Arc Warden Dota 2: A Guide to Mastering the Hero

Arc Warden is a ranged hero in Dota 2 who possesses the ability to split himself into two copies, dealing damage and slowing enemies. He is a carry, escape, and nuker hero who excels in both team fights and solo engagements. Arc Warden’s unique skills make him a popular pick among experienced players who enjoy playing complex heroes.

One of Arc Warden’s signature abilities is Flux, which infuses a lone enemy unit with volatile energy, dealing damage over time. This ability is especially useful in the early game when Arc Warden is still building up his strength. Another powerful skill is Spark Wraith, which summons a wraith that patrols a targeted area until an enemy comes within range, at which point it explodes, dealing damage. This ability is great for zoning out enemies and controlling the battlefield.

Arc Warden’s ultimate ability, Tempest Double, allows him to briefly refocus his fractured elements into a single form, creating a clone of himself that can use all of his abilities and items. This ability is incredibly powerful in team fights and can turn the tide of a battle in Arc Warden’s favor. Overall, Arc Warden is a versatile and powerful hero who requires a skilled player to unlock his full potential.

Arc Warden Overview

Arc Warden is a ranged agility hero in Dota 2. He is known for his ability to create a clone of himself, the Tempest Double, which can cast all of his spells and items. This makes him a versatile hero who can fill multiple roles in a team composition.

Role and Position

Arc Warden is often played as a carry or a mid-laner, thanks to his ability to farm quickly and deal massive damage in team fights. He can also be played as a support, using his Flux ability to slow down enemies and his Magnetic Field ability to protect allies from ranged attacks.

In terms of position, Arc Warden is usually played in the middle lane, where he can farm quickly and gain levels faster than other heroes. He can also be played in the safe lane, where he can be protected by his team while he farms.

Hero Lore

Arc Warden is a mysterious being who hails from the realm of the Radiant. He is the last of his kind, and possesses the power to manipulate time and space. He is a solitary figure who rarely interacts with other heroes, preferring to observe them from a distance.

According to his lore, Arc Warden is a guardian of the ancient secrets of the Radiant, and will do whatever it takes to protect them. He is a powerful ally to have on your side, but a dangerous enemy to face in battle.

Overall, Arc Warden is a powerful hero who can fill multiple roles in a team composition. Whether you’re playing him as a carry, a mid-laner, or a support, he has the ability to turn the tide of a game in your favor.

Abilities and Skills

Flux

Flux is one of Arc Warden’s abilities, which is a targeted spell that deals damage over time and slows the target’s movement speed. When used on an enemy, it also applies a debuff that causes any allied units within a small radius to be slowed as well. The duration of the debuff is increased with each level of the ability.

Magnetic Field

Magnetic Field is another ability of Arc Warden, which creates a circular field that provides evasion to allied heroes and structures within its radius. The field lasts for a few seconds and can be used to protect towers or to help allies survive in fights. The evasion provided by the field increases with each level of the ability.

Spark Wraith

Spark Wraith is a targeted ability that creates a trap at a designated location. When an enemy hero walks near the trap, it will activate and deal damage to the target. The trap can be destroyed by attacking it, but it can be difficult to spot due to its small size. The number of traps that can be active at a time is increased with each level of the ability.

Tempest Double

Tempest Double is Arc Warden’s ultimate ability, which creates a clone of himself that can use all of his current items and abilities. The clone has separate item and ability cooldowns and can be used to deal extra damage or to escape from dangerous situations. However, the clone will give bounty gold to enemies when killed and loses its sense of self if it is too far away from Arc Warden. Tempest Double and Refresher Orb cannot be used by the clone.

Overall, Arc Warden’s abilities are versatile and can be used in a variety of situations. By using Flux and Spark Wraith to control the battlefield and Magnetic Field to protect allies, Arc Warden can be a formidable force in team fights. The Tempest Double can also be used to create confusion and deal extra damage, making Arc Warden a difficult hero to deal with.

Gameplay Strategy

Early Game

In the early game, Arc Warden should focus on farming and harassing the enemy heroes with his Spark Wraith ability. He can use his Flux ability to slow down and damage enemies, making it easier for him or his allies to secure kills. Arc Warden should also be careful not to overextend and get caught out of position, as he is a relatively squishy hero in the early game.

To maximize his farming potential, Arc Warden should prioritize getting a Hand of Midas as soon as possible. This item allows him to gain extra gold and experience from creeps, which is crucial for him to scale well into the mid and late game.

Mid Game

In the mid game, Arc Warden should look to join team fights and use his Magnetic Field ability to provide his allies with a powerful attack speed and evasion buff. He can also use his Spark Wraiths to scout out areas and deal damage to enemy heroes.

