Mage Slayer Dota 2: A Guide to Countering Elusive Spellcasters

Mage Slayer is an item in Dota 2 that was introduced in patch 7.30. It is a versatile item that can be used by both ranged and melee heroes. The item is designed to counter mages and spellcasters by reducing the amount of damage they can deal with their spells.

The Mage Slayer provides a range of benefits to the hero who equips it. It provides additional mana and mana regeneration, which can be useful for heroes who rely on spells for their damage output. Additionally, the item provides a flat base magic resistance, which can further reduce the damage taken from spells.

The item also has a unique passive ability that places a debuff on enemies when the hero attacks them. This debuff causes enemies to deal 35% less spell damage for six seconds, making it an effective counter to spellcasters. The Mage Slayer has quickly become a popular item among Dota 2 players due to its versatility and effectiveness in countering mages.

Mage Slayer Overview

Mage Slayer is an item in Dota 2 that was added in patch 7.30. It is an artifact item that can be purchased at the base shop. Mage Slayer is designed to reduce the spell damage output of enemy heroes, making it a useful item to have when facing nukers and high burst damage heroes.

The item provides the following bonuses:

+120 mana
+0.5 mana regeneration
+1% flat base magic resistance

In addition to these bonuses, Mage Slayer also places a debuff on enemies when you attack them, causing them to do 35% less spell damage for 6 seconds. This debuff can be dispelled by enemies, so it is important to use it strategically.

While Mage Slayer is not the most expensive item in Dota 2, it does require a few components to build. These components include a Claymore, a Blade of Alacrity, a Cloak, and the recipe. This means that players will need to farm up a bit before they can purchase the item.

Overall, Mage Slayer is a useful item to have in certain situations. It is particularly effective against heroes that rely heavily on spell damage, so players should consider purchasing it if they are facing a team with a lot of nukers.

Key Features of Mage Slayer

Mage Slayer is an item in Dota 2 that provides several useful features for players. Here are some of the key features of Mage Slayer:

Magic Resistance: Mage Slayer provides a passive magic resistance of 25%, which can be increased by 0.75% for every 10 points of intelligence. This makes the item particularly useful for heroes with high intelligence, as they can benefit from both the damage and magic resistance bonuses.
Debuff: When attacking an enemy hero, Mage Slayer places a debuff that reduces their spell damage by 35% for 6 seconds. This debuff can be removed by certain abilities, but it can also be very effective against spellcasting heroes.
Damage and Attack Speed: Mage Slayer also provides a bonus of 20 damage and 20 attack speed, making it a viable option for heroes that rely on physical attacks. The item can also be built into Bloodthorn, which provides even more damage and a powerful silence effect.
Cost: Mage Slayer costs 2500 gold to purchase, which is relatively affordable for most core heroes. However, it does require a recipe that costs an additional 1500 gold, so players will need to save up a bit before they can afford the item.

Overall, Mage Slayer is a versatile item that can be useful for a wide range of heroes. Whether you’re looking for extra damage, magic resistance, or a way to counter spellcasting heroes, Mage Slayer is definitely worth considering.

Strategic Use

Mage Slayer is a situational item that can be useful in certain scenarios. It is the only item in Dota 2 that grants both offensive right-click stats and magic resistance, making it an excellent item to grab against teams that have high spell damage. Picking up an early cloak can provide a lot of value against heroes such as Jakiro, Silencer, and Zeus.

The item’s attributes grant the following additional bonuses: 120 mana, 0.5 mana regeneration, and 1% flat base magic resistance. These bonuses can make a difference in certain situations, allowing the hero to survive spells that would otherwise kill them.

Mage Slayer can be particularly effective against heroes that rely heavily on their spells to deal damage, such as Invoker, Lina, and Leshrac. In these situations, the item can reduce the amount of damage they deal while also providing additional right-click damage.

It is important to note that Mage Slayer is not a core item on any hero and should only be picked up situationally. Additionally, it is not a replacement for a BKB or other defensive items, as it does not provide full magic immunity.

Overall, Mage Slayer can be a useful item in certain situations, but it should not be relied upon as a core item. Players should consider their team composition, the enemy team composition, and the current state of the game before deciding to purchase this item.

