The Mage Slayer is a powerful and versatile item in Dota 2 that has gained significant traction among players, especially after recent buffs and adjustments. Designed to counter heavy spell damage, this item provides a mix of survivability, utility, and offensive capability. Whether you are looking to mitigate spell damage, enhance your attack speed, or weaken enemy casters, Mage Slayer offers a well-rounded solution. In this comprehensive guide, we explore everything you need to know about Mage Slayer, including its components, attributes, recent changes, strategic impact, and the best heroes to use it with.
What is Mage Slayer in Dota 2?
Mage Slayer is a mid-tier item in Dota 2 that provides a unique blend of magic resistance, attack speed, intelligence, and a debilitating debuff. The item has been particularly valuable against spellcasting heroes, making it a great counter-pick in many scenarios. With its ability to reduce the damage output of magical nukers, Mage Slayer has become a staple item in certain matchups.
Mage Slayer – Components and Cost
To craft Mage Slayer, players need the following components:
- Cloak – Provides magic resistance.
- Blade of Alacrity – Grants agility to improve attack speed.
- Claymore – Adds a damage component.
- Recipe (400 gold) – Final recipe which was increased in cost in patch 7.35c.
Total cost: 2825 gold
Mage Slayer – Attributes and Bonuses
Mage Slayer offers several stat bonuses and a unique passive effect:
- +20% Magic Resistance – Protects against magical damage (reduced from 25% in patch 7.35c).
- +45 Attack Speed – Significantly boosts attack rate.
- +10 Intelligence – Useful for mana-dependent heroes.
- +2 Mana Regeneration – Aids sustain in fights.
- Debuff Effect: When attacking an enemy, Mage Slayer applies a debuff, reducing their spell damage by 40% for 3 seconds (down from 6 seconds in previous patches). It also deals 25 damage per second. This debuff is dispellable.
Recent Changes to Mage Slayer
Mage Slayer has undergone several significant changes in recent patches, leading to increased adoption among players.
Patch 7.35 Changes
- Now a standalone item instead of a component for Bloodthorn.
- Gained +45 attack speed.
- Debuff was introduced to deal 20 damage per second (later increased to 25 in patch 7.35c).
- Removed attack damage bonus.
Patch 7.35b Changes
- The spell damage reduction debuff was buffed from 35% to 40%.
Patch 7.35c Changes
- Recipe cost increased from 200 to 400 gold.
- Magic resistance reduced from 25% to 20%.
- DoT damage increased from 20 to 25 damage per second.
- Debuff duration reduced from 6 seconds to 3 seconds.
Strategic Impact of Mage Slayer
Mage Slayer is highly effective for multiple reasons:
- Magic Resistance Boost: Enhances durability against spellcasters.
- Attack Speed Increase: Enables more frequent application of the debuff.
- Debuff Application: Reduces spell damage from enemies in fights.
Because of these strengths, the item plays a crucial role in countering spell-heavy lineups.
Best Heroes for Mage Slayer
While Mage Slayer can be useful on various heroes, it is particularly strong on those who:
- Frequently attack enemies to apply the debuff.
- Benefit from additional attack speed.
- Need magic resistance to survive against spellcasters.
Recommended Heroes:
- Slark – Applies the debuff consistently with his rapid attacks.
- Void Spirit – Gains magic resistance and complements his aggressive playstyle.
- Tidehunter – Can use the debuff along with his tanky nature.
How to Use Mage Slayer Effectively
To maximize the benefits of Mage Slayer, follow these steps:
- Purchase it against magic-heavy lineups – If the enemy team has high spell damage output, Mage Slayer is a great choice.
- Ensure active attacks – Since the debuff applies on-hit, make sure to keep attacking key targets.
- Pair it with other resistances – Items like Black King Bar and Pipe of Insight can further mitigate magical damage.
- Target high-priority spellcasters – Heroes like Lina, Zeus, and Leshrac are prime targets.
FAQ – Mage Slayer in Dota 2
What does Mage Slayer do in Dota 2?
It reduces the spell damage of enemies hit by its debuff while granting magic resistance and attack speed.
How much does Mage Slayer cost?
The total cost of Mage Slayer is 2825 gold, including a 400 gold recipe.
Which heroes should buy Mage Slayer?
Heroes like Slark, Void Spirit, and Tidehunter can make excellent use of its bonuses.
Is Mage Slayer a good item?
Yes, it is highly effective against magic-heavy lineups and provides great utility in fights.
Does Mage Slayer stack with other spell resistance items?
Yes, but its effects are subject to diminishing returns when combining with other resistance items.
Can the Mage Slayer debuff be dispelled?
Yes, the debuff applied by Mage Slayer can be removed using dispel effects.
What patch recently changed Mage Slayer?
Patch 7.35 and its subsequent updates (7.35b, 7.35c) made significant changes to Mage Slayer.
Does Mage Slayer work on illusions?
No, the effects of Mage Slayer are not transferred to illusions.
How long does the Mage Slayer debuff last?
As of patch 7.35c, the debuff lasts for 3 seconds.
Does Mage Slayer provide raw attack damage?
No, attack damage was removed from the item in its redesign.
Conclusion
Mage Slayer in Dota 2 is an effective item to counter magical damage while providing attack speed and intelligence. Its unique debuff makes spellcasters less effective, providing a significant strategic advantage in team fights. If you’re up against magic-heavy lineups, consider adding Mage Slayer to your build for increased survivability and utility.
Source : GameLeap Dota 2 Pro Guides
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