Dota 2 - Templar Assassin Build Guide

BIO
Lanaya, the Templar Assassin, came to her calling by a path of curious inquiry. Possessed of a scientific bent, she spent her early years engaged in meticulous study of nature's laws--peering into grimoires of magic and alchemy, recreating experiments from charred fragments of the Violet Archives, and memorizing observations of the Keen recordkeepers. Already quiet and secretive by nature, the difficulty of acquiring these objects further reinforced her skills of stealth. Had she been less retiring, she might have become notorious among the guilds as a thief-scholar. Instead her investigations led her into far more obscure corners. As she devoted her furtive talents to unlocking the secrets of the universe, she instead unlocked a secret door that exists in nature itself: the entryway to the most Hidden Temple. The intelligences that waited beyond that portal, proved to be expecting her, and whatever mysteries they revealed in the moment of their discovery was nothing compared to the answers they held out to Lanaya should she continue in their service. She swore to protect the mysteries, but more to the point, in service to the Hidden Temple she satisfies her endless craving for understanding. In the eyes of each foe she expunges, a bit more of the mystery is revealed.

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ROLE

Ranged - Carry - Escape

STATS

LEVEL	1	15	25
HIT POINTS	492	1,051	1,830	SIGHT RANGE	1800 / 800
MANA	260	624	1,144	ATTACK RANGE	140
DAMAGE	53-59	91-97	138-144	MISSILE SPEED	900
ARMOR	4	10	16

INTRODUCTION
Templar Assassin or Lanaya is one of the most favourite carry lately. In the first early days of the release of this hero, this hero is considered imbalance because he deal more damage than in DotA 1. So after that Icefrog nerf her a little bit. But that's not make her become weaker, still she is one of the most feared carry in DotA. He can deal tons of burst damages with his Minus Armor combined with +Damage. She can also hide and become invisible. Not just that, she can also play a solo mid role. Lanaya, one of the most feared Assassin in DotA.

PROS	CONS
A competent ganker and carry	Cannot move while invis or the invis will break
Team gets Free Wards
High burst damage

ABILITIES
1. Refraction

Templar Assassin becomes highly elusive, avoiding damage while gaining a bonus to her damage. These effects are separate, and have a limited number of instances

MANA COST: 100	COOLDOWN: 17
ABILITY: NO TARGET	DAMAGE: PHYSICAL
INSTANCES: 3 / 4 / 5 / 6	BONUS DAMAGE: 20 / 40 / 60 / 80
DURATION: 17 / 17 / 17 / 17

Manipulating her psionic veil, Lanaya bends nature's law to her will.
This is is an attacking yet defensive skill. A very handy skill for you. You will have your attack increased for several attack. Ver good skill for early-mid game. When you harass enemy on early game with this skill, the damage will be painful and makes your enemy uncomfortable in lane. They should use their healing salve or tango.
On mid game, this skill will be usefull for ganking to get the kills. On late game, because of this skill is not based on damage percentage, the damage will not painful as before, but still enemy will feel the pain.
Remember that you also get the defensive advantage from this skill. That is you get some defensive layer that blocks several attacks. very good shield for you to avoid getting killed.

2. Meld

Templar Assassin conceals herself, gaining invisibility while remaining still. On the next attacked enemy unit, Lanaya will reduce its armor and deal bonus damage to it.

MANA COST: 50/50/50/50	COOLDOWN: 7
ABILITY: NO TARGET	DAMAGE: PHYSICAL
BONUS DAMAGE: 50 / 100 / 150 / 200	ARMOR REDUCTION: 2 / 4 / 6 / 8

Lanaya is as elusive as her covenant with the Hidden Temple.
Become invisible. If you move in this invisibility, you will become visible again. If enemy have aoe spells and place the spells in the area in your position, you will slowly death.
If you want to real escape, you may use additional item like Blink Dagger.
The advantage of this skill is that: your first attack in this invisibility mode, deal damage and reduce enemy's armor. The -armor makes this first attack become so painful for the enemy, Crystal Maiden on early game may have her HP become 50% or so.

3. Psi Blades

Templar Assassin's psi blades slice through the attacked unit, splitting and damaging enemy units directly behind it, while gaining bonus attack range.

