Introduction

Mejai's Soulstealer and Sword of the Occult are examples of items that represent high-risk, high-reward in League of Legends. Upon first purchase, both items would have already been gold-inefficient buys which makes buyers reluctant to consider them as options. However, those who are confident in their ability to do well in-game and avoid dying will have their troubles paid off significantly whereas someone who has not managed to yield good results may find themselves selling off the item to cut their losses.

While someone like Janna could get away with purchasing a Mejai's due to her safe playstyle, purchasing it on someone like Katarina could be a costly gamble in which purchasing a different item instead would have been more reliable. By interepreting the effectiveness of these two items in terms of gold efficiency, we can better understand the value of stats given by each stack and be able to evaluate the best scenario for purchasing or selling.

Gold Per Stat Calculations

TL;DR

1 AP = 21.75 g

1% CDR = 31.67 g

1 AD = 36 g

1% AS = 30 g

Amplifying Tome (435 g)

+20 AP

435 g ÷ 20 AP = 21.75 g per AP

Kindlegem (850 g)

+ 200 HP

+ 10% CDR

Since there is no basic % CDR item, the gold value of 10% CDR stat of Kindlegem must be determined. Before that can be done, the gold value of the 200 HP stat of Kindlegem must be solved first.

Ruby Crystal (400 g)

+ 150 HP

400 g ÷ 150 HP = 2.67 g per HP

Therefore,

200 HP × 2.67 g per HP = 533.33 g per 200 HP

850 g - 533.33 g = 316.67 g per 10% CDR

316.67 g ÷ 10% CDR = 31.67 g per % CDR

Long Sword (360 g)

+ 10 AD

360 g ÷ 10 AD = 36 g per AD

Dagger (450 g)

+ 15% AS

450 g ÷ 15% AS = 30 g per % AS

Gold Value of Mejai's Soulstealer

Initial Stacks (5)

+60 AP

60 AP × 21.75 g = 1305 g

Upon purchasing Mejai's Soulstealer, you are granted 5 stacks. With each stack offering 8 AP per stack, you start off with 40 AP plus the guaranteed 20 AP stat which adds up to a total of 60 AP. If we know that each AP is worth 21.75 g, then we know that the gold value of Mejai's Soulstealer upon purchase will be worth 1305 g. If one stack is worth 174 g, Mejai's Soulstealer will not be gold efficient until you earn a stack (6 stacks total) where it would have a gold value of 1479 g.

Maximum Stacks (20)

+ 180 AP

+ 15% CDR

180 AP × 21.75 g = 3915 g

15% CDR × 31.67 g = 475 g

3915 g + 475 g = 4390 g

At 20 stacks, Mejai's Soulstealer will offer 180 AP and include 15% CDR. Having a gold value of 4390 g means that its gold efficiency has increased to an approximate 313%.

Selling to get return on investment

If the selling price of Mejai's Soulstealer is 980 g after purchasing it for 1400 g, we must make at least 420 g with it to break-even. This could be through kill and assist gold or selling at at least 8 stacks (worth 1827 g in AP stats).

Gold Value of Sword of the Occult

Initial Stacks (5)

+ 35 AD

35 AD × 36 g = 1260 g

Upon purchasing Sword of the Occult, you are also granted 5 stacks. With each stack offering 5 AD per stack, you start off with 25 AD plus the guaranteed 10 AD stat which adds up to a total of 35 AD. If we know that each AD is worth 36 g, then we know that the gold value of Sword of the Occult upon purchase will be worth 1260 g. If one stack is worth 180 g, Sword of the Occult will not be gold efficient until you earn a stack (6 stacks total) where it would have a gold value of 1440 g.

Maximum Stacks (20)

+ 110 AD

+ 20% AS

110 AD × 36 g = 3960 g

20% AS × 30 g = 600 g

3960 g + 600g = 4560 g

At 20 stacks, Sword of the Occult will offer 110 AD and include 20% AS. Having a gold value of 4560 g means that it has an estimated 326% gold efficiency.

Selling to get return on investment

If the selling price of Sword of the Occult is also 980 g after purchasing it for 1400 g, we must also make at least 420 g with it to break-even. This could be through kill and assist gold or selling at at least 9 stacks (worth 1980 g in AD stats).

Conclusion

Mejai's Soulstealer and Sword of the Occult are not gold efficient buys until you earn a total of 6 stacks. The stats offered at 20 stacks are undeniably uncontested by other items in the game. Keep in mind that before reaching that point, you must do well to earn the benefits of these rewards otherwise you are punished for making the wrong purchasing decision and end up selling off the item at a deficit to cut your losses. Since you lose half your stacks upon death, you lose more when you have more. Think of it as an investment, the purchasing decision either be paying off and reaping huge benefits or have been a questionable gamble.