User blog comment:Alartan/Avarice Blade/@comment-22338397-20150102144837

I don't think these are misconceptions as much as legitimate points of contention. Of course, when you invest in a gold-generating item, it makes sense to try and (ab)use it as long as possible. However, in 's case, this might not always be ideal because:


 * 1) It becomes cost-efficient after 7-16 mins, depending on if you're allowed to last-hit properly. If you reach this point, however, you still have to go back and shop to merely be on equal footing with your opponent. Stat-wise, you pay an extra 400g to get 2% critical chance over {[ii|Brawler's Glove}}. This is not "Big Value" and the temporary power-dip might cause you to lose lane/opportunities. #Cost-efficiency aside, Critical Chance is an unreliable and rather weak early-game stat without significant amounts of Attack Damage or Attack Speed (or Critical Damage) to back it up. (I'd argue that it therefore doesn't belong on a gold-generation item that you're supposed to get early, but that's another discussion) #The items it builds into are mid-game items that provide a significant power-spike; Yes, you lose the gold-generation in favour of the immediate powerspike, but your alternative is keeping until lategame and either get that (now arguably slot-inefficient) mid-game item anyway, or sell it for a marginable profit at the cost your early-game.

So sure, if you're in a passive farm lane, or greatly outclass your opponent anyway, go sit on that gold-generating passive for a while. In other cases and with point 2 and 3 thrown in, other options are somtimes just more practical. I do agree with you that and  are overrated. They have their own strengths, especially in midgame, but Phantom Dancer is a solid choice that's nigh-forgotten for no particular reason. I do fear that the planned buffs to this item will put it back into the spotlight again and suddenly make it the "go-to" crit item again, instead of just each item having it's own niche.