Magnus stands out in Dota 2 as one of the most adaptable heroes available. Originally, players typically assigned him to either the mid lane or the offlane. However, with the latest game patch, Magnus can seamlessly fit into any of the five roles, consistently delivering a powerful performance throughout the match.
This hero boasts a flexible toolkit that allows him to influence combat dynamics even when underfunded. Once equipped with critical items, Magnus transforms into a significant menace for opposing teams during clashes. In this detailed guide, we will explore the optimal itemization and ability progression for Magnus.
Magnus Hero Overview in Dota 2
As a melee Strength hero, Magnus benefits from outstanding base strength and stamina growth, significantly enhancing his survivability compared to more frail Intelligence heroes like Windranger. Additionally, with a base movement speed of 305, he can traverse the map swiftly, allowing him to set up engaging plays.
In the early game, Magnus’s primary advantage lies in his Skewer ability, which lets him reposition enemy heroes — potentially even knocking them off cliffs. Alongside this, he possesses both a ranged damage dealer and a buff that can empower himself or his teammates.
Standard Abilities & Ultimate
To understand Magnus’s capabilities better, let’s break down his core abilities and ultimate:
|
Ability Name |
Functionality |
|---|---|
|
Shockwave (Q) |
Magnus launches a shockwave in a target direction, damaging enemy units in its path while slightly pulling them towards himself and applying a brief slow effect. |
|
Empower (W) |
This ability grants an allied unit increased damage and cleave effects. When cast on Magnus, the damage bonus is amplified by 50%. |
|
Skewer (E) |
Magnus charges forward, impaling enemies in his path, applying a slow effect, and inflicting additional damage when passing through trees or cliffs. |
|
Reverse Polarity (R) |
Magnus creates a magnetic pull, drawing in adjacent enemies and stunning them for a brief period. |
Notably, Reverse Polarity can bypass debuff immunity, allowing it to stun opponents even when protected by Black King Bar.
With the Aghanim’s Scepter and Shard upgrades, Magnus gains additional enhancements:
- Aghanim’s Scepter: Introduces a new ability, Horn Toss, allowing Magnus to throw nearby enemies to his rear, stunning them in mid-air.
- Aghanim’s Shard: Enhances Shockwave, enabling it to return to its original casting point after reaching its target, albeit with reduced damage on the return.
Recent enhancements from the Dota 2 Crownfall patch granted Magnus additional facets and an innate skill:
- Innate Ability (Solid Core): Provides Magnus with resistance to slows and reduces the impact of knockbacks from enemy abilities.
- Facet 1 (Reverse Polarity): Enhances Reverse Polarity, pulling all nearby enemies towards Magnus.
- Facet 2 (Reverse Reverse Polarity): This variant pushes enemies away from Magnus instead.
Magnus Build Guide in Dota 2
The adaptable nature of Magnus allows him to thrive in any role within the current meta. This guide emphasizes his Position 3 Offlane configuration, the most recognized role for Magnus. As a Pos 3, your primary responsibilities include creating map space and disrupting enemy formations during confrontations with your initiation abilities.
While this guide promotes teamwork, it also allows for securing solo kills, particularly when hunting down enemy Position 4 or 5 heroes. Post your initial items, coordinate with your mid-laner for aggressive map plays whenever your ultimate is available.
Facets, Talents, & Ability Order
Regardless of his positioning, Magnus should always prioritize the Reverse Polarity Facet. While Reverse Reverse Polarity can yield amusing results with certain team compositions, the standard Reverse Polarity is the main capability that solidifies Magnus’s role as a powerhouse in team fights.
Start by leveling Shockwave at the first opportunity. It serves as an efficient nuke, aiding in the last-hitting ranged creeps. Following this, invest in Skewer to create kill potential. Maximize Shockwave as soon as feasible, with a value point in Empower at level 4 if securing last hits becomes challenging. Otherwise, opt for an additional Skewer level.
Utilizing Empower also enables swift farming of jungle camps if lane presence becomes untenable.
Upon reaching level 6, prioritize your ultimate ability. Instead of focusing entirely on Talents, dedicate skill points to maximizing your abilities with Talents being selected starting at level 15. Recommended talents include:
- +0.8s Reverse Polarity Stun Duration
- +125 Shockwave Damage
- -5s Skewer Cooldown
- +0.75s Shockwave Slow Duration
Item Progression Strategy
As the Position 3 Magnus, your role as the initiator is crucial. Effective fighting initiation strategies will directly influence your team’s success. Below is a comprehensive itemization guide for Magnus:
- Starting Items
Begin with essential items: Tango, two Iron Branches, and a Quelling Blade to secure early lane sustainability and creep control. Additionally, acquire a Gauntlet of Strength and a Circlet to bolster your stats, paving the way to crafting a Bracer later on.
- Early Game
During the initial laning phase, prioritize acquiring Bracer, as the provided stats are incredibly beneficial. Follow up with a Magic Wand for emergency healing, and then obtain Boots of Speed. Both Arcane Boots and Power Treads are viable choices depending on your mana needs: opt for Arcane Boots if mana issues arise; otherwise, choose Power Treads for added attack speed and stat bonuses. If faced with a tough lane, consider a second Bracer for additional tankiness.
- Core Items
Blink Dagger is a must-have initiation tool, and it’s the primary core item Magnus should pursue post-early items. Utilizing Blink allows you to engage enemies effectively in team fights, facilitating crucial Reverse Polarities (RPs) that can shift the battle’s momentum.
Following Blink Dagger, consider building Echo Saber and upgrading to Harpoon for another significant power increase. This build enables you to close in on enemies, using the hook for effective engagements, while also providing added damage and stats.
If facing a squad of strong spellcasters, investing in Black King Bar is wise to ensure uninterrupted ability execution. Lastly, acquiring Aghanim’s Shard boosts both damage and crowd control capabilities.
- Situational Items
Post core item acquisition, consider additional mobility options such as Force Staff to enhance positioning during conflicts. Shadow Blade may prove advantageous when the opposition lacks adequate scouting wards. For even more survivability and utility, Eul’s Scepter of Divinity is worth considering.
On the offensive front, Refresher Orb yields exceptional value, allowing for multiple RPs in single engagements, potentially leading to a complete team wipe. Alternatively, Shiva’s Guard amplifies defenses against high-damage physical attackers like Juggernaut.
Upgrade Arcane Boots to Guardian Greaves if you choose that route for added utility in team fights.
Magnus is a complex hero that demands practice for effective mastery; however, starting with the right item build is essential. Feel free to implement these suggestions in your upcoming ranked matches in Dota 2 and observe how they affect your gameplay.
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