Ignite, you can be more aggressive with Nashor's Tooth.

Beyond the First Item: Completing Your Build

Once you've chosen your first item, you'll need to complete your build with other items that synergize well with Gwen's kit. Some popular options include:

• Rabadon's Deathcap: Provides a massive boost to your Ability Power, amplifying your overall damage output.
• Zhonya's Hourglass: Offers survivability and allows you to make aggressive plays without fear of being instantly burst down.
• Cosmic Drive: Grants movement speed and Ability Power, allowing you to kite and chase enemies more effectively.
• Morellonomicon: Provides magic penetration and reduces healing, making it effective against champions with high sustain.
• Void Staff: Offers a significant amount of magic penetration, allowing you to deal more damage to enemies with magic resistance.

Final Thoughts: Mastering Gwen's Itemization

Choosing the right first item on Gwen is a crucial decision that can significantly impact your success. Riftmaker offers sustain and scaling, while Nashor's Tooth provides an early-game power spike. Consider the enemy team composition, your team's needs, and your own playstyle when making your choice. Don't be afraid to experiment and adapt your build to the specific game you're in. With practice and experience, you'll master Gwen's itemization and become a formidable force on the Rift. Good luck, have fun, and happy sewing, guys!