THRALL, THE FAR SEER
INTRODUCTION:
Thrall is one of the 4 new heroes IceFrog released in 6.68. A very exciting hero and he isn't really hard to play. He can be played in many ways. He can Carry, Support, Disable, but CANNOT Tank.
For in dept information about his skills and stats, please check out the link. Far Seer - DotA Hero Details
From my experience, this is a very logical way to play Thrall. I made this Guide as simple as possible, direct to the point, and understandable. Some of the things you are about to read in the article might make you say that I'm crazy or noob, but I've got alot of reasons behind those. Feel free to give comments after reading it. All forms of criticisms are accepted. Have fun Learning!!!
Changelog:
August 4, 2010
- changed some text colors because readers complained of pain in the eye.
- included some arguments regarding the items to make it clear to readers their uses and to make the guide more meaningful.
- removed SnY due to issues regarding the item.
August 6, 2010
- Added some situations that are really useful.
- Organized items
- Added some helpful tips which I experienced during my games.
PRO's and CON's:
PRO's:
+ VERY EASY to use hero
+ A very good harasser early game
+ Spells are laughably spammable
+ Doesn't really need much practice
+ Really useful and powerful nuke
+ Can disable heroes with Kinetic Field and Static Storm
+ Has 3 possible Escape mechanisms
+ Very good team player
+ ENEMIES CAN'T ESCAPE FROM YOU
CON's:
- VERY FRAGILE hero
- Needs good teammates to be effective mid to late game.
- Needs DotA experience to effectively use him
Well that's it. Once you overcome the con's you're a legend.
THRALL, THE FAR SEER
I draw this on a paper and edited it in MS Paint.. Please don't steal it. It's not yet finished, hope you like it... ^_^
THE ARSENAL:
1ST SKILL
THUNDER STRIKE
Ability Hotkey: C
Thrall curses the target to be struck by thunder 3 times over 4 seconds. Foes nearby the victim will also be damaged.
Damage per strike: 50/75/100/125
Secondary AOE: 200
Cooldown: 16
Manacost: 100/110/120/130
Comments: This skill is your primary nuke. This also makes Thrall the most annoying hero early game, with short cooldown and high damage, this forces opponents into a defensive mindset. Also good for finishing fleeing heroes.
Note: There are some heroes who can avoid this skill. Heroes who have Windwalk in their arsenal (Skill or Item) can avoid this and the Cloud above their head will continue to follow them without the Lightning until the duration of the skill ends. Heroes who are magic-immune are not affected by this skill. It just stops.
Tip: In case you are against this guys, continue to harass them so that they run out of mana. It makes them more useless.
2ND SKILL
GLIMPSE
Ability Hotkey: D
Thrall forces the target back to it's previous position through a psionic rift. Sends the unit to where it was 4 seconds ago.
Cast Range: 600/1000/1400/1800
Cooldown: 60/50/40/30
Manacost: 160/130/100/70
Comments: Basing from my experience, this skill is very useful and it can be used both offensively and defensively. Offensively, you can use this for fleeing heroes who are ahead of you or your team. Defensively, this can be used to escape from your enemies who are about to catch you.
Note: Glimpse has a travel time.
3RD SKILL
KINETIC FIELD
Ability Hotkey: E
Thrall summons a circular barrier of kinetic energy, keeping enemies from walking in or out of it. The barrier has an aoe of 300.
Duration: 2.5/3/3.5/4 seconds
Cooldown: 14
Cast Range: 900
Manacost: 70
Comments: This is your skill that makes your opponents cry for mercy. It is very useful during battles both offensively and defensively. This can work well with or without your Ultimate...
Note: Has a 1.2 second cast delay before the field is fully formed, so time it well. There are some heroes who can pass through the field unaffected. Heroes who have Windwalk (Skill or Item) can pass through the field. Heroes who are Magic-Immune can also pass through the field.
ULTIMATE
STATIC STORM
Ability Hotkey: R
Creates an area of electric instability which damages and silences enemies in the area. The effect starts off weak and then intensifies over 5 seconds, dealing increasing amounts of damage, before disappearing.
