Rhasta the Shadow Shaman - Introducing the Art of Ward-trapping.

[Rakulei]

Hey guys! Great to see a dedicated DotA forum especially for SGeans :) Thanks for the reference Shawn, i'll definitely spread the word.

I wrote this guide some time last year for the very old Dota-allstars.com forums, and kept it updated from time to time. Hope it helps abit~ Sorry if some of the colors are screwed up, i'll adjust it asap.

Changelog(Last Updated 26th December 2005)

- 7th October: FINALLY! New video clip up with the Ward-trap in action. Its really short and has only one trap, but i'll try to add more to it when i have time. Enjoy and let me know what you think! Download here (http://files.filefront.com/wardtrap_0001wmv/;4218082;;/fileinfo.html)
- 13th October: Early-game item build revised slightly.
- 15th October: New replay added! Compatible for TFT Version 1.20. Download at the bottom of the post.
- 16th October: Skill Layout revised, new build: The Game Winner added for an all-round Rhasta suitable for competitive play.
- 17th October: Paragraphing and layout revised for better reading (hopefully ^^) Many thanks to artypoe for the feedback.
- 19th October: Screenshots of Item-Builds added for better visualization.
- 24th November: Picture links updated; some pictures removed due to bandwidth problems. Notes regarding the new Shackles added (Skill Layout Explanation).
- 26th December: Guide layout and paragraphing centralized for better viewing; word format revised.

__________________________________________________ ___________________________


Rhasta the Shadow Shaman


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/MercurialXen/Rhasta_hero_attribute.jpg


Introduction


Ah, Rhasta; one of the most versatile heroes in the game. Hero-killer, farmer, support caster and pusher all rolled into one malnourished troll frame. I personally tend to lean towards hero-killing builds regardless of the hero picked, but whatever is written below will not be promoting the effectiveness of Rhasta as any of the said builds. Instead, I will focus on the incredibly difficult to pull off, but rewarding Ward-Trapping technique.


What do you mean by “Ward-Trapping”?


To “Ward-Trap” basically refers to enclosing a hero (or creep if you feel like it =P) in between the Serpent Wards that Rhasta is able to summon when he reaches Level 6, rendering him immobile and only able to attack you if he/she is ranged. This is extremely lethal at early and mid-game, when most heroes are lacking in hit-points and damage. To be able to break free of the enclosure, the hero must manually target and attack one of the wards (two if the hero has a larger collision size eg. Leoric). By the time he successfully breaks free of the trap, IF he is able to; a nice nuke or a couple of hits will take care of his remaining hit-points.

Before I move on to elaborating the step-by-step of executing the Ward-Trap, I would like to offer 3 builds, all tailor-made for your Ward-Trapper.


Points to Note


A couple of points to note when you pick Rhasta:

1) Being an intelligence-based caster, he has low hit-points early. Try your best to avoid exchanges where you know you will lose a lot of health and/or die in the process etc. nuking exchange with a Demon Witch, Slayer... (list goes on). I cannot list all the probabilities; it is up to your experience to judge the outcome of these situations.

2) Rhasta has a relatively high base-damage output. Not the highest of other intelligence based heroes like Pugna, but nevertheless useful in getting last hits and harassing opposition heroes. Use this to your advantage when you disable your opponent, toss a few sticks into his wooly hide.

3) This does not apply only to Rhasta, but all ranged heroes in general. Just because you are ranged and can sit back to pick off creeps with constant attacks, do not rely on that to get steady income. Instead, try to strafe a little and attack when the creep is at red health to get the last hit (Hold down ALT on your keyboard). These are the basics of farming for all heroes; you will need it to obtain your items quickly.


Base Skill Layout


1. Forked Lightning
2. Voodoo
3. Forked Lightning
4. Voodoo
5. Forked Lightning
6. Mass Serpent Wards
7. Forked Lightning
8. Voodoo
9. Shackles
10. Shackles
11. Mass Serpent Wards
12. Voodoo
13. Shackles
14. Shackles
15. Attribute Bonus
16. Mass Serpent Wards
17. Attribute Bonus– till 25

Now why get only three levels of Voodoo then go for Shackles? I feel that an extra disable makes much more difference than an extra second in Voodoo; and your mana pool will be able to support an extra spell with the Null you will be getting. You can alternate between maxing out Voodoo or Shackles, it is purely up to you.


