The Runic Bulwark Troll
 

Since Riot's Pre-Season Patch, I've been QQ all over the forums about the removal of certain items and the nerfing of Tanking. Whether in game or on the forums people have been suggesting that I use Runic Bulwark. I avoid buying this item because its expensive and it doesn't look as though it provides much Tank, especially when you take into consideration how much it costs. But, nevertheless, everyone keeps suggesting it, so I gave it a try.

In a bot match, playing Maokai, at about lvl 11, with my MR per lvl runes, Mercury's Treads, Aegis of the Legion and a Null-Magic Mantle, I had about 148 magic resist.

I then spent the 650 gold to upgrade to the Runic Bulwark, which brought my total Magic Resist up to about 153!!!

That's right. a 5 point increase!!! 5pts.

for the 1200 gold it takes to upgrade from Aegis of the Legion to Runic Bulwark, I could have purchased a Negatron Cloak for 810gold and had roughly 390gold left, and a combined total of 80 magic resist (from Aegis of the Legion and a Negatron Cloak), rather than the paltry 60 magic resist from the much more expensive Runic Bulwark.

I'm sure someone will say: "But Runic Bulwark gives your teammates 30magic resist."
To which, I'll say: "I won't waste time or Gold on Runic Bulwark again."

That doesn't add up. Someone's Abyssal Scepter must of brought you down because just read the thing - Aegis gives 250 health, 20 armour + 10 aura, 20 magic resistance + 15 aura and 10 HP5 aura. Runic gives 400 health, 20 armour + 10 aura, 30 magic resistance + 30 aura and and 10 HP5 aura.

1) You went up by 30 MR
2) You also gained health
3) You also gained armor

And finaly: If you think Bulwark is a poor defensive item you should probably stop playing and actually learn some math on eHP and tactics for tanking in general.

But, I did do the math.
And here it is. I saved it.

The Runic Bulwark absorbs both the Aegis of the Legion and the Null-Magic Mantle, granting the tremendous addition of 5 pts of magic resist. 5!!! FIVE!!!
And, you will also note, that there is no increase in Armor pts between the Aegis of the Legion and the Runic Bulwark. Aegis of the Legion provides 30 armor pts.
Runic Bulwark provides 30 armor pts. so your statement: "You also gained Armor" is a flat out lie.

The Runic Bulwark is a waste of gold and time.

Waste of Gold, as in, for 1200gold you get 150 HP and 5pts of magic resist!!!
That's a Troll.

Meh so I missed the armor thing. Regardless.

Bulwark has 25 more MR than Aegis does. For 650 gold you've...

Gained 150 HP
Increased your MR by 5
Increased your MR aura by 15

Considering the stat combination the investment is excellent.

Well, it is an aura that gives decent stats, of course it's going to be expensive. You only think of how it modifies you. You forget the boost to your team.

The aura goes from 15 resist to 30. And it is spread out to up to 4 others. Assuming you are support and your jungler and top are around 3000hp, the 15 more MR is about 450 more health when taking magic damage (going by 1 MR being equivalent to 1% more health). And your carries are probably around 2000hp, so they're getting about 300 worth. And if you have a Vlad with 4000hp, he is boosted by 600 extra life.

That is a significant amount of durability for only 1200gold.

Spends 650g to provide ~1200 worth of additional MR to the team.

Says it's not worth it.

-_-

Please Read what I wrote in the OP.
In fact, I am only interested in the Magic Resist that an item provides for me. What good is an Aura if I am constantly Recalling and/or dying???

Maybe you guys should take the Math refresher course. O.o
And take the Devs from Riot with you.

Maybe you should learn the value of HP.

Edit: Here mathematical proof that bulwark is slot efficient.

Self Gold Value
400 health = 1056g
10 health regeneration= 360g
30 armor = 600g
60 magic resist = 1200g
Total Gold Value = 3216g

Aura Value per Ally Champion
10 health regeneration = 360g
10 armor = 200g
30 magic resist = 600g
Total Gold Value = 1160g