Firstly storm is a mid int hero. This is how mid works, u need stats & dmg starting items or else you'll get out CS-ed at mid. So the ideal starting items is, 1 circlets/mantle of int, 1 fire & 1 branch/ 2 branches. That is the most efficient starting items that cheaply builds up to nulls. Now u compare to starting with 250G sage's mask. No stats nothing. You'll just staright up lose mid. Doesnt change your mind? Ok. Maybe sage's mask with a few branches and fires then bottle rush. Sure it can work but youre gonna get out cs at mid and delay your bottle timing. Now u have to jungle to get lvls and safe farm because if the oponent mid has more cs = lvls hence u cant even lane anymore. After jungling awhile, now drops a vembrace which u cant use on storm because u didnt went for nulls. So yeah everything just goes down hill frm here. Ps storm doesnt get any benefits from basi. The tower is near to river at mid for armor and he has +3 mana regen at lvl 10 talent.