So, you're diving into the world of Gwen, the Hallowed Seamstress, and trying to figure out the best way to kickstart her build? Awesome! One of the most common questions Gwen players have is whether to rush Riftmaker or Nashor's Tooth. Both items are fantastic on her, but the right choice depends on a few key factors. Let's break it down and get you shredding those enemies in no time!

Riftmaker First: Sustained Damage and Tankiness

Riftmaker is often considered the go-to starting item for Gwen, and for good reason. This item provides a mix of AP, health, and Omnivamp, making her incredibly durable and able to sustain through extended fights. The Mythic passive further enhances her damage output, granting bonus true damage as she stays in combat. Here’s why you might want to consider Riftmaker first:

• Sustain: The Omnivamp from Riftmaker is a game-changer for Gwen. It allows her to heal off of every ability and auto-attack, making her incredibly difficult to kill in drawn-out skirmishes and team fights. This is especially useful in the top lane, where you'll often find yourself in extended trades.
• Tankiness: The added health from Riftmaker provides Gwen with some much-needed durability. This is particularly important in the early game when she's still relatively squishy. The extra health allows her to survive burst damage and stay in fights longer, maximizing her damage output.
• True Damage: As you deal damage with Riftmaker, you'll start stacking bonus true damage. This is incredibly valuable against tanky opponents, as it bypasses their armor and magic resistance. The true damage helps Gwen remain relevant even against the beefiest of enemies.
• Lane Dominance: With the sustain and tankiness from Riftmaker, Gwen can often bully her lane opponent. She can take unfavorable trades and heal back up, forcing the enemy to play passively or risk falling behind.

When opting for Riftmaker first, think about these scenarios:

• You're up against a tanky opponent that you need to out-sustain and shred through.
• You anticipate needing to survive burst damage from the enemy team.
• You want to dominate your lane and force your opponent to play defensively.

Riftmaker provides a stable and reliable foundation for Gwen, making her a formidable force in both lane and team fights. It's a great choice for players who prefer a more sustained damage playstyle.

Nashor's Tooth First: All-In on Damage

Nashor's Tooth is the alternative option, focusing more on raw damage output. It provides a significant amount of AP and attack speed, which synergizes incredibly well with Gwen's kit. The item also grants bonus on-hit damage, further amplifying her damage potential. Here’s why you might consider Nashor's Tooth first:

• Attack Speed: Gwen's abilities apply on-hit effects, meaning that attack speed directly translates to more damage. Nashor's Tooth provides a massive boost to her attack speed, allowing her to shred through enemies at an alarming rate.
• AP and On-Hit Damage: The AP and on-hit damage from Nashor's Tooth significantly increase Gwen's damage output. This is especially noticeable against squishy targets, who will melt under her relentless attacks.
• Tower Taking: The attack speed and on-hit damage from Nashor's Tooth make Gwen a formidable tower taker. She can quickly destroy towers and push lanes, applying pressure to the enemy team.
• Early Game Power Spike: Nashor's Tooth provides a significant early game power spike, allowing Gwen to snowball her lead and take over the game. This is especially useful in lower elos, where games are often decided in the early to mid game.

When opting for Nashor's Tooth first, think about these scenarios:

• You're up against a squishy opponent that you can easily burst down.
• You want to snowball your lead and take over the game.
• You need to split push and apply pressure to the enemy team.

Nashor's Tooth is a more aggressive option that can lead to explosive plays and early game dominance. However, it does leave Gwen more vulnerable to burst damage, so you'll need to be careful about your positioning.

Comparing the Two: Playstyle and Matchup

Ultimately, the choice between Riftmaker and Nashor's Tooth comes down to your playstyle and the specific matchup you're facing. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:

• Riftmaker: Best for sustained damage, tankiness, and out-sustaining opponents. Ideal against tanky champions and when you need to survive burst damage.
• Nashor's Tooth: Best for raw damage output, snowballing leads, and split pushing. Ideal against squishy champions and when you want to apply pressure to the enemy team.

Consider these factors when making your decision:

• Enemy Team Composition: Are they mostly tanky or squishy? Do they have a lot of burst damage?
• Your Team Composition: Do you need to be a frontline tank or a damage carry?
• Your Playstyle: Do you prefer a more sustained damage playstyle or an aggressive, snowballing playstyle?

