The Desolator is one of the most iconic items in Dota 2, well-known for its ability to boost physical damage and weaken enemies’ defenses. With its potent combination of raw attack damage and armor-reducing debuffs, this item shines in the hands of heroes who rely on physical attacks to dominate battles. Whether it’s for enhancing team fights, securing kills, or quickly demolishing structures during a split push, the Desolator remains a versatile and valuable asset for many different strategy types throughout the game.
Purchase and Cost – Where to Buy the Desolator in Dota 2?
The Desolator is available for purchase in the Base Shop under the Weapons category. It costs 3500 gold, which is considered a mid-tier price point, making it accessible during the mid-game phase for most heroes.
Base Combat Stats – Desolator’s Core Advantages
The Desolator provides the following essential combat bonuses:
- 50 Flat Bonus Attack Damage: This makes it a prominent choice for enhancing a hero’s raw physical attack power.
Abilities – Enhancing Damage with Unique Passives
Corruption – Armor Reduction Effect
One of the hallmarks of the Desolator is its passive ability, Corruption. Each attack applies an armor reduction debuff that lasts for 7 seconds:
- Armor Reduction: -6 armor on the target.
- Duration: The debuff refreshes with each successful attack but does not stack further.
This ability is particularly effective against high-armor opponents, as it significantly increases the physical damage inflicted by you and your teammates.
Soul Stealer – Damage Scaling Over Time
The Soul Stealer passive offers a scaling damage mechanic:
- Whenever an enemy hero dies while under the effects of the Corruption debuff, the Desolator gains +2 permanent damage.
- This bonusstacks up to a maximum of 30 charges, resulting in an additional 60 damage.
- Charges are only gained from enemy heroes and not from creeps, illusions, or Tempest Double.
By maximizing its charges, the Desolator becomes a late-game powerhouse for physical damage output.
Additional Effects – Visual and Tactical Benefits
Visual Alterations
One of the most noticeable effects of the Desolator is the red projectile animation it adds to the wielder’s attacks. This visual cue confirms the application of the Corruption debuff, providing an easy way to gauge its impact during fights.
Building Damage
The Corruption debuff applies to buildings, drastically reducing their armor and letting you demolish towers and barracks faster. This makes the Desolator a valuable tool for split-pushing strategies.
Item Interactions – Synergies and Limitations
- The Corruption debuff does not stack with armor reduction effects from Lesser Corruption or Blight Stone. If both are present, the Desolator’s debuff overrides the others.
- Illusions cannot apply the Corruption debuff or gain Soul Stealer charges. However, they do copy the main hero’s stack count upon creation.
- Works well with attack speed items such as Monkey King Bar or Assault Cuirass to maximize physical damage output.
Itemization Strategy – When and Why to Buy Desolator
The Desolator is ideal for agility and strength heroes who rely heavily on physical attacks. Its armor reduction makes it effective against high-armor enemies, while its flat bonus damage helps dominate in extended team fights or during split-pushing efforts.
Purchase the Desolator early to mid-game to leverage its impact during team engagements and objectives. Heroes who need significant damage boosts while remaining relevant in team fights can immensely benefit from this item.
Recommended Heroes for the Desolator
The following heroes are particularly potent with a Desolator in their arsenal:
- Templar Assassin – Enhances her burst damage and synergizes with her Meld ability.
- Phantom Assassin – Perfect for assassinations and scaling crit damage.
- Wraith King – Helps secure kills while maintaining lane control.
- Weaver – Amplifies his sustained DPS in fights.
- Sniper – Increases the impact of his long-range attacks.
- Clinkz – Combines extremely well with his high attack speed.
How to Use the Desolator Effectively
Prioritize Targeting
When using the Desolator in team fights, apply its Corruption debuff to critical or high-value targets. This makes them easier for your team to eliminate.
Split-Pushing
If your team needs map control, use the Desolator to quickly push and destroy towers. Pair it with mobility items like Blink Dagger to escape after objectives are taken.
Timing Is Key
Timing your purchase around the mid-game ensures the Desolator’s utility is maximized in key engagements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Desolator in Dota 2
What does the Desolator do in Dota 2?
The Desolator provides +50 attack damage, reduces enemy armor by 6 through its Corruption debuff, and scales damage over time with its Soul Stealer passive.
Can illusions benefit from the Desolator?
Illusions cannot apply the Corruption debuff or gain Soul Stealer charges, but they do inherit the stack count of the main hero when created.
Which heroes benefit most from the Desolator?
Heroes like Templar Assassin, Phantom Assassin, Wraith King, and Clinkz are optimal choices due to their reliance on physical damage and attack scaling.
Does the Desolator work on buildings?
Yes, the Corruption debuff applies to buildings, making the Desolator an excellent item for split-pushing objectives.
What is the total cost of the Desolator?
The Desolator costs 3500 gold, available from the Base Shop under the Weapons category.
Can I stack the effects of multiple Desolators?
No, the Corruption effect does not stack. Multiple Desolators on the same team will refresh the debuff duration but not increase its effectiveness.
How do charges work for the Soul Stealer passive?
The Desolator gains +2 permanent damage for every enemy hero killed under the Corruption effect, up to a maximum of 30 charges.
Does the Desolator interact with Blight Stone?
No, Corruption overrides the armor reduction of Blight Stone or Lesser Corruption. Only the strongest debuff applies.
When should I build a Desolator?
Build the Desolator as an early to mid-game item to maximize its armor reduction benefits during crucial fights and objective pushes.
Is the Desolator cost-effective in Dota 2?
Yes, the Desolator’s combination of flat damage and utility makes it extremely gold-efficient for many physical-damage heroes.
Source : Titaniadota
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