With the recent changes to the Cut Down rune in League of Legends, players are now wondering whether it's a better choice than Scorch when running Dark Harvest builds. In this post, we'll explore the pros and cons of each rune and help you decide which one is the best fit for your playstyle and champion.
The Changes to Cut Down:
Before diving into the comparison, let's take a quick look at the changes made to Cut Down in the latest patch. Previously, Cut Down dealt bonus damage based on the HP difference between you and your opponent. Now, it's entirely based on whether your target is above 60% HP or not. If an enemy champion is above 60% of their max HP, they will receive 8% extra damage from you.
Scorch: The Early Game Snowball Rune
Scorch, on the other hand, remains largely unchanged. It has a 10-second cooldown and deals 20-40 damage (based on level) when you hit an enemy with a damaging ability. Scorch is designed to help you slowly stack an HP advantage in lane through harass and short trades, making it an excellent choice for early game snowballing. However, it scales poorly into the mid and late game.
Cut Down: Scaling into Mid and Late Game
While Cut Down has been nerfed, it still scales better into the mid and late game compared to other runes in its row. The more damage you deal, the more the percentage increase benefits you. Cut Down is always active while people are above 60% HP, whereas Scorch has a 10-second cooldown.
Choosing the Right Rune for Your Playstyle
When deciding between Cut Down and Scorch for your Dark Harvest build, consider your playstyle and the champion you're playing. If you can bully your opponent in lane and want to start stacking Dark Harvest as soon as possible, Scorch might be the better choice. However, if you're up against someone who outranges or outtrades you, Cut Down could be more beneficial.
It's important to note that Scorch doesn't directly contribute to Dark Harvest stacks unless it brings the enemy below a threshold you wouldn't have reached otherwise. Due to its low damage, Scorch needs to be procced frequently to have a meaningful impact on Dark Harvest stacking.
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Final words:
In the end, the choice between Cut Down and Scorch for your Dark Harvest build depends on your playstyle, champion, and matchup. Scorch is great for early game snowballing and harassing your opponent, while Cut Down scales better into the mid and late game. Consider your strengths and weaknesses in the lane, and choose the rune that best complements your playstyle and champion.