By carefully considering these factors, you can make the right choice and maximize your effectiveness on Gwen.

Item Synergies and Build Paths

No matter which item you choose to start with, it's important to understand how it synergizes with the rest of your build. Here are some common item synergies and build paths for Gwen:

Riftmaker Build Path

1. Riftmaker: As discussed, provides sustain, tankiness, and true damage.
2. Nashor's Tooth: Synergizes well with Riftmaker, providing attack speed and on-hit damage.
3. Rabadon's Deathcap: Amplifies your AP, significantly increasing your damage output.
4. Zhonya's Hourglass: Provides survivability and allows you to make aggressive plays.
5. Void Staff: Penetrates magic resistance, allowing you to deal more damage to tanky opponents.

This build path focuses on providing a balance of damage, sustain, and survivability. It's a great choice for players who want to be able to survive extended fights and deal consistent damage over time.

Nashor's Tooth Build Path

1. Nashor's Tooth: As discussed, provides attack speed and on-hit damage.
2. Riftmaker: Synergizes well with Nashor's Tooth, providing sustain and true damage.
3. Rabadon's Deathcap: Amplifies your AP, significantly increasing your damage output.
4. Lich Bane: Provides burst damage and synergizes well with Gwen's ability-weaving playstyle.
5. Void Staff: Penetrates magic resistance, allowing you to deal more damage to tanky opponents.

This build path focuses on maximizing damage output. It's a great choice for players who want to snowball their lead and quickly burst down enemies.

Summoner Spells and Runes

Your choice of summoner spells and runes can also impact your effectiveness on Gwen. Here are some common choices:

Summoner Spells

• Flash: Essential for mobility and escaping dangerous situations.
• Teleport: Allows you to quickly join team fights and split push effectively.
• Ignite: Provides kill pressure in lane and can be used to secure early leads.

The choice between Teleport and Ignite depends on your playstyle and the specific matchup you're facing. Teleport is generally preferred in higher elos, while Ignite can be useful for snowballing in lower elos.

Runes

• Conqueror: Provides bonus AP and healing as you deal damage. This is the most common keystone for Gwen.
• Presence of Mind: Provides mana sustain, which is important for Gwen in the early game.
• Legend: Alacrity: Provides attack speed, which synergizes well with Gwen's kit.
• Coup de Grace: Deals more damage to low-health enemies, helping you secure kills.
• Taste of Blood: Provides sustain in lane, helping you survive unfavorable trades.
• Ravenous Hunter: Provides Omnivamp, further enhancing Gwen's sustain.

These runes provide a good balance of damage, sustain, and mana sustain. They're a great choice for most Gwen players.

Tips and Tricks for Gwen

Before we wrap things up, here are a few tips and tricks to help you master Gwen:

• Use your W (Hallowed Mist) effectively: This ability provides a zone of safety that makes you untargetable to enemies outside of the mist. Use it to dodge skillshots, avoid ganks, and survive burst damage.
• Weave auto-attacks between your abilities: Gwen's abilities apply on-hit effects, so it's important to weave auto-attacks between them to maximize your damage output.
• Use your E (Skip 'n Slash) to reposition: This ability allows you to dash a short distance, making it useful for dodging skillshots, chasing enemies, and escaping dangerous situations.
• Practice your ultimate (Needlework): Gwen's ultimate is a powerful tool for dealing damage and applying on-hit effects. Practice using it effectively to maximize its impact.

By following these tips and tricks, you can improve your gameplay and become a formidable Gwen player.

Conclusion: Mastering Gwen's Build

Choosing between Riftmaker and Nashor's Tooth as your first item on Gwen is a crucial decision that can significantly impact your gameplay. Riftmaker offers sustained damage and tankiness, making it ideal for tough matchups and extended fights. Nashor's Tooth, on the other hand, provides raw damage output, perfect for snowballing leads and dominating squishy opponents.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your playstyle, the enemy team composition, and your team's needs. Experiment with both items, practice your combos, and master her unique abilities. With dedication and the right build, you'll be shredding enemies and carrying games in no time! Good luck, and have fun mastering the Hallowed Seamstress!