Final DPS: 170/210/250
AOE: 375
Manacost: 125/175/225
Cooldown: 60
Comments: This is your ultimate and it gives opponents a hell lot of damage. It makes them arguably useless. Although it can be used without the KINETIC FIELD, this skill is BEST casted inside the barrier to maximize its potential and bring the opponents to their doom.
And one more thing, this skill only takes 60 seconds cooldown, which means that you can cast it in almost every clash.
SKILL TACTICS
There are no such things as proper arrangement of skills but there are alot of ways his skills can be used effectively with each other.
+ + NORMAL ATTACK:
This is the most common combo and requires cheap mana.
+ + NORMAL ATTACK + :
This is your most devastating combo. Now you might ask, why STATIC STORM first before KINETIC FIELD? Well that's because STATIC STORM lasts 5 seconds while KINETIC FIELD only lasts 4. you would want every bit of damage from the STATIC STORM inflicted to the opponent. Furthermore, they are already silenced the moment they are inside the FIELD. It's biggest damage is at the last second. THUNDER STRIKE is last for finishing of wounded heroes.
+ + + NORMAL ATTACK:
This combo is more or less the same with the second but is more lethal during team fights because of the area of effect of THUNDER STRIKE. While multiple opponents are trapped in the field, alot of them will be struck by THUNDER STRIKE, which makes it really effective.
+ + + :
This is my personal favorite. It makes an opponent utterly useless. Cast glimpse on a target and watch where it was 4 seconds ago, it can be seen due to the visuals. Cast STATIC STORM and KINETIC FIELD immediately after then THUNDER STRIKE. This guarantees you a kill almost everytime.
Note: Glimpse could be used anytime to finish fleeing heroes. It can also be used to have perfect positioning for spells.
SKILL BUILD:
Personally it depends on the game situation. Most of the time, MAX out and because THUNDER STRIKE is your main nuke and KINETIC FIELD your main disable. 1 early level of would be fine in case low HP heroes tend to get away. Get whenever possible.
ITEM BUILD:
Like what I always say, it depends on the game situation.
For me, I'd like to start off with:
X 2
and some
when i get 500
, i rush for 
and upgrade it later depending on what i need. Most of the time i use the new item 
. it gives you all the mana in the world and spam your spells like crazy. 
are also nice for the stat bonuses and attack speed.
for the extra damage and PHASE. 
for movementspeed and TELEPORT.
CORE ITEMS
These are the items that you need to get after the items above. Items are arranged accordingly in order of purchase.
You should have at least one of this all the time with you. You are one of the most useful support and should be anywhere anytime when the team needs you. You can also use this if you are trying to escape or go back home.
+ 
= 
You need this item for its useful HP and Mana regen, which prevents you from having to go home often. It also has a bonus +10 damage. Buy
after this then scroll to form
Prevents you from lethal targeted spells. Bonus stats are also useful. I include this item as a core item. After I get arcane boots I rush this item. HP and Mana regen are quite useful and the bonus stats are decent.
+ 
= 
After Linken's, I normally get this. Very useful because of the extra attack speed and Chain Lightning. Now, many people have been asking for arguments regarding this item. The reason why this item is important is because during team battles, after you've casted your spells, all you have to do is help your team normal attack while waiting for your spells to finish cooldown. This small time can have a very large effect to the outcome of the battle. I normally upgrade this later to
OTHER ITEMS you MIGHT want to add to your inventory:
NOTE: These Items are highly SITUATIONAL. I'm not saying that you should get every bit of it in every game. I just want to note that these are the items that BEST fit the Far Seer. Items are placed in order from Highest Priority (TOP), to Lowest Priority (Bottom).
This item can bag you alot of kills and gives you decent INT. Get this if you want to have a lot of kills without trying so hard.
Why Vanguard? Because you are FRAGILE. How are you supposed to be effective against opponents if they kill you first? This will fix your survival problems mid to late game. For those who ask why to use Vanguard if you're a ranged hero, that's because my way of playing him requires diving to the action and help normal attack those heroes for extra gold. It is also cheap in terms of protective items(You don't expect to save up for Siva's Guard in every game, especially if you've become food.)
Useful if your enemies throw alot of spells at you.
Useful due to armor and slow. If you can farm upfor this, then go for it.
A very useful item for pushing heroes into the FIELD. Also useful for chasing and escaping. Beware for opponents having this item, they can set your victims free.
