Favourite DOTA Strategy- Nortrom - The Silencer

	Nortrom - The Silencer Range: 600 | Move Speed: 300 Primary: INT Str: 17 + 1.7 | Agi: 16 + 2.1 | Int: 21 + 2.5 Damage: 41 – 63 | HP: 473 | Mana: 273 HP Regen: 0.76 | Mana Regen: 0.85 Attack Speed: 1.43 | Armor: 0
	Curse of the Silent (C) Afflicts a target with the Curse of the Silent. The target will lose hp and mana per second until it casts a spell. Lasts 10 seconds. Level 1 - 10hp/5mana per second. Level 2 - 20hp/10mana per second. Level 3 - 30hp/15mana per second. Level 4 - 40hp/20mana per second. Mana Cost: 105/ 115/ 125/ 135 Cooldown: 25 Comment: This may seem like an essential skill, but I consider it useless. A simple tango can counter this spell. Extremely useless compared to Glaives. I would rather use 135 Mana for Glaives of Wisdom. This skill is for girly-men ^^.
	Glaives of Wisdom (G) Nortrom`s Glaives are enchanted by his experience in magic. If he kills a hero, he will permanently steal 1 intelligence from it. Level 1 - Deals 15% of your intelligence in bonus damage. Level 2 - Deals 30% of your intelligence in bonus damage. Level 3 - Deals 45% of your intelligence in bonus damage. Level 4 - Deals 60% of your intelligence in bonus damage. Mana Cost: 15 Cooldown: 3/ 2/ 1/ 0 Comment: This is your ultimate skill for farming, harassing and killing. Glaives totally ignore Armour, which makes it one of the most powerful arrow/orb ability in the game. Note, the hot key is 'W', and you should use this hotkey for Silencer's full potential. You can also use this ability for last hitting, or preferably orb walking. You move around the creeps until they are on red life, you then either deny the creep, or use the hotkey 'W' to kill the creep. The extra punch given by Glaives ensure you get the creep kill, and allows you to last hit earlier. Glaives are also perfect for harassing.
	Last Word () Causes any unit under the effect of this aura to become silenced after it casts a spell. (Doesn`t silence item spells) Level 1 - 0.75 seconds. 350 AoE Aura. Level 2 - 1.5 seconds. 450 AoE Aura. Level 3 - 2.25 seconds. 550 AoE Aura. Level 4 - 3 seconds. 650 AoE Aura. Mana Cost: N/A Cooldown: N/A Comment: This is an incredibly annoying aura, which will irritate enemies, mostly chain nukers.
	Global Silence (E) Stops all enemies on the map from casting skill spells (doesn`t silence item spells). Level 1 - Lasts 3 seconds. Level 2 - Lasts 4 seconds. Level 3 - Lasts 5 seconds. Mana Cost: 250/ 350/ 450 Cooldown: 120 Comment: This global spell is extremely powerful and dominant. Global Silence is used when entering combat, or to ensure ones safety. If you are about to enter a 5 v 5 battle, notify your teammates, letting them know that as soon as they engage in battle you will Silence the opposition. Secondly, you can use it when you are getting ganged, you can use this spell to turn the tables around. Skill Build: 1. Glaives of Wisdom 2. Stats 3. Glaives of Wisdom 4. Stats 5. Glaives of Wisdom 6. Stats 7. Glaives of Wisdom 8. Stats 9. Stats 10. Global Silence 11. Global Silence 12. Last Word 13. Last Word 14. Last Word 15. Last Word 16. Global Silence 17. Stats 18. Stats 19. Stats 20. Stats 21. Stats 22. 23. 24. 25. Item Build: 1. Mekansm (2434) +5 All Attributes +5 Armor Passive: 3 HP/sec regeneration aura Active: Revitalize Gives 2 bonus armor and heals 250 hit points to nearby friendly units. 150 Mana Cost Headdress of Rejuvenation + Netherezim Buckler + Mekansm Recipe Scroll The items listed here are the main ones you will be able to get in most games. Other items will be mentioned and suggested later in this guide. Mekansm is an essential item for Silencer, as it allows him to stay in his lane forever with his large Mana pool. Mekansm is self explanatory. Mainly, it is used to ensure one's safety. 2. Null Talisman (485) +3 to All Attributes +3 Intelligence Mantle of Intelligence + Circlet of Nobility + Null Talisman Recipe Scroll Null Talisman is obtained, simply because it increases your stats. The extra intelligence allows you to deal higher damage. You will want to get two of these. You may also argue a set of Bracers are better because the extra HP it provides. You may get 2x Bracers if you are not comfortable with your HP, although Null Talismans are advisable. 