ABILITY: PASSIVE	DAMAGE: PURE
BONUS ATTACK RANGE: 60 / 120 / 180 / 240

Her blades pierce the skin as much as the mind, furthering her understanding of the mystery that is reality.
This skill will increase your attack range and also deal  asplashed damage to enemy behind your main target. This makes you are easier to harass your enemy on early game. he will feel the damage splashed from your attack.
For farming, this can be useful too, the splashed damage, will faster your farming time.
In the teamfights, it is also useful to deal massive damage to all the enemy.

4. Psionic Trap

Templar Assassin places mystical traps that invisibly monitor enemy movement. When sprung, at her command, they exert a slowing influence of 30% in the area. Traps charge up to slow more by 5% for each second up to 50%.

MANA COST: 15/15/15	COOLDOWN: 11/9/7
ABILITY: POINT TARGET	MAX TRAPS: 5 / 8 / 11

Calling upon the reach of the Hidden Temple, none escape the eye of the Templar.
Sets some traps that will give a vision to the area you set this trap to. The vision is very useful to avoid being ganked by the enemy. You will be almost ungankable if you already surrouning your area with your traps. Some enemy that like to hid like Pudge will have his big body visible and looks lika a stupid person.
If you explode the trap, it will give a slowing effect to enemy in the AoE effect. Very good to chase enemy. Makes him slowed down means you can kill him.

Trap

Springs the nearest trap, slowing nearby enemies.

COOLDOWN: 0.50

ABILITY: NO TARGET

SKILLBUILD

Skillbuild for Lanaya have a wide choice. It is up to you to increase which skill first because all of your skill are usable at any stages of the game.

Usually, I go Refraction first like this:

Level 1: Refraction (You can also take Psi Blade here for harassing the early of the game)

Level 2: Psi Blades (For harassing)

Level 3: Refraction

Level 4:  Psi Blades (Take Meld here if you want it to defensse and avoid death)

Level 5: Refraction

Level 6: Psionic Trap

Level 7: Refraction

Level 8: Meld  ( If you take Meld on level 4, take Psi Blade here, you need the range of the Psi-Blades)

Level 9: Meld

Level 10: Meld

Level 11: Psionic Trap

Level 12:  Meld

Level 13: Psi Blades

Level 14: Psi Blades

Level 15: Stats

Level 16: Psionic Trap

Level 17-25: Stats

Why take Refraction for level 1? You need this for the anticipation if your enemy try to get firstblood from you. Defend yourself! with the shield.

Why maxed Refraction first? This is your main skill  for harassing and farming on early-mid game. Max this first for more painful harassing. Actually, Meld is also painful, so it is your free choice between this 2 skills. You can go like this, or 2 Refraction 2 Meld, Or 1 Refraction 3 meld, Or 3 Refraction 1 Meld, or All Melds.

Why you need Psi Blades before Meld? Remember that Meld must have the Range needed to be effective, so you will need some point of Psi-Blades. If you are not in the range, then you cannot attack while invisible. If you want to go 2 or 3 Psi frst, it's ok, it's up to you. Or if you want t be a melee-like hero, just don't take the Psi Blade on early game.

And if you Choose the Meld Build, your skill might be like this

Level 1: Refraction (You can also take Psi Blade here for harassing the early of the game) (Remember the defensive shield from firstblood)

Level 2: Psi Blades (For harassing)

Level 3: Meld

Level 4:  Meld

Level 5: Meld

Level 6: Psionic Trap

Level 7: Meld

Level 8: Refraction

Level 9: Psi Blades

Level 10: Refraction

Level 11: Psionic Trap

Level 12:  Refraction

Level 13: Psi Blades

Level 14: Psi Blades

Level 15: Stats

Level 16: Psionic Trap

Level 17-25: Stats

The logic is still the same, which is increase the harassing skill and in this case, it is the Meld. The armor reduction makes your target become very vulnerable and easy to kill.

With this strategy, it is recommended to gank together with your partner because his attack will also increased fro the meld.

STRATEGY

Early Game

On early game, you can take any line you like. Mid lane is also ok for you. You have the harassing ability, which is all your 3 non ultimate skills. Refraction for instant damage, Mld give -armor and damage, and Psi Blade with it's splashed attck.You also have defensive skill which is Refraction shield and also Meld for hiding. Psi Blade on early game will be useful not just to farm the creeps but also to give some splashed damage to your enemy in lane.

