The real name for Bristleback from Dota 2 is Rigvarl, but the character’s past is hidden behind a veil of secrecy. What is known is that once he appeared in a tavern where underground battles were held, and he beat both participants at once. Since then, he remained there permanently, periodically participating in battles. So several years passed before the owner of one of the best taverns in the city visited his next battle. He wanted to find a real fighter who would not be afraid of the king himself. And seeing Bristelback in action, he immediately realized who he needed.
This went on for a long time until Rigvarl got into a conflict with an unknown northerner. From this moment begins the story of the Dota 2 comic about Bristleback and Task, which turned out to be this northerner. As a result of the scuffle, Tusk turned out to have a tusk, and Bristleback lost his eye, after which he lost consciousness. Recovering, the character had to pay for all the damage caused during the fight. After some time, the wounds healed, but nothing could heal the pain of defeat. Then Bristleback vowed revenge. Having honed his skills, he will still show all his enemies why he was nicknamed Bristleback (Dota 2). So ends the story of the confrontation between the two characters.
Hyde. Bristleback in DotA 2: Abilities
Having become acquainted with the history of the character, it is necessary to dwell in more detail on his abilities and talents.
Hero's first ability is Viscous Nasal Goo. Its use slows down the speed of movement and the amount of armor of the target. The effect of each hit is added, and the duration of the action is updated with each subsequent use up to 4 times. This ability is improved with the help of Aganim. After purchasing it, it applies to all enemies in the area.
In Dota 2, Bristleback also has a skill called Quill Spray that activates the release of needles from the back and deals damage to everyone around. For each subsequent hit, the damage is added up.
The third is Bristleback. This is a passive skill that reduces the damage taken by Bristleback in DotA 2 from the back and sides. For every 210 points of damage received in this way, the second ability of the character is activated.
The ultimate ability of Warpath when activating the first and second skill increases the speed of movement of the hero and the damage done to him.
The talent tree offers players who have reached level 10 two talents: in the left branch, you can choose to increase mana regeneration by 2 units per second, and in the right branch +20 units to movement speed. Level 15 can be chosen between the additional effect (increases from 4 to 6) from Viscous Nasal Goo or +250 to health. Level 20 on the left offers +25 additional damage from Quill Spray and +20 health regeneration per second on the right. At the final level, +30 damage for Warpath or +15% to vampire abilities.
This is the game mechanics of the character.
Roles in the game: offline
Most often, the character is used in 3 roles. The most popular of these is the offline player.
First of all, you should start from the early stage of the game (up to 10-12 minutes). The main skill building for Bristleback is pumping the second and third skills, with emphasis on Quill Spray. At the 6th level, you should immediately take the ultimate. This allows you to calmly defend the line until the middle of the game. The following artifacts can help with this: Stout Shield (later upgraded to Vanguard), Power Treads, and Ring of Basilius. With a good deal, you can purchase the Soul Ring, as well as upgrade the Ring of Basilius to Ring of Aquila. If characters with strong magical damage are standing on the line against the player, it is recommended to purchase a Magic Stick.
By midgame, the second and third abilities should be fully pumped, after which the first begins to improve. At level 10, the choice of talent from a tree is not fundamental and depends on the current game situation. Regarding what to collect on Bristleback in Dota 2, the player is faced with the task of making the enemies do as little damage as possible, and the character can live as long as possible. To do this, you can collect such items as: Solar Crest, Heaven's Halberd, Crimson Guard, Pipe of Insight, as well as Lotus Orb. By level 15 comes the choice of a second talent. It is worth stopping the choice at +250 to health.
At the late stage of the game, all the above artifacts should be collected (if the game develops successfully). Having taken the talent +20 health per second at level 20 and pumping all his abilities to the maximum, Bristleback becomes almost invulnerable. An example of this is the game at The International: 2017 between Virtus Pro and XctN, where the Raging Potato player could not be killed even by all the players from the first team. If, until level 25, the game has not yet ended, it is recommended to choose a talent for +15% vampirism, as well as buy these items: Assault Cuirass, Octarine Core or Heart of Tarrasque.
Kerry bristleback
The early stage of the game with the offlaneer and Kerry Bristback are no different. Skillbuild and initial assembly are the same.
In the middle of the game, reaching level 10, it is worth taking talent at +2 mana per second. Next, there is a second option for choosing items, depending on whether the killing of other characters by magic or by hand will occur. In the first case, the purchase of Radiance and then Shiva's Guard will be mandatory. And in the second - Skull Busher and Armlet of Mordiggian (optional). Sange and Yasha can help get the missing speed.
At the late stage of the game, at level 20, +25 Quill Spray damage is taken in both cases. If the player’s choice has stopped on the first option, then the next artifact will be Octarine Core. In the future, it is recommended to purchase Heart of Tarrasque, and then replace Vanguard with Scythe of Vyse. In the second case, the player’s choice should be Abyssal Blade and Assault Cuirass. You can also buy Heart of Tarrasque. You can end your choice with Bloodthorn (in case of lack of damage), Satanic (to increase survival), Butterfly or Eye of Skadi.
