Talk:Irelia/@comment-112.200.54.12-20110929174033/@comment-219.110.146.142-20110930072838

Blade Surge is good for its gap closing and last hitting utility early on, and its mana cost increases each level. By getting a Sheen (later build into Trinity Force), it's on-hit effect applies additional 100% percent of your AD, plus the true damage of the active Hiten Style, so there is no particular reason you should level it up early (well, unless you have trouble last hitting minions even with Blade Surge), as it's damage increases by only 30 per level.

Equilibrium Strike, on the other hand, is a low mana cost harassing tool with very strong CC ability. By leveling up it to level 3 (Irelia should be level 5), you now have a 60 mana cost, 180 damage, 8s CD situational stun. Leveling it up should be prioritized against leveling up Blade Surge.