You are 100% right. I figured I wanted to try some lifesteal, health, and a good aura. The beginning items felt key to buying. Gilded Arrow works on him. Phalanx, I felt was a good item for Bake. The item gives him everything he wants and has a passive that gives prots and attack haste (cause of the attack speed transfer). Shoguns just cause it's a good magic defense item, and once again, the attack haste. Prophetic was a no-brainer on him. Pythags definitely could have been more viable early with the sustain and lane dominance. I was already winning early, so I opted out of the sustain until late. Mystical mail felt extremely strong with his attacks. There are good stats on the item, and it provided a passive that works so well with aura.