User blog comment:Hidden Sniper/Riot's hand in the meta as we know it/@comment-3450702-20120927130419/@comment-4442345-20120928234749

Do people seriously recommend Zeke's more now than when Stark's was in existence? And would you really rather have that?

Really the difference is this: Old Starks gave armor reduction and 20% more attack speed and more lifesteal, while Zeke's gives cdr and health with less attack speed, lifesteal and no armor reduction.

SotD could've been reworked to keep armor pen. Really all they did was give armor pen a lower cap, less itemization, and less choice. Ionic spark is rarely, if ever seen.