Mamaru's Guide To Rhasta

[mamaru09]

This is my 2nd guide I think… hope people can learn about this and apply it to their game and show them true style of playing DOTA…

Don’t blame me for any flaws and mistakes im only human…

Here goes RHASTA THE SHADOW SHAMAN
-mamaru09(Mark)

RHASTA THE SHADOW SHAMAN

Table of contents:

I.

Hero Overview

II. Skill Description

III. Skill Build

IV. Items
IV.a. Core Items
IV.b. Other items worth Considering
IV.c. Item Build/Buying Order
IV.d. Optional Item Build

IV.e. Item Build For All Around

V. Strategies

V.a. Early Game

V.b. Mid Game
V.c. Late Game
>The rest of the Guide Starting here is continued on the next post due to size limitation.<
V.d. Dealing with 2 heroes at once
v.e. Team Battles
V.f. Favorite backstabbing places

VI. How to Ward Trap

VII. Rhasta with other Dota Heroes
VII.a. Heroes to Look out for
VII.b. Good Allies

VIII. Miscellaneous Tips

IX. Comic Strip

X. Replay

XI. Final Words/Credits

I. Hero Overview

Rhasta, the Shadow Shaman

Once a gifted troll witch doctor, young Rhasta was well versed with the secrets of voodoo magic. When the war between the Sentinel and the Scourge began, Rhasta, then a Shadow Hunter, offered his allegiace to the Sentinel to vanquish the Scourge once and for all. While he was gifted as a Witch Doctor, Rhasta is a genius as a Shadow Hunter, exceeding his master by mastering the art of summoning multiple serpent wards, binding enemies for a short time and casting elemental lightning to several units.

II. Skill Description

Forked Lightning (R )


Calls forth a cone of lightning, hitting multiple enemy units for damage.

Level 1 - 75 damage to 3 targets.
Level 2 - 150 damage to 4 targets.
Level 3 - 225 damage to 5 targets.
Level 4 - 300 damage to 7 targets.
Mana Cost: 95/ 105/ 135/ 160
Cooldown: 10

The farming tool and the finishing move. I recommend maxing out this skill first in order to get good items and being the only single nuke that Rhasta could make.

Voodoo (D)


Transforms an enemy unit into a random critter, disabling special abilities.

Level 1 - Lasts 1 seconds.
Level 2 - Lasts 2 seconds.
Level 3 - Lasts 3 seconds.
Level 4 - Lasts 4 seconds.
Mana Cost: 110 / 140 / 170 / 200
Cooldown: 13

A skill that doesn’t lose its power late game. Disabling a hero for 4 seconds gives you a tremendous advantage in battle. This would be the first part of the combo in ward trapping (that is when you cyclone is not available).

Shackles (E)


Magically binds a target enemy, so that it cannot move or attack and deals 40 damage per second. Channeling spell.

Level 1 - Lasts 2.5 seconds.
Level 2 - Lasts 3.25 seconds.
Level 3 - Lasts 4 seconds.
Level 4 - Lasts 4.75 seconds.
Mana Cost: 110/ 130/ 155/ 185
Cooldown: 15

Rhasta’s signiture skill. This provides the disable that every enemy hates. Free hits for 4.75 seconds from your allied creeps and heroes. The new shackles now has damage, at level four it’s around 160. This skill plus voodoo will make you the number one target of your enemy and the most valuable ally of your team.

Mass Serpent Ward (W)


Summons 8 immobile serpentine wards to attack enemies. The wards last 30 seconds, deal piercing damage (which means they deal less damage to Heroes) and are immune to magic. Each ward has a range of 600 and has 0 armor, armor type Heavy. With Scepter Rhasta can summon 12 wards.

Level 1 - Deals 39-43 damage each, 135 hp.
Level 2 - Deals 54-58 damage each, 150 hp.
Level 3 - Deals 69-73 damage each, 150 hp.
Mana Cost: 200/ 350/ 610
Cooldown: 120

The skill that made Rhasta famous, just let your imaginations run wild with what you can do with portable mini towers. More details on how to use this skill see strategies and how to ward trap.