Bristleback in the mid
Bristleback is rarely selected for this role, based on necessity. Selected to mid, the hero is a cross between a carry and an offline player and is able to adjust his role as the team needs it.
However, the initial purchase will be distinguished by the purchase of the Bottle and the absence of the need for auxiliary artifacts (Soul Ring and Ring of Basilius), which will allow players to focus on buying Vanguard and / or Hood of Defiance. Accordingly, talents at the 10-25 level will be selected solely according to the situation.
But the most commonly used ITembild will be character building through Radiance, Shiva, and Octarine. This will allow you to bring in and take damage at the same time. The choice of skills will also be slightly different at the initial stage.
Since in most cases the battles in the mid are 1 on 1, the character needs to control the opponent. Therefore, 1 point of skills will have to be given in favor of the first skill. Accordingly, by level 5, the swing of the Bristleback will look like this: 1 point of skills in Viscous Nasal Goo, and 2 points in the second and third skill. After the 5th level, the buildup of the character is no different from the above roles.
Top Allies with Core Intelligence
Connections with Bristleback in Dota 2 are quite extensive. Among the "foreigners" the best friends are:
- Keeper of the Light. This hero takes an honorable first place among the heroes of his category. Treatment is carried out by the first ability, replenishes mana and slows down opponents, respectively, the second and third ability. The ultimate ability teleports Bristleback to itself, regardless of its location. Moreover, the ability of Chakra Magic allows you to use the ability of Viscous Nasal Goo and Quill Spray twice in a row.
- Ogre Mage. It exercises excellent control of the enemy with the first and second abilities, which allows Bristleback to inflict damage on him with impunity. The third ability accelerates the speed of attack and movement.
- Crystal Maiden. The first, second and ultimate abilities allow you to delay the enemy. And the CM's aura and talent at level 15 allow Bristleback not to worry about mana costs.
- Leech. The first ability slows down, which is the most important. The second gives the hero of the article additional experience, and the addition of armor to the third skill makes him even more indestructible.
- Dazzle. The first ability again slows down the enemies, not allowing them to escape far. Heal the third skill, and the cross provides even greater survival in the fight.
- Dark Seer. The second skill, combined with the bristleback spikes, inflicts huge damage to the enemies next to it. The third skill gives the character the necessary acceleration.
Strength characteristic
- Io. This character can well complement the weak points of Bristleback. It gives him additional movement speed, slows down the enemy, increases attack speed and resistance to damage, and also heals. And thanks to the ability of Relocate, both characters can appear anywhere on the map, kill the selected target and instantly go back.
- Omniknight. Of course, the first ability heals. Using Repel on Bristleback allows him not to be afraid of the effects of control. Degen Aura slows down opponents. And Guardin Angel makes the hero completely invulnerable if complemented by his Repel.
Since the characters from the remaining category of “dexterity” in most cases are core heroes, it would be more fair to say that Bristleback will become their best ally.
Rigwarl's Enemies with Intellect
The worst counterpick for Bristleback from "DotA 2" will be all the heroes with a large number of control effects. Namely: Lion, Shadow Shaman, Dark Willow and Crystal Maiden.
Separately, it is worth highlighting the characters prohibiting the use of abilities: Puck, Skyrath Mage, Death Prophet and Silencer. When choosing the last one in the opponent's team, taking Bristleback is strictly not recommended. The hero of an article without abilities is a team burden.
Power Category
Among these heroes, it is worth highlighting those who unfold the character facing enemies, making his passive ability useless - Ax (his first skill) and Legion Commander (ultimate ability).
It can also be noted, having a large number of mills: Alchemist, Earth Shaker, as well as Beast Master (prolonged immobilization).
Agility Category
Among the heroes of this category, you should pay attention only to those who are able to deprive Bristleback of mana: Antimage, Nyx Assasin, Mirana (with talent at level 20), Weaver (talent at level 15), as well as Naga Siren, Phantom Lancer and Riki, who bought a Diffusial Blade.
Items required for the character, as well as working against him
At the beginning of the game, Bristleback must have with it a Stout Shield and artifacts that accelerate mana regeneration or replenish it. In the future, it is recommended to buy Vanguard (Crimson Guard), and Hood of Defience (Pipe of Insight). In the late stage of the game, any item that increases survival, looks great on Rigvarle.
You should beware of characters using Silver Edge, as it is worth noting once again that disabling a passive ability kills the hero. Diffusial Blade can also cause certain inconvenience, both on the above characters, and on any other enemy hero core. Spirit Vessel makes the game against enemies much more difficult due to the impossibility of treatment. It is also worth noting the Orchid of Malevolence (Blood Thorn), as these items prohibit the use of abilities.
Separately, it is worth highlighting Scythe of Vyse, which is dangerous for all heroes, without exception.
In conclusion, it is worth saying that Bristleback is one of the strongest tanks in the game, but can also play other roles. If there are no heroes in the opponent’s team who can "counter" the character or have the items necessary for this, then we can safely say that the victory is in your pocket.