3. Boots of Travel (2700) +90 Run Speed Active: Teleport 60 Second Cooldown 3 Second Cast Time Boots of Speed + Boots of Travel Recipe Scroll Since you will be orb walking, a higher movespeed acts in accordance with Silencer's strength. Silencer's move speed isn't in the fast side, which prevents him from chasing heroes. The benifits Boots of Travel provides is also great; it enables you to travel faster, which is really convinient and it also allows to juxe better, since your move speed is reasonably high. No to treads! 4. Eul`s Scepter of Divinity (2800) +100% Mana Regeneration +18 Intelligence Charged: Cyclone 6 Charges 5 Second Duration 600 Range 20 second cooldown Robe of the Magi + Void Stone + Staff of Wizardry + Eul`s Scepter of Divinity Eul's Scepter of Divinity also seems self explanatory. With this item your DPS will be increased by a reasonable amount, it is also your escape device. You can use this items to chase a fast move speed hero/ to engage in battle/ to ensure one's safety/ and to save yourself! 5. Guinsoo`s Scythe of Vyse (5175) +150% Mana Regeneration +25 Intellegence +35 Damage Activate: Polymorph 600 Range 3 Second Duration 23 Second Cooldown 100 Mana Cost Oblivion Staff + Eul`s Scepter of Divinity + Guinsoo`s Scythe of Vyse Recipe Scroll The Hex is extremely useful, and the powerful increase in intelligence makes your Glaives a powerful punch. Regarding these benifits, it is safe to say enemies will die after the 'Hex' effect runs out. Early Game: Table of Contents (I would much prefer a 'Table of Contents' at the start of the guide) NOTE: This guide requisites a lot of reading, although I tried to be concise as possible. Please respect this, and I would really much appreciate it, if you examine my guide carefully before posting a constructive criticism. Also note this hero can only be used to his full potential if the player is advanced. Early Game Strategy -Positives and Negatives -Item Choice - Early game Walkthrough: Lane Pick Last hitting/Lane Controlling -Early Game Objectives Mid Game Strategy -Overview -Recommended Items/Explanation -Mid Game Objectives Late Game Strategy -Overview -Possible Items -Gameplay Ideas -Recommended Guides to Have a Look At Early Game Strategy Positives and Negatives Now let us examine Silencer's strong points and weak points: Positives: He is a great farmer, harasser, and a great carry He has a high range with a good DPS Regarded as one of the most powerful heroes in a solo lane (in Leagues, Scrims, Wars and such) A lot of sexy silencing Negatives: Is unable to disable against a hero with fast -ms He is rather fragile Rather item dependent for full potential He requires a lot of practice Item Choice Okay, now let us begin. There are mainly two types of modes for a DotA game. Either an 'em' game or a non 'em' game. Let us examine the differences; 'em' games or Easy Mode games, are games that are very flexible. Yes flexible, one does not require much skill to farm. Mainly beginners play this mode, or simply to enjoy a crazy game. In 'em' games you receive a substantial amount of gold for doing nothing. Yes, nothing, you may auto attack much as you like and make a large income. 'em' games are enjoyable and fun, if you choose a late hero, e.g. a Naix, as you can benifit a lot from the large income. The non 'em' games, i.e. -rd,- xl,- lm,- ap, -ar, normal mode, etc... ... are less flexible, and one must often play more smartly. In non 'em' games you should try to find a foundation of last hitting, which will be discussed later on. Most leagues, Clan Wars are played as non 'em' 5 v 5 games, where standard rules apply. Silencer benifits much more from non 'em' games, due to it allowing him to be used proficiently. But, I respect both modes. DotA is simply a game for enjoyment, and one must not be prejudiced against 'em' players. So, I leave it to your decision, you may either play 'em' games or the standard non 'em' games. We have clearly differentiated the two main types of modes, so we now know the which items are preferable. In an 'em' game you will be able to purchase a Ring of Regeneration, 2x Ironwood Branches, and a Tango. If in the case you have got Silencer by random, who may have enough gold to substitute the Branches for Circlets, and you may be able to add in a extra Tango. It is up to your decision, but I do recommend you purchase from this list; tango, branches, RoR, circlets, mantles. Now in an non 