This item makes it easy to place your KINETIC FIELD. Also useful for survival and disable.
Also useful for suvival and the extra damage. Beware of heroes with cleave and true sight, they can still kill you. I don't highly recommend this item.
Useful for its priceless ability HEX. Costs alot but it depends if you can farm for it.
This item is very situational. Rivirland noted that this item is better off carried by a support rather than a carry. It makes you and your allies last longer in battle.
Very useful item for Thrall. It is very useful for Survival, but I don't highly recommend this item because you are built to be a Semi-Carry/Support. Let the other Support get it.
OPTIONAL ITEMS:
Useful for postioning and chasing.
REJECTED ITEMS:
Useless. You're just wasting your 5025for something which you already have.
WTF. That's all I can say if you buy this item. You don't need it one way or the other. you can't EVEN tank.
GAMEPLAY:
EARLY GAME: HARASSMENT.
This is the most important part because you need to do this effectively. First buy your items and pick your lane. Either solo mid or Top Sentinel. If you want to level up quickly and get alot of go mid. I prefer at the sides because of the side shops. You don't need to go back home often.
The strategy for this Part is pretty STRAIGHFORWARD.HARASS.
When you get to your lane, find the most fragile or useful hero(e.i. stunners, carry, etc.) and spam your THUNDER STRIKE on that hero. Tell your lanemate to help you harass. More or less he will be forced to a defensive mindset.
He will have to use up all his healing items or go back to the fountain. Most of the time, you will bag FIRST BLOOD. You can use the main combo as i have explained above. Continue this until you get alot of kills and. Most of the time, foes will TP back to their lane. Use Glimpse on them immediately to send them back to their base, this will give you advantage over gold and experience and make him waste his gold for that TP Scroll. This makes heroes frustrated 
.This will remarkably affect the whole flow of the game to your advantage.
MIDGAME: GANK/AVOID BEING GANKED
DO NOT GO OUT ALONE. You need your teammates to be effective. By this time, Carries are already Monsters and the only way you can beat them is by joining your teammates. When clashes begin use any of the combos above and make sure you don't let any opponent escape. That is your main use of the team. Make them pay heavily. Avoid getting ganked.
Note: Position your FIELD properly in a way that alot of Heroes will be caught in it. Push Towers and get get your good items. Try not to die so you can always help.
LATEGAME: WIN
Continue going with your teammates and finish off every remaining one of them. Win the Game!!!
BEST ALLIES AND WORST FOES:
BEST ALLIES:
Support:
Vengeful Spirit makes it really easy to pwn enemies due to the minus armor and stun.
Babysitters. They give you armor and protect you from harm.
Healers. They will help you survive in times of danger.
Gankers:
Basically anybody who has a stun and deals a shithole of damage.
the bearded menace will be your best partner during ganks. He can force the foes attack him instead of you and guarantee kills almost anytime.
These guys make it easier for you to trap alot of foes. Very useful allies.
Nukers:
Area of effect nukers. They will have great teamwork and kill foes easily.
WORST FOES:
Stunners:
These guys are a pain the ass. Not only will they stun you, they could kill you as well.
STRENGTH HEROES
Basically, you are no match to them one on one.
Silencers:
Please don't stray near these guys alone. Without your spells, you're deadmeat.
Special Mention:
Once you're the target of these guys, you're dead.
The moment these guys turn invisible, they can dodge your THUNDER STRIKE, even if the Cloud continues to follow them until the end of the duration. These guys can also pass through the field.
Magic-Immunity. Once they are magic-immune, your spells are useless. They can even walk through your field unaffected.
CONCLUSION:
Well, there you have it! I hope you had fun reading my short guide just as i had fun writing it. It might not be that perfect but I did my best. I'd like to thank everyone who will follow this guide. I would also like to thank my loving girlfriend for her undying love and support., venj.For any suggestions, please tell me and I might as well include it in my guide. All critics are welcomed. THANKS AND HAVE FUN PLAYING THRALL!!!
INTRODUCTION:
Thrall is one of the 4 new heroes IceFrog released in 6.68. A very exciting hero and he isn't really hard to play. He can be played in many ways. He can Carry, Support, Disable, but CANNOT Tank.