Skill Layout Explanation


Forked Lightning is your main farming and harassing tool early game. As a rule of thumb, I always have my thumb (omg corny) on ALT while playing; this helps me immensely when using Forked Lightning effectively. Always use Forked Lightning when two or more creeps are in the reddish-orange/red zone, and a hero is in the vicinity. To be safe, target the hero (You don’t have to when Forked Lightning is at a higher level) and watch him scurry back to the safety of his Necromancer/Druid of the Talon.

Voodoo is pretty self-explanatory, please do not hesitate to use it when your ally needs a disable to kill that pesky Clinkz who is about to Windwalk after an unsuccessful Strafing session, or a low-hp Rikimaru who accidentally hit your Treant while passing by; it is far more effective when your creeps + your ally + you pound on a single hero for 3seconds then a single Forked Lightning. This will also be your main player in executing the Ward Trap.

The new Shackles adds a whole new dimension to Rhasta's gameplay element. The damage it deals is highly significant in early-game; and if you're playing in a competitive environment, i advise maxing out Shackles before Voodoo. The nerf to its duration (1.25s) is hardly noticeable unless in large scale team battles. Considering the nerf that almost all spellcasters got; Rhasta has it easy. I even consider it a minor buff to a skill that i previously overlookied in early-game.

You can replace Shackles with Attribute Bonus if you like, but i do not recommend it. Again, this is down to personal preference.


Base Item Layout

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/MercurialXen/Rhasta_Guide/starting_items.jpg

Flask of Sapphire Water x 2
Clarity Potion x 2
Circlet of Nobility

Flasks are incredibly useful in conjunction with Clarities; they ensure you will not have to go back to heal before you are able to purchase your Boots and Null(s). The early circlet is an integral part of your first Null and helps boost your mana and hp pool.

-First trip to fountain-


Boots of Speed

Mantle of Intelligence
Circlet of Nobility
Null Talisman Scroll – Null Talisman
**Optional**
-Fill Inventory with Circlets of Nobility/Ironwood Branches-


Go for a second Null Talisman if you feel that you are facing problems with shortage of mana. I usually fill my inventory with Circlets of Nobility and/or Ironwood Branches mainly for that much needed boost to his Hit-point total.

From here onwards, you can branch out to either of the below 3 item builds that will compliment your ability as a Ward-Trapper. Think of it as a class-changing event present Role-Playing games =)

(Continued on next post)

[Rakulei]

Build 1 - Rhasta: Eye of the Tornado


Void Stone
Staff of Wizardry
Robe of the Magi
Level 2 Item – Eul’s Scepter of Divinity


You can get these in any order you like. I prefer to skip the second Null Talisman and maybe forgo the Boots of Speed if I am going for this build.

Rhasta in this form has the easiest time executing the Ward-Trap. Some may even debate the “cheapness” of this tactic; such is the ease of the process. Here’s how you provide a haven from the storm for that poor hero caught in mother nature’s wrath.

Pick an appropriate opportunity. The best situation is when the hero is alone. Unfortunately, it is rare that you will be able to catch someone taking a solitary afternoon swim in the river. For now, an unknowing hero creeping some distance away from the safety of their tower is good. Make sure that the opposition creeps do not outnumber yours, or your wards will fall faster. Move towards the hero and cast Cyclone from your Eul’s Scepter of Divinity.

Proceed to position yourself next to the hapless hero, and immediately place a slew of 8 Serpent Wards at his feet. There, you just saved his life by providing a haven in the eye of the storm =) Casting Voodoo on the trapped hero is a viable option, reducing his armor and thus increasing the damage done by the wards. Alternatively, you can Shackle him. Getting hit repeatedly by those hissers for 5seconds is no joke.

Be wary that not EVERY single Cyclone/Ward trap will net you a successful enclosure. It is up to your experience in placing wards; try blocking the only exit the wards produce by walking up to the hero and pressing “H” on your keyboard to hold position.

