User blog comment:Doctursea/Ezreal discusion/@comment-196.215.190.80-20121006061101/@comment-5481660-20121006162945

I get the Chalice early to survive easier, and to spam alot more while in mid. The Tear tends to be a later game item, and honestly when i go mid as ezreal, I ain't plannin for there to be a later game. Ezreal has the second lowest starting health, without anivia's passive. Also, his Q is what i use to farm, while i poke with the W (a high mana cost spell). The chalice is just a safer choice, I'm a good Ezreal but being cocky is how you lose.

P.S. I think the choosing of the Chalice has also helped me beat the other Ap ezreals i have come up against, who usally pick the tear.