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Night Stalker

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Select Role

Ability Build

1
Void
2
Hunter in the Night
3
Void
4
Hunter in the Night
5
Void
6
Dark Ascension
7
Void
8
Crippling Fear
9
Hunter in the Night
Talet tree backgroundTalent tree branchesTalent tree branch
10
+8s Dark Ascension Duration
11
Hunter in the Night
12
Dark Ascension
13
Crippling Fear
14
Crippling Fear
Talet tree backgroundTalent tree branchesTalent tree branch
15
+30 Dark Ascension Damage
16
Crippling Fear
17
Attribute Bonus
18
Dark Ascension
19
Attribute Bonus
Talet tree backgroundTalent tree branchesTalent tree branch
20
+20 Strength
21
Attribute Bonus
22
Attribute Bonus
23
Attribute Bonus
24
Attribute Bonus
Talet tree backgroundTalent tree branchesTalent tree branch
25
-50s Dark Ascension Cooldown

Disables, Buffs and Passives

AbilitiesDisablesDispellable BuffsBreakable Passives
Interrupts ChannelingSilencesRoots
Void
Crippling Fear
Hunter in the Night
Dark Ascension

Item Build

Starting
Tango
4
Quelling Blade
Gauntlets of Strength
Circlet
Iron Branch
Early Game
Bracer
8
Phase Boots
15
Magic Wand
5
Echo Sabre
Mid Game
Aghanim's Shard
95
Black King Bar
15
Blink Dagger
2.3
Skull Basher
Late Game
19
Harpoon
35
Abyssal Blade
Assault Cuirass
15
Overwhelming Blink
Situational
18
Heaven's Halberd
20
Silver Edge
14
Linken's Sphere
Aghanim's Scepter
Hand of Midas
10
Nullifier
Neutral
Broom Handle
Lance of Pursuit
Vambrace
Orb of Destruction
40
Ogre Seal Totem
12
Mind Breaker
Stygian Desolator
Giant's Ring
40
Pirate Hat

Hero Strategy

Run to mid as you load into the game and scout for opponents' midlaner placing observer ward.

Night Stalker has great night vision but very limited day vision.

Look to survive through the first 5 minutes of the game and ideally have phase boots as the night hits.

Use Void to secure ranged creep lasthits.

Try to manipulate creep lane equilibrium to get it closer to your tower during the day time.

Keep a skill point or opt to skill Crippling Fear as the first night approaches if it is necessary to score a kill.

Play and farm aggressively during the night time and provide additional vision for your team.

When going for a kill, be careful with Voiding right away as the opponent might just teleport out.

Avoid fighting when it's daytime and Dark Ascension is down, play defensively or push out lanes.

Prioritize dealing with backliners and supports in fights, especially once you have Blink Dagger.

Counter Strategy

Night Stalker is weak in the first 5 minutes of the game. Pressure him early.

Night Stalker will fight you at the 5 minute mark, as night time will hit.

Night Stalker's Dark Ascension will allow him to see you inside or behind trees.

Look to fight during daytime and when Dark Ascension is down.

Force Staff and Hurricane Pike are great items against Night Stalker's Crippling Fear.

Break effects remove Hunter in the Night and Nightstalker becomes significantly weaker.

Counter Items for Core Players

Laning Phase
Wind Lace
Boots of Speed
Mid Game
19
Hurricane Pike
20
Silver Edge
18
Heaven's Halberd
Late Game
20
Scythe of Vyse
35
Abyssal Blade
Assault Cuirass
15
Bloodthorn
Butterfly

Counter Items for Support Players

Laning Phase
Wind Lace
Boots of Speed
Mid Game
14
Glimmer Cape
19
Force Staff
22
Ghost Scepter
Late Game
20
Scythe of Vyse
105
Aeon Disk