Tiny (The Stone Giant)

November 3rd, 2008

This hero is one of my favorite..Here is the guide and I hope you like it guys..

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Guide Layout:

1. Introduction

I) INTRODUCTION

Where does this Giant hide? He’s in the Sentinel’s Sunrise tavern, bottom row, second from the left.
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INTRO TO TINY: Tiny is a very powerful ganking hero, with two AoE spells that deal 300 damage each, and one of which is a 2 second stun as well. Excellent in pairs or trios. He’s not that bad solo either, but best with another hero.
INTRO TO GUIDE: I decided to write this guide, because, well I love tiny, and also I saw that this forum lacked good tiny guides (plus his name is so ironically funny!). I’m not saying mine is good, because this is the first guide I’ve written, but I’m striving to make it as useful to Tiny players as possible. In this guide you can read about interesting ways to build a strong tiny, suited for any situation in the game. This guide is mostly for low level games; a non-blinking Tiny has a hard time positioning his toss in high level games. Don’t be prepared for a long, deep guide (except for items), this will just be a quick run-through of how to play Tiny, and some useful builds for him.

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Tiny’s point gains per level comments:
Strength: 24 + 3.0 pretty good…well, he IS a str. hero
Agility: 9 + 0.9 - omg, I am going to kill myself, probably the lowest agility gain in the game
Intelligence: 14 + 1.6 - Eh…all right I guess for a strength hero

That being said, let’s see some pros and cons

II) PROS AND CONS

PROS:

  • Good AoE stun –> good in team battles
  • Good hero killing spells for a str. based hero
  • Good Str. gain –> tanky giant
  • Okay Int. gain

CONS:

  • Huge module by late game
  • Very low agility –> slow attack speed
  • Horrible armor
  • Slow MS
  • Not a huge mana pool to support all his spells

III) TINY’S ROLE

Here’s how to play Tiny:

Tiny is not:

  • A hero assassin
    - He’s not a hero killer
    - He doesn’t track down running heroes to finish them off (Phantom Assassin, Bounty Hunter, etc)
  • He’s not a tank (Centaur, Pudge, etc)
  • A soloer
  • A spell spammer

Tiny is:

  • A caster
    - use his spells, but don’t spam them, he can’t support that
  • A fighter
    - use his high damage to your advantage, don’t rely on just you spells!
  • Great ganker because he’s a mix of a tank and a caster
  • Great hero killer with a partner

2. Spells and Explanations

I) AVALANCHE


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Razor (The Lightning Revenant)

September 17th, 2008

Razor

Razor - The Lightning Revenant

Range: 550 | Move Speed: 295
Primary: AGI
Str: 17 + 1.9 | Agi: 22 + 2.5 | Int: 14 + 1.8
Damage: 45 - 47 | HP: 473 | Mana: 182
HP Regen: 0.76 | Mana Regen: 0.57
Attack Speed: 1.33 | Armor: 2

Frenzy
Frenzy (R)
Increases attack speed for 20 seconds, at the cost of taking additional damage.
Level 1 - 25% increase, 5% damage taken increase.
Level 2 - 50% increase, 10% damage taken increase.
Level 3 - 75% increase, 15% damage taken increase.
Level 4 - 100% increase, 20% damage taken increase.
Mana Cost: 80/ 90/ 110/ 130
Cooldown: 40
Comment: Frenzy, one of the ulimate Emo skills, next to Burning Spears and Berserkers Blood. You get fragility for AttackSpeed. Turn this on only when attacking a tower, when nobody’s around, or the enemies are disabled. I choose to level it later on because it is more effective late-game. Stats are better in early-mid.

Chain Lightning
Chain Lightning (C)
Hurls a bolt of damaging lightning at a target enemy that jumps to nearby enemies. Each jump deals less damage.
Level 1 - 75 damage, jumps 3 times.
Level 2 - 150 damage, jumps 5 times.
Level 3 - 225 damage, jumps 7 times.
Level 4 - 300 damage, jumps 9 times.
Mana Cost: 90/ 105/ 125/ 145
Cooldown: 11 seconds
Comment: Chain Lightning, your nuke/damaging skill. I max this first because it helps you farm, and you can harras the enemy heroes as well. Use with caution, you dont have that much mana for it.

Unholy Fervor
Unholy Fervor (U)
Increases the movement speed and life regeneration rate of Razor.
Level 1 - 3% movement, 0.5 HP/ sec regeneration bonus.
Level 2 - 5% movement, 1 HP/ sec regeneration bonus.
Level 3 - 8% movement, 1.5 HP/ sec regeneration bonus.
Level 4 - 10% movement, 2 HP/ sec regeneration bonus.
Stacks with Satyr Hellcaller’s Unholy Aura.
Mana Cost: N/A
Cooldown: N/A
Comment: Amazing skill, +Movespeed and regen, what could be better? This lets you survive those pesky attack-harrasments while giving you a very nice boost to your movespeed. But, chain lightning is better early game. So max this after chain.
Storm Seeker
Storm Seeker (K)
Summons a storm that permenantly follows Razor. Every 3.25 seconds, it strikes Razor’s enemies within 500 AoE with savage lightning bolts.
Level 1 - Deals 60 damage.
Level 2 - Deals 90 damage.
Level 3 - Deals 120 damage.
Mana Cost: N/A
Cooldown: N/A
Comment: Free radiance anyone? Think of this skill as rot. Every where you go, every 3.25 seconds, enemies will get hit with damage in 500 AoE. Helps you kill, farm, and push. Good Skill, get it everytime its available. ( Note when you lvl this skill, you get stunned for a short duration. Dont lvl while TP’ing)

