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? Well, buckle up, summoners, because we're about to break down the pros, cons, and everything in between to help you decide which item is the right choice for your Gwen build.

The Core Question: Early Game Power vs. Scaling Potential

The heart of this decision lies in understanding what you want to prioritize in your early game. Are you looking to dominate your lane from the get-go, exerting pressure and securing early kills? Or are you playing the long game, focusing on scaling into a late-game powerhouse that can shred through tanks and carry teamfights? Your answer to this question will heavily influence your itemization choices. Both Riftmaker and Nashor's Tooth offer unique benefits to Gwen, but they cater to different playstyles and game plans. Riftmaker, with its Omnivamp and True Damage conversion, provides sustain and damage that shines in extended trades and skirmishes. Nashor's Tooth, on the other hand, grants Attack Speed and AP that amplify your DPS and allow you to melt through enemies with your basic attacks and abilities. Consider your lane opponent and the overall team compositions. If you're facing a tanky opponent or anticipate drawn-out fights, Riftmaker might be the better choice. If you're up against a squishier target or need to push waves quickly, Nashor's Tooth could be the way to go. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual playstyle and the specific circumstances of each game. Adaptability is key to mastering Gwen and maximizing your impact on the Rift.

Riftmaker First: The Sustain and True Damage Route

Let's delve into the Riftmaker first approach. This build prioritizes sustain and consistent damage output, making Gwen a formidable threat in extended engagements. By rushing Riftmaker, you gain access to Omnivamp, which provides valuable healing based on the damage you deal. This sustain is particularly useful in lane, allowing you to shrug off poke and stay healthy during trades. Furthermore, Riftmaker's Void Corruption passive converts a portion of your damage into True Damage, which bypasses enemy armor and magic resistance. This is incredibly effective against tanky champions who stack defensive stats. The beauty of Riftmaker lies in its ability to empower Gwen's sustained damage. As you continue to fight, the item's passive stacks up, increasing your damage output and making you increasingly difficult to kill. This makes you a menace in drawn-out skirmishes and teamfights. However, building Riftmaker first does have its drawbacks. It doesn't provide as much immediate burst damage as Nashor's Tooth, and it can feel a bit slow to ramp up in the early game. You'll need to play patiently and look for opportunities to engage in extended trades where you can take advantage of your sustain and True Damage. Furthermore, Riftmaker relies on you actively dealing damage to heal, so it's less effective when you're being kited or unable to reach your targets. Consider your team composition when opting for Riftmaker. If you have teammates who can provide crowd control or engage fights, you'll have an easier time sticking to your targets and maximizing your damage output. If your team lacks engage, you might struggle to utilize Riftmaker's full potential.

Nashor's Tooth First: The Attack Speed and DPS Option

Now, let's explore the Nashor's Tooth first strategy. This build focuses on maximizing your DPS and waveclear, allowing you to quickly push lanes, take towers, and melt through enemies with your enhanced auto-attacks. Nashor's Tooth grants a significant amount of Attack Speed and AP, which synergizes perfectly with Gwen's kit. Her Passive, Thousand Cuts, deals bonus magic damage on hit, and Nashor's Tooth amplifies this effect, turning you into a shredding machine. The Attack Speed also makes it easier to stack your Passive and apply on-hit effects, further increasing your damage output. Building Nashor's Tooth first provides a noticeable power spike in the early game. You'll be able to push waves faster, harass your lane opponent with auto-attacks, and take down towers with ease. This allows you to exert map pressure and create opportunities for your team. Furthermore, Nashor's Tooth is a relatively cheap item, which means you can complete it faster than Riftmaker and start snowballing your lead. However, Nashor's Tooth also has its limitations. It doesn't provide any sustain, which can make you vulnerable to poke and all-ins. You'll need to be careful about your positioning and rely on your movement to avoid taking unnecessary damage. Furthermore, Nashor's Tooth is less effective against tanky champions who can shrug off your auto-attacks. Consider your lane opponent and the enemy team composition when choosing Nashor's Tooth. If you're facing a squishy target or need to push waves quickly, it's an excellent choice. However, if you're up against a tanky opponent or anticipate drawn-out fights, you might be better off with Riftmaker.

Analyzing the Synergy with Gwen's Abilities

To truly understand the item choices, let's break down how Riftmaker and Nashor's Tooth synergize with Gwen's abilities. Her Q, Thousand Cuts, benefits from both items. Riftmaker's True Damage amplifies the damage of each snip, while Nashor's Tooth's Attack Speed allows you to cast more snips in a shorter amount of time. Her W, Hallowed Mist, doesn't directly benefit from either item, but it provides a safe zone where you can dish out damage with Riftmaker's Omnivamp or shred enemies with Nashor's Tooth's Attack Speed. Her E, Skip 'n Slash, is a gap closer that allows you to get into range to utilize both items effectively. The Attack Speed boost from E also synergizes well with Nashor's Tooth. Her R, Needlework, benefits from both items as well. Riftmaker's True Damage makes each needle hit harder, while Nashor's Tooth's Attack Speed allows you to cast more needles in a shorter amount of time. Ultimately, the synergy between Gwen's abilities and these items depends on your playstyle and the situation. If you prefer a more sustained damage approach, Riftmaker is the better choice. If you prefer a burstier, DPS-focused playstyle, Nashor's Tooth is the way to go.

