Hero Discussion of the Day: Skeleton King (February 26, 2012)

Skeleton King was last discussed on October 23.

Ostarion, the Skeleton King

Skeleton King is a powerful Melee Hero, capable of taking plenty of damage before dying. His ultimate allows him to rise again, acting almost like an Aegis of the Immortal, making him especially difficult to kill. Because of his ability to tank damage and regain health, as well as a nuke that deals damage over time, he is recommended for beginners.

Lore:

The victim of a longevity spell that backfired, the Skeleton King Ostarion has built an empire from the bones of his enemies. He lives only to extend his reach, for as long as he is perpetually building and adding to his domain he cannot die. The walls of his palace are formed of fired bone; the streets are paved with bones of every sort of creature and every enemy; and even the wood and other natural features of his land have been swept away and replaced with replicas formed of bone. From the Ivory Forest to Ostarion's towering Throne of Bone, nothing happens in the Empire of Bones without the full knowledge of its Skeleton King.

"Bone is strongest where it's mended."

Strength	Agility	Intelligence
22 + 2.9	18 + 1.7	13 + 1.6
Damage	Armor	Movespeed
54 - 56	3.52	300
Attack Range	Base Attack Time	Missile Speed
128	1.7	N/A
Soundset	Icon	Fan Art

Hellfire Blast

Skeleton King fires a sphere of hellfire at an enemy unit, dealing damage and stunning, then dealing damage over time and slowing the target.

Level	Mana Cost	Cooldown	Casting Range	Area	Duration	Effects
1	140	8	525	N/A	4 seconds *	50 impact damage, 15 dps, stun, 15% slow
2	140	8	525	N/A	4 seconds *	100 impact damage, 30 dps, stun, 15% slow
3	140	8	525	N/A	4 seconds *	150 impact damage, 40 dps, stun, 15% slow
4	140	8	525	N/A	4 seconds *	200 impact damage, 50 dps, stun, 15% slow

• Damage type: magical
• Total damage: 80 / 160 / 230 / 300
• (*) 2 seconds stun, then 2 seconds slow and damage

Vampiric Aura

Nearby friendly melee units gain HP based on their damage dealt when attacking enemy units.

Level	Mana Cost	Cooldown	Casting Range	Area	Duration	Effects
1	N/A	N/A	N/A	900	N/A	Gains 15% of attack damage
2	N/A	N/A	N/A	900	N/A	Gains 20% of attack damage
3	N/A	N/A	N/A	900	N/A	Gains 25% of attack damage
4	N/A	N/A	N/A	900	N/A	Gains 30% of attack damage

• Fully stacks with other life-steal effects and unique attack modifiers.

Critical Strike

Skeleton King gains a chance to deal bonus damage on an attack.

Level	Mana Cost	Cooldown	Casting Range	Area	Duration	Effects
1	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	15% chance, 1.25 times normal damage
2	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	15% chance, 1.75 times normal damage
3	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	15% chance, 2.25 times normal damage
4	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	15% chance, 2.75 times normal damage

Reincarnation

Skeleton King's bones reform after death, causing him to resurrect when killed in battle. Upon reincarnation, enemy units in the area will be slowed by 30%.

Level	Mana Cost	Cooldown	Casting Range	Area	Duration	Effects
1	140	260	N/A	700	4 seconds	3 seconds delay, slows enemies' movement speed around him by 30%
2	140	160	N/A	700	4 seconds	3 seconds delay, slows enemies' movement speed around him by 30%
3	140	60	N/A	700	4 seconds	3 seconds delay, slows enemies' movement speed around him by 30%

• Slows enemies in a 700 radius by 30% for 4 seconds
• Will revive even if silenced on death.
• Will not revive if Skeleton King does not have required mana.
• If Skeleton King has an Aegis and Reincarnation is cooled down upon death, Reincarnation will trigger first.
• Revives with full HP and full mana.

TheGizmoh has created text tones for every Skeleton King sound. Check out those text tones here. And take a look at his complete archives as well right here.

Wilco- has posted a daily tl;dr On Skeleton King.

Be sure to take a look at DotaCinema's video overview on SK.

As always, check out yesterday's discussion of Death Prophet or the complete HDotD archives.