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Slark

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Select Role

Ability Build

1
Essence Shift
2
Pounce
3
Dark Pact
4
Dark Pact
5
Dark Pact
6
Shadow Dance
7
Dark Pact
8
Pounce
9
Pounce
Talet tree backgroundTalent tree branchesTalent tree branch
10
-0.5s Dark Pact Cooldown
11
Pounce
12
Shadow Dance
13
Essence Shift
14
Essence Shift
Talet tree backgroundTalent tree branchesTalent tree branch
15
+70 Dark Pact Damage
16
Essence Shift
17
Attribute Bonus
18
Shadow Dance
19
Attribute Bonus
Talet tree backgroundTalent tree branchesTalent tree branch
20
+80 Shadow Dance Attack Speed
21
Attribute Bonus
22
Attribute Bonus
23
Attribute Bonus
24
Attribute Bonus
Talet tree backgroundTalent tree branchesTalent tree branch
25
+40s Essence Shift Duration

Disables, Buffs and Passives

AbilitiesDisablesDispellable BuffsBreakable Passives
Interrupts ChannelingSilencesRoots
Dark Pact
Pounce
Essence Shift
Shadow Dance

Item Build

Starting
Tango
4
Quelling Blade
Iron Branch
Circlet
Slippers of Agility
Early Game
Wraith Band
15
Magic Wand
Power Treads
15
Diffusal Blade
Mid Game
5
Echo Sabre
Aghanim's Scepter
Aghanim's Shard
95
Black King Bar
Late Game
15
Disperser
Moon Shard
19
Harpoon
35
Abyssal Blade
Eye of Skadi
Situational
Orb of Venom
Orb of Corrosion
Hand of Midas
Sange and Yasha
14
Linken's Sphere
Monkey King Bar
10
Nullifier
Mage Slayer
20
Silver Edge
Butterfly
Neutral
Lance of Pursuit
Occult Bracelet
Orb of Destruction
Elven Tunic
12
Mind Breaker
40
Pirate Hat
Apex
Mirror Shield

Hero Strategy

As you load into the game, start running to scout opponents placing wards as you have night vision.

Hit an opponent whenever you can to create a damage difference of 4. It'll help you with lasthiting.

If you are able to build up a few Essence Shift stacks, you can perhaps commit for a kill attempt with Pounce.

Play more aggressively during night time as you have increased vision.

Whenever you are in trouble, you can Pounce away or even Shadow Dance and teleport out.

Pick up a couple of sentries to deward when you sense with Shadow Dance you are being seen.

Whenever you have a decent amount of Essence Shift, play more aggressively and look for extra kills.

Whenever not much is happening, push out the sidelines as Slark is quite elusive.

Slarks aghanims shard is very good for man fighting and saving allies, consider purchasing after your 3 main items.

Counter Strategy

Slark tends to do well against offlane melee due to Essence Shift stacks. Check if you can send at least one ranged hero against him

Place wards in unusual spots and more defensively as Slark is able to sense vision with his ultimate

Keep an eye on Slark's Dark Pact usage so that your spells and items don't get dispelled

Force Staff allows you to break away from Slark's Pounce

Slark has increased night vision so he's likely to spot you before you spot him. Use Smoke of Deceit to gank him more effectively during night

Long fights are favoring Slark as he is able to acquire Essence Shift stacks. Keep an eye on it and avoid fighting him if his stacks are high

Instant or near instant disables and burst damage are good at dealing with Slark

Counter Items for Core Players

Laning Phase
Wind Lace
Boots of Speed
Mid Game
19
Hurricane Pike
18
Heaven's Halberd
2.3
Skull Basher
Late Game
20
Scythe of Vyse
22
Ethereal Blade
35
Abyssal Blade
Butterfly
15
Bloodthorn

Counter Items for Support Players

Laning Phase
Wind Lace
Boots of Speed
1
Sentry Ward
Mid Game
19
Force Staff
14
Glimmer Cape
22
Ghost Scepter
1
Sentry Ward
Late Game
20
Scythe of Vyse
22
Ethereal Blade
Sentry and Gem