Adaptability: The Key to Mastering Gwen's Build

Ultimately, the best approach to building Gwen is to be adaptable and adjust your itemization based on the specific circumstances of each game. There's no one-size-fits-all answer to the Riftmaker vs. Nashor's Tooth question. Consider your lane opponent, the enemy team composition, your team composition, and your own playstyle when making your decision. Don't be afraid to experiment with different builds and see what works best for you. Some games, you might find that Riftmaker is the perfect choice for sustaining through a tough lane and shredding tanks in teamfights. Other games, you might find that Nashor's Tooth is the key to snowballing your lead and carrying the game with your DPS. The most important thing is to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each item and make informed decisions based on the situation. As you gain more experience with Gwen, you'll develop a better sense of when to build each item and how to maximize your impact on the Rift. So go out there, summoners, and experiment with different builds. Find what works best for you and unleash the power of the Hallowed Seamstress!

Mythic Item Choices Post-First Item

Okay, so you've got your first item, be it Riftmaker or Nashor's Tooth. What's next? Gwen, being an AP bruiser, has a few solid Mythic options to consider. Your choice here really depends on what you need for the mid-to-late game. Let's break down the most common options:

• Riftmaker (if you didn't build it first): Obviously, if you went Nashor's Tooth first, Riftmaker becomes a very strong second item. It gives you that crucial Omnivamp and True Damage conversion to sustain and shred through enemies. The Void Corruption passive really amps up your damage as fights drag on.

• Crown of the Shattered Queen: This item is fantastic against burst-heavy compositions. The Boon passive grants significant damage reduction, making you much harder to one-shot. It's great for surviving assassins or mages who can quickly delete you. However, be mindful that the Boon is removed if you deal damage to an enemy champion, so it's best used when you need to survive the initial burst and then go in for the kill.

• Liandry's Anguish: If the enemy team is stacking a lot of health, Liandry's is a solid choice. The Torment passive burns enemies for a percentage of their maximum health, making it incredibly effective against tanks and bruisers. It also provides mana, which can be helpful in longer games.

Itemization After Mythic: Rounding Out Your Build

After your Mythic item, you'll want to focus on rounding out your build with items that complement your playstyle and address any weaknesses you might have. Here are some popular choices:

• Zhonya's Hourglass: A classic AP item that provides armor and AP, as well as the invaluable Stasis active. This is a great defensive option that allows you to survive burst damage, dodge crucial abilities, or stall for your team to arrive.

• Rabadon's Deathcap: If you're looking to maximize your damage output, Deathcap is the go-to item. It grants a huge amount of AP, significantly boosting your ability damage. This is best built when you're already ahead and want to snowball your lead.

• Morellonomicon: If the enemy team has a lot of healing, Morellonomicon is a must-buy. The Grievous Wounds passive reduces enemy healing, making it harder for them to sustain through fights.

• Cosmic Drive: This item provides AP, Ability Haste, and Movement Speed, making you more mobile and allowing you to cast your abilities more frequently. It's a great choice for kiting, chasing, or simply roaming around the map.

Boots Choices for Gwen

Your choice of boots can also have a significant impact on your performance as Gwen. Here are the most common options:

• Sorcerer's Shoes: These boots provide magic penetration, increasing your damage output against enemies with low magic resistance. They're a great choice for snowballing your lead and bursting down squishy targets.

• Ionian Boots of Lucidity: These boots provide Ability Haste, allowing you to cast your abilities more frequently. They're a good choice if you want to have more consistent damage output and more opportunities to use your W, Hallowed Mist.

• Plated Steelcaps: If you're facing a lot of physical damage, these boots are a solid defensive option. They reduce the damage you take from auto-attacks, making you more durable in fights.

• Mercury's Treads: If you're facing a lot of crowd control, these boots are a must-buy. They reduce the duration of stuns, slows, and other forms of crowd control, making you less vulnerable to being locked down.

Final Thoughts: Mastering the Hallowed Seamstress

Gwen is a complex and rewarding champion to play. Mastering her build and playstyle requires experimentation and adaptability. Don't be afraid to try different item combinations and see what works best for you. Remember to consider your lane opponent, the enemy team composition, your team composition, and your own playstyle when making your decisions. With practice and dedication, you'll be able to unleash the full potential of the Hallowed Seamstress and carry your team to victory!