'em' game, I do recommend you either purchase a Ring of Regerneration, and two Ironwood Branches, or 2 pairs of Tangos, 2 Ironwood Branches, and a Circlet of Nobility. OR Now, the Ring of Regeneration is recommended as it provides lane controlling benifits. It simply enables you to stay in your lane longer. The next items that you will want to purchase are: 2x Null Talismans, Boots of Speed, Hand of Midas (Optional), Headdress of Rejuvenation, Netherezim Buckler, and preferably if you have farmed enough, a Mekansm. I also recommend you purchase a Town Portal, but no more than two, as your job is to farm and control your lane to your fullest extent. Feel free to use Mekansm when you have lost 300 HP or more, as you have a large mana pool. Lane Pick Now, I find the correct lane quite important. If in the case of an 'em' game, the probability of receiving mid solo is very low, as most public players do not understand the Silencer carry concept. So, I believe in an 'em' game any lane works fine, but if you are very confident in your last hitting and lane control, do try and receive a solo lane. In an non 'em' game, you must obtain mid solo, unless you aren't very good with your last hitting and lane control, but despite the flamers, it is a great opportunity if you can obtain the mid solo lane. If you are a capable player, the mid solo is near compulsory. Remember for both modes, it is quite wise to creep block, in doing so you are able to receive altitude advantage and last hitting advantage. Yes altitude advantage, if you are on a higher terrain, whilst the opponent is on the lower terrain, you receive a large 25% Evasion. This is an extremely dominant advantage. Last Hitting/Lane Controlling Last hitting/Lane controlling is one of the most important skills to acquire in DotA. Simply because it allows you to gain the creep kills, and as it allows you to deny your opponent. Orb walking also goes under this section, as it is a part of last hitting and lane controlling. Last hitting and orb walking helps you avoid chances of creep aggro, remember to launch multiple number of Glaives, although at the start the damage is laughable, but this accumulates and become a pretty powerful punch at the enemy, especially at levels 5 and 7. Last Hitting: To last hit, place your thumb on the 'alt' key. This would show the health bar of creeps and heroes. Move around the creeps, or smartly move in and out of the fog (so you may not be harassed), when a creep is lowered to red life, use the hotkey 'A' to deny a creep, or use the hotkey 'W' to last hit the opponents creep. The reason for the 'W' hotkey is explained above, beside the skill explanation. By successfully last hitting, you are farming gold, and you are also slowing the level process and gold gain of the opponent. Lane Controlling: This includes tower hugging, and more. If you would like to learn more about Last Hitting/Lane Controlling, I really recommend having a look at Genosis' Guide to Lane Controlling at www.dota-allstars.com, or simply copy paste this link; http://forums.dota-allstars.com/index.php?showtopic=123945 Early Game Objectives: During the early game, your job is to simply farm for the future benifit as a carry hero. As soon as you turn level 7, you will play more aggressively, and animation cancel (see link above to learn about animation canceling). You will be able throw quite a powerful punch at level 7. Also, I have forgotten to mention, your teammates should get a chicken, so you can purchase your items without having to move back to the fountain, resulting in a loss in experience points and farming opportunities. Silencer can kill heroes with ease, if orb walking is used. Even heroes near the tower can be killed, but ensure the enemy tower is attacking the creeps, as long as you orb walk the tower will not aim you. By orb walking, you use the hotkey 'w' and use Glaives manually whilst moving fowards, i.e. you Gliave once or tiwce and move fowards and Glaive again, then move onwards, and you carry on this process to harass or to kill. Manual Glaives makes the tower ignore you! In any case you are able to farm a Mekansm quickly, feel free to use it when you have lost 300 HP or so. Your mana is pretty much limitless, due to you not using/spamming Curse. You are also hard to kill once you activate Mekansm, so use it when you are ganked