Faerie Fire, Faerie Fire is one of the most underrated consumable items in Dota 2. With its low cost and instant health restoration, this item can often be the difference between life and death in the early stages of the game. Whether you’re a mid laner looking for a crucial sustain boost or an aggressive player trying to secure an edge in fights, Faerie Fire provides a unique combination of bonus damage and emergency healing. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the specifics of Faerie Fire—its cost, benefits, and strategic applications—so you can master its proper use in your Dota 2 games.
What is Faerie Fire in Dota 2?
Faerie Fire is a basic consumable item in Dota 2 that provides a small yet impactful bonus to a player’s early-game stats. While its 2 bonus damage may seem trivial, the true strength of Faerie Fire lies in its unique active ability, Imbue, which instantly restores 85 health. This makes it a powerful survival tool, especially in the laning phase.
Faerie Fire – Availability and Cost
- Available at: Home Shop (under the Basic Items category)
- Cost: 65 gold
Faerie Fire is an affordable investment, making it a common purchase at the start of the game for heroes who need extra sustain in the lane.
Faerie Fire Stats and Ability
Base Combat Stats
- Provides +2 bonus attack damage.
Active Ability – Imbue
- Effect: Instantly restores 85 health.
- Cooldown: None (One-time consumable use).
- Target: Self-cast only.
Since Faerie Fire has no cooldown and is used instantly, it serves as a quick and effective way to avoid death from burst damage.
Key Characteristics of Faerie Fire
- Consumable: Disappears after use.
- Non-stackable: Each Faerie Fire must be used individually.
- Not shareable: Cannot be given to allies.
- Cannot be disassembled: Once bought, it cannot be broken down into other components.
Strategic Uses of Faerie Fire in Gameplay
Faerie Fire might not seemlike a game-changing item at first glance, but its applications can greatly impact early-game success. Here are some ways you can make the best use of this item:
Survivability in the Early Game
One of the best uses of Faerie Fire is to outplay opponents in the laning phase. When facing aggressive opponents who rely on securing early kills, having an 85 HP heal at a critical moment can turn deaths into escapes or even counter-kills.
Advantage in Skirmishes
Mid lane players often purchase Faerie Fire at the start due to its combination of bonus damage and emergency healing. This allows them to sustain lane pressure, ensuring they maintain an advantage in last-hitting while having a fallback option if harassed aggressively.
Better Trading Potential
Traders in the early game—especially those who rely on auto-attacks—will benefit from Faerie Fire’s damage bonus. A small advantage in damage can translate into a significant gold and experience lead over the course of several waves.
A Cheaper Alternative to Other Healing Items
While Healing Salve or Tango provide larger healing amounts, Faerie Fire delivers instant healing. It is particularly effective in situations where waiting for regen isn’t an option—as when an enemy is about to land the killing blow.
How to Use Faerie Fire Effectively
To get the most out of Faerie Fire in Dota 2, follow these simple tips:
- Buy it as a starting item: Many mid laners start with one or two Faerie Fires to ensure they have instant sustain in early engagements.
- Use it at the last moment: Timing is key—activate Faerie Fire at the last possible second to bait enemies into overcommitting and turn fights in your favor.
- Combine it with other regen items: While Faerie Fire provides instant healing, using it alongside Tango or Bottle can maximize its effectiveness.
- Consider using it for a clutch last hit: If you’re in a scenario where an extra bit of damage means securing a crucial creep or ranged creep, the bonus attack damage from Faerie Fire can make all the difference.
- Stack it for crucial moments: Having multiple Faerie Fires in your inventory is rare but can be an effective way to surprise enemies with unexpected sustain.
FAQ – Faerie Fire in Dota 2
What is Faerie Fire used for in Dota 2?
Faerie Fire is primarily used for instant health restoration and minor bonus damage in the early game. It is especially effective for mid and core heroes who rely on laning advantages.
When should I buy Faerie Fire?
You should buy Faerie Fire at the start of the game, especially as a mid laner or high-impact core, to gain an early trading advantage and emergency sustain.
How much health does Faerie Fire restore?
Faerie Fire restores 85 HP instantly when used.
Can Faerie Fire be used on allies?
No, Faerie Fire is a self-cast item and cannot be used on teammates.
Does Faerie Fire stack?
No, Faerie Fire does not stack. Each charge must be used individually.
How does Faerie Fire compare to Magic Stick?
Magic Stick stores charges to heal based on enemy ability usage, while Faerie Fire provides instant health restoration. Faerie Fire is cheaper and requires no conditions for activation.
Which heroes benefit the most from Faerie Fire?
Mid lane heroes like Queen of Pain, Storm Spirit, and Shadow Fiend benefit greatly from Faerie Fire due to its sustain and bonus damage.
Can I sell Faerie Fire after purchasing it?
Yes, but only if it hasn’t been used. Once consumed, it disappears from your inventory.
Should supports buy Faerie Fire?
Supports typically prioritize other regen items, but Faerie Fire can be useful for clutch saves in trades and engagements.
Is Faerie Fire worth buying in the late game?
Faerie Fire is generally an early-game item. In the late game, other survivability items like Satanic or Mekansm provide better value.
Conclusion
Faerie Fire might seem like a small and insignificant item at first glance, but its importance in the early game cannot be overstated. It provides crucial sustain, added last-hit potential, and unexpected survivability that can help turn the tide in lane fights. Whether you’re a mid laner looking to dominate your opponent or simply a player who wants extra security in engagements, Faerie Fire is a smart investment. Next time you start a match, consider including Faerie Fire in your starting inventory and experience the benefits yourself.
