Sniper: Armor Piercing Bullets

AC is an odd choice on a hero with so little starting HP and HP gain, but the -Armor aura and attack speed I guess make up for that. I would get drums or manta first, usually... just because the armor factor is more or less wasted in the early game when your damage isn't that high.


Also, I don't understand your "max 2" thing. Every item listed is dual purpose damage and longevity, and sniper's biggest weakness is staying alive.

Butterfly is by no means a "Survivability Item", as the big reason you pick it up is because on an AGI hero you get similarly high raw damage as a Monkey King Bar or Daedalus, while also gaining attack speed and armor. The evasion is an added bonus, especially since evasion, like armor, has increased effectiveness based on the HP levels of the holder.

Also, I love the Medallion of Courage pick up, assuming your supports don't get one.

The reason shrapnel is skipped in favor of stats is because those stats are very valuable for improving his survivability. You can always use the second skill build which maxes it by level 14 instead

The medallion is intended as a replacement for the common Ring of Aquila pickup, but provides more mana regen in the early-mid game, more armor, and provides much more synergy with Sniper's physical damage mini bash. Medallion does not make you squishy, it only removes the armor it added itself, nothing extra, and only when you actively use it.

+1 I love the idea of this build!

Some, if not all, Sniper players face mana issues and would most commonly opt to buy a Basilius, perhaps into an Aquila. The Medallion, however, gives you these benefits in addition to dealing damage! With Basilius and Aquila, you get fixed regen and a sage's mask offers more regen when your INT is above 33 anyways. The damage Aquila offers is good, but the minus Armour offers even more damage!
Kinda sad that Medallion doesn't help push the way Basilius and Aquila do, but you will get a Deso anyways.

In my opinion, the Medallion pickup is great. I don't know why I didn't think of it earlier! Nice guide man

The choice of using Medallion of Courage's active or not does give you a choice of extra armour or extra damage. The only problem is that it does give you no protection against nukes, and the extra mana regeneration really demands you take some earlier levels in Shrapnel (been buffed several times now, it's useful).

Armour reduction effect ranges from 5-30%, depends how much they have to start with.

Sharpnel is pretty darn good. It can be used to watch hotspots where sniper can get ambushed, such as radiant bottom lane between the trees. It can be used to scout the rune and save yourself a few seconds.

not getting at least one point in shrapnel is tottally idiotic, it's such a versatile skill, not getting it means you're not taking full advantage of sniper's arsenal

Overall good guide, nicely done, but I'm not entirely convinced to get the Medallion first. That's not really a common build for Sniper, and the Medallion would make Sniper even squisher than he already is, and could potentially be dangerous in the hands of anyone not skilled enough to handle it.

Good Guide though!