For in dept information about his skills and stats, please check out the link. Far Seer - DotA Hero Details
From my experience, this is a very logical way to play Thrall. I made this Guide as simple as possible, direct to the point, and understandable. Some of the things you are about to read in the article might make you say that I'm crazy or noob, but I've got alot of reasons behind those. Feel free to give comments after reading it. All forms of criticisms are accepted. Have fun Learning!!!
Changelog:
August 4, 2010
- changed some text colors because readers complained of pain in the eye.
- included some arguments regarding the items to make it clear to readers their uses and to make the guide more meaningful.
- removed SnY due to issues regarding the item.
August 6, 2010
- Added some situations that are really useful.
- Organized items
- Added some helpful tips which I experienced during my games.
Quote:
| "Being raised by humans as a gladiator, Thrall learned more about strategy and tactics as a youth than even experienced orcish warchiefs learned in their lives. After escaping from the human slavery and meeting Grom Hellscream, he found out that he was a descendant of the Frostwolf clan. He traveled to his ancestor's village, where he became familiar with the spiritual magics of the orcish shamans. Now he combines not only his control over thunder, but also his tactical abilities to turn fights in his favor using impenetrable walls of magic, areas of static energy and even control over time..." |
PRO's and CON's:
PRO's:
+ VERY EASY to use hero
+ A very good harasser early game
+ Spells are laughably spammable
+ Doesn't really need much practice
+ Really useful and powerful nuke
+ Can disable heroes with Kinetic Field and Static Storm
+ Has 3 possible Escape mechanisms
+ Very good team player
+ ENEMIES CAN'T ESCAPE FROM YOU
CON's:
- VERY FRAGILE hero
- Needs good teammates to be effective mid to late game.
- Needs DotA experience to effectively use him
Well that's it. Once you overcome the con's you're a legend.
THRALL, THE FAR SEER
I draw this on a paper and edited it in MS Paint.. Please don't steal it. It's not yet finished, hope you like it... ^_^
THE ARSENAL:
1ST SKILL
THUNDER STRIKE
Ability Hotkey: C
Thrall curses the target to be struck by thunder 3 times over 4 seconds. Foes nearby the victim will also be damaged.
Damage per strike: 50/75/100/125
Secondary AOE: 200
Cooldown: 16
Manacost: 100/110/120/130
Comments: This skill is your primary nuke. This also makes Thrall the most annoying hero early game, with short cooldown and high damage, this forces opponents into a defensive mindset. Also good for finishing fleeing heroes.
Note: There are some heroes who can avoid this skill. Heroes who have Windwalk in their arsenal (Skill or Item) can avoid this and the Cloud above their head will continue to follow them without the Lightning until the duration of the skill ends. Heroes who are magic-immune are not affected by this skill. It just stops.
Tip: In case you are against this guys, continue to harass them so that they run out of mana. It makes them more useless.
2ND SKILL
GLIMPSE
Ability Hotkey: D
Thrall forces the target back to it's previous position through a psionic rift. Sends the unit to where it was 4 seconds ago.
Cast Range: 600/1000/1400/1800
Cooldown: 60/50/40/30
Manacost: 160/130/100/70
Comments: Basing from my experience, this skill is very useful and it can be used both offensively and defensively. Offensively, you can use this for fleeing heroes who are ahead of you or your team. Defensively, this can be used to escape from your enemies who are about to catch you.
Note: Glimpse has a travel time.
3RD SKILL
KINETIC FIELD
Ability Hotkey: E
Thrall summons a circular barrier of kinetic energy, keeping enemies from walking in or out of it. The barrier has an aoe of 300.
Duration: 2.5/3/3.5/4 seconds
Cooldown: 14
Cast Range: 900
Manacost: 70
Comments: This is your skill that makes your opponents cry for mercy. It is very useful during battles both offensively and defensively. This can work well with or without your Ultimate...
Note: Has a 1.2 second cast delay before the field is fully formed, so time it well. There are some heroes who can pass through the field unaffected. Heroes who have Windwalk (Skill or Item) can pass through the field. Heroes who are Magic-Immune can also pass through the field.