Make sure you get roughly one hero kill for every Cyclone cast. It doesn’t have to be your kill, an ally kill would suffice. Dota is a team game! After that, proceed to complete:


QuarterStaff
Sobi Mask
*Optional – If you are getting ****d/not enough Hitpoints/Mana*
Point Booster
Robe of the Magi
Level 1 Item – Oblivion Staff
Level 4 Item – Guinsoo’s Scythe of Vyse

Vitality Booster
Energy Booster
Level 2 Item – Soul Booster
Mystic Staff –
Level 4 Item – Aghanim’s Scepter


The Guinsoo's Scythe of Vyse merits for building Rhasta as such by its own. To permanently disable a hero is giving an enormous advantage to your team. After the above-listed items, I would suggest completing your Soul Booster and then Aghanim’s Scepter. The Scepter gives you a much needed addition to the Serpent Ward family; a grand total of 4 little serpents. With 12 wards, trapping is far easier.


Build 2 - Rhasta the… Stealth Shaman?


Please note: This is PURELY a fun build. I am aware that Lothar's Edge/Desolator are not the PERFECT items for Rhasta, but they really help if you want some party fun with invis-Ward-trapping.


Blade of Alacrity
*Optional – If you are getting ****d/not enough Hitpoints/Mana*
Point Booster
Claymore
Recipe: Lothar’s Edge
Level 3 Item – Lothar’s Edge


Lothar’s Edge is a great item for staying alive with its cheap 9second Windwalk, but in this build we utilize it’s potential to execute the Ward-Trap. All you have to do is Windwalk, move behind the target hero and unleash some serpentine fury on his unsuspecting back. Sounds pretty simple huh? Not really. This by far is one of the hardest Ward-Trap techniques to pull off on its own. That’s why you have Voodoo to aid you.

Voodoo ensures that the hero inherits the smallest collision-size in the game, which will cause the wards to surround the critter if placed properly. He will still be encaged in the prison of wards when he reverts to his normal hero size. Usually the element of surprise will prevail when you break invisibility by casting Voodoo on the hero, then immediately proceed to cage him. I suggest going for the following items after your Lothar’s Edge.

I have attached a few screens of Ward-Trapping with Lothar’s. Remember that even the terrain can be used in your attempts to trap. In this case, a nice tree acted as an obstacle for this particular Chaos Knight.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/MercurialXen/lotharWardtrap1.jpg

Do NOT stand beside a tree frequently!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/MercurialXen/lotharWardtrap2.jpg

Immobile Chaos Knight who wished he had 1 point in Blink Strike =)

Gloves of Haste
Recipe: Power Treads
Level 1 Item – Power Treads

Mithril Hammer
Mithril Hammer
Recipe: Stygian Desolator
Level 3 Item – Stygian Desolator

Broadsword
Blades of Attack
Recipe: Crysalis
Level 3 Item – Crysalis

Demon Edge
Recipe: Burize Do Kyanon
Level 4 Item – Burize Do Kyanon


With this build I prefer to be more damage-inclined, with a Stygian Desolator as my top priority. You can go for the Desolator first, if you’re confident that you will be farming consistently. The Desolator is a great item for its cost. Besides packing a neat punch with its damage bonus, it helps reduce the armor of your opponents. This is invaluable with your alias as the Ward-Trapper. Reducing the armor of your opponents also means your Serpent Wards have increased overall damage on the target.

During massive hero battles, you can focus on reducing your enemies’ armor while your allies finish the job. I doubt you will get this far into the game, but a Burize is a nice option for increased damage output while the opponent is hexed. Now for the last build, and my personal favourite:


Build 3 - Don't Blink, you're Trapped!


