Hero Discussion of the Day: Warlock (March 2, 2012)
Warlock was last discussed on November 11. Warlock's most recent changes from 6.73:
- Infernal's Flaming Fists trigger chance increased from 40% to 60%
- Infernal's Flaming Fists damage increased from 75/115/150 to 100/150/200
Demnok Lannik, the Warlock
Warlock is a Ranged Hero and a very powerful Support Hero. His Shadow Word ability makes for an excellent heal as well as a decent harassment tool, and his physical attack helps him to ward off any enemies and keep his friends safe. Though he needs a certain level of planning and management to succeed, his lack of item dependence and powerful skillset make him very easy to play, but difficult to master. Warlock is recommended for beginners.
Lore:
As Chief Curator and Head of Acquisitions for the Arcane Archives of the Ultimyr Academy, Demnok Lannik was tireless in his pursuit of lost, rare and forbidden tomes. No cursed temple was so foreboding, no cavern path so treacherous, that any concern for his own survival could dissuade him from entering if rumors hinted that some pamphlet of primordial lore might still survive in its depths. However, so often did his investigations trigger the wrath of protector entities, that he finally found it necessary to master the arts of magic. He bent himself to learning sorcery with the same thorough obsessiveness that marked his quest for incunabula, becoming the most powerful Warlock of the Academy in less time than most practitioners required to complete a course of undergraduate work. Almost as an afterthought, he carved a staff of Dreadwood and summoned into it a captive spirit from the Outer Hells. And anticipating the day when he will have recovered every last lost spellbook, he has commenced writing his own Black Grimoire. It will undoubtedly be instructive.
"My grimoire opens again to a new page."
| Strength | Agility | Intelligence |
|---|---|---|
| 18 + 2.5 | 10 + 1 | 24 + 2.7 |
| Damage | Armor | Movespeed |
| 46 - 56 | 2.4 | 295 |
| Attack Range | Base Attack Time | Missile Speed |
| 600 | 1.7 | 1200 |
| Soundset | Icon | Fan Art |
Fatal Bonds
Binds several enemy units together, causing 20% of the damage dealt to one of them to be felt by the others.
| Level | Mana Cost | Cooldown | Casting Range | Area | Duration | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 120 | 25 | 800 | 575 | 25 seconds | Bonds 3 units together |
| 2 | 120 | 25 | 800 | 575 | 25 seconds | Bonds 4 units together |
| 3 | 120 | 25 | 800 | 575 | 25 seconds | Bonds 5 units together |
| 4 | 120 | 25 | 800 | 575 | 25 seconds | Bonds 6 units together |
- Damage type: HP removal
- Damage will not disable abilities or items like Blink Dagger which requires player based damage.
Shadow Word
Demnok whispers an incantation, healing a friendly unit or damaging an enemy unit over time.
| Level | Mana Cost | Cooldown | Casting Range | Area | Duration | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 90 | 20 | 500 | N/A | 8 seconds | 10 hit points per second |
| 2 | 110 | 20 | 500 | N/A | 8 seconds | 20 hit points per second |
| 3 | 130 | 20 | 500 | N/A | 8 seconds | 30 hit points per second |
| 4 | 150 | 20 | 500 | N/A | 8 seconds | 40 hit points per second |
- Damage type: magical
- A hero affected by Shadow Word may be denied once it falls below 25% of its maximum health.
Upheaval
A powerful slowing current that grows stronger as it's channelled. Lasts up to 10 seconds, slowing enemies up to 84%. Enemies are slowed for 3 seconds after leaving the area or the spell ends.
| Level | Mana Cost | Cooldown | Casting Range | Area | Duration | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100 | 50 | 700 | 650 | 3 Seconds | Slows by 7% per second |
| 2 | 110 | 50 | 700 | 650 | 3 Seconds | Slows by 14% per second |
| 3 | 120 | 50 | 700 | 650 | 3 Seconds | Slows by 21% per second |
| 4 | 130 | 50 | 700 | 650 | 3 Seconds | Slows by 28% per second |
- Slow percentage is calculated based on duration of the channel, not by how long enemy was in the area of effect.
Rain of Chaos
Summons a Golem from the depths, dealing 100 damage and stunning enemies for one second. The Golem lives 60 seconds, takes reduced damage from spells, has Permanent Immolation and Flaming Fists on attack.
SCEPTER UPGRADABLE: Calls 2 Golems, HP and damage are decreased by 25%, and bounty by 50% per golem.
| Level | Mana Cost | Cooldown | Casting Range | Area | Duration | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 200 | 165 | 1200 | 600 | 60 seconds | Summons 1 (2*) Infernal(s) with average attack |
| 2 | 250 | 165 | 1200 | 600 | 60 seconds | Summons 1 (2*) Infernal(s) with powerful attack |
| 3 | 300 | 165 | 1200 | 600 | 60 seconds | Summons 1 (2*) Infernal(s) with deadly attack |
- Damage type: magical
- Magic immune units will be stunned.
- Destroys trees in its area of effect.
- Can be improved by Aghanim's Scepter (* shows the improved values). With Aghanim's scepter: Impact delay 0.3 seconds, hp and damage are multiplied by 75%, and bounty by 50%¨for each golem.
- Golems have 900/1200/1500 HP, 15/20/25 regen, 50/75/100 chaos damage, 320/340/360 move speed, 5/7/10 armor, and BAT of 1.35.
You might be interested in Captain Planet's beginner's guide to Warlock on Playdota.
Be sure to take a look at DotaCinema's video overview of Warlock.
As always, check out yesterday's discussion of Bane or the complete HDotD archives.
Posted Mar 2, 2012, 4:54 PM UTC