Skill Build

Skill Build:

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Rylai Crestfall (The Crystal Maiden)

September 3rd, 2008

Rylai Crestfall

Rylai Crestfall - The Crystal Maiden

Range: 600 | Move Speed: 280
Primary: INT
Str: 16 + 1.7 | Agi: 16 + 1.6 | Int: 21 + 2.9
Damage: 38 – 44 | HP: 454 | Mana: 273
HP Regen: 0.73 | Mana Regen: 0.85
Attack Speed: 1.43 | Armor: 0

 Frost Nova
Frost Nova (V)
Blasts enemy units around a target enemy unit with a wave of damaging frost that slows movement speed and attack rate for 4 seconds.
Level 1 - 50 target damage and 75 nova damage.
Level 2 - 100 target damage and 100 nova damage.
Level 3 - 125 target damage and 125 nova damage.
Level 4 - 175 target damage and 125 nova damage.
Mana Cost: 100/130/155/185
Cooldown: 11 seconds
Comment: A nice spell with slow effect.Damage is quite good for early and mid game but not so good for my build.Use it when chasing enemies to slow them(and damage them).
Frostbite
Frostbite (E)
Freezes the target in a case of ice, prohibiting movement and attacking. Deals 70 damage per second.
Level 1 - Lasts 1.5 seconds.
Level 2 - Lasts 2 seconds.
Level 3 - Lasts 2.5 seconds.
Level 4 - Lasts 3 seconds.
Mana Cost: 115/ 125/ 140/ 150
Cooldown: 12 seconds
Comment: This skill is veeery good because of the freeze effect which acts similar to stun,only the damage is dealt over time.So at level 3 its 70 Damage* 3 seconds = 210 damage.Very useful skill.
Brilliance Aura
Brilliance Aura (R)
Gives additional mana regeneration to all friendly units.
Level 1 - Adds 0.6 mana regeneration.
Level 2 - Adds 1.2 mana regeneration.
Level 3 - Adds 1.8 mana regeneration.
Level 4 - Adds 2.4 mana regeneration.
Mana Cost: N/A
Cooldown: N/A
Comment: Now this is the skill I use.It helps your mana regeneration,and i go for it first,not nova because my strategy is quite mana demanding.More on this later.
Freezing Field
Freezing Field (Z)
Causes many random icy explosions in an area surrounding Rylai. Lasts 4 seconds.
Level 1 - Each explosion deals 105 damage.
Level 2 - Each explosion deals 170 damage.
Level 3 - Each explosion deals 250 damage.
Mana Cost: 300/400/ 600
Cooldown: 150/120/90 seconds
Comment: Aaahhh…The Freezing Field.The level 4 damage is with the Aghanim’s Scepter.The damage it deals is MASSIVE.Note that it is a channeling spell,so you can easily be stopped by stuners like Vengeful Spirit for example.It also slows all enemies within the Area of Effect.

Item Build:

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VIPER (THE NETHERDRAKE)

July 31st, 2008

Contents

1. Introduction
2. Hero’s overview
3. Skills justifications
4. Item build and justifications
5. Strategies and tips
6. Ending
1. Introduction

When i first started playing this addictive game, i noticed that i have quite a number of Heroes to choose from. I always like to be unique, different from the others, that was one of the main reasons i’ve chosen him. Although many strongly discourage me to choose Viper as my first hero, i never gave up on him.

Certainly, my friends would say Viper has a rather low damage, and that Naga sirens utterly rapes me, ganks kills me, nukers take my pitiful life away. My advice is , don’t listen to those crap talking. A true player uses what he wants and what he feels like owning the game with. No one would have ever laughed at you if you have owned using a hero known as “weakling , low damage”.

My point is, this game is rather balanced, no heroes would be more advantageous over all other heroes in any way. It’s how you control your heroes that matter most. I believe, and will always believe, viper is one of the most cool and strong heroes in dota. Also, he’s fun to use!

By the way, i am quite new to the game so i might have some errors while making this guide, my aim for building this guide is to spark interest for people who never did try viper or forgot about him. And maybe even, educate people in his uses! We all learn from mistakes, so try to correct me if i make some major mistakes along the way smile.gif.