Kelen’s Dagger of Escape


The Dagger of Escape is really an extremely powerful item, and one of my favourites in the game. Blink with 90 mana cost that has a slightly smaller range than any of the characters equipped with Blink in Dota? Sign me up (25second cooldown time though; be wary)! The possibilities are endless with this tiny dagger. Having a blinking disabler on the opposition is pretty unnerving, and taking into consideration that Rhasta moves rather clumsily, the Dagger is a perfect choice for him. But what does blinking have to do with your Ward-Trapping attempt? Plenty, I say. Here’s how you start your combo:


Blink behind target
Voodoo
Ward-Trap

(Video made recently shows how I trap with the Dagger + Voodoo combo. Look below for the link)

Shackle or Hit
*If enemy survives*
Blink
Voodoo
Hit, hit, hit
Forked Lightning

OR

Blink behind target (Ranged preferably, because they dont move while attacking and are easier to trap)
Ward-Trap
Voodoo
Shackle or Hit
*If enemy survives*
Blink
Voodoo
Hit, hit, hit
Forked Lightning



Usually your mana pool will not be able to support such spell-intensive combos early-mid game, but then again, no hero (save for blinkers/stealth) will be able to survive a Ward-Trap if executed properly. Here I will attempt to depict a few possible scenarios where the Dagger of Escape will prove invaluable.

1) Stunned with 4 heroes running in lustily to tear apart whatever little skin from your puny frame? Voodoo the nearest Hero and blink goodbye. Oh wait, just blink goodbye =)

2) Enemy hero running away with red health; the creeps refuse to budge, intent on doing their best to get in your way; he is disappearing from your sight; you grow increasingly desperate… Just blink up and Forked Lightning for a deserved kill.

3) Allied hero needs desperately to escape from that pesky Chaos Knight who won’t stop Blink-Striking. Blink in, Voodoo, get a few hits in and Shackle him for your ally to get his revenge.

4) Enemy hero fights a losing battle with your ally and proceeds to activate his Mask of Madness, gleefully running away, taking the time to turn back with a middle-finger raised. Blink in and Shackle him for the kill your ally deserves. Please refrain from returning the favour of the middle-finger. Its bad manners ;)

There are endless possible situations where the Dagger of Escape will come in handy.

You can go with any of the latter builds that are written in the Eye of the Tornado, Stealth Shaman or Game-Winner section. Guinsoos/Scepter/Desolator/Skadi.

(Continued on next post)

[Rakulei]

Penultimate Build - The Game-Winner


I understand that there are many competitive users of Rhasta who scorn upon the fun builds I provided above, deeming them unsuitable for in-houses and major clan competitions. I do not claim to be an active member of high-pressure, high-octane official matches, but I hope to provide a build tailored for both pub-lovers, TDA-frequenters, and competitive-gamers alike.

Rhasta can be the one who turns the tide of the game for your team, influencing pushes, hero encounters and game-deciding battles with his massive array of disables. With a successful Ward-trap, 2 Voodoos (1 from Guinsoo’s), and a Shackles; you have effectively put 4 heroes out of the encounter for at least 3 seconds. That’s enough time for your allies to position themselves while the enemy is still caught by surprise and trying to reorganize.

Here is a build I’ve tried perfecting over many games, it’s unconventional and perhaps a little controversial, but very effective.


-Primary Items-


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/MercurialXen/Rhasta_Guide/starting_items.jpg

Flask of Sapphire Water x 2
Clarity Potion x 2
Circlet of Nobility


The Sapphire/Clarity potions will help you in harassing and making sure you do not have to return to the fountain before level 6/7, where you will attempt your first Ward-trap or help push the first tower with your wards (plant your wards just outside the tower range so you can get money from two creep waves; towers have a high-priority on wards). The Circlet is a necessary component for your first Null Talisman, and also helps boost your hp/mp total by a little.


- First trip to Fountain –


Boots of Speed
Mantle of Intelligence
Null Talisman Scroll – Null Talisman

Continue farming enough for a Dagger of Escape. Try to obtain it before Level 10, which shouldn’t be much of a problem.


Kelen’s Dagger of Escape

After you get your Dagger is where the fun really begins. Remember that you are still a fragile, skin-and-bones troll. Do NOT attempt to blink into the midst of four heroes and expect your opponents to stare at you open-mouthed while you proceed to cast your spells slowly. Instead, pick a suitable opportunity to wreck havoc with your wards, Blink in when least expected.

Around mid-game is where you should to complete an important item which is what i feel makes Rhasta complete: an Eye of Skadi.


