User blog comment:ND999/Lore of LoL - Blast from the past: Doran/@comment-26815373-20151225002122/@comment-3110123-20151227231309

Although the idea of Doran gaining Wrought Iron through level seems like a quick, simple and reliable method to receive this currency, I kinda feel like it might be too much like Kha'Zix and his evolution points (though he only gains them upon leveling up his ult or by winning his little hunting event with an enemy Rengar). A friend of mine recommended for Stalagmites to appear around the map (like Bard's Chimes) which Doran can mine for Wrought Iron, but that makes him sounds more like a miner than a blacksmith.

Anyways, I don't see why supports or junglers wouldn't buy Doran's items once they become available. I mean we used to see top laners buy Cinderhulk and mid laners buy Runeglaive when they aren't junglers. Although they do not benefit from Doran's starter items, you also don't see supports starting with Amplifying Tomes, yet there are some who buy them later on in the game (for example to build into Zeke's Harbinger). The reason they don't buy Doran's items now is because they don't build into anything they could use, add Doran as a champion and that might change (emphasis on "might"). And I can see a scenario where nobody in the team would bother using Doran's items, not exactly sure how to tackle that one. Perhaps make the items as interesting (but still useful) as possible? I mean manaless champions have been known to buy Trinity Force, and although wasted stats are sad to see there are instances where such scenarios can work out. But that's just my 2 cents.