Optimal Heroes for Mage Slayer

Mage Slayer is an item that provides additional bonuses such as mana, mana regeneration, and flat base magic resistance. It is a situational item that can be useful against heroes that heavily rely on spellcasting. Here are some of the optimal heroes for Mage Slayer:

Ember Spirit: Ember Spirit is a hero that can deal a lot of damage with his spells. He is also very mobile, making it difficult for enemies to catch him. Mage Slayer can be useful against him because it reduces his magic resistance, making him more vulnerable to magic damage.
Storm Spirit: Storm Spirit is a hero that heavily relies on his spells to deal damage and escape from danger. Mage Slayer can be useful against him because it reduces his magic resistance, making him more vulnerable to magic damage.
Puck: Puck is a hero that can deal a lot of damage with his spells. He is also very mobile, making it difficult for enemies to catch him. Mage Slayer can be useful against him because it reduces his magic resistance, making him more vulnerable to magic damage.
Leshrac: Leshrac is a hero that can deal a lot of damage with his spells. He is also very tanky, making it difficult for enemies to kill him. Mage Slayer can be useful against him because it reduces his magic resistance, making him more vulnerable to magic damage.
Zeus: Zeus is a hero that can deal a lot of damage with his spells. He is also very squishy, making it easy for enemies to kill him. Mage Slayer can be useful against him because it reduces his magic resistance, making him more vulnerable to magic damage.

Overall, Mage Slayer is a situational item that can be useful against heroes that heavily rely on spellcasting. It is important to note that it is not always necessary to buy Mage Slayer, and it should only be purchased when it is necessary.

Potential Drawbacks

While Mage Slayer can be a powerful item in certain situations, there are also potential drawbacks to consider before purchasing it.

Firstly, it is important to note that Mage Slayer’s passive only reduces outgoing spell damage, not all types of magic damage. This means that heroes who deal primarily physical damage with their abilities, such as Ember Spirit or Pangolier, are not as affected by the item.

Secondly, the item’s debuff only lasts for 4 seconds, which means that it has a relatively short duration compared to other items. This can make it difficult to consistently apply the debuff in teamfights, especially if the enemy team has ways to dispel or avoid it.

Additionally, Mage Slayer does not provide any mana regeneration or intelligence, which can be a drawback for heroes who rely heavily on their abilities. This means that purchasing the item may require sacrificing other important stats or items.

Finally, the item’s high cost of 3200 gold can make it difficult to acquire in the early game, especially for heroes who need to prioritize other items such as mobility or survivability.

Overall, while Mage Slayer can be a powerful item in certain situations, it is important to consider these potential drawbacks before purchasing it.

Counteracting Mage Slayer

Specific Strategies

When facing an enemy hero with a Mage Slayer, players should consider certain strategies to counteract its effects. One effective strategy is to focus on physical damage rather than spell damage. This can be achieved by picking heroes that deal physical damage, or by building items that increase physical damage output.

Another strategy is to bait the enemy hero into using their Mage Slayer early in a team fight, and then wait for it to expire before using spells. This can be achieved by initiating the fight with physical damage, or by using spells that are not affected by the Mage Slayer debuff.

Counter Items

There are also several items that can be used to counteract the effects of Mage Slayer. One such item is the Black King Bar (BKB), which provides spell immunity for a short duration. When activated, the BKB makes the user immune to the Mage Slayer debuff, allowing them to use spells without penalty.

Another item that can be used to counteract Mage Slayer is the Pipe of Insight. This item provides a shield that blocks a certain amount of spell damage, reducing the impact of the Mage Slayer debuff.

Finally, the Eul’s Scepter of Divinity can be used to counteract the Mage Slayer debuff. When used on an ally, it provides a brief period of invulnerability, allowing them to avoid the debuff entirely. When used on an enemy, it can be used to dispel the Mage Slayer debuff, removing its effects.

Overall, while Mage Slayer can be a powerful item in the right circumstances, it is not without its weaknesses. By focusing on physical damage, using specific strategies, and building counter items, players can effectively counteract the effects of Mage Slayer and gain an advantage in team fights.

