Dota 2: Character Guide - Phantom Assassin
Diving deep into the enigmatic shadows of Dota 2, we pinpoint one hero that epitomizes the term “glass cannon” in a way only a few do: Phantom Assassin, aka Mortred. With her cloaked visage and a propensity for dishing out mammoth chunks of physical damage in mere instants, this agility-based assassin can often be seen pirouetting through the chaos of battle, leaving a trail of vanquished foes in her wake. This guide is designed to unfurl the mysteries surrounding Mortred, equipping you with the knowledge to leverage her strengths and navigate her weaknesses, ensuring your ascent in the echelons of the Dota 2 universe.
Abilities
Phantom Assassin’s arsenal is a finely balanced toolkit designed for the singular purpose of assassination.
- Stifling Dagger: This ability hurls a dagger that slows and deals minor damage, but importantly, it carries all attack modifiers, making it a lethal tool for both harassment and finishing off fleeing enemies.
- Phantom Strike: A gap-closer that exemplifies Mortred’s ability to dance through the fray. Phantom Strike targets an ally or enemy unit, catapulting PA to their position and granting her increased attack speed for a limited number of strikes.
- Blur: Offering both passive evasion and an active component that renders PA invisible until near enemy heroes, Blur is quintessential for survival and positioning.
- Coup de Grâce: The pièce de résistance of PA’s repertoire, this passive ability grants her attacks a chance to crit for colossal damage, defining her as the fearsome carry that teams must respect in engagements.
Skill Build
While flexibility is key in Dota 2 and adaptability should never be undervalued, a standard path for leveling Mortred’s abilities often sees priority given in the following manner:
- Stifling Dagger
- Phantom Strike
- Stifling Dagger
- Blur
- Stifling Dagger
- Coup de Grâce
- Stifling Dagger
- Phantom Strike/Blur (based on game state)
- Phantom Strike/Blur
- Talent (Typically, the bonus to Blur’s evasion is grabbed)
- Coup de Grâce 12-15. Phantom Strike/Blur (whichever was not prioritized at levels 8-9)
- Coup de Grâce 17-25. Talents
This progression ensures that Stifling Dagger—Mortred’s primary tool for engagement and harassment—is maximized early, while providing flexibility to adapt between Phantom Strike and Blur as dictated by the battle’s flow.
Gameplay Strategy
Phantom Assassin thrives in chaos and unpredictability. As a carry, Mortred’s gameplay can be broadly categorized into three phases—early game, mid-game, and late game—with distinct strategies for each.
Early Game: Focus on last-hitting and utilizing Stifling Dagger to secure farm while keeping threats at bay. Mortred’s fragility in the early stages means positioning and harassment with Stifling Dagger are key.
Mid-Game: As you accrue items that amplify your damage output, start seeking favorable skirmishes. Use Phantom Strike to weave in and out of conflicts, targeting isolated enemies or those on the fringes. Utilize Blur’s active to move undetected around the map, creating pressure and forcing enemy responses.
Late Game: Phantom Assassin can decimate entire teams in the blink of an eye but requires precise positioning to avoid pre-emptive neutralization. Pick off key targets in fights, using BKB judiciously to mitigate disables and magical burst. Your aim should always be to strike swiftly and viciously, altering the course of engagements.
Item Build
Itemization for Phantom Assassin should enhance her lethal burst potential while addressing her durability and ability to engage without immediate reprisal.
Starting: Quelling Blade, Healing Salve, Tangoes, Stout Shield (if facing heavy physical harassment) Early Game: Power Treads (for the attack speed and tread switching), Magic Wand (for burst regen), and possibly a Ring of Basilius for mana sustain. Core Items: Desolator and Black King Bar. Desolator synergizes with PA’s physical onslaught, while BKB is essential for surviving engagements. Situational: Abyssal Blade for lockdown, Battle Fury for acceleration in farm and cleave in fights, Satanic for survivability, and Monkey King Bar against evasion.
Advanced Tactics
Mastering Phantom Assassin entails not only understanding item timings and skill builds but also executing advanced maneuvers and psychological warfare.
Dagger Farming: Efficient use of Stifling Dagger for last hitting maintains farm velocity, particularly under tower pressure.
Blur Ambushes: Utilize Blur’s active to set ambushes or move undetected through enemy vision, exploiting the psychological edge of invisibility to force errors or split enemy formations.
Snipe Squishies: Your primary targets are enemy supports and high-value, low-HP cores. Prioritize these in team fights, using Phantom Strike to bypass frontliners.
BKB Timing: PA’s effectiveness hinges on timely BKB usage. Activate BKB to avoid being burst down or controlled in engagements, but be wary of prematurely expending this crucial resource.
Roshan Leverage: With a Desolator and a level advantage, PA can take down Roshan relatively early. Secure Aegis to press the advantage, either to siege high ground or take decisive fights.
Mind the Gap: Positioning is pivotal. Avoid jumping into the heart of the fray without vision or support. Use the terrain, Blur, and your team as cover to find the perfect moment to strike.
By weaving together a tapestry of precision, anticipation, and sheer audacity, one can pilot Phantom Assassin to her full, terrifying potential. Every match is an opportunity to refine your understanding of Mortred’s toolkit, navigating the delicate balance between predator and prey. With this guide as your foundation, embark on your journey through the ranks, and may your Coup de Grâce strikes always find their mark.