Earthshaker, also known as Raigor Stonehoof, is one of the most iconic heroes in the Dota 2 roster. His abilities to control the battlefield, initiate team fights, and deal massive area-of-effect damage have made him a mainstay for players of all skill levels. With his earth-shattering abilities and unique talents, Earthshaker is a versatile pick who excels as a Support, Initiator, Disabler, and Nuker. In this guide, we’ll delve deep into everything Earthshaker has to offer—from his intriguing lore and powerful abilities to effective strategies, item considerations, and trivia that will elevate your game to the next level.
Who Is Earthshaker – Lore and Background
Earthshaker, originally named Raigor Stonehoof, is a manifestation of the elemental power of the earth itself. Emerging from the peaks of Nishai during a season marked by tremendous seismic activity, he is a being who created himself through sheer willpower. Taking the form of a mortal beast, he serves as a conduit for the immense and untapped forces of the earth. Despite his mortal appearance, his spirit remains indestructible and deeply connected to the ground beneath our feet. Upon his death, he is said to return to the earth as a prodigal son to replenish his elemental strength, awaiting rebirth.
This lore sets Earthshaker apart from many heroes, emphasizing his intrinsic bond with the plane of existence he was born from. His mighty totem serves both as a weapon and a channeling medium for his powers, enabling him to bring chaos and disruption to his enemies while empowering his allies.
Earthshaker’s Abilities – A Closer Look
Understanding Earthshaker’s abilities is key to unlocking his full potential on the battlefield. Let’s examine each of the hero’s skills and how they can be maximized in various scenarios.
Fissure
- Type: Spell / Magical
- Description: Earthshaker slams the ground with his totem, creating an impassable ridge of stone that stuns and damages enemies along its path.
- Features:
- Cast Animation: 0.69 seconds
- Cast Range: 1600 (1800 with Aghanim’s Shard)
- Stun Duration: 0.8 / 1 / 1.2 / 1.4 seconds
- Fissure Duration: 6.5 / 7 / 7.5 / 8 seconds
- Damage:110 / 160 / 210 / 260
- Cooldown: 18 / 17 / 16 / 15 seconds
- Aghanim’s Shard Upgrade: Allows Earthshaker to move across the Fissure and triggers an Aftershock along its path.
Usage Tips: Fissure is Earthshaker’s bread-and-butter ability for controlling the battlefield. Use it to block enemy escape paths, isolate key targets, and protect your carry in the laning phase.
Enchant Totem
- Type: No Target / AoE
- Description: Empowers Earthshaker’s totem, amplifying its damage and increasing attack range for his next attack.
- Features:
- Cast Animation: 0.5 + 0.48 seconds
- Attack Range Bonus: 100
- Duration: 14 seconds
- Aghanim’s Scepter Upgrade: Grants ground-targeting functionality, enabling Earthshaker to leap into a targeted area, cast Enchant Totem, and cleave on his next attack.
Usage Tips: This ability synergizes well with critical-damage items and talents. Use it for precise single-target bursts or enhanced mobility with the Scepter upgrade.
Aftershock
- Type: Passive / Spell / Magical
- Description: When Earthshaker casts an ability, Aftershock triggers an additional AoE stun and deals magic damage around him.
- Features:
- Stun Duration: 1 / 1.1 / 1.2 / 1.3 seconds
- Damage: 70 / 100 / 130 / 160
- Radius: 600
Usage Tips: This passive dramatically increases the effectiveness of Earthshaker’s spells in close-quarter engagements. Chain your abilities to maximize stuns and damage output during team fights.
Echo Slam
- Type: No Target / AoE
- Description: Earthshaker sends shockwaves through the battlefield, dealing base damage and triggering echoes from affected enemies.
- Features:
- Cast Animation: 0 + 1.33 seconds
- Base Damage: 100 / 140 / 180
- Echo per Hero: 2
- Echo per Creep: 1
- Less effective on creeps.