III. Skill Build

lvl 1 – Forked Lightning
lvl 2 - Hero Shackles
lvl 3 – Forked Lightning
lvl 4 - Hero Shackles
lvl 5 – Forked Lightning
lvl 6 – Mass Serpent Ward
lvl 7 – Forked Lightning
lvl 8 - Hero Shackles
lvl 9 - Hero Shackles
lvl 10 - Voodoo
lvl 11 – Mass Serpent Ward
lvl 12 - Voodoo
lvl 13 - Voodoo
lvl 14 – Voodoo
Lvl 15- Stats
lvl 16 – Mass Serpent Ward
lvl 17-25 - Stats

IV. Items

Before leaving you should have at least bought these items

Note:
Swap the branches for flasks believe me you’ll need to stay out there longer
Its up to you if you want to add flasks for hp and lessen your trips back to fountain
Then buy a sobi mask for basic mana regen.

add then add in these items





IV.a Core Items:


Brief explanation for Core items:

1. Boots of Speed

Description:
+50 move speed
Total Cost: 500

Every hero’s needs. Don’t ever think about backstabbing heroes without this item. Rhasta especially needs this item because he has one of the slowest movespeed in the game. No boots=Dead Shaman.

2. Eul’s Scepter of Divinity


Description:
+100% Mana Regeneration
+18 Intelligence
Charged: Cyclone
6 Charges 5.6 Second Duration 600 Range
5 seconds cooldown
Recipe:
Robe of the Magi (450)
Void Stone (900)
Staff of Wizardry (1000)
Total Cost: 2350

Main player for ward trapping, this would also give you the needed mana regen. With this item, you would become one of the most feared heroes in the game, due to the near 100% accuracy for ward trapping. Try not to use the Cyclones on a single hero alone though, reserve it for Team Battles. One of the things that separate the good from the pro Rhasta players is that they wouldn’t need to upgrade this to Guinsoo, basically because when the game ends, they still have charges on it.

3. Mekanism


Description:
+5 All Attributes
+5 Armor
Passive: 3 HP/sec regeneration aura
Active: Revitalize
Gives 2 bonus armor and heals 250 hit points to nearby friendly units.
150 Mana Cost
Recipe:
Headdress of Rejuvenation (657)
Netherezim Buckler (877)
Mekansm Recipe Scroll (900)
Total Cost: 2434

So many mana and so low hp. This item would work wonders. Don’t bother buying a null if you plan to buy this item. The +5 to all stat would do, 3 hp regen is also needed in order not to return so much to the fountain, after all that would usually be my only HP regen. Being a support caster, it would only be natural for Rhasta to include this item, area effect healing is a role a support caster should consider.

4. Dagger of Escape


Description:
Activate: 700 range Blink Ability
25 Second Cooldown 90 Mana Cost
Total Cost: 2150

Why dagger? I thought only Bradwarden, Rylai and Slardar uses it? Well for being a pusher, hero killer and support caster, Rhasta pays for it dearly with having so low hp pool and so slow movespeed. The dagger almost cancels that weakness. The importance of this item would be better discussed in Rakulei’s guide in whom I quote:

1) Stunned with 4 heroes running in lustily to tear apart whatever little skin from your puny frame? Voodoo the nearest Hero and blink goodbye. Oh wait, just blink goodbye =)

2) Enemy hero running away with red health; the creeps refuse to budge, intent on doing their best to get in your way; he is disappearing from your sight; you grow increasingly desperate… Just blink up and Forked Lightning for a deserved kill.

3) Allied hero needs desperately to escape from that pesky Chaos Knight who won’t stop Blink-Striking. Blink in, Voodoo, get a few hits in and Shackle him for your ally to get his revenge.

