Talk:Udyr/Strategy/@comment-5232465-20120802054126/@comment-86.139.149.240-20121022154928

It's nothing to do with 'not looking away from the optimal book'. Top lane Udyr should be building AD, just not down the Berserker's Greaves and Bloodthirster Route. Currently, Jayce and Riven are the only conventional top laners that have Bloodthirster as part of their 'core' build, Jayce because he functions similarly to an AD Carry in lane, and Riven because it gives her a colossal amount of shield. Udyr, however, scales better off defensive/offensive item, like Maw of Malmortius or Atma's Impaler. Tiger Udyr top lane will literally rip the face off of a number of top laners. However, he's so easily kited that any ranged harass absolutely cripples him, hence why he needs defensive items. I'm surprised an Irelia lost to a DPS Udyr, and I'm confused why Pantheon felt the need to actually jump in on a DPS Udyr when he has ALL the advantage in lane.

Try going down a typical top lane DPS Bruiser build. 2 Doran's Blade, Heart of Gold, Phage, then go into a Trinity Force. Then you can pad the rest of your build out with other defensive items, typically upgrading to a Randuin's Omen, Banshee's Veil/Force of Nature for MR, Frozen Heart for additional armour, and a Guardian's Angel for an all round mix. Another solid item is Aegis of the Legion. For a general all round DPS bruiser build, I'd be looking at building Trinity Force, Randuin's Omen, Aegis of the Legion, Banshee's Veil and Guardian's Angel, Merc Treads being the typical boots. Survivability is very important, but the Trinity Force gives you both a huge DPS increase from low CD's, bonus AD and bonus AS, more target sticking from Phage procs and movespeed increases, as well as more durability from bonus mana, bonus AP (More shields for the shield god) and bonus health. If you felt the need for more damage, or have a tanky character in the team as well as yourself, you can throw in an Atma's for the GA.

Another thing to note is that your TF proc with Turtle Stance will generate additional health recover, so you can regain a lot of HP very quickly by jumping to Turtle Stance on your TF procs.