User blog comment:Alonlah/Poppys viability in the current meta and her status in the PBE./@comment-6867526-20130817160500/@comment-6061249-20130817222440

The thing is, Poppy CAN outtrade lots of champions on top lane, with Doran's Shield, it's simple.

She takes very low damage when it comes to trade, even on high health (thanks to Paragon of Demacia) and all she has to do is rushing Sheen, and if comes to trade - Q that can hit even 300 damage and keep fighting if enemy is not strongly based on AAs. With few exceptions, Poppy should win the trade, believe or not. To be honest, she can deal quite good with such champions as Jayce, though Shock Blasts still need to be avoided. Not to mention how much Shield's regen gives, because bonus 2 health per second combined with natural regen actually is good. You just should get lots of defense from masteries and runes instead of damage, and Exhaust or Barrier may help too.

Of course, i agree about mana costs. Q & W's, really needed.