4) Enemy hero fights a losing battle with your ally and proceeds to activate his Mask of Madness, gleefully running away, taking the time to turn back with a middle-finger raised. Blink in and Shackle him for the kill your ally deserves. Please refrain from returning the favour of the middle-finger. Its bad manners

5. Necronomicon


Description:
+6/10/14 str
+15/21/24 int
Activated (50 mana, 90 sec cooldown): Raise dead, summons 1 Necronomicon Archer and a Necronomicon Warrior for 35 seconds. Can be upgraded by repurchasing the Recipe Scroll; 2 upgrades maximum.
Cannot be Dropped

Necronomcion Archer:
Level 1/2/ 3: 31/ 61/ 91 Piercing Damage, 350 Range, 6/ 8/ 10 Armor, has an Endurance aura that boosts units within 300 AoE movespeed and attack speed by 3/ 6/ 9%, and the ability to mana burn 200/ 250/ 300 MP.

Necronomicon Warrior:
Level 1/ 2/ 3:21/ 41/ 61 Normal Damage, 6/ 8/ 10 Armor, can burn and deal 25/ 50/ 75 MP/HP at the same time, and has the ability to deal 200/ 400/ 600 damage to the unit that kills it. They have 1300/ 1400/ 1500 vision range.
Necronomicon Warriors have 40% resistance to magic spells.
Level 3 Necronomicon Warrior has true sight.
Necronomicon Warrior and Archer have Base Attack Time of 1 second.
Range of Mana Burn of Necronomicon Archer is 250
Recipe:
Belt of Giant Strength (450)
Staff of Wizardry (1000)
Necronomicon Recipe Scroll (1300)
Total Cost: 2750

While you shackle, voodoo and guinsoo your opponents, free hits from these beasts will surely make a kill. I skip Eul’s first and get this item if I have a Skeleton King opponent.
The true sight from Level 3 Necro could be another counter for windwalkers, so remember.

Elaboration on Necronomicon:

Necronomicon is a very powerful item, this is best proved by its unending nerfs. This is the only item I know that could hold back a whole team. Enemy pushing? Cast necronomicon from a safe distance and watch your enemies run back, anyway who would want to get 52/102/152 damage with 25/50/75 mana burnt (Yes, that’s greater than Magina’s Mana Break) on each attack? Not to mention Last Will. But enough about this item alone, I will now elaborate on the great synergy of this item with Rhasta’s skill.

We all know that most of Rhasta’s kills comes from ward trapping. The occasion kill from forked lightning and others can’t be credited to him alone since most likely your ally helped in taking down their hp. As can be derived from these facts, we can assume that without wards, Rhasta would have a hard time to kill (on his own that is). Now that problem could be solve, with this item.



So exactly how much damage can Rhasta and the Necrosummons deals? The necrosummons have a BAT (Base Attack Time) of 1 sec. Roughly, that means that they can attack once every second (but that’s not taking into consideration their Endurance Aura which boosts movement speed and attack speed by 3/6/9%). Going back to the question, lets compute Rhasta’s damage: first shackles would deal 190 damage (4.75 sec disable x 40dmg/sec) + 300 damage (Forked Lightning) + [let’s say Rhasta’s level is at 16, during which he deals an average of 91] 364 damage (91 x 4 hits from 4 seconds of hex) = 854 damage.

Now the Necrosummons’ damage, Rhasta had just disabled the enemy for about 8 seconds so: Both the mages would deal 416/816/1216 damage on normal attack (52/102/152 x 8 attacks) + 200/400/600 mana burnt with additional hp damage (25/50/75 mana burnt and additional hp damage x 8 attacks) + 200/250/300 mana burn damage = 816/1466/2116 damage with 400/650/900 mana burnt.

All in all, theoretically the necrosummons with level 16 Rhasta would deal 1670/2320/2970 damage with 400/650/900 mana burnt (magic reduction and armor still to be considered).

I think a lot of people haven’t really realized yet how high this damage is. So I’ll just say it like this, Rhasta can deal more damage than a Laguna Blade level 3 with Scepter (but ofcourse, a Laguna Blade is just 1 skill, this is a combo skill) AND (please take note, that I used the conjunction AND) can burn more mana than Nerubian Assassin’s Mana Burn level 4 with ONLY a NECRONOMICON LEVEL 1! This damage could be amplified by Purchasing the Scroll AND (what a beautiful word) having a Guinsoo AND (Lav it!), having a Stygian/Manta/Diffusal

However! There is one big catch with using Necronomicon. You’ll need at least 8 seconds of uninterrupted time. Seldom will you have a chance like that in a 5 on 5 battle especially when you’re opponents are a good team. And usually, you’ll be able to form Necronomicon (since I always buy BoS and Eul’s first) at around Mid Game to Late Game, and the chances that you’ll have of finding a hero farming alone during this time is relatively slim.

