Phantom Lancer, also known as Azwraith, is one of the most iconic heroes in Dota 2. Renowned for his ability to overwhelm opponents with a never-ending army of illusions, Phantom Lancer is a versatile hero who can fulfill multiple roles in a game. Whether you are new to Dota 2 or looking to sharpen your game knowledge, understanding all aspects of this elusive hero will help you dominate in both casual and competitive matches. In this article, we’ll dive deep into Phantom Lancer’s biography, abilities, talents, item builds, playstyle tips, and even some trivia that makes him stand out in the game.
Who is Phantom Lancer – Biography of Azwraith
Phantom Lancer, whose real name is Azwraith, is a warrior born from a distant, mythical land. He wields a sacred lance passed down through generations, said to embody the power of his people’s Ancient ancestors. Azwraith is characterized not only by his martial skill but also by his ability to summon illusory duplicates of himself through sheer force of will. These spectral clones confuse enemies, turning the tide of battle in his favor. With his mystical lance in hand and an arsenal of illusion-based abilities, Phantom Lancer remains an enigmatic yet deadly force on the battlefield, always shrouded in mystery and deception.
Phantom Lancer’s Attributes and Stats
| Attribute | Base Value | Per Level Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Health | 538 | +48.4 / Level |
| Mana | 327 | +21.6 / Level |
| Armor | 4.3 | +0.5 / Level |
| Attack Damage | 52-62 | +2.8 / Level |
| Attack Range | 225 (Melee) | – |
| Movement Speed | 285 | – |
| Turn Rate | 0.6 | – |
| Vision Range | 1800 (Day) / 800 (Night) | – |
Phantom Lancer’s Role in Dota 2
Phantom Lancer is a multi-faceted hero capable of excelling in a variety of roles during a match. Here’s a breakdown of his playstyle:
- Carry: Witha high-damage output and scaling abilities, Phantom Lancer is a formidable late-game carry.
- Durable: Thanks to his high agility and armor, he can survive extended fights.
- Nuker: Spirit Lance provides a significant damage burst and slow.
- Pusher: His illusions are incredibly effective at pushing lanes and quickly taking down towers.
- Escape: Phantom Lancer’s Doppelganger lets him evade dangerous situations with ease.
- Disabler: The slowing effect of Spirit Lance adds utility.
- Initiator: Combos like Phantom Rush and Doppelganger allow him to start team fights effectively.
Abilities – Mastering Phantom Lancer’s Skills
Spirit Lance
- Type: Active, Magical
- Description: Launches a magical lance at a target enemy, dealing damage, slowing their movement, and summoning an illusion to attack them.
- Cast Range: 600/650/700/750
- Damage: 70/140/210/280
- Slow Duration: 3.75 seconds
- Illusion Duration: 3.5/5/6.5/8 seconds
- Aghanim’s Scepter Upgrade: Spirit Lance bounces twice on enemies, prioritizing heroes, and increases illusion damage.
Doppelganger
- Type: Active
- Description: Phantom Lancer briefly vanishes, only to reappear with two doppelgangers at a random position within the target area. It also extends the duration of existing illusions.
- Cast Range: 575
- Reappear Time: 1 second
- Illusion Stats: One illusion takes 500% bonus damage and deals 80% less damage, while the other takes normal damage and deals no damage.
Phantom Rush
- Type: Toggle
- Description: Automatically triggers when Phantom Lancer attacks a target and is outside of the minimum proc distance. Provides an agility boost and charges him into combat.
- Haste Speed: 800
- Bonus Agility: 10/20/30/40
Juxtapose
- Type: Passive
- Description: Grants Phantom Lancer a chance to create an illusion of himself upon attacking. These illusions can further fracture into additional illusions.
- Proc Chance: 40%/45%/50%
- Max Illusions: 6/8/10
- Aghanim’s Shard Upgrade: Provides invisibility for 8 seconds and creates an additional decoy illusion.
Items and Equipment for Phantom Lancer
Core Items
- Diffusal Blade: Enhances illusion damage and provides a powerful mana-burn mechanic.
- Heart of Tarrasque: Boosts health and regeneration, making Phantom Lancer harder to kill.
- Butterfly: Grants agility, evasion, and damage—synergizes well with illusions.
Situational Items
- Manta Style: Additional illusions for better pushing and escaping silences.
- Black King Bar: Necessary against heroes with magical burst damage or crowd control abilities.
- Abyssal Blade: Adds lockdown for elusive enemy heroes.
Phantom Lancer’s Playstyle and Strategy
Early Game
The focus is on surviving the laning phase and building key items like Diffusal Blade. Use Spirit Lance sparingly to secure crucial last hits.
Mid Game
This is the time to hunt down vulnerable enemies, control the map, and apply pressure with illusions. Doppelganger can be used for engagement or escape.
Late Game
Phantom Lancer’s strength peaks in the late game. Leveraging your illusion army and high agility, you can take down even the tankiest opponents and split push lanes efficiently.
Tips & Tricks – How to Play Phantom Lancer
- Always maintain good positioning to avoid getting trapped by AoE damage spells.
- Use Doppelganger strategically, either for engaging, escaping, or dodging critical attacks.
- Buy Diffusal Blade early for aggressive maneuvers and increased farming potential.
- Scout enemy heroes using illusions, effectively minimizing risk to the real Phantom Lancer.
FAQ – Phantom Lancer in Dota 2
What is Phantom Lancer’s primary role in Dota 2?
Phantom Lancer is primarily played as a carry, focusing on farming and high-impact illusions to dominate in the late game.
How do Phantom Lancer’s illusions work?
Phantom Lancer and his illusions have a chance to spawn additional illusions when attacking enemies. These act as effective distractions and damage sources.
What are the best items for Phantom Lancer?
The best items include Diffusal Blade, Manta Style, Heart of Tarrasque, and Butterfly for increased agility, survivability, and illusion damage.
How can Phantom Lancer counter AoE-heavy team compositions?
Using Doppelganger to dodge AoE spells and maintaining distance helps minimize incoming damage.
Is Phantom Lancer beginner-friendly?
While his abilities