Usage Tips: Echo Slam is devastating in clustered team fights. Use Blink Dagger or Aghanim’s Scepter for an impactful initiation and follow it up with other abilities for a game-changing moment.
Playstyle and Strategies
Earthshaker shines as a team fight initiator and map control specialist. Below are some strategic tips tailored to his role at various stages of the game.
Early Game
Earthshaker’s primary focus early on is to assist his lane partner. Use Fissure to block enemy heroes, set up kills, and protect your carry. Positioning is critical; poor Fissure placement can isolate your teammates instead of your enemies.
Mid Game
As the game progresses, Earthshaker evolves into a powerful ganker and team fight specialist. Invest in Blink Dagger to drastically improve your mobility and initiation capabilities. Combining Blink Dagger with Echo Slam is crucial for mid-game dominance.
Late Game
In the late game, Earthshaker becomes a high-impact initiator with the potential to turn fights around. Equip items like Aghanim’s Scepter for better mobility and Eul’s Scepter for crowd control. Position yourself to land multi-hero Echo Slams, especially in enemy choke points like ramps and high ground.
Key Items for Earthshaker
- Blink Dagger: A must-have for initiation. Enables Earthshaker to position himself perfectly for Echo Slam.
- Aghanim’s Scepter: Allows mobility with Enchant Totem’s leap functionality.
- Force Staff: Adds utility to reposition yourself or allies.
- Eul’s Scepter of Divinity: Helps with mana regeneration and crowd control.
- Lotus Orb: Reflects targeted spells while boosting your survivability.
Earthshaker – FAQ
What role does Earthshaker primarily play?
Earthshaker is best played as a Support, Initiator, Disabler, and Nuker. He excels at controlling fights and setting up game-changing abilities.
How does Aftershock work?
Aftershock is a passive ability that triggers an additional AoE stun and magical damage whenever Earthshaker casts a spell. The stun and damage scale with its level.
What is the best item build for Earthshaker?
Blink Dagger and Aghanim’s Scepter are core items. Force Staff, Eul’s Scepter, and Lotus Orb can also complement his playstyle well.
Is Earthshaker effective in the offlane?
Yes, with the right support and proper laning, Earthshaker can thrive in the offlane, especially when building towards Blink Dagger early.
Which heroes counter Earthshaker?
Clockwerk, Death Prophet, Disruptor, and Earth Spirit are effective counters to Earthshaker due to their ability to disrupt his positioning.
How can I counter Earthshaker?
Maintain good spacing during team fights to minimize the impact of his abilities, particularly Echo Slam. Heroes with silence or stuns can also disrupt him.
What is Earthshaker’s lore?
Earthshaker is a manifestation of earth energy, created by himself during a seismic season in the Nishai mountains. His spirit is indestructible, and he returns to the earth upon death.
Does Aghanim’s Shard benefit Earthshaker significantly?
Yes, it allows Earthshaker to cross Fissures he creates and adds Aftershock along the path of the Fissure, enhancing his utility and damage output.
What’s the cooldown on Echo Slam?
Echo Slam has a cooldown of 150/130/110 seconds depending on its level, making its timing critical in fights.
Can Earthshaker jungle effectively?
While it’s possible, jungling with Earthshaker is inefficient compared to laning due to mana constraints and his reliance on levels to maximize his abilities.
How to Play Earthshaker – A Step-by-Step Guide
- Early Laning: Use Fissure to support your carry and control the lane.
- Focus on Positioning: Position yourself defensively to maximize Fissure’s utility and avoid early deaths.
- Farm Blink Dagger: Secure farm or assists to build Blink Dagger as early as possible.
- Mid-Game Rotations: Use Blink and Echo Slam to gank and initiate team fights effectively.
- Map Awareness: Identify choke points for impactful stuns and Echo Slams in team fights.
- Enhance Mobility: Build Aghanim’s Scepter for improved engagement opportunities late game.
By mastering Earthshaker’s abilities, utilizing his talents, and building the right items, players can dominate matches with this legendary hero. Are you ready to make the earth tremble?
Source : NoobFromUA
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