Core Items Q&A:

1. Why is this the best build for Rhasta?
Financially, compared to other builds, this is the easiest one to make. The most expensive item would only be the dagger for 2150, all other items costs less than 1300, and the total cost of this build is only 12784 (Necro at Level 3), far the cheapest build.

In terms of power, this build has almost everything that the other builds offers, and more.
Measuring this build and the traditional Scepter/Refresher:
Dagger almost equals a Scepter. Why? Dagger may not be able to give any hp or mp, but the ability to blink out of a tight situation would be priceless compared to the boosts given by scepter. Scepter gives additional 4 snakes for easier ward trapping and more damage done, but the dagger also does the same. The ability to chase those running heroes would equal the damage you would have gained with the scepter, and by blinking just behind a hero with a quick voodoo also makes ward trapping easier.
Necronomicon equals a refresher. Abosolutely true, having another ability is almost the same as resetting cool downs. Plus the damage that the necronomicon deals maybe higher than that of the wards, and they offer more significant abilities such as true sight and mana burn which is very essential for chasing down those wind walkers and blinkers.
Mekansm’s instant heal of 250hp is again, priceless (Look at the Comic Stip below). Plus the armor, the stat increase and the hp regen… what more could I say?
This build is not reliant on ward trapping for hero kills, it can use necronomicon. Even if you did not kill the hero with necro, you leave them totally useless without mana and not much hp.

2. Okay, what kind of build/hero are you making?
This is for a support caster mage. If you're looking for a battle mage, you're reading the wrong guide.

3. I'm level 20 and already got an Aegis Divine. You're level 25 and you only got that kind of items?
It's always good to expect the worst case scenarios.

4. What if, for some reasons, I don’t like the core items? Do you have any other optional build?
I understand, probably for the micromanagement of the necro or that you’re not used to using the dagger. Yes, I have provided other optional builds, look for it just below.


IV.b. Other items worth Considering:

Brief Explanation for each Item:

1. Guinsoo's Scythe of Vyse



Description:
+150% Mana Regeneration
+25 Intellegence
+35 Damage
Activate: Polymorph
600 Range 3 Second Duration
23 Second Cooldown 100 Mana Cost
Recipe:
Oblivion Staff (1925)
Eul's Scepter of Divinity (2350)
Guinsoo's Scythe of Vyse Recipe Scroll (900)
Total Cost: 5175

After the charges in Eul’s are used up. 150% mana regen? Yes please. Double hex? Ownage!!!

2. Aghanim’s Scepter


Description:
+450 Hitpoints
+400 Mana
+30 Intelligence
Passive: Improves Ultimate for Rhasta.
Cannot be Dropped
Recipe:
Mystic Staff (2900)
Soul Booster (3300)
Total Cost: 6200

The much needed boosts in hp and mana would surely be a welcome to fatten up this skinny troll. And with additional 4 hissers, ward trapping is easier.

3. Manta Style


Description:
+10 Agility
+6 Intellegence
+250 HP
Passive: Feedback
36 Mana Burned per Attack to Heroes
Active: Illusion
Creates 2 illusions of yourself that deals 40% damage and takes 300% damage
20 second duration, 70 second cooldown, 165 Mana Cost
Orb effects do not stack
Recipe:
Diffusal Blade (3000)
Vitality Booster (1100)
Manta Style Recipe Scroll (1400)
Total Cost: 5500

This item here is taken from *Rei’s guide (and was suggested by him) in playing Bane Shinigami style.
Why Manta? Your items get weirder and weirder every time. Well, Manta has the same concept as Necro. Here are among the possible uses of this item.