- Mid-Game –

Point Booster
Ultimate Orb x 2
Recipe – Eye of Skadi
Level 4 Item – Eye of Skadi

(Player Preference: Eul’s Scepter of Divinity before your Dagger of Escape)


The Eye of Skadi is a great item for Rhasta. It boosts his pathetic HP total, supports his intensive mana-usage and gives a slow attack that is incredibly useful. I understand that most team-battles begin at Level 7 and up, so it is up to your personal and team interests to obtain an Eul’s Scepter of Divinity before your Dagger of Escape. What if the game does not end after you get your items? Rhasta is not merely a hero that is able to wreck bases with his Refresher/Scepter combo. He has problems dealing with high hp beef-tanks late game, but we will address that problem with the following items.


- Late-Game –


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/MercurialXen/Rhasta_Guide/super_end_game.jpg

- (If you decided to get Eul’s before your Dagger) –
QuarterStaff
Sobi Mask
Robe of the Magi
Level 1 Item – Oblivion Staff
Level 4 Item – Guinsoo’s Scythe of Vyse

Broadsword
Blades of Attack
Recipe: Crysalis
Level 2 Item – Crysalis

Demon Edge
Recipe: Burize Do Kyanon
Level 4 Item – Burize Do Kyanon

Hyperstone/Boots of Travel


Finish up your Guinsoo’s if you got the Eul’s before your Dagger, which gives a nice damage boost and turns you into the number 1 target for your enemies (if you’re not already ;)). If not, go straight for the Burize, which will ensure you a slowing attack with a chance to crit for 500+. The Hyperstone/Boots of Travel are merely objects of my fantasies :P I highly doubt the game will last long enough for you to obtain these items.

Instead of going for the usual Refresher/Scepter build that you have nightmares about all the time, why not give your clannies a nice surprise on your next friendly practice? Try it out and let me know what you think.

(Continued on next post)

[Rakulei]

The Art of Ward Trapping


A video of the ward-trap in action is now available! Download it here (http://www.dotasg.com/forums/local_links.php?action=jump&id=6&catid=5l)


Finally, on to the main problem faced by many Ward-Trappers. We all know that Voodoo + Mass Serpent Wards is the correct way to go, but how do you trap a moving sheep? By the time you click on the sheep and move towards it, your wards will be placed either behind or off-target, enabling the hero to make for it. I will attempt to illustrate the correct method of Ward-Trapping after Voodoo with a couple of screenshots. I like to call it Sheep-Herding =).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/MercurialXen/wardtrap1.jpg

Enemy Sighted.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/MercurialXen/wardtrap2.jpg

Here is the important part. After casting Voodoo, observe the player’s movement and PREDICT his movement trajectory. In this case, The Chaos Knight is moving forward, so I place my wards in front of him, on the red-circled area.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/MercurialXen/wardtrap3.jpg

Unveiling of the Serpentine Beauties.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/MercurialXen/wardtrap5.jpg

Claim your bounty, you deserve it =)

Above-mentioned was only one of the many situations you will encounter as a Ward-Trapper. Remember to improvise and predict, if the player refuses to move, go ahead and stamp your wards all over his woolen body. Smart players will move in an erratic manner to avoid being trapped. If this happens you will have to resort to using Shackles in a bid to keep them in place for your wards to wreck havoc.


Rhasta in Late Game


I understand that many people have problems dealing with opponents who rush straight for a Black King Bar, or using Rhasta efficiently late game where damage dealers dominate and beefcake HP tanks are aplenty. With any of the three builds i have offered above you should have no problem dealing with any late game heroes. Clinkz with deso/buriz? Please do not hesitate to invest in a gem and proceed to:

1)Voodoo, hit, hit, hit, (Skadi/Desolator build), Shackle for your teammates to ****

2)Voodoo, hit, hit, hit, Voodoo, hit, hit, hit, Forked (Guinsoo build)

This applies to all late game agility-based damage dealers, which usually have below average hitpoints. Nullfied armor bonuses + 5-10seconds of sheep-whacking will surely cause intense pain to your opponent.

Dealing with the Black King Bar is relatively simple after the massive nerf it took. (15secs-10secs). All you have to do is blink away to safety and wait for the Avatar to wear off. Dont forget that your dagger also took a nerf! So be sparing with the long-range blinking stunts that you were so used to before: you WILL die if you get stuck in a tree while waiting for your Blink Dagger to cooldown.

