Dota 2, Valve Corporation’s eminent sequel to the fan-made Warcraft III mod, Defense of the Ancients, has been captivating gamers since its inception. Within the rich tapestry of Dota 2’s lore and mechanics, each character (hero) presents a unique set of challenges and rewards, unlocking vast strategic depth for those willing to dive into its intricacies. In this extensive guide, we will dissect one of Dota 2’s most notorious supports turned disabler extraordinaire, Lion. This nefarious demon witch, with his potent mix of crowd control and burst damage, can sway the tides of battle single-handedly. Our guide will navigate through the nuances of Lion’s abilities, the most effective skill build, overarching gameplay strategy, recommended item builds, and dive into advanced tactics that separate the neophytes from the seasoned veterans.
Abilities
Lion’s arsenal is a nightmare for any would-be aggressor, offering unparalleled control and burst damage capability.
Earth Spike: Lion conjures a line of spikes from the earth, impaling enemies caught in its path, causing damage and stunning them. This ability is your bread and butter for initiation and crowd control.
Hex: Transforming an enemy into a harmless critter, Hex is the quintessential disable, stripping foes of their ability to fight back or flee. This spell is instant, making it invaluable for interrupting key abilities of your adversaries.
Mana Drain: A tether that leeches mana from the target to Lion, crippling mana-dependent foes and solving Lion’s own mana sustenance issues. Its utility in prolonged skirmishes and laning stage harassment cannot be overstated.
Finger of Death: A terrifying burst of energy that eradicates an enemy from existence. With each successful kill, Finger of Death becomes increasingly potent, embodying the role of executioner Lion plays so well.
Skill Build
Your strategy with Lion is to maximize control while ensuring you can sustain your mana pool to keep up the pressure. Typical progression focuses on maximizing Earth Spike and Hex early for control, with selective leveling of Mana Drain based on your laning phase’s mana requirements.
- Earth Spike at level 1 for initial engagements or lane control.
- Hex at level 2, establishing early kill potential or saving allies.
- Prioritize Earth Spike for its damage and stun duration, taking Finger of Death whenever available (levels 6, 12, and 18).
- Integrate Mana Drain based on situational needs; however, at least one early point (by level 4) aids in lane sustainability.
- Max out Hex following Earth Spike for increased duration of disable.
This build primes Lion for early to mid-game dominance, transitioning from a lane harasser to a formidable force in team fights.
Gameplay Strategy
Laning Phase
In the initial phase, concentrate on harassment with Earth Spike and judicious mana management. Your goal is to secure your carry’s farm while impeding the enemy’s. Positioning is paramount; staying in the fog and utilizing the element of surprise can turn a routine lane skirmish into a kill.
Mid Game
As towers begin to fall and team fights become more frequent, Lion’s role transitions. Focus on picking off key targets before significant clashes with Hex and Earth Spike, saving Finger of Death to secure kills. Vision control becomes crucial; planting aggressive wards can facilitate your team’s ability to catch foes off guard.
Late Game
Here, Lion’s impact revolves around disabling the right targets and survival. Positioning in team fights is vital; staying at the fringe, ready to disable divers or protect your cores. Finger of Death should be used judiciously, targeting key supports or finishing off weakened cores.
Item Build
Your itemization on Lion focuses on enhancing his disabling capabilities, survivability, and mana pool. A great Lion build balances these aspects while being adaptable to the game’s unfolding dynamics.
Starting Items: Tango, Healing Salve, Clarity Potions, Iron Branches, and a Ward or Courier if needed.
Early Game: Magic Stick, Arcane Boots, and Wind Lace. These items address your basic mana and mobility needs.
Core Items:
- Blink Dagger: Essential for positioning in fights or initiating with Hex/Earth Spike.
- Aether Lens: Increases the range of all your spells, crucial for safe casting.
- Tranquil Boots (can replace Arcane, post-Aether): For health regeneration and movement speed.
Situational Items:
- Glimmer Cape: For survivability and saving allies.
- Force Staff: Additional mobility and can save allies from dangerous situations.
- Ghost Scepter: Against heavy physical damage lineups.
- Aghanim’s Scepter: For area of effect (AoE) Finger of Death, transforming Lion into a late-game powerhouse.
Adapt your build based on the game’s needs, focusing on items that will maximize your effectiveness in disabling enemies and supporting your team.
Advanced Tactics
Finger of Death Stacking
A skilled Lion player keeps track of Finger of Death’s cooldown meticulously, seeking opportunities to stack its damage increment. Securing kills with this ability not only grants strategic advantages but also escalates Lion’s threat level exponentially as the game progresses.
Mana Drain Efficiency
In laning and mid-game, effective use of Mana Drain can cripple enemy heroes reliant on their mana pool, turning the tides of lane dominance and skirmishes. Position safely and target mana-dependent heroes to maximize its impact.
Vision Control
Lion’s potential is magnified by superior vision. Aggressive warding in enemy territory allows you to snipe key targets before a fight erupts. Conversely, defensive warding can protect your team from ganks, providing safe zones for farming and regrouping.
Hex and Earth Spike Synergy
Mastering the art of cycling your disables to maximize lockdown duration is the hallmark of an adept Lion player. In team engagements, identifying and neutralizing the most significant threats with your disables can dismantle the enemy’s game plan, allowing your team to clinch victorious encounters.
Lion, in the right hands, embodies the quintessence of Dota 2’s strategic and skill-based gameplay. This guide should scaffold your understanding and application of Lion’s vast potential, paving your way from aspiring novice to a feared adversary in the Ancient defense. Mastery over Lion’s abilities, itemization flexibility, strategic foresightedness, and tactful aggression will elevate your gameplay, influencing not just the outcome of skirmishes but the very flow of the battle, one impaled enemy at a time.