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Lion

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Select Role

Ability Build

1
Earth Spike
2
Mana Drain
3
Mana Drain
4
Hex
5
Earth Spike
6
Finger of Death
7
Earth Spike
8
Earth Spike
9
Mana Drain
10
Mana Drain
Talet tree backgroundTalent tree branchesTalent tree branch
11
+10% Mana Drain Slow
12
Finger of Death
13
Hex
14
Hex
Talet tree backgroundTalent tree branchesTalent tree branch
15
+70 Max Health Per Finger of Death Kill
16
Hex
17
Attribute Bonus
18
Finger of Death
19
Attribute Bonus
Talet tree backgroundTalent tree branchesTalent tree branch
20
Earth Spike affects a 30ยบ cone
21
Attribute Bonus
22
Attribute Bonus
23
Attribute Bonus
24
Attribute Bonus
Talet tree backgroundTalent tree branchesTalent tree branch
25
+250 AoE Hex

Disables, Buffs and Passives

AbilitiesDisablesDispellable BuffsBreakable Passives
Interrupts ChannelingSilencesRoots
Earth Spike
Hex
Mana Drain
Finger of Death

Item Build

Starting
Tango
Tango
10
Blood Grenade
5
Faerie Fire
Circlet
Iron Branch
Iron Branch
1
Observer Ward
1
Sentry Ward
Early Game
13
Tranquil Boots
15
Magic Wand
Wind Lace
7
Infused Raindrops
Mid Game
15
Blink Dagger
Aether Lens
Aghanim's Shard
19
Force Staff
Late Game
22
Ethereal Blade
Aghanim's Scepter
Octarine Core
105
Aeon Disk
Situational
6
Phylactery
14
Glimmer Cape
22
Ghost Scepter
30
Boots of Bearing
15
Lotus Orb
23
Eul's Scepter of Divinity
95
Black King Bar
Boots of Travel
Neutral
Faded Broach
8
Fairy's Trinket
Philosopher's Stone
Whisper of the Dread
20
Psychic Headband
Ceremonial Robe
Timeless Relic
Telescope
60
Seer Stone
8
Force Boots

Hero Strategy

Use Earth Spike strategically so that you can get extra right-clicks in, deny a creep or secure a last hit.

You can skill Hex on level 2 to score a kill.

Hex and Mana Drain destroy basic illusions instantly.

Make a move whenever you have Finger of Death available.

When Finger of Death is on cooldown, use the time to farm your Blink Dagger.

Initiate on enemies with your long lasting disables, so your allies can follow-up for a kill.

Fight around good vision, so you can land multi-hero Earth Spikes.

Aghanim's Shard is good at countering illusion-based heroes.

Keep an eye on the mana pool of allies around you and top them up with Mana Drain if they are low on mana.

Position yourself to get an uninterrupted Mana Drain as a follow up on Earth Spike to harass enemy heroes from a distance.

Counter Strategy

Use fog of war to cancel Lion's Mana Drain

Opt for anti-magic damage items against Lion

Be aware of Lion's level 6 Finger of Death. Infused Raindrop might help you to survive the burst

Lotus Orb is an effective item against Lion as all of his spells are targetable

Look to target Lion in team fights as he provides a lot of control and magic damage against your cores and is also a very squishy hero

Counter Items for Core Players

Laning Phase
17
Magic Stick
Enchanted Mango
Ring of Regen
7
Infused Raindrops
55
Arcane Boots
Cloak
25
Soul Ring
Mid Game
15
Lotus Orb
60
Pipe of Insight
Eternal Shroud
95
Black King Bar
Sange and Yasha
Kaya and Sange
Late Game
14
Linken's Sphere
105
Aeon Disk

Counter Items for Support Players

Laning Phase
17
Magic Stick
Enchanted Mango
Ring of Regen
7
Infused Raindrops
55
Arcane Boots
Cloak
Mid Game
15
Lotus Orb
14
Glimmer Cape
Late Game
14
Linken's Sphere
105
Aeon Disk
95
Black King Bar