or have lost HP. Furthermore, you should have these following items in your inventory at the end of the early game. (초반) or a You may get a Hand of Midas if you want, as the IAS is a great benifit, and the transmute aids a lot into the farming, and since you have a large mana pool you wouldn't lose much mana constantly transmuting. Now, let us proceed to the Mid Game Strategy. Mid Game: Mid Game Strategy Overview If you have been soloing well, you can assume the role as a team leader. Make sure you still farm well. To farm sufficiently, purchase a Town Portal and travel to a lane with a large number of creeps. Remember to last hit well, so you can farm the most gold you can. You should aim to buy a Eul's Sceptre of Divinity now. You will firstly purchase a Void Stone, then a Staff of Wizardry, then a Robe of Magi then the recipe paper. After you grab a Void Stone, you then have the luxury to leave Glaives of Wisdom on auto cast, but remember when it is in auto cast you are still complied to last hit/orb walk, so mana is not wasted whilst auto attacking. In doing so, you now can use the hotkey 'A' rather than 'W' to use Glaives of Wisdom. Thereby I assume when you have a Void Stone or a Eul's Sceptre of Divinity, you will not be auto hitting. Your Eul's Sceptre of Divinity is your escape device. You can use it to escape, save allies, gank and chase fast move speed enemies. Recommended Items As mentioned before you want to grab a Eul's Sceptre of Divinity, and possibly if you have farmed enough, a Guinsoo's Scythe of Vyse, which will increase your damage input enormously. But considering the Eul's Sceptre of Divinity is really enough during mid game, you should get a Boots of Travel before completing to a Guinsoo's Scythe of Vyse. Treads are bad, note that Silencer's move speed was nerfed. I have mentioned why Boots of Travel is important above, and since you are orb walking Boots of Travel is compulsory. In mid game item conclusion, your inventory will relatively look like this; to a or if you have farmed enough Mid Game Objectives Once you have your Mekansm and Eul's Sceptre of Divinity you can consider pushing, as it is now safe and effective. Whilst pushing, tell your allies beforehand that you will ensure their safety with Global Silence. You hold a very important responsibility; healing your allies, cycloning the correct hero in the correct time, and using your ultimate in the right time. You may also want to stay relatively close to the main battle, so the aura Last Word will trigger. You will also be Glaiving the enemies, tearing them into pieces with your now, high DPS. If the opposition recognize you as a big threat, you may become their primary target, and also note that you are still fragile, so you are to stay relatively close to your allies (not in the front line where you will get nuked) to heal, support while dealing massive amount of damage. You may also want to try and end the game, as it is hard for the oppenent to defend against your pushes. Late Game: Late Game Strategy Overview If the game has not ended, the following circumstances may come true; -if it is an 'em' game, you may not be effective against a tanky chaser such as Naix and Sven -if it is an 'em' game, your probably would have been able to farm up to a Guinsoo's Scythe of Vyse, and therefore when you engage in a 1 v 1 combat and hex your enemy, they will die before they come out of Hex. Or, you may engage a 5 v 5 combat, where you are the superior supporter, disabler and DPSer. -if it is a non 'em' game, you probably be the highest level hero or preferably the second highest leveled hero from all the farming from the early and mid game. You now want to farm for your survivability item and your damage increasing item. Late games are very unpredictable, so you may not want to enter this stage, and therefore after reading this, you may decide to end games before you hit the late game. If you are playing with players who are underdeveloped in the concept of DotA, they may push by themselves and only aim for kills. If this is the case, you cannot be prejudiced against him/her, but play in their style, by rambo pushing. You want to cooperate with your allies, and therefore you will try to ameliorate your teamwork. I mention this now, as a good team would have finished the game in the mid game. Let us proceed to