Talk:Phage/@comment-10382261-20130821224643/@comment-8468980-20130822061253

the real nerfs that ruined phage happened just before S3 and during the S3 item rework. increasing the cost despite lowering the HP and nerfing the passive were huge.

It just hasn't been a worthwhile pick for anybody. Junglers picked up aegis and locket, and top laner went for BC as their damage item combined with randuins or WM as first big defense item. These item combinations granted far, far greater benefits than phage>FM's over nerfed passive and weaker stats.

I'm not sure what to think about the change to the passive that grants MS on hit but I think removing phage from FM's recipe without creating a new option for a phage upgrade is a BIG mistake. Why are you going to buy Phage if you know you'll have to be fed in order to upgrade in a timely manner? Plus, nobody gets TF anymore. Bruisers scale better with base stats and relying on a damage item that scales with the enemy like Black cleaver, Bork, or Wits.