Talk:Ezreal/@comment-75.104.155.11-20120817200333/@comment-5419795-20120818182451

OP here. Okay, perhaps that wasn't the best example. But leveling Q is more about decreasing the cooldown than increasing the damage. Having smaller gaps between your Q's decreases the cooldowns of ALL of your abilities, which can be invaluable in any situation. Also, you'll be throwing out about 3 times more Q's than W's. Essence Flux might have higher base damage, but it has a shorter range and will probably deal less damage total in an extended fight.

Now, I will do as you suggested and compare them mathematically.

Rank 4 Q: Assuming you rush this, you will have 68 base AD, giving it 163 base physical damage. If it hits every time, you can use it every 3.5 seconds. It DOES benefit from your armor penetration, and suffers from enemy armor.

Rank 1 W: 80 magic damage, 9 second cooldown. Debuffs enemy attack speed by 20% for 5 seconds.

Rank 1 Q: I will assume you are level 1. Does 85 physical damage on a 5 second cooldown if you hit.

Rank 4 W: 230 magic damage on a 9 second cooldown with a 35% attackspeed debuff.

Damage-wise, Q will probably do more, because you can cast it more and it benefits from stats you will be building. W brings great utility and decent damage which will probably not be reduced as much by enemy resistances.

In any duel, even a 20% attackspeed debuff will turn the tides significantly, and while 40% is certainly better, you have to decide if it is worth losing ability damage and cooldown reduction to get it.