Arc Warden should continue to focus on farming and pushing lanes, as he is a hero that can quickly take down towers and objectives. He should also be mindful of his positioning in team fights, as he is still relatively squishy and can be easily focused down by enemy heroes.

Late Game

In the late game, Arc Warden becomes an incredibly powerful hero that can deal massive amounts of damage and control the battlefield. He should continue to push lanes and take down objectives, while also using his abilities to support his allies in team fights.

Arc Warden’s Tempest Double ability becomes especially useful in the late game, allowing him to essentially have two heroes that can deal damage and control the battlefield. He can also use his abilities to create a powerful zoning tool that can prevent enemy heroes from engaging in team fights.

Overall, Arc Warden is a high skill cap hero that requires a lot of practice and game knowledge to play effectively. However, with the right strategy and item build, he can become an incredibly powerful hero that can carry his team to victory.

Item Build

Starting Items

At the beginning of the game, Arc Warden players should focus on getting items that will help them sustain in the lane and farm effectively. Some recommended starting items for Arc Warden are:

• Tango: To regenerate health after taking damage from enemy heroes or creeps.
• Iron Branch: To increase Arc Warden’s attributes and provide a small boost to his damage.
• Faerie Fire: To provide a quick burst of damage in case of a fight or gank.
• Healing Salve: To quickly heal up after taking significant damage.

Core Items

Arc Warden’s core items should focus on increasing his damage output and mobility. These items help him farm faster, deal more damage in fights, and escape from dangerous situations. Some recommended core items for Arc Warden are:

• Hand of Midas: To increase Arc Warden’s gold and experience gain, allowing him to quickly become a threat in the game.
• Boots of Travel: To increase Arc Warden’s mobility and allow him to quickly move around the map.
• Maelstrom: To increase Arc Warden’s damage output and farm potential.
• Dragon Lance: To increase Arc Warden’s attack range and provide him with some extra stats.

Situational Items

In addition to the core items, Arc Warden players should also consider situational items based on the enemy team’s composition and the state of the game. These items can help Arc Warden survive in fights, deal with enemy heroes, or push lanes faster. Some recommended situational items for Arc Warden are:

• Black King Bar: To provide Arc Warden with immunity to most spells and abilities in fights.
• Blink Dagger: To increase Arc Warden’s mobility and allow him to quickly escape from dangerous situations.
• Scythe of Vyse: To provide Arc Warden with a powerful disable against enemy heroes.
• Diffusal Blade: To slow down enemy heroes and remove their mana, making it difficult for them to escape or use spells.

Overall, Arc Warden’s item build should focus on increasing his damage output, mobility, and survivability. By choosing the right items based on the situation, Arc Warden players can become a powerful force in the game.

Counters and Synergies

Hero Counters

Arc Warden is a versatile hero, but he is not invincible. There are several heroes that can counter him effectively. Here are some of the most effective counters:

• Broodmother: Broodmother’s spiderlings can easily overwhelm Arc Warden’s Tempest Double. Additionally, Broodmother’s Insatiable Hunger can make it difficult for Arc Warden to kill her.
• Meepo: Meepo’s ability to quickly jump on Arc Warden and overwhelm him with multiple clones can be a serious threat. Arc Warden’s abilities are not very effective against Meepo’s high health pool.
• Phantom Lancer: Phantom Lancer’s illusions can quickly take down Arc Warden’s Tempest Double and make it difficult for him to keep up in team fights. Additionally, Phantom Lancer’s Doppelganger can be used to dodge Arc Warden’s abilities.
• Leshrac: Leshrac’s high mobility and burst damage can make it difficult for Arc Warden to keep up. Leshrac’s Split Earth can also be used to stun Arc Warden and prevent him from escaping.

Hero Synergies

Arc Warden can be a powerful ally when paired with the right heroes. Here are some of the most effective synergies:

• Invoker: Invoker’s Forge Spirit can be used to negate Arc Warden’s Flux and make it difficult for him to slow down enemies. Additionally, Invoker’s Sun Strike can be used to finish off enemies that have been weakened by Arc Warden’s abilities.
• Crystal Maiden: Crystal Maiden’s Arcane Aura can help Arc Warden keep up his mana pool, allowing him to use his abilities more frequently. Additionally, Crystal Maiden’s Frostbite can be used to hold enemies in place, making it easier for Arc Warden to land his abilities.
• Dark Seer: Dark Seer’s Ion Shell can be used to deal damage over time to enemies, making it easier for Arc Warden to finish them off. Additionally, Dark Seer’s Surge can be used to help Arc Warden escape from dangerous situations.
• Lina: Lina’s high burst damage can be used to quickly finish off enemies that have been weakened by Arc Warden’s abilities. Additionally, Lina’s Light Strike Array can be used to stun enemies, making it easier for Arc Warden to land his abilities.