If you feel like you want to get a kill, immediately active Refraction to deal lots of damage. Use Meld if you have any chance, and that will reduce your enemy's armor.

Buy dagger if you want to be the Aggressive Lanaya. Jumping ability from dagger makes you always can catch your enemy and kill your target fiercefully. 

And dagger can also save you while standing still in your Meld.

Mid Game

On mid game, you should already learned the Psionic Trap. This is a very useful skill for scouting. Place some traps near your line and become invulnerable to gank because you will immediately know from the TrapVision if someone is trying to gank you. Except if your enemy is a little bit smart by ganking using Smoke of Deceit. But it's ok if you play safe and keep your position near your tower. And if enemy has arrive in your face, use Meld to hide or use Refraction and run.

Your ganking strategy will looks like this: First is to activate the Refraction, it will give you the damage to kill the enemy and also provide a defensive shield to protect yourself. Then, you can place a Psionic Trap near your target and explode it, after your enemy feel the slow power of your psionic Trap, juump use Dagger if you have it, or just walk to the slowed enemy. Then near his position, use Meld and attack him, he will fill your first Meld attack to be so painful and run immediately. Keep attacking and keep using your trap to chase your enemy.

Late Game

Late game lanaya is actually not the strongest carry in Dota. You maybe not as strong as Magina or Void, But if you already conquer the game with lots of kills on the previous stage of the game, late game will be easy for you. Usually you already have some nice items here, just like Stygian Desolator or Daedlus, this will gives you tons of damage and makes you a decent carry to carry your team into the victorious.

Remember all skill you have and use it proportionally. Before the teamfight, always activate Refraction and catch your enemy using Dagger. Also Reduce your opponent's armor using Meld. Keep focusing on a single Target, and if he already dead or become too far, the you should chane your target. The key of a successful carry is to can click ok enemy while in crowds, and not clicking the creeps.

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ITEM BUILD

1. Phase Boots
Total Cost: 1350
Recipe: Boots of Speed + 2 x Blades of Attack

Active: Phase - Gives increased movement speed and lets you move through units. Phase is cancelled upon using another item or ability. Flat movement speed bonuses from multiple pairs of boots do not stack. PHASE DURATION: 4 PHASE MOVE BOOST: 16%    + 55 Movement Speed    + 24 Damage Cooldown: 8

Why Phase boots? Gives you attck damage, and gives phase skill(+ms and can walk through creep/heroes).

2. Blink Dagger
Cost: 2150

Active: Blink - Teleport to a target point up to 1200 units away. If damage is taken from an enemy hero, Blink Dagger cannot be used for 3 seconds. Manacost: 75   Cooldown: 14

Why Blink Dagger?
1. Perfect for initiating a teamfight
2. Helps you escape

3. Desolator
Total cost: 5675
Recipe: 2x Mithrill Hammer + Recipe

Passive: Corruption - Your attacks reduce target's armor. Desolator is a Unique Attack Modifier, and does not stack with other Unique Attack Modifiers. + 60 Damage     ARMOR REDUCTION: 6

Why Desolator? You have Meld taht reduces enemy's armor. This skill will decrease enemy's armor more. It's a synergy.

4. You can increase your DPS more. Choose your own DPS items. You can have more than 1. Your target is 1 hit kill. With +hundreds of damage, you can possibly to one-hit-kill enemy with your Jinada. The worst is 3-4 hits.

	DAEDLUS	MKB	ABYSSAL	DIVINE RAPIER
DAMAGE	81	88	100	300
ABILITY	CRITICAL 2.4	100% HITS	STUN	NONE
CHANCE	25%	MINIBASH 35% DAMAGE: 100	MELEE: 25 % RANGE: 10%	NONE
OTHER	NONE	+15 ATK SPEED	+10 STRENGTH 2 SEC STUN	NONE

DAEDLUS: You actually have a Jinada that will do crits for every 6 seconds. In the waiting time of that 6 seconds, Daedlus will provide you with the more powerful Critical Strike.

MKB: 100% HITRATE will helps you to fight some evasion heroes like Mortred or Rikimaru.