1. Voodoo, Wards, Split Image, 3 Rhastas attack the ward trap hero = Dead enemy
2. Necro, Split Image, Shackles, Necro and 2 Rhastas attacking = Dead enemy
3. Split Image, Blink in, Shackles, 2 Rhastas attacking, Voodoo and Guinsoo with 3
Rhastas attacking = Dead enemy



Again, this is another item that would make Rhasta independent from wards in hero killing, reserving the hissers in team battles, where it is more valuable.
Another reason why I’ve included this item in here is because; one would notice that the items I purchase for Rhasta are those increasing his overall stat (Meka, Euls, Scepter, Necro, etc.). Unknowingly, I have purchased items that are buffing images. So why not buy Manta? Item builds seem to point directly at buying Manta Style.
Another thing lets take a look at the benefits given by this item. Now one would notice that, aside from the agi gain, those are buffs needed by Rhasta! Increase Int and increase hp, additional disable (from Diffusal Blade) and the ability to summon more allies!

4. Refresher Orb


Description:
+150% Mana Regeneration
+4 HP/Sec Regeneration
+40 Damage
Activate: Refresh Ability Cooldowns
210 Second Cooldown 375 Mana Cost
Cannot be dropped
Recipe:
Perseverence (1775)
Oblivion Staff (1925)
Refresher Orb Recipe Scroll (1875)
Total Cost: 5575

The Aghanims/Refresher Combo, 24 instant snakes. Good for defending you're base and wiping out their base. However, I’m not a big fan of this combo. I can’t explain why though.

5. Stygian Desolator


Description:
+50 Damage
Passive: Corruption
-6 Armor to Enemy Target
5 Second Duration
Orb effects do not stack
Recipe:
Mithril Hammer (1610)
Mithril Hammer (1610)
Stygian Desolator Recipe Scroll (1500)
Total Cost: 4720

Why? Reduce the armor of the enemy to amplify the damage of the wards. Think of it this way, with this item, you’ve just enhanced the level of your wards to 4 or 5.

Some things about this item that you should know:
I have, and will always play Rhasta as a support caster mage who can hold his ground on hero killing. Buying this item is as far as I'll go into making him a Battle Mage.
Whoa! Nice item! I'll be buying it every time I'm using Rhasta!
No! The only reason I put this item in here is for us to know that this item complements Rhasta's wards and possibly if you have a necro book. Look at the price of the item and the bonuses that it'll give you, its ridicolous! Since half the time in team battles you barely attack (since what you usually do is cast wards, voodoo someone and shackles someone). However, it is still a good item for Rhasta (That's why its here!). Since it helps Rhasta's overall skill. Example: Hit somebody then shackles for your ally, that somebody now has less armor so your ally wouldn't have to spend more time killing him. Stygian and Necrobook? Sickly combo. Check out the Necrobook section and of course, Stygian and Wards. But buy it as the last item for your 6th slot if you want.

6. Eul’s Scepter of Divinity




Description:
+100% Mana Regeneration
+18 Intelligence
Charged: Cyclone
6 Charges 5.6 Second Duration 600 Range
5 seconds cooldown
Recipe:
Robe of the Magi (450)
Void Stone (900)
Staff of Wizardry (1000)
Total Cost: 2350

I’ve been thinking about it, but going for mass Eul’s isn’t that bad. Though it’s been ages since I last did this, thunderfall reminded me of it. 12 charges of cyclone are usually enough to last you throughout the game, and with this item you could now disable 5 heroes max! And the additional +18 int and +100% mana regen is nothing to laugh about. The only problem I see is after the charges are used up, the item would have no further value, and you can’t have 2 Guinsoo can you. But here’s something to think about, in most case you would use Voodoo and Hex from Guinsoo, so it means that the charges here are really for those ‘crucial times’.

7. Boots of Travel


Description:
+90 Move Speed
Active: Teleport
60 Second Cooldown 3 Second Cast Time
Recipe:
Boots of Speed (500)
Boots of Travel Recipe Scroll (2200)
Total Cost: 2700

Whenever I buy this item, I just feel rich…
Chaos Knight threw chaos bolt at you? He’s rushing madly with his ally Anti-Mage to tear your small frame into pieces? You have a red life, dagger would not save you. Just Voodoo Magina and Sheepstick Nessaj, and ask them to guard you from harm as you teleport away.