Please dont hesitate to pose any questions, i would be more than willing to try and answer them. I answered quite a few that were lost in the old thread, so i'm trying to revive the valid points that some friendly posters brought up. Thank you!


Concluding Notes


That brings an end to my humble guide. I still and always will be trying to perfect the Art of Ward-Trapping, for I sincerely think that it is one of the hardest techniques to master in the game. I pray that I have done a little bit in helping your progress as a Ward-Trapper =) I thoroughly enjoyed writing this guide, and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do.


New replay up which shows the effectiveness of Rhasta with a Blink Dagger. It almost removes all weaknesses of the hero, turning him into a ambush starter, escape artist and hero killer with a relatively cheap 2150 spent. Although the Blink Dagger took a nerf recently by having it's range greatly reduced and a small mana cost slapped on, i still recommend it as one of the must-haves in his arsenal. Enjoy!

Attached link below is the Ward-Trap in action (video format). Please let me know what u think!

Download here (http://www.dotasg.com/forums/local_links.php?action=jump&id=6&catid=5)


Replays

Replay added 1/01/2006.

Rhasta_Skadi_Dagger - 4v5 game with a couple of friends, got off to a good start with a few ward-traps, finished off with a Skadi, Hyperstone and Burize along with my Dagger.

[Ant]

This is a really really in depth guide omg?

Do you have any videos of ward traps without needing to disable? That'll be really much cooler.

[Rakulei]

Ant -

Thanks! I do have a video of purely trapping without disables, but it doesnt have sound yet and i was saving it for a possible ward-trap compilation, hehe. I'm working on it!

[Hime ^^]

ward trapping without disble means u wrap the person totally in the ward and voodoo him? if not i think the person can hit his way out of the wards or blink out if he is a blinker?

[Ant]

2 Heroes have blink
3 Heroes have blinkstrike

What are the chances that someone skilled enough to ward surround without disables is also stupid enough to try to ward surround these heroes.

It takes 2 or 3 whacks to kill a ward (at the stage of the game where wards still do significant damage).

Ward surrounding is enough to kill (if forked and attacked).

[DeaDGoD]

i dun think shld go for voodoo 1st too many consuming at the start and if its for team, shackles with be a better choice.

[Hime ^^]

shackles would be the better choice i agree.... but depends lar, some heroes hard to kill at lvl 6 without disabling him using shackles.... for me, i am not an intel hero user so i wont say too much... :p

[Rakulei]

Hime ^^ =

It means just ward-surrounding a hero without first voodoo-ing/shackling him, just cast wards immediately hehe. It is possible if you predict his movement trajectory; but extremely difficult. I always go for easy targets like ranged heroes without blink/ww because they usually are stationary when hitting creeps unlike melee heroes who dance around. They wont have enough time to react if you do a quick blink + trap.


Antz -

Thanks! :) Yup ward-trapping is effective early and mid-game where it wrecks absolute havoc on heroes without any escape-skills.


DeaDGoD -

This is up to personal preference; i prefer Voodoo because i think it gives a better chance for the ward-trap to be successful. There is a section on the new Shackles where i highly recommend getting it early game if you are in a team-oriented battle.

*Quoted*
The new Shackles adds a whole new dimension to Rhasta's gameplay element. The damage it deals is highly significant in early-game; and if you're playing in a competitive environment, i advise maxing out Shackles before Voodoo. The nerf to its duration (1.25s) is hardly noticeable unless in large scale team battles. Considering the nerf that almost all spellcasters got; Rhasta has it easy. I even consider it a minor buff to a skill that i previously overlooked in early-game.
*

Thanks for the suggestion DeaDGoD! I understand and fully agree with your opinion to max Shackles out first if you are a competitive team player.


Hime ^^ -

Hehe yep, Shackles is extremely useful if you want a quick and surefire way of dealing damage while disabling the opponent. It works very well as a signal to your team to focus-fire on the target (so orange + long line and net who cannot see? lol)

[DeaDGoD]

any way. thanks for taking the effort and time to write up and attach pictures to this guide. thanks man

[idle]

very good job and detailed guide there ...i rmb last time in compy omniknight still pwn serpent wards with purify xD ...