ULTIMATE
STATIC STORM
Ability Hotkey: R
Creates an area of electric instability which damages and silences enemies in the area. The effect starts off weak and then intensifies over 5 seconds, dealing increasing amounts of damage, before disappearing.
Final DPS: 170/210/250
AOE: 375
Manacost: 125/175/225
Cooldown: 60
Comments: This is your ultimate and it gives opponents a hell lot of damage. It makes them arguably useless. Although it can be used without the KINETIC FIELD, this skill is BEST casted inside the barrier to maximize its potential and bring the opponents to their doom.
And one more thing, this skill only takes 60 seconds cooldown, which means that you can cast it in almost every clash.
SKILL TACTICS
There are no such things as proper arrangement of skills but there are alot of ways his skills can be used effectively with each other.
+ + NORMAL ATTACK:This is the most common combo and requires cheap mana.
+ + NORMAL ATTACK + :This is your most devastating combo. Now you might ask, why STATIC STORM first before KINETIC FIELD? Well that's because STATIC STORM lasts 5 seconds while KINETIC FIELD only lasts 4. you would want every bit of damage from the STATIC STORM inflicted to the opponent. Furthermore, they are already silenced the moment they are inside the FIELD. It's biggest damage is at the last second. THUNDER STRIKE is last for finishing of wounded heroes.
+ + + NORMAL ATTACK:This combo is more or less the same with the second but is more lethal during team fights because of the area of effect of THUNDER STRIKE. While multiple opponents are trapped in the field, alot of them will be struck by THUNDER STRIKE, which makes it really effective.
+ + + :This is my personal favorite. It makes an opponent utterly useless. Cast glimpse on a target and watch where it was 4 seconds ago, it can be seen due to the visuals. Cast STATIC STORM and KINETIC FIELD immediately after then THUNDER STRIKE. This guarantees you a kill almost everytime.
Note: Glimpse could be used anytime to finish fleeing heroes. It can also be used to have perfect positioning for spells.
SKILL BUILD:
Personally it depends on the game situation. Most of the time, MAX out
and because THUNDER STRIKE is your main nuke and KINETIC FIELD your main disable. 1 early level of would be fine in case low HP heroes tend to get away. Get whenever possible.ITEM BUILD:
Like what I always say, it depends on the game situation.
For me, I'd like to start off with:
X 2 and somewhen i get 500
, i rush for and upgrade it later depending on what i need. Most of the time i use the new item . it gives you all the mana in the world and spam your spells like crazy. are also nice for the stat bonuses and attack speed. for the extra damage and PHASE. for movementspeed and TELEPORT.CORE ITEMS
These are the items that you need to get after the items above. Items are arranged accordingly in order of purchase.
You should have at least one of this all the time with you. You are one of the most useful support and should be anywhere anytime when the team needs you. You can also use this if you are trying to escape or go back home.
+ = You need this item for its useful HP and Mana regen, which prevents you from having to go home often. It also has a bonus +10 damage. Buy
after this then scroll to formPrevents you from lethal targeted spells. Bonus stats are also useful. I include this item as a core item. After I get arcane boots I rush this item. HP and Mana regen are quite useful and the bonus stats are decent.
+ = After Linken's, I normally get this. Very useful because of the extra attack speed and Chain Lightning. Now, many people have been asking for arguments regarding this item. The reason why this item is important is because during team battles, after you've casted your spells, all you have to do is help your team normal attack while waiting for your spells to finish cooldown. This small time can have a very large effect to the outcome of the battle. I normally upgrade this later to
OTHER ITEMS you MIGHT want to add to your inventory:
NOTE: These Items are highly SITUATIONAL. I'm not saying that you should get every bit of it in every game. I just want to note that these are the items that BEST fit the Far Seer. Items are placed in order from Highest Priority (TOP), to Lowest Priority (Bottom).
This item can bag you alot of kills and gives you decent INT. Get this if you want to have a lot of kills without trying so hard.
Why Vanguard? Because you are FRAGILE. How are you supposed to be effective against opponents if they kill you first? This will fix your survival problems mid to late game. For those who ask why to use Vanguard if you're a ranged hero, that's because my way of playing him requires diving to the action and help normal attack those heroes for extra gold. It is also cheap in terms of protective items(You don't expect to save up for Siva's Guard in every game, especially if you've become food.)