Other Items worth Considering Q&A:

1. How about EoS?
EoS gives +25 to all stats and other such boosts, but wouldn’t it be better to have just an Aghanim’s instead? It’s cheaper, and gives more relevant bonuses. Anyway you wouldn’t need frost attack since most of the time your shackling someone. And if you ask me, if you're looking for the best orb effect item for Rhasta, it would be Curroption, since it complements the wards and necro.

2. No dagon? Rhasta’s an Int and no Dagon?
Ah Dagon… So easy to use, just click it and point the hero and Voala, damage done. This item is good, but is not suitable for Rhasta. Dagon would be out of place in your combo skills (and if you notice, Rhasta needs all the mana that he can get, since his first three skills has a very fast cooldown, you just spam and spam forked lightning with the disables, so why would you need Dagon?). Anyway compare Dagon to Necronomicon, Necro is much better, it costs less, gives more relevant stat (we’d rather have a + for str than a plus from damage for Rhasta), it has less mana cost, and can deal more damage than Dagon (check out the necrobook section above).

3. Do my eyes deceive me or do I see another Euls?

Yup, for mass euls. Read the Euls section to find out the reason why.

4. Where are all the cheap items? RoB, Nulls, HoR, Flasks, Scrolls, etc.?
I didn't want to include them since I wouldn't want to lengthen this lengthy guide so I'll just add them here. RoB is not good for Rhasta if you are aiming for the mana regen. Generally, for all heroes a sobi mask regenerates more mana than a RoB when your int reaches 33. At level 5, Rhasta's Int is at 33 without items! Computation? Here:
Sobi Mask at Int 33
Regeneration from Base Regeneration = 0.01MP/sec
Regeneration from Intelligence = 33*0.04 = 1.32MP/sec
Regeneration from Sobi Mask = 1.32MP/sec *0.5 = 0.66MP/sec
=1.99MP/sec

RoB at Int 33
Regeneration from Base Regeneration = 0.01MP/sec
Regeneration from Intelligence = 33*0.04 = 1.32MP/sec
Regeneration from RoB = 0.65MP/sec
=1.98MP/sec

For the nulls, if your starting items were flasks, then upgrade the circlet to nulls. If RoR with branches, don't bother, just go for mekansm. Scrolls and flasks, assess if you need them.

IV.c. Item Build/Buying Order:
Final items are in red.

Starting Items

Animal Courier

Ring of Regen

Ironwood Branches x 2

=714

Secret Shop Sidetrip

Voidstone

=900

First Trip to Fountain/Early Game (Levels 3-10)

Boots of Speed

Chainmail
Netherim Buckler Recipe -> forms Netherim Buckler
Headress of Rejuvination Recipe -> forms Headress of Rejuvination
Mekansm Recipe -> forms Mekansm
Robe of the Magi
=2885

>>Mid Game (Levels 10-18)<<

Staff of Wizardry -> forms Eul’s Scepter of Divinity
Dagger of Escape
Staff of Wizardry
Belt of Giant Strength
=4600

>>Late Game (Levels 18-25)<<

Necro Recipe
Necro Recipe Upgrade
Necro Recipe Upgrade
=4050

TOTAL COST OF EVERYTHING =12784

Pros and Cons of this Build:

Pros:
1.) You have hp and mana regen. (Mekansm 3hp/sec and Eul's 100% mana regen.
2.) You have higher chance of survival (Dagger)
3.) Easier Ward Trapping (Dagger)
4.) You have additional disable (Eul’s)
5.) Not reliant on wards. (Necro)
Cons:
1.) Don't have significant increase in hp and mp pool.
2.) More micromanagement due to Necro and Blink Dagger.
3.) Can only summon 8 wards, not the usual 12 wards.

>>If the game Continues<<

Robe of the Magi
Quarterstaff
Sobi Mask -> forms Oblivion Staff
Guinsoo Recipe -> forms Guinsoo, Scythe of Vyse
Robe of the Magi
Blade of Alacrity
Diffusal Blade Recipe -> forms Diffusal Blade
Vitality Booster
Manta Style Recipe -> forms Manta Style
Point Booster
Vitality Booster
Energy Booster -> forms Soul Booster
Mystic Staff -> Aghanim's Scepter

Dream Items

Of course, I don't expect anyone to complete this build. But the item build should be leaning towards this final items.

