Talk:Aatrox/@comment-35229418-20151203194456/@comment-10136989-20151222110414

Hydra can be used at any point it doesn't have a cast time, doesn't interupt attack orders and actually resets your attack timer, allowing a quick AA>Hydra>AA. The sustain it gives you in lane far exceeds botrk because of the aoe lifesteal cleave. I do agree Aatrox is an attack speed reliant champion, but along with his passive giving between 30-55% and his low cooldown ult giving 40-60%, attack speed is not as good as buying damage early on, especially when not just his AD ratios are good, (+120% on Q+E) but also the flat attack speed he gets benefits buying AD more. His heal also nicely scales off AD, but really it scales off both.

Botrk WAS the better item to get, but with the price increase and passive decrease you can't be valuing it at being better than Hydra without against multiple health stacking enemies or use of the active for utility over damage. Deaths dance is worth a look as well, cdr is good, it allows more repositioning and better sticking power. It is also better if you're taking a tankier route and maxing E/Q.

And as ever at the moment Rageblade is crazy good, get this and you basically win lane.