[Derek]

hmm dunno if i should say this...since this is a guide it should be constantly updated as new forum mbrs will read it..
The Dagger of Escape is really an extremely powerful item, and one of my favourites in the game. Blink with just 5 mana cost i think it costs 90 now :P guess its best to keep minor details correct so as to have a good guide :P

[Rakulei]

idle -

Yea i remember the unfixed Omni going around getting free money whenever i cast wards -_- Damn irritating sia!


Derek -

Wow how brilliant of me; i remembered to update Shackles with its recent change but neglected the DoE which had its nerf done ages ago -_- Thanks for the heads up; changed to reflect the actual casting and cooldown time.

[Hime ^^]

raku... but against a stunner like VS, do ward trapping really works? i do not noe but once i was playing VS and i had rhasta against me, he euls me then trapped me in his wards but dunno i'm lucky or wat, the moment i landed, he got stunned by me and hence i managed to break out of the wards before he could shackle me.... hmm... maybe i'm lucky.. seldom could trapping fail....

[DeaDGoD]

try rhasta with loather edge.suddenly u got shackled.

[Rakulei]

Hime ^^ -

Normally i would advice against attempting to trap a VS haha. Cos she(/he/whatever :p) got swap.. Once he swaps you, hey presto! You're the one trapped by your own wards -_- Versus other heavy hitting stunners, make sure that you have enough HP to survive a stun (+ around 3-400 more hp for attacks if he is ranged).

A successful ward-trap will net you a kill within a maximum of 5seconds early-mid game. Voodoo cuts the time that the hero is able to counterattack by 3seconds, so dont have to worry about dying if you are above 3/4 hp :)


DeaDGoD -

Yep, i have a section in my guide recommending Lothars if you want some fun with invis ward-trapping ^^

[DOTASG_Kel]

Hime ^^ -

Normally i would advice against attempting to trap a VS haha. Cos she(/he/whatever :p) got swap.. Once he swaps you, hey presto! You're the one trapped by your own wards -_- Versus other heavy hitting stunners, make sure that you have enough HP to survive a stun (+ around 3-400 more hp for attacks if he is ranged).

A successful ward-trap will net you a kill within a maximum of 5seconds early-mid game. Voodoo cuts the time that the hero is able to counterattack by 3seconds, so dont have to worry about dying if you are above 3/4 hp :)


DeaDGoD -

Yep, i have a section in my guide recommending Lothars if you want some fun with invis ward-trapping ^^


Ahhh Rakulei were you the one who posted the shaman video at warcraftsingapore?

Anyways welcome to DotaSG, I hope you'll make your stay.:)

[Rakulei]

Yes i was! Thank you, this site has great potential and i'll do what i can to spread the word about it.

[=Þinksheep]

Actually it's very easy to counter the Ward-Trap if I'm just hexed and not shackled. Usually I just get tp scroll and go back to base or wherever... I won't die just by standing inside unless my life is below 600.

[Rakulei]

If you did buy a TP scroll during your first foray into the battle/first fountain trip, the ward-trap is definitely ineffective to a certain extent, but not nullified. Remember that TP takes 2.5seconds to cast; add in a Forked Lightning which deals approximately 215 damage(not accurate) factoring in hero resistance and the Voodoo which gives the wards and Rhasta free hits for at least 2 seconds, you would have to have at least 750hp to survive.

I agree, however that a TP is extremely useful in countering the Ward-Trap. I would advice checking the inventory of the hero you are attempting to trap, and saving at least one disable for the moment after he uses his TP before giving the go-ahead :)



P.S I know my ol' buddy Rhasta is gonna kill me for revealing this, but here's the ultimate solution other than buying a Blink Dagger to the overrated Ward-Trap (in mid-late game of course, the trapping is still very much effective early-game)!

..... *drumroll*........

Buy a Platemail! It makes those scary looking hissers capable only of dishing out oversized mosquito bites :D The damage is so insignificant that you are able to survive a Voodoo (yes, i'm aware of the nullified armor bonuses from Voodoo), Shackles and still be able to destroy at least 3 wards before strolling up to that skinny troll and whipping his ass ^^

[idle]

thats true xD ... piercing does have its extent of usefulness. but then again not all heroes will go plate mail ... so intel chars are alittle ****ed =P altho cute little pugna can decrip himself and drain someone to try kill sometime xD ...