2. Hero’s overview


Viper - The Netherdrake
Range: 575 | | Move Speed: 300 | Primary: AGI
Str: 17 + 1.9 | Agi: 21 + 2.5 | Int: 15 + 1.8
Damage: 49 - 51 | HP: 473 | Mana: 195
HP Regen: 0.76 | Mana Regen: 0.61
Attack Speed: 1.34 (+ 21% IAS) | Armor: 2

Viper is commonly known as the “carry” type of heroes in DotA. These heroes have hidden potentials that will hopefully, in one way or the other, massively contributes to the team and carry the team to victory. Numerous people i have met, classifies Viper into the category “mid game hero”. I personally, doesn’t believe about generalization. Because i feel that Viper can be whole game effective smile.gif.

Also, Viper stats are pretty average for an AGI ranged hero.

3. Skills justifications


Frenzy (Activated skill)
Increases attack speed for 20 seconds, at the cost of taking additional damage.
Level 1 - 25% increase, 5% damage taken increase.
Level 2 - 50% increase, 10% damage taken increase.
Level 3 - 75% increase, 15% damage taken increase.
Level 4 - 100% increase, 20% damage taken increase.
Mana Cost: 80/ 90/ 110/ 130
Cooldown: 40

In my very honest opinion, i don’t like this skill at all. Sure, many argue that for a DPS hero, this skill is just 1337h41pt3ht34m2pu5h. 100% increased attack speed sure does sounds great. however, i personally don’t recommend getting frenzy early on, not until level 20+. Usually i get frenzy around level 18 if i am owning much or playing against AI. Otherwise, this skill will be just another reason why my opponent would of targeted me in team clashes.

Also, this skill is awesome during 1v1s. but be careful , if you happen to get disabled or something, this skill only means “extra 20% dmg taken”. If you are confident of surviving with your own abilities, then add this skill around level 12. smile.gif


Poison Attack (Activated skill)
Coats Viper’s attack with poison. Slows movement and attack speeds and lasts 2 seconds.
Level 1 - Slows speed by 10%, deals 6 damage per second.
Level 2 - Slows speed by 20%, deals 12 damage per second.
Level 3 - Slows speed by 30%, deals 18 damage per second.
Level 4 - Slows speed by 40%, deals 24 damage per second.
Mana Cost: 20
Cooldown: 4/3/0/0

Viper definitely would be one of the best harassers (if not, BEST). Poison attack provides viper with early game lane control, which means during early game, you will be using this skill to harrass opponent heroes and hopefully, chase them back to their fountains to ensure yourself a peaceful farming time.

This skill is fundamental. I suggest maxing it first. Also, using the famous “Orb-walk”. which will be explained in Strategy section, will net you several kills, which your opponent can do almost nothing to prevent themselves from being killed by you.


Corrosive Skin (Passive skill)
Viper’s body is covered with poison. Any unit that attacks it becomes infected. Reduced movement and attack speed and minor damage for 3 seconds.

Level 1: 5% speed reduction, 5 damage per second, 5% magic reduction.
Level 2: 10% speed reduction, 10 damage per second, 10% magic reduction.
Level 3: 15% speed reduction, 15 damage per second, 15% magic reduction.
Level 4: 20% speed reduction, 20 damage per second, 20% magic reduction.
Mana Cost: N/A
Cooldown: N/A

When Viper hits you, you get slowed and poisoned, when you hit him back, you get slowed even more and poisoned further. This skill is great, the 20% Magic reduction also helps in keeping you alive.


Viper Strike (Activated skill)
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DarkTerror (Faceless Void)

June 24th, 2008

DarkTerror, Faceless Void

1.Introduction
2.Pros And Cons
3.Skills
3A.Skill Description
3B.Skill Build
4.Items
4A.Item build
4B.Item order
4C.Items to avoid
5.WalkThrough
6.Faceless Void With Other Heroes
6A.Good Allies
6B.Worst Enemies
6C.Easy Preys
7.Conclusion
8.Changelog

1.Introduction

They say he was once human, but his background is shrouded in darkness, even to himself. What we know is that he was thrown into the Void between worlds and has emerged with the power of manipulating time. He can freeze his enemies in time and avoid hits by traveling a split-second back in time, right before receiving the blow. He can briefly rip apart the fabric of space-time to freeze both allies and opponents around him, yet remain free himself to act. It is rumored that he can instantly strike any man in a legion of soldiers, but nobody sees him move…

Darkterror, The Faceless Void
Range: 128, Move Speed: 300
Primary: AGI, Str: 17 + 2.2, Agi 21 +2.65, Int: 15 + 1.5
Damage: 44-50, Hp:473, Mana: 195
HP Regen: 0.76, Mana Regen: 0.61
Attack Speed: 1.34 (+ 21% IAS), Armor: 4

2.Pros And Cons

Pros:
1.Hard To Die as have a escaping skill, Time Walk and Has Back Track and Chronosphere to stop gangs
2.Decent Movement Speed
3.Nice Str and Agi Growth
4.Got A Slow and A 6 seconds disable
5.Chronosphere can stop channeling skills
6.High base damage, easy to last hit

Cons:
1.Chronosphere will stop your teammates from moving too
2.Slow Attack Speed
3.Whole game will be ruined if you keep dieing in early game as Darkterror is item dependant
4.Die Easily in Early or Even Mid game

3.Skills
3A.Skill Description
TimeWalk(W)
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