Hey guys! 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! A super common question that pops up is whether to rush Riftmaker or Nashor's Tooth. Both are fantastic items on her, but the right choice really depends on your play style, the enemy team comp, and what you're trying to achieve in the early to mid-game. Let's break down the pros and cons of each, so you can make the best decision for your Gwen games.

Riftmaker First: Sustain and Scaling

Okay, so why would you even consider Riftmaker first? Well, the big selling point here is sustain and scaling. Riftmaker provides a good chunk of AP (Ability Power), which is always welcome on Gwen, but the real magic lies in its passive, Void Corruption. This passive converts a portion of the damage you deal into true damage, and it also heals you for a percentage of the damage dealt. This is HUGE for Gwen because she wants to be in extended fights, constantly weaving in and out of combat with her Hallowed Mist and dealing consistent damage with her Needlework.

Void Corruption stacks up as you deal damage in combat, eventually reaching a point where you're dealing a significant amount of true damage. This is incredibly valuable against tanky opponents who are stacking armor and magic resistance. Suddenly, their defenses matter a whole lot less, and you're cutting through them like butter. Plus, the healing from Riftmaker keeps you healthy in those prolonged skirmishes, allowing you to stay in the fight longer and continue dishing out damage. This makes Riftmaker an excellent choice when you anticipate facing a team with multiple tanks or bruisers who are going to be difficult to burst down.

Riftmaker also offers better scaling into the late game. As you acquire more AP and continue to fight, the true damage and healing become even more impactful. This means that you'll remain a relevant threat, even against teams that are building defensively to counter your AP damage. Think of Riftmaker as an investment in your late-game potential, giving you the tools you need to carry those crucial team fights when it matters most. However, building Riftmaker first can feel a bit slow in the early game. The item doesn't provide any attack speed, which can make your wave clear and objective taking feel sluggish. You might find yourself struggling to keep up with opponents who rush attack speed items, especially if they're able to push waves quickly and roam to other lanes.

Pros of Riftmaker First:

• Excellent sustain in extended fights.
• True damage helps against tanky opponents.
• Strong scaling into the late game.

Cons of Riftmaker First:

• Lack of early attack speed can hurt wave clear.
• Feels slower in the early game compared to Nashor's Tooth.

Nashor's Tooth First: Early Game Power and Wave Clear

Alright, let's flip the script and talk about Nashor's Tooth. This item is all about early game power and wave clear. Nashor's Tooth provides a hefty chunk of attack speed and AP, which synergizes incredibly well with Gwen's kit. The attack speed allows you to stack her passive, Thousand Cuts, more quickly, dealing bonus magic damage on hit. This is huge for both wave clearing and trading in lane, as you can quickly whittle down your opponent's health with auto-attacks and abilities.

The increased attack speed also makes it easier to secure early game objectives like towers and dragons. Gwen's ability to melt towers with her empowered auto-attacks is a key strength, and Nashor's Tooth amplifies this significantly. You can quickly push waves, roam to other lanes, and apply pressure to the map, forcing the enemy team to react to your movements. This can create opportunities for your team to gain a lead and snowball the game in your favor. Furthermore, Nashor's Tooth is generally cheaper than Riftmaker, allowing you to complete it faster and start impacting the game sooner. This can be particularly advantageous in matchups where you need to establish dominance early on to prevent your opponent from scaling.

However, Nashor's Tooth does have its drawbacks. It provides no sustain, which can make it difficult to survive in extended fights or against poke-heavy compositions. You'll need to rely more on your positioning and ability usage to avoid taking excessive damage. Additionally, Nashor's Tooth scales less effectively into the late game compared to Riftmaker. While the attack speed and AP remain valuable, the lack of true damage can make it harder to deal with tanky opponents who have built substantial defenses. Ultimately, building Nashor's Tooth first is a gamble. You're betting on your ability to generate an early lead and snowball the game before the enemy team can scale up and become too difficult to handle. It's a high-risk, high-reward strategy that can pay off handsomely if executed correctly.

Pros of Nashor's Tooth First:

• Excellent early game power and wave clear.
• Faster objective taking.
• Cheaper than Riftmaker.

Cons of Nashor's Tooth First:

• No sustain.
• Scales less effectively into the late game.

Making the Choice: Factors to Consider

So, how do you decide which item to rush on Gwen? Here are some key factors to consider:

• Enemy Team Composition: Are they tanky or squishy? If the enemy team is full of tanks and bruisers, Riftmaker's true damage will be invaluable. If they're squishy, Nashor's Tooth can help you burst them down quickly.
• Your Play Style: Do you prefer a more aggressive, snowball-oriented play style, or do you prefer to scale into the late game? If you like to pressure the map early and often, Nashor's Tooth is a good choice. If you prefer to farm up and become a late-game monster, Riftmaker is the way to go.
• Lane Matchup: Are you facing a difficult lane opponent who is likely to pressure you early? If so, Nashor's Tooth can help you match their aggression and maintain lane control. If you're in a more passive lane, you can safely farm up and build Riftmaker.
• Team Needs: Does your team need you to be a damage threat in the early game, or do they need you to be a late-game carry? If your team lacks early game damage, Nashor's Tooth can help fill that void. If your team already has plenty of early game damage, you can focus on scaling with Riftmaker.

Alternative Options

While Riftmaker and Nashor's Tooth are the most common first item choices on Gwen, there are a few other options to consider:

• Hextech Rocketbelt: This item provides a burst of mobility and damage, which can be useful for catching out opponents or escaping ganks. However, it lacks the sustain of Riftmaker and the attack speed of Nashor's Tooth.
• Luden's Tempest: This item provides a burst of AoE (Area of Effect) damage, which can be useful for wave clearing and team fighting. However, it's generally less effective than Riftmaker or Nashor's Tooth in most situations.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the best first item on Gwen depends on your individual preferences and the specific circumstances of the game. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, so experiment with both Riftmaker and Nashor's Tooth and see which one feels better for you. Pay attention to the factors outlined above, and adapt your build accordingly. With practice and experience, you'll develop a feel for when to build each item, and you'll be well on your way to mastering Gwen.

Good luck on the Rift, and have fun tearing it up with Gwen!