Crystal Maiden, the perfect 5

Thanks for the thoughtful response.

When to level Arcane Aura is a tricky proposition because you are absolutely correct: like all flat +mana, it DOES tail off towards the end game. But two points early is almost as good as Arcane Boots for your whole team (1.5 mana/sec vs. 1.82 mana/sec). If you have a mana hungry team, that can make a world of difference in the laning phase. Usually I find that more useful for the team than the additional 1/2 second of slow that additional points in Crystal Nova grant.

The delay in Freezing Field has been brought up a few times. I've been meaning to experiment with it (my dota time has decreased lately) but I wonder if there is a fundamental playstyle difference. Generally when I 5 as CM, I'm just not casting spells that much. That said, the mana cost jumping 200/400/600 is not to be taken lightly and when you're packing as few items as a 5 does, it shouldn't be taken reflexively at 6/11/16 like I have here.

As for the debate on how to tri-lane, does anyone have a guide they like that I can link to instead of my insufficient experience trying to give an outline? I'm thinking I should just delete it rather than give incomplete information like I do now.

Tiny aside: use double brackets to get the links working in your comments.
Arcane Aura

If you are suggesting that the optimal build for a lane whose sole purpose is to kill is to forgo a stun/slow move for a mana over time increase, I am afraid you and I will not agree on a few things.

Level 3 is perfectly acceptable. Getting multiple points in the skill is iffy, but has been done in high level play a few times on occasion so there is valid reason to do so... but is mostly lackluster.

On a note for the guide: I strongly believe prioritizing the root and slow are more effective for a hero like crystal maiden, and keeping the [Arcane aura] at one point to get the massive mana per second buff allowing the skills to be more spammable. 2 mana per second in addition to what you get is a lot, and 1 for your team is more than most heroes need.

Also, while [Freezing Field] in a strong teamfight oriented team can be beneficial with the right positioning, getting multiple points increases its mana cost DRASTICALLY. AT level 11 it would take up almost all of maidens mana. Even if you do max out [Arcane aura], though it scales badly, you would still have to wonder around before you got your mana back and could do anything but stack.

**** I sang when I read the title

Second point. Your team tends to need the aura and you level up slowly in a trilane so waiting till level 3 is too late.

This is such a short guide, well compressed anyway.

Good as a consult point for players new to supports or for Crystal Maiden anyway. I like it, +1

Thanks for the responses




I probably shouldn't have even put in a tri-lane mini section because I've only personally done it a few times and I chugged clarity potions when I did. So I'm woefully unqualified to propose anything and I'll edit to reflect your suggestions, thank you. I assume it's usually the third point?




This is a really good point. I've tinkered with a later Freezing Field a few times and it seems very high variance to me. Often, especially if laning phase is running longer, there's more upside to the delay. However, a few times I've found myself *without* freezing field at a key moment and I really hated myself.



Excellent suggestion, thank you!

I wouldn't go as far as to call Crystal Maiden the perfect five, but she is a fun hero to play that brings a lot to the table nonetheless.

Some statements that you made regarding Crystal Maiden's ultimate seem a little off the mark, unfortunately. Due to Crystal Maiden's low base Int and rather mediocre Int growth most players will wait to level up Freezing Field until levels 8-10, only ever taking her ultimate at level 6 situationally. Some Crystal Maiden players will go as far to take only a single point in her ultimate for the entirety of the game. While this isn't the only way to play Crystal Maiden, it is oftentimes the most sensible way to do so and as such I recommend that you at least consider creating a standard ability build for your hero.

Finally, regarding your items section. While the information that you have provided is sufficient, it lacks true depth and could use a little extra work. (Btw if you are rich enough to afford an Agh's, you should be spending your money on something that will help to increase your survivability in team fights as opposed to increasing your damage output such as Ghost Scepter or Black King Bar)

Why would you not get your aura in an aggressive trilane? You need mana to be aggressive and you dont need a huge amount of points in your Q since your W is a much better investment and your mana pool won't be able to take constant harassing without large mana regen.

I play a lot of CM, but don't get my ult at 6, except for very rare occasions. most of the time i get a point in it from 8-10 because the mana cost of so heavy for your small mana pool, i find myself never having enough mana for it. what is the reasoning you get it at 6?

Trilane no aura?

There is, by no means, to not take a value point of it.