A red and white logo with the word 'Dota Coach' in a stylized font.
Dota Coach logoDota Coach logoDota Coach logoDota Coach logo

Grimstroke

Get the in-game guide

Select Role

Ability Build

1
Stroke of Fate
2
Ink Swell
3
Ink Swell
4
Phantom's Embrace
5
Ink Swell
6
Soulbind
7
Ink Swell
8
Phantom's Embrace
9
Phantom's Embrace
Talet tree backgroundTalent tree branchesTalent tree branch
10
-4s Ink Swell Cooldown
11
Stroke of Fate
12
Soulbind
13
Stroke of Fate
14
Stroke of Fate
Talet tree backgroundTalent tree branchesTalent tree branch
15
+12% Ink Swell Movement Speed
16
Phantom's Embrace
17
Attribute Bonus
18
Soulbind
19
Attribute Bonus
Talet tree backgroundTalent tree branchesTalent tree branch
20
+3 Hits to Kill Phantom
21
Attribute Bonus
22
Attribute Bonus
23
Attribute Bonus
24
Attribute Bonus
Talet tree backgroundTalent tree branchesTalent tree branch
25
+150 Ink Swell Radius

Disables, Buffs and Passives

AbilitiesDisablesDispellable BuffsBreakable Passives
Interrupts ChannelingSilencesRoots
Stroke of Fate
Phantom's Embrace
Ink Swell
Soulbind

Item Build

Starting
Tango
Tango
10
Blood Grenade
5
Faerie Fire
Enchanted Mango
Enchanted Mango
Iron Branch
Iron Branch
1
Observer Ward
1
Sentry Ward
Early Game
Boots of Speed
15
Magic Wand
Ring of Basilius
Wind Lace
7
Infused Raindrops
Mid Game
55
Arcane Boots
Aether Lens
Aghanim's Shard
19
Force Staff
15
Blink Dagger
Late Game
Aghanim's Scepter
20
Scythe of Vyse
Octarine Core
22
Ethereal Blade
Situational
40
Guardian Greaves
105
Aeon Disk
30
Boots of Bearing
23
Eul's Scepter of Divinity
14
Glimmer Cape
22
Ghost Scepter
27
Dagon
6
Phylactery
15
Lotus Orb
Boots of Travel
Neutral
40
Trusty Shovel
60
Arcane Ring
Philosopher's Stone
Eye of the Vizier
40
Ogre Seal Totem
20
Psychic Headband
Timeless Relic
Telescope
8
Force Boots
60
Seer Stone

Hero Strategy

Use Stroke of Faith to secure range creep last hits and hit opponents at the same time.

Communicate whenever you want to use Ink Swell on an ally so it doesn't go to waste.

Stroke of Faith can be used to stack an additional camp from distance.

Focus on using Soulbind on mobile heroes or heroes with Black King Bar.

Buy Aghanim's Shard at minute 15 as it adds even more utility to Ink Sweel.

Aghanim's Scepter allows you to scale well into lategame by creating illusions of opponents right-clickers.

Use portals to roam around the map and set up kills with your control spells.

With Aghanims Shard, you can apply and pop Ink Swell instantly on an ally to dispel off stuns and silences.

Counter Strategy

Stroke of Fate does more damage the more units it hits. Play on the side of the creep wave.

Help removing Grimstroke's Phantom's Embrace from your team mates.

The longer you were next to Ink Swelled unit the longer you will be stunned.

Against Grimstroke's Soulbind, avoid staying close to your cores, especially the mobile ones.

Magic resistance and spell immunity items are great against Grimstroke.

Counter Items for Core Players

Laning Phase
17
Magic Stick
Ring of Regen
Wind Lace
Boots of Speed
Headdress
7
Infused Raindrops
Mid Game
23
Eul's Scepter of Divinity
15
Lotus Orb
Cloak
60
Pipe of Insight
Eternal Shroud
95
Black King Bar
Late Game
14
Linken's Sphere

Counter Items for Support Players

Laning Phase
17
Magic Stick
Ring of Regen
Wind Lace
Boots of Speed
Headdress
7
Infused Raindrops
Mid Game
23
Eul's Scepter of Divinity
15
Lotus Orb
Cloak
14
Glimmer Cape
19
Force Staff
Late Game
14
Linken's Sphere
95
Black King Bar