ABYSSAL: A decent +100 damage and makes you become a Stunner

RAPIER: Be careful if you choose to hold this. 1 hit kill is a sure. 2-3 hits is the worst. NeEd protection from your support. Must come if the situation is clear safe for you to come inside the teamfight. Need disabler friends.

5. But don't forget to give more Survivability for yourself and buy item like

Black King Bar Total cost:: 3900 Recipe: Ogre Axe, Mithril Hammer, Recipe	Heart of Tarrasque Total cost: 5500 Recipe: Reaver + Vitality Booster
Active: Avatar - Grants magic immunity. Duration and cooldown decrease with each use. Some Ultimate abilities are able to disable through Black King Bar. + 10 Strength + 24 Damage     DURATION: 10/9/8/7/6/5     Cooldown: 80	Passive: Health Regeneration - Restores a percentage of max health per second. This ability is disabled if damage is taken from an enemy Hero or Roshan within the last 4 seconds if your hero is melee or 6 seconds if your hero is ranged. + 40 Strength   + 300 Health     HEALTH RESTORED: 2%    Cooldown:
Why Black King Bar? It gives you survivability in a teamfight because you will get magic immunity during teamfight. Black King Bar, will make you immune to magic for several seconds	Why Heart of Tarrasque? Makes you tanky. So good item for late game.

6. Another option item for Lanaya:

Manta Style Total cost:: 5050 Recipe: Yasha, Ultimate Orb, Recipe	Mjolnir Total Cost: 5400 Recipe: Maelstorm+ Hyperstone + Recipe	Butterfly Total cost:: 6000 Recipe:TalismanofEvasion, Eaglesong, Quarterstaff
Active: Mirror Image - Creates 2 illusions of your hero that last 20 seconds. Melee illusions deal 33% damage and take 250% bonus damage. Ranged illusions deal 28% damage and take 300% bonus damage. Percentage based movement speed bonuses from multiple items do not stack. + 10 Strength + 26 Agility    + 10 Intelligence    + 15 Attack Speed    + 10% Movement Speed Manacost:165    Cooldown:50	Active: Static Charge - Places a charged shield on a target unit Passive: Chain Lightning - Grants a chance to release Chain Lighting on attack, dealing damage to multiple targets. Mjollnir is a Unique Attack Modifier that stacks with other Unique Attack Modifiers, but overrides them when Chain Lightning occurs. + 24 Damage + 80 Attack Speed CHANCE TO CHAIN: 25% CHAIN DAMAGE: 160 Manacost: 50    Cooldown: 35	+ 30 Agility         + 30 Damage + 35% Evasion     + 30 Attack Speed
Why Manta Style? This item is always good for a carry, because carry need to deal more damage, and with additional of 2 illusions, the damage will be outstanding on late game.	Why Mjolnir? Mjolnir increases attack speed by a lot. This skill also gives the Lightning ability. Very good item to hold as a carry.	Why Butterfly? It gives you more damage and more attack speed that makes you become much more powerful. It also gives evasion to helps you survive in teamfight. Butterfly is always a good item for an Agility Carry.

GOOD ALLIES

1. Supportive Heroes
(Example: Shadow Shaman, Crystal Maiden, Vengeful Spirit)

Supportive heroes have disables and nice skill to helps carries and makes a teamfight easier for the team.

Shadow shaman: Have hex, shackles, and wards to helps you disables enemy

Crystal Maiden: Have 1 lockdown, 1 slower, and have +mana regeneration

Vengeful Spirit: Have stun, swap, and +damage aura

2. Synergy Hero - Armor Reductor
(Example: Slardar, Shadow Fiend, Vengeful Spirit)

 They have skill that reduce enemy's armor, very synergy with your meld skill that also reduce enemy's armor.

BAD ENEMIES
1. DPS Over Time Skills
(Example: Darkseer, Doom, Venomancer)

They have spells that deals damage over time. Do you know what is that means? Your Refraction shield will gone quickly and you will have no shield for teamfights.

2. AOE SPELLS
(Example: Pudge, Exalor, Storm)

 When you are hiding in your Meld and they know where your position is, They can easily damaging the area and you will eventually death.

VIDEO SECTION
1. Dota Show with Dual Commentary: Templar Assassin

Watch this and learn more about Lanaya

2. Dota Lanaya

Also watch this!

FANART