Tips and Tricks

Arc Warden is a hero that requires a lot of practice to master. Here are some tips and tricks to help you improve your gameplay and become a better Arc Warden player:

1. Focus on Farming

One of the most important aspects of playing Arc Warden is farming. Arc Warden is a hero that relies heavily on items to be effective, and therefore, you need to focus on farming as much as possible. Use your Spark Wraiths to scout the jungle and lanes for creeps, and use your Magnetic Field to clear waves quickly.

2. Use Your Ultimate Wisely

Arc Warden’s ultimate, Tempest Double, can be a game-changer if used correctly. It allows Arc Warden to create a copy of himself that can use all of his abilities and items. Use your Tempest Double to push lanes, farm more efficiently, or even fight alongside you in team fights.

3. Be Patient with Your Abilities

Arc Warden’s abilities are powerful, but they also have long cooldowns. Make sure you use your abilities wisely and don’t waste them on minor engagements. Save your Flux for when enemies are close to you, use your Magnetic Field to protect yourself or your allies, and use your Spark Wraiths to scout and deal damage.

4. Build the Right Items

Building the right items is crucial to playing Arc Warden effectively. Start with a Hand of Midas to accelerate your farm, and then build items like Maelstrom, Boots of Travel, and Necronomicon to increase your damage output and mobility. Consider building defensive items like Black King Bar or Linken’s Sphere if you’re having trouble surviving in team fights.

5. Practice, Practice, Practice

Finally, the most important tip for playing Arc Warden is to practice. Arc Warden is a complex hero that requires a lot of practice to master. Spend time in bot matches or unranked games to improve your mechanics and decision-making. Watch replays of professional players to learn from their strategies and techniques.

By following these tips and tricks, you can become a skilled Arc Warden player and dominate your opponents in Dota 2.

History of Changes

Arc Warden has undergone several changes since its introduction to Dota 2. Here is a brief overview of the hero’s history of changes:

• 7.34d: Increased Spark Wraith creep damage multiplier from 1 to 1.4. Double-tapping functionality was added to Tempest Double, which spawns the Tempest Double next to Arc Warden.
• 7.34c: Increased Spark Wraith damage from 75/135/195/255 to 75/140/205/270. Tempest Double was changed.
• 7.29: Flux mana cost was reduced from 75/90/105/120 to 60/75/90/105. Magnetic Field mana cost was reduced from 110/130/150/170 to 100/120/140/160. Tempest Double’s duration was increased from 12/13/14 to 14/15/16.
• 7.28: Magnetic Field cooldown was reduced from 50/45/40/35 to 40/38/36/34. Spark Wraith cooldown was reduced from 4 to 3.5. Tempest Double’s mana cost was reduced from 225/250/275 to 150/225/300.
• 7.27: Tempest Double’s cooldown was reduced from 65/60/55 to 60/55/50. Magnetic Field’s duration was increased from 3.5/4/4.5/5 to 4/4.5/5/5.5. Flux’s slow duration was increased from 0.5/1.0/1.5/2.0 to 1.0/1.5/2.0/2.5.

These changes have affected the way Arc Warden is played, as they have altered the hero’s abilities and stats. Players must adapt to these changes in order to effectively use Arc Warden in their games.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of the Arc Warden in Dota 2?

Arc Warden is a ranged agility hero that excels in split pushing and dealing massive damage to enemy heroes. He can also be played as a carry hero due to his ability to farm quickly and deal high amounts of damage.

How strong is Arc Warden lore?

Arc Warden’s lore is intriguing and adds depth to the Dota 2 universe. His backstory involves a primordial mind that was fragmented and scattered, with two fragments named Radiant and Dire locked in a vicious war. Arc Warden’s lore ties in with the overall theme of Dota 2, making him a popular hero among players.

What can counter Arc Warden?

Arc Warden can be countered by heroes with abilities that can silence or disable him, such as Puck, Lion, or Silencer. Additionally, heroes that can quickly close the distance between themselves and Arc Warden, such as Spectre or Phantom Assassin, can also be effective counters.

What makes Arc Warden good?

Arc Warden’s ability to create and control powerful illusions, as well as his high damage output, make him a formidable hero in team fights and split pushing. He is also able to farm quickly and efficiently, allowing him to become a potent carry hero in the late game.

When was Arc Warden released?

Arc Warden was added to Dota 2 on December 16, 2015, as part of the 6.86 patch.

What are the skills of Arc Warden?

Arc Warden has four abilities: Flux, Magnetic Field, Spark Wraith, and Tempest Double. Flux infuses a lone enemy unit with swirling, volatile energy, dealing damage over time. Magnetic Field creates a circular field that grants allied units evasion and attack speed. Spark Wraith creates a wraith that seeks out and damages the nearest enemy unit. Tempest Double creates a clone of Arc Warden that lasts for a short duration and can use all of his abilities.