[Shawn]

I love using rhasta in pubs but it seems team game it is a little too weak? A hero like QOP which can blink out of ward traps and chut spells before rhasta can react like makes it vulnerable...

[Rakulei]

LoL idle, i never thought of that! Damn funny if Pugna just decrep and manage to suck life out of Rhasta before he dies ^^ Must try sometime lol~

Hmm i think Rhasta is a very important hero in team games; i'm surprised that he isnt used more frequently! He is able to disable up to 4 heroes for at least 3 seconds if executed well.. But yes i guess he's kinda fragile with his low low hp -_- I usually stay behind and dictate the game in team encounters; or start an attack by disabling a hero, placing wards and blinking out before i can get focus-fired. Thats the ideal situation but sometimes my mana not enough den die liao -_-

[Hime ^^]

raku u really give very detailed explanations....

yup... trapping VS is like a 50% chance of killing it... since it can swap... think abt it... u think of trapping the fella in advance, but he swaps u in and runs.... lol...

[Rakulei]

Thanks Hime :) I try to explain hoping my answers make sense but most of the time i'm just crapping la lol. Ya i almost never trap a VS unless she is below lvl6 ^^

[pumpkin]

very nice, informative article!! Will be an extremely big bonus if you can have all 72 article!:p

There is a hero writeup request here (http://www.keikor.com/recruiting-dota-allstars-hero-guide-writer.html). For your consdieration.

cheers!

[Hime ^^]

yup... raku, have to deny the VS all the time.. if not she lvl 6, she can wreak havoc le... :p

wah pumpkin.. u power... haha...

i think slowly lar.. i will be coming in with my VS, luna and dwarven guide... then everyone drop in something they use well and then eventually u will have writeups of 72 heroes lo..

actually in 5.84 i used many other characters well too.. but then i have to try them out in 6.27b before i can writeup on them le...

[Rakulei]

Whoa pumpkin 72 is too much lol, i'm struggling with my 2nd guide -_-

[idle]

one good item for rhasta is necronomicon ... with its mana burn, its very effective against those people who have low mana, if he has about 200/300 mana, 1 burn and he cant blink/blinkstrike/ww/swap out already. and they are quite pain -.-

[boiboi]

1 pt in voodoo is enough if u meant to trap the person in ward..... in a 5 v5 match honestly shackles is the best chioce rather then voodoo... might as well wait for a chance put ward and shackle him...

[elvinltl]

Shackle is better dude.
Mass ward and shackle almost instantly, once shackle is over lightning and his dead most of the time. In addition, shackle does dmg leh, unlike vodoo.

[AhCat]

you can even shackle+necrominons who whack and burn mana at the same time. hex lets the enemy run abit.

[AhCat]

any channeling caster should get necrobook or/and dominated creeps.

[k n i g h t]

Wad a gosu in depth guide. I get headache reading it sia. in 6.38b do the wards still surrond the cyclone base? my fren say doesnt now...

[d0minic]

Wad a gosu in depth guide. I get headache reading it sia. in 6.38b do the wards still surrond the cyclone base? my fren say doesnt now...

it still does.

[CrimsonBlack]

oh cool mercurialxen/rakulei/kennethTan is here. I like your digital art, they're great. =DD
Sorry for off-topic post XD

[xianzai92]

So long no update ...

[k n i g h t]

it still does.

o... i rmb got one version nong nong ago... the wards cannot surrond the base... o well...

"i hear u man!"

[xianzai92]

thread digger ...

[Reya]

eh, you were the one that posted before him ?

and it shows TODAY.

so you're the thread digger.

[xianzai92]

lol ................

[HUI31]

Shackle is better dude.
Mass ward and shackle almost instantly, once shackle is over lightning and his dead most of the time. In addition, shackle does dmg leh, unlike vodoo.
I like rhasta pretty,but i admit i am so noob using him, but i must mention that,
while u using voodoo,you can hit your opponents, or can run yourself.

[Garey]

i think that adding at least lvl 1 shackle at early level would be good.