Useful if your enemies throw alot of spells at you.
Useful due to armor and slow. If you can farm up
for this, then go for it. A very useful item for pushing heroes into the FIELD. Also useful for chasing and escaping. Beware for opponents having this item, they can set your victims free.
This item makes it easy to place your KINETIC FIELD. Also useful for survival and disable.
Also useful for suvival and the extra damage. Beware of heroes with cleave and true sight, they can still kill you. I don't highly recommend this item.
Useful for its priceless ability HEX. Costs alot but it depends if you can farm for it.
This item is very situational. Rivirland noted that this item is better off carried by a support rather than a carry. It makes you and your allies last longer in battle.
Very useful item for Thrall. It is very useful for Survival, but I don't highly recommend this item because you are built to be a Semi-Carry/Support. Let the other Support get it.
OPTIONAL ITEMS:
Useful for postioning and chasing.
REJECTED ITEMS:
Useless. You're just wasting your 5025
for something which you already have. WTF. That's all I can say if you buy this item. You don't need it one way or the other. you can't EVEN tank.
GAMEPLAY:
EARLY GAME: HARASSMENT.
This is the most important part because you need to do this effectively. First buy your items and pick your lane. Either solo mid or Top Sentinel. If you want to level up quickly and get alot of
go mid. I prefer at the sides because of the side shops. You don't need to go back home often.The strategy for this Part is pretty STRAIGHFORWARD.HARASS.
When you get to your lane, find the most fragile or useful hero(e.i. stunners, carry, etc.) and spam your THUNDER STRIKE on that hero. Tell your lanemate to help you harass. More or less he will be forced to a defensive mindset.
He will have to use up all his healing items or go back to the fountain. Most of the time, you will bag FIRST BLOOD. You can use the main combo as i have explained above. Continue this until you get alot of kills and
. Most of the time, foes will TP back to their lane. Use Glimpse on them immediately to send them back to their base, this will give you advantage over gold and experience and make him waste his gold for that TP Scroll. This makes heroes frustrated .This will remarkably affect the whole flow of the game to your advantage.MIDGAME: GANK/AVOID BEING GANKED
DO NOT GO OUT ALONE. You need your teammates to be effective. By this time, Carries are already Monsters and the only way you can beat them is by joining your teammates. When clashes begin use any of the combos above and make sure you don't let any opponent escape. That is your main use of the team. Make them pay heavily. Avoid getting ganked.
Note: Position your FIELD properly in a way that alot of Heroes will be caught in it. Push Towers and get get your good items. Try not to die so you can always help.
LATEGAME: WIN
Continue going with your teammates and finish off every remaining one of them. Win the Game!!!
BEST ALLIES AND WORST FOES:
BEST ALLIES:
Support:
Vengeful Spirit makes it really easy to pwn enemies due to the minus armor and stun.
Babysitters. They give you armor and protect you from harm.
Healers. They will help you survive in times of danger.
Gankers:
Basically anybody who has a stun and deals a shithole of damage.
the bearded menace will be your best partner during ganks. He can force the foes attack him instead of you and guarantee kills almost anytime.
These guys make it easier for you to trap alot of foes. Very useful allies.
Nukers:
Area of effect nukers. They will have great teamwork and kill foes easily.
WORST FOES:
Stunners:
These guys are a pain the ass. Not only will they stun you, they could kill you as well.
STRENGTH HEROES
Basically, you are no match to them one on one.
Silencers:
Please don't stray near these guys alone. Without your spells, you're deadmeat.
Special Mention:
Once you're the target of these guys, you're dead.
The moment these guys turn invisible, they can dodge your THUNDER STRIKE, even if the Cloud continues to follow them until the end of the duration. These guys can also pass through the field.
Magic-Immunity. Once they are magic-immune, your spells are useless. They can even walk through your field unaffected.
CONCLUSION:
Well, there you have it! I hope you had fun reading my short guide just as i had fun writing it. It might not be that perfect but I did my best. I'd like to thank everyone who will follow this guide. I would also like to thank my loving girlfriend for her undying love and support., venj.For any suggestions, please tell me and I might as well include it in my guide. All critics are welcomed. THANKS AND HAVE FUN PLAYING THRALL!!!
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