Force Staff vs Blink Dagger

What's the difference? I know Force staff has doesn't move you as far, only in the direction you face, but why does EVERY initiator favor Blink so much more than Force Staff?

Force staff can also be used as an escape mechanism not only for you, but for teammates as well. so +1 for force staff, and it gives you some intelligence which is nice on a few heroes. Blink initiators want to maximize their potential and land the perfect ulty, and blink really allows you to do just that. That's why Sand King and Tidehunter buy blink if they can because their teamfight potential is all based on one skill and it needs to be placed perfect as most blink initiators have an aoe effect.

Also, Force Staff can be used in combat while Blink Dagger cannot.

But, Blink Dagger has more range, it's cheaper than Force Staff and also it's an instant blink, Force Staff is a 'push', and it's not instant.

Basically, you can not choose the location precisely were you are going to end up with force staff. Blink dagger allows that, as dirtgrub has mentioned. For heros like axe and mag that is key because axe's call and mags Ult are limited proximity to themselves. Force staff has many more uses, that is true. Escape, stats, and just relatively being cool. But, on key heroes the blink dagger is far more important and can definitely be the deciding factor of a game (I.E catching 3 guys late game with axe call or mag ult= rax gone most of the time)

Yep, all situational, I really like both items. The biggest disadvantage of Blink Dagger is the cooldown on use when you get hit by an enemy (3 seconds I think) - this makes Force Staff a much more reliable escape, plus the stats are good and you can use it on friends or enemies. (initiating by forcing an enemy out of position is always fun). However, Blink has a longer range and is more precise - try landing a perfect Black Hole with a force staff!

IMO, Blink Dagger is more initation (Tidehunter > Ravage or Enigma -> Black Hole), whereas force staff is more for mobility, like with Pudge, Windrunner, or Rubick.

Btw, wild, stop making these useless posts, it really doesn't help anyone, and your post count doesn't really mean anything. :/

So why not just play Dota? Or actually contribute to the question. :\

Force Staff is arguably a better item if your hero does not need great positioning but needs a reliable escape mechanism, while you aim to get bigger items in the long run. It also gives you some cheap stats and you can chase/force your opponent into an unfavorable position and you can save your teammates, too.
Example of heroes that can use it effectively:
Windrunner (mainly to land the ability, Shackleshot), Outworld Destroyer (Escape and to force squishy enemies to get up close and personal, while the 10 Int is not going to waste), Batrider (dragging your opponent with you to make it 4v5).

While Blink Dagger opens a world of possibilities if you can make use of its great instant positioning, it is almost always used by initiators, because they need to be quick, instant and surprising, it is only a good escape mechanism, if you have developed good reflexes, otherwise you will probably just die because you did not buy Force Staff instead, but it offers great chasing utility, and since Blink Dagger is one of my favorite items, I dare say, with my impartiality, that it is effective on almost any hero.
But heroes that use it exceptionally well is:
Sand King (it is core, no matter what, you can even shift-que, so every single pulse will hit the enemies), Invoker (land a perfect Deafening Blast, Chaos Meteor and EMP), Batrider (surprise! You are dead), Shadow Fiend ( Requiem of Souls damage combined with a BKB to secure the casting: And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted - Nevermore!).

Blink Dagger = Better Initiation Tool
Force Staff = Better escape tool

Both can be used for initiation and juking but one does better than the other. With Blink Dagger you can position yourself instantly for easy Shackleshot chains while Force Staff you need timing and better positioning to do the same.

Not to go off subject, but I think this analysis should also include Shadow Blade. This particular item's effect gives more of an initiation than Force Staff, and can at times be even better than the Blink Dagger because of the extra abilities it brings to the table. This is why you'll see it picked up by Shadow Fiend, Sniper, and (slow as a boat) Kunkka. However, it's not without it's faults and I would be the first to point out it's vulnerabilities to a good dusting.

So, if daPhongster doesn't mind, I feel adding Shadow Blade to the mix would make good conversation as well.