Mage Slayer in Professional Play

Mage Slayer has been a situational item in professional Dota 2 play. Its unique passive ability to reduce magic resistance and increase magic damage taken by the target has made it a viable option against certain heroes.

In the past, Mage Slayer has been picked up by heroes such as Phantom Assassin and Anti-Mage, who rely on their physical damage to deal with enemies. The item’s stats, including bonus mana and mana regeneration, make it a useful item for these heroes who often have mana issues in the early game.

However, Mage Slayer has not been a popular item in the professional scene recently. The item’s passive ability only affects the target of the player’s attack, making it less effective in team fights. Additionally, the item’s build-up requires a Sacred Relic, which is a costly item that delays the hero’s power spike.

Despite these drawbacks, Mage Slayer can still be situationally useful in professional play. Heroes with high magic resistance, such as Huskar or Timbersaw, can be countered by the item’s passive ability. Additionally, the item’s bonus mana and mana regeneration can be useful for heroes who need to spam their spells in the early game.

In conclusion, Mage Slayer has been a situational item in professional Dota 2 play. Its unique passive ability and useful stats have made it a viable option against certain heroes, but its build-up cost and limited effectiveness in team fights have made it less popular in recent times.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mage Slayer is a situational item that can be useful in certain scenarios. It is an item that is primarily meant for carries who want to increase their survivability against magic damage. The item is most effective against heroes that rely on their spells to deal damage.

Mage Slayer can be a good pick up against heroes like Zeus, Puck, and Lina. It can also be useful against heroes that have high burst damage or rely on their spells to initiate fights. However, it is important to note that the item is not a replacement for BKB or other defensive items.

Players should also keep in mind that Mage Slayer is not a must-buy item in every game. It is a situational item that should be picked up only when the situation calls for it. Players should consider the enemy lineup and their own hero’s strengths and weaknesses before deciding to purchase the item.

Overall, Mage Slayer can be a useful item in the right circumstances. It can help carries survive against magic damage and reduce the effectiveness of enemy spells. However, players should be careful not to overestimate the item’s effectiveness and should use it only when it is appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the advantage of using Mage Slayer in Dota 2?

Mage Slayer is a powerful item in Dota 2 that provides several advantages to the player. The item’s attributes grant additional bonuses such as 120 mana, 0.5 mana regeneration, and 1% flat base magic resistance. It also provides 10 main attack damage to heroes and 7 main attack damage to universal heroes. Additionally, Mage Slayer stacks multiplicatively with other magic resistance sources, making it a valuable item choice for any player looking to reduce magic damage.

How does the Mage Slayer item work in Dota 2?

The Mage Slayer item in Dota 2 places a debuff on enemies when you attack them, causing them to do 35% less spell damage for 6 seconds. This debuff is dispellable, and it can be a powerful tool to reduce the effectiveness of enemy magic-based abilities.

Can Mage Slayer be used against all types of heroes in Dota 2?

Mage Slayer can be used against any hero in Dota 2, but it is particularly effective against heroes that rely heavily on magic-based abilities. It is also a great item for aggressive front liners like Night Stalker when you have to play against nuke heavy opponents.

What are some good hero picks to use with Mage Slayer in Dota 2?

Any hero that can benefit from additional magic resistance and attack damage can be a good pick for Mage Slayer in Dota 2. Heroes like Anti-Mage, Juggernaut, and Phantom Assassin can benefit greatly from the item’s attributes and debuff.

Is Mage Slayer a viable item choice in high-level Dota 2 play?

Mage Slayer is a viable item choice in high-level Dota 2 play, particularly in games where there is a heavy emphasis on magic-based abilities. It can provide a significant advantage to players looking to reduce the effectiveness of enemy spells and abilities.

Does Mage Slayer work against magic-based abilities in Dota 2?

Yes, Mage Slayer works against magic-based abilities in Dota 2. When you attack enemies with the item equipped, it places a debuff on them that reduces their spell damage by 35% for 6 seconds. This can be a powerful tool for players looking to reduce the effectiveness of enemy magic-based abilities.