League-of-legends – When are assassins useful

Generic strategies:

• Don't recall in unprotected spaces
• Don't scout bushes with your face
• Use Flash (summoner spell) to escape traps
• Use Cleanse (summoner spell) or Quicksilver Sash (item) to remove CC
• When running from traps, be aware of allies and plan accordingly
• Use items that boost Tenacity to reduce the duration of stuns
• Buy potions/lifesteal to remain at high health. This helps to prevent ganks.
• Buy wards/use abilities (teemo's mushrooms) to maintain map control
• Don't overextend. If you don't know what's in the bushes, stay away!
• When not laning, stick with another hero (but NOT another carry!)

• Call MIAs. Consider using Skype, Mumble, etc to make this easier and more effective.

• Annie specific: Always keep your stun up. Use spells to charge it at base, etc.

These are just some rough guidelines that apply to all characters, and are within your control. If you find yourself being the target of an assassin, make sure your team knows it; a good team will anticipate this and assassinate the assassin.

There are a few good times to backdoor/split push, for example, Yi is an excellent back-door champ because of his insane AS, or champions like Shen and Gangplank who's global ultimates allow for them to instantly access the fight. Another thing you can do is get teleport, so when a fight happens you can get there quick.

When I play champions I split push with (namely udyr), I usually wait until I can 1v1 anyone on their team so it becomes an advantage. If my team doesn't fight and they send someone up to take me out, I kill them and we win the fight. If they send two to get me, my team forces 4v3 and I run away. Either way I get farmed and it's a win-win.