Buy order in LoL: when to buy each item and why
Having the gold isn’t enough: the order you buy in decides which minute you’re strong. Buying the right item on time opens a window to fight; stacking loose components leaves you half-done. Here you see how to order your build.
Finish items: the purchase power spikes
A completed item almost always gives more than the sum of its components: it has a passive, an extra stat or an effect the loose pieces don’t. That’s why your first finished item is a real power jump, not a trickle. The chart shows it: your damage per second doesn’t rise evenly, it steps up with each item you close.
This changes your recalls: if you go back with gold to finish an item, go back; if you return and buy two loose components “because I can afford it,” you’re often better off waiting a bit and closing the full item. An item finished on time opens a fight window that two components don’t.
You plan those jumps around your power spikes: gather the gold for your first item and fight when you have it and the enemy doesn’t. Where to get that gold is in where gold comes from.
DPS of the same crit build (Caitlyn level 18) adding one item at a time, with the real engine. The biggest jump comes from the first items: that’s where your purchase power spikes are.
Adapting the order: damage, defense and situation
There’s no fixed order for every game. There are three typical directions and the build leans toward one based on how the game goes: full damage (close fast if you’re ahead and not focused), damage with some defense (the most common and safe), and defense first (if you’re getting blown up and need to survive to deal damage). The radar compares those three profiles.
The practical rule: start with your core damage item, but read the game on every recall. If the enemy team has lots of physical damage, an armor piece on time is worth more than your third damage item; if it’s magic, magic resist. Buying the right resistance at the right moment wins fights that “more damage” would lose.
When each defense is worth it is covered in health vs resistances. The full order, cores and per-champion options are in how to build; test your sequence and see the real damage in the build lab.
How each build style spends its points across 5 axes (indicative). There’s no "complete" build: each one sacrifices something.
FAQ
Should I buy components or wait to finish the item?
Generally you want to finish items: a complete item almost always gives more than its loose components, because it adds a passive or effect. If you recall with gold to close an item, do it; if you can only afford loose components, it’s often better to wait a bit and complete the item for the power jump.
When do I stop buying damage to buy defense?
When you’re dying before you can deal damage. If what’s blowing you up is physical, slot an armor piece; if it’s magic, magic resist. Buying the right resistance on time usually wins more fights than an extra damage item, because it lets you live to use the damage you already have.