How to master the game with Rhasta

Introduction

Hello, my name is Akar and I am bring you all my first guide: Shadow Shaman!(Rhasta)He is a fairly easy Hero to play. He is most likely the best pusher in the game due to his Serpent Wards. So without further ado, I give you... Shadow Shaman!

Skills

Skill 1: Ether Shock: What this does is when uses on an enemy creep or Hero, it will do damage, then branch out like a cone multiple times. The higher level it is, the more units it will effect. Try not to use it much until it is level 2 but if you can get a kill, feel free to use it.

Skill 2: Hex: It pretty much turns any enemy unit into a chicken, therefore they cannot attack and they are slowed! (yay!) Giving you plenty of time to get away. I tend not to get this one to level one until I have my Ult, which I will explain later.

Skill 3: Shackles: The name is pretty self-explanatory; It is a channeled move which binds a selected nearby opponent to be "Shackled" for about 4 seconds, while draining HP! You can't get much better!

Skill 4: Serpent Wards: This is Rhasta's trademark move. When he places his wards, they do massive damage to enemy units AND buildings. This is why Rhasta is such a great pusher.

Item Justifications

Rhasta is item dependent. Yet he is flexible with the items chosen.


Starting:

Courier: If someone else buys it, its OK, but try to get it if you can.

Clarity: I try to get at least 3 of these because you will find that you are VERY mana dependent.

Healing Salve: I get this so if you are low on HP, you don't have to all of your Tangoes.

Tangoes: Duh...

Mantel of Intel.: I get this because it boost my INT which always helps in the early game.

Portal Scroll: I want to have one of these on me at all times. Since Rhasta lacks speed, use this to get to you team-mates. It also prevents a possible level disadvantage.

Iron Branch: Helps with stats, and you can use it to craft into a Wand.

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Early Game:

Magic Wand: This helps if you are running low on mana and HP.

Null Talisman: I mainly get this for the INT stats but the other ones help too.

Phase Boots: This really helps Rhasta in chases and overall helpfulness.

Ring of Aquila: You NEED this item on Rhasta. He is so mana dependent early game. I cannot stress this enough.

Portal Scroll: (Same as starter)

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Mid-Core:

Aghanim's Scepter: This just boosts the damage from your SW. Very helpful.

Battlefury: I was surprised when I saw the mana regen, damage, and HP regen on this! This is a must-have. I recommend getting this before the Void Stone. Because if you do it will use it up. I also recommend buying the parts separately. It makes the cost of Battlefury less overwhelming.

Boots of Travel: This is another must-have. The speed plus TP is incredible.

Hyperstone: Rhasta has a fairly slow attack speed so this definitely increases his DPS.(I sometimes get two if I have extra gold and space)

Vangaurd: I get this because I have so much stuff to increase mana, you will need HP regen.

Void Stone: Get this after the Battlefury as I mentioned earlier. Can you guess why I got this? I think so...

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Situational:

I did not put many things in here because I wanted to stay flexible.

Necronomicon: If you have any team-mates leave the game, or you just need a little push, this is a great item.

Maelstrom: This is helpful if you are low on levels or gold for something. The chain lightning helps last-hit creeps.

Shadow Blade: Pretty helps you escape if you are facing very mobile Heroes.

Laning Phase

Try to stay put in your lane. If you are Radiant, go top. If you are Dire go bot. However, in almost every case try to lane against a Sniper you are almost guaranteed to get a kill off of him. If you don't have a hard carry, go mid. Stay aggressive, but not too much.

Tips

Tip 1: There is a trick that if you place wards on an enemy, it will trap them inside! Imagine the possibilities!

Tip 2: This is my favorite combo. Hex a hero, trap them inside your wards, and use Shackles. Hex slows for the trap, Wards do main damage, and Shackles slowly drains.

Tip 3: When pushing, get as close to the enemy tower as you can, then place your SW. Lets your wards do the rest.

Tip 4: When the tower guarding an enemy barracks is down, pace SW near where the tower was. Then when creeps spawn, they get killed by wards!

Tip 5: If you are in a 1v1, and about to die, place your SW watch your opponent die!

Tip 6: Use you SW in fighting Roshan, they help... A LOT.

When, and when not to pick

When to pick:

Pick Rhasta if you are facing a: Ursa, Sniper, Riki, Abbadon, Witch Doctor.(And other squishy Heroes I cannot remember)

When NOT to pick

Don't pick Rhasta if you are facing a: Tiny, Earthshaker, Spirit Breaker, Phantom assassin.(And other tanky heroes that I cannot remember.

Summary

So Rhasta is easy to play and not that choosy on items. He is most likely the best pusher in the game, yet he lacks speed.

Thanks guys for reading. This is my first guide so go easy! :P

Tell me if I missed anything!


Akar