the possible items you may want to obtain. Possible Items Firstly, I would like to mention, as far as I am concerned there is no correct item build for a Public game. There are correct item builds in competitive games, and these are from League Matches, Clan Wars, Scrims, and inhouses. I have carefully examined the items professionals tend to go, so furthermore I would like to say, do not criticize my item build, as I am merely following those of a pro. We have discussed what items you should have in the Mid Game Section. If you already have not got a Boots of Travel, please purchase one as soon as possible. Also complete your Eul's Sceptre of Divinity into a Guinsoo's Scythe of Vyse, if you have not already. The items you now want are; Heart of Tarrasque The Butterfly and your 6th item should be chosen from: Linkens Sphere, Necromicon, Kelen's Dagger of Escape, Buriza-do Kyanon, Monkey King Bard, or if you are really desperate for a larger DPS that Armour cannot reduce, another Guinsoo's Scythe of Vyse. Here is what you should have, if it is possible to get all six items; Gameplay Ideas -Make sure you farm very well during the early and mid game -While playing Silencer, consider that you are rather fragile, but you are still a very powerful 1 v 1 killing machine -You must support your allies during escapes, pushes, ganks etc... ... -If pushing as a team does not prevail, push separate lanes and use your Global Silence to your avail. In other words, since your ultimate is a global spell, it is as if you were still there providing support for your allies. -Make sure you use your ultimate to ensure your allies safety -Late games are very unpredictable, so ensure your towers and barracks are alive and well, because in the end they are the most important factors of the game. -If you want to become a better play, examine replays of professionals playing and move onto playing non 'em' games. Learn to last hit/orb walk etc... ... Recommended Guides to Have a Look At I really recommend everyone to have a look at Genosis' Guide to Lane Control: http://forums.dota-allstars.com/index.php?showtopic=123945 I also recommend you to have a look at the media section providing you laughter and enjoyment, and the competitive section for those who want to play more seriously in; www.dota-allstars.com For the greatest replays, I really recommend this website www.meetyourmakers.com & www.wcreplays.com (trying searching MYM Prime Nations #1) As these websites provide replays of excellent skill and proficient players who excel in DotA You may also want to have a look at an example of a pro on youtube, by searching MYM]Merlini on www.youtube.com Remember, there is a big difference between Public Games and more Competitive Games. Simply, Public Games are easy to own in, whilst Competitive Games require more examination in the circumstances, where teamwork is immensely important. Conclusion: To conclude, Silencer is an extremely powerful carry. He has very supportive disables and can provide massive damage input. (The reason getting a Mekansm is self explanatory, just like to mention it now, as many will question this item). Warning to Readers: Silencer is not a newb-friendly hero, and may require a lot of practice before you can start owning with him. Do not blame my guide if you end up feeding, as this hero can only be powerful if used correctly with great lane control and Micro. I warn you now, if you aren't very good, this may require a lot practice, and a lot studying in Lane Control. The Comments: Hello, I do not mind constructive criticism, but I do not want to hear your item build. For example: "I get a Hyperstone and that and that, and that ends me up with 10 kills..." "My item build for Silencer is this and that this and that" "I get curse of the silent cause it sucks" "OMG what's wrong with your build? I get 5 rapiers and own" Anyone who posts something like these will be ignored. I do not want to hear any of those nonsense, but I do appreciate constructive criticism, as it creates discussion, and by discussion and mistakes we can all learn. Both 'em' and non 'em' players can and will always enjoy DotA. Thank you for reading my guide. (If you would like to learn how to create a Line-up for competitive DotA, research the heroes used by professionals in Warcraft III websites such as www.meetyourmakers.com)