Items Build/Buying Order Q&A:

1. In buying order section, you’ve included Manta Style, Guinsoo and Scepter as other items to be bought after the core items? Why is that?
An additional disable from diffusal blade is a good addition to your arsenal of disables. And Manta Style complements Rhasta’s Shackles + Voodoo combo and the ward trap, plus the items previously bought complements Manta Style (Necro, Meka and Euls all increases stats). Guinsoo, of course we’d upgrade cyclone stick to sheep stick. Scepter, nothing can be as wicked as 12 snakes with 3 rhastas attacking and 2 necrosummons.


IV.d. Optional Item Build:
Here are among other optional item builds for those not satisfied with the core items. Please choose the one that fits your taste.

Total Cost = 14625

Ahh… The traditional Shaman build. Well, we can’t go wrong with this item build. Pretty much most Rhasta users go for this build. It has almost everything we’ll need, significant increase in hp and mana pool with hp and mana regen, easier ward trapping due to additional 4 snakes and an additional disable. This build is probably famous for the many screen shots of the 24 snakes destroying the enemy base or defending your base (Did you know? Wards deals piercing damage. Meaning to buildings, they only deal 35% damage, to heroes 50%)

Why is the first build better: This build is reliant in ward trapping, without wards you are only a moving food to everybody. With wards cooling down, you are a gun without a bullet, and you’ll have to wait to reload again for 120 seconds in order to push. You’d die most of the time too, a mage disabler with slow movespeed and no escape mechanism can’t be expected to live every team battles don’t you think? And without the mana burn and true sight from Necronomicon, expect windwalkers and blinkers and tanks to get away from the trap late game, not to mention each ward would die with just 1 hit from each hero during that time.

Total Cost = 13700 (Necro Level 3)

The army build. A totally different Rhasta, not reliant in ward trapping, in fact you probably wouldn’t need the wards the whole game with this build (unless Necronomicon is cooling down or during team battles). Less players knows this build, which means that they are totally unaware of the power that this build can do, and most likely they don’t have any counters for this.

Why is the first build better: Same problem as above, no escape mechanism, less chance of survival. Also without the dagger, you’d have to walk up to the hero in order to cast necro, manta and shackles. Pros would immediately think that you’re on to something when you are walking towards them. This build would also require more micromanagement for the necro and the images, not really newbie friendly.

Total Cost = 13634

Ahh… My old time favorite build. The traditional blinking shaman build, a good build for new Rhasta users. Easier ward trapping, escape mechanism, significant increase in hp and mana pool with regen. What more could we ask for?

Why is the first build better: Answer the question, “What more could we ask for?” We could ask for another ability that doesn’t require us to use wards. And how about those pesky windwalkers and blinkers and tanks, are we going to just let them dominate us late game? Necronomicon is a must have in our arsenal.

IV.e. Suggested Item Build For All (Up To Late Game)
1 Boots Of Travel (lane pushing and for escaping or rushing)
1 Mekanism (quick 225 hp rejuvenation)
1 Ginsoo (disabling and mana regen)
1 Manta Style (for killing, supporting, pushing)
1 Agahnims Scepter (added wards)
1 Refresher Orb (with scepter= 24 deadly snakes and +manta style max pusher)

V. Strategy

V.a. Early Game

Pick a lane, better if its near the secret shop, solo or with a partner is fine. Rhasta is after all, a support hero. During this period, your main skill is forked. Surprise enemy heroes when they come too close to you tower by shackling them (that is, when most of their creeps are gone so that the dumb tower will attack them) or when you have a partner with you. But that only happens once in a while. Just harass the enemy with forked. Remember, as an early game hero it is your duty to deny your enemies those experience and gold. Do the basics in farming, and use your advantage as a range hero. Try not to get hit by the enemy creeps and towers as much as possible. Should some unfortunate incident made you lost hp, then use the flasks, very valuable for rhasta early game. Always press the ALT button and don’t hesitate to use forked on creeps in the reddish zone, especially if there’s a hero nearby (that's why maxing out forked is a priority). This is what you should do during farming.

Farming:

By level 3-6 and you still haven’t returned to the fountain, then go to the secret shop (if its near your lane) and buy a void stone to continue harassing your enemies.


V.b. Mid Game

During this part of the game (and also Late Game), I rely more on voodoo to ward trap, the charges on the eul’s are really for important team battles. Your presence in team battles is invaluable to your allies and a nightmare to your enemies. Being able to disable at most 4 heroes for more than 3 seconds (1 in a successful ward trap, 1 in euls/guinsoo, 1 in voodoo and 1 in shackles). Your role in this part of the game is more on support and in pushing.

Mid Game is where you shine. This is Rhasta, at his glorious time (if you get dominated this time of the game, well… its something a bit unheard of). This is the time that you’ve just recently acquired your Cyclonestick, possibly with 6 charges full, and this is the time where the lethality of the wards is at their height. However, Cyclones are very very important to Rhasta. And the 6 charges from it I really reserved for team battles, (but I also use it sometimes against a single hero, when I felt like its been awhile since I last spilled blood). Mid Game, whenever I leave my lane (Either because I died, went to buy something, help a teammate, etc.) I’m always looking at the map as to who may be potential victims to my wards, or if I’m item build 2, potential victims to my Necro. This is what I do, please remember that you can start of the combo by Voodoo, Wards (if a ward trap, see if you would need to shackles or not) and Shackles. The screen shot below is level 8, so I didn’t have voodoo then, but the wards are extremely lethal though:

Hero Killing without use of Cyclone:



Here is a Rhasta backstabbing



Surprise N’aix…



At this point in time, the one with the faster reflexes wins.



So this means I have faster reflexes

V.c. Late Game

Late game is where fat heroes and quick damaging killers dominate. In these cruel times, what would a troll shaman do? Neither having high hp or fast AS. One thing that doesn’t change throughout the game is the power of your disables. Remember that you can permanently disable 1 hero until he dies.

13 sec cooldown, hex for 4 seconds
15 sec cooldown, shackles for 4.75 seconds
23 sec cooldown, hex for 3 seconds

+ + = 11.75 seconds disable

With voodoo, shackles, guinsoo the cooldown for the next voodoo would be over by now. Rinse and repeat.
Of course, it works in paper, but the reality is that you hardly would have the chance to permanently disable a hero, due to the fact that all heroes push/stick together during this time of the game. So take full responsibility of being a support hero, by disabling at most 3 heroes in every team pushes. More strategies are presented below, in V.e. Team Battles.

During this part of the game, push with your allies. You’ll shine more when you have your friends with you. Going solo this time of the game probably means suicide.

[DevoX]

1.Can you change the colour of the text?
2.No picture
3.replay?

[saint]

The text font needs a more suitable colour.Some of us are using Kartel as our skin.

Replays and pictures can be updated later.Take your time.

[DevoX]

The text font needs a more suitable colour.Some of us are using Kartel as our skin.

Totally Agree.

[mamaru09]

i already edited the txt color ill add the pictures tommorow thx

[L4wL!]

The Color is really annoying, try another... pics are missing too, on some parts i simply cant see what you meant. On the other hand, you seem to have understood the principles of guide-writing, wrote the items part really detailed, while the early/mid/late-strategy part is not really helping... I'll wait until the next parts released, then go on with the criticism^^
€: Forget about the color, u've fixed it while i was writing on this^^

[DevoX]

All are blue...so boring =,=
Can you add some red please
Example
Shadow Shaman (Red)

[saint]

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

This is a copied guide from DotA-Portal. I have already stated many times on how much I dislike guides being copied especially without credits being given. Do something about it before I do. Your time limit will be two days.

[DevoX]

OMG !!! Why did you do this!!!
Create your own guide!!
Dont copy it and paste it here,you guide-stealer!!

This is my 2nd guide I think… hope people can learn about this and apply it to their game and show them true style of playing DOTA…

2nd guide?I think it is 2nd guide of copying