Hero Discussion of the Week: Phantom Lancer (May 4, 2012)
Phantom Lancer was last discussed on January 16.
Azwraith, the Phantom Lancer
Lore:
The remote village of Pole had no knowledge of the wars raging in the heart of the kingdom. For them, the quiet of spear fishing, and a family meal were all that a full life required. Yet war came for them nonetheless. Joining the able-bodied conscripts as they filed past their homes, the humble lancer Azwraith vowed to bring peace to his kingdom, and in so doing, his people. Placed with his kin in the vanguard of the final assault against the Dread Magus Vorn, the cost to his fellows was absolute. As the charging force battled toward the fortress, Azwraith alone among his kind remained standing, and he alone was able to infiltrate the keep. Focused and infuriated by the slaughter of his brothers, Azwraith bested each of the wizard's deadly traps and conjured guardians. Soon the simple fisherman arrived at Vorn's tower sanctum. The pair dueled through the night, pike to staff, as chaos raged below, and with a deafening cry Azwraith pierced his enemy. But the wizard did not simply expire; he exploded into uncountable shards of light, penetrating his killer with power. As the dust settled and the smoke of combat began to clear, Azwraith found himself standing among a throng of his kin. Each seemed to be dressed as he was, each seemed armed as he was, and he could sense that each thought as he did. Aware that his allies were approaching, he willed these phantoms to hide themselves, and one by one they began to vanish into nothingness. As the soldiers came upon the sanctum, they found the warrior that had bested the wizard. When they approached their champion, the lancer vanished. The pikeman who had stood before them was no more than another phantom. The real Azwraith had fled the field, ashamed of his anger, heartbroken at his loss, and all the more determined to ensure peace for his people through the wars to come.
"A legion sprouts from one!"
| Strength | Agility | Intelligence |
|---|---|---|
| 18 + 1.7 | 23 + 2.8 | 21 + 2 |
| Damage | Armor | Movespeed |
| 45-67 | 3.22 | 290 |
| Attack Range | Base Attack Time | Missile Speed |
| 128 (melee) | 1.7 | Instant |
| Soundset | Icon | Official Art |
Spirit Lance
Casts a magical spirit lance on a target enemy unit that damages and slows, while a Phantom is summoned to attack the unit.
| Level | Mana Cost | Cooldown | Casting range | Area of Effect | Duration | Allowed Targets | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 125 | 7 | 750 | N/A | 3 seconds | Enemy units | Deals 100 damage and Cripples for 10%. Illusion lasts 2 seconds |
| 2 | 130 | 7 | 750 | N/A | 3 seconds | Enemy units | Deals 150 damage and Cripples for 20%. Illusion lasts 4 seconds |
| 3 | 135 | 7 | 750 | N/A | 3 seconds | Enemy units | Deals 200 damage and Cripples for 30%. Illusion lasts 6 seconds |
| 4 | 140 | 7 | 750 | N/A | 3 seconds | Enemy units | Deals 250 damage and Cripples for 40%. Illusion lasts 8 seconds |
- Damage type: magical
- Illusion deals 25% damage and takes 400%.
- Nearby illusions will face the target and play a slam animation momentarily.
- The projectile can't be evaded by blink or windwalk.
Dopplewalk
Renders Phantom Lancer invisible, while generating a duplicate image to confuse enemies.
| Level | Mana Cost | Cooldown | Casting range | Area of Effect | Duration | Allowed Targets | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 150 | 30 | N/A | N/A | 8 seconds | Self | Allows the Phantom Lancer to become invisible, leaving behind an illusion |
| 2 | 120 | 25 | N/A | N/A | 8 seconds | Self | Allows the Phantom Lancer to become invisible, leaving behind an illusion |
| 3 | 90 | 20 | N/A | N/A | 8 seconds | Self | Allows the Phantom Lancer to become invisible, leaving behind an illusion |
| 4 | 60 | 15 | N/A | N/A | 8 seconds | Self | Allows the Phantom Lancer to become invisible, leaving behind an illusion |
- Illusions deal 25% damage and take 400%.
Juxtapose
Phantom Lancer's attacks have a chance to create illusions to confuse enemies.
| Level | Mana Cost | Cooldown | Casting range | Area of Effect | Duration | Allowed Targets | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 20 seconds | Enemy Unit | Limit of 2 images. |
| 2 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 20 seconds | Enemy Unit | Limit of 4 images. |
| 3 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 20 seconds | Enemy Unit | Limit of 6 images. |
| 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 20 seconds | Enemy Unit | Limit of 8 images. |
- Illusions deal 25% damage and take 450%.
Phantom Edge
Phantom Lancer hones his abilities. Improves chance of Juxtaposing, and the Juxtapose illusions can now create their own illusions. Phantom Edge also increases Phantom Lancer's magic resistance.
| Level | Mana Cost | Cooldown | Casting range | Area of Effect | Duration | Allowed Targets | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 10% magic resistance. 3% chance illusions will duplicate, 2% increase in Juxtapose. |
| 2 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 15% magic resistance. 5% chance illusions will duplicate, 4% increase in Juxtapose. |
| 3 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 20% magic resistance. 7% chance illusions will duplicate, 6% increase in Juxtapose. |
- Spell resistance stacks with that from items.
- Illusions deal 25% damage and take 450%.
Kwanz4 has a great guide for Phantom Lancer up on Playdota.
Be sure to take a look at DotaCinema's video overview of PL, or wykrhm's quick picture overview.
As always, check out yesterday's discussion of Rubick or the complete HDotD archives.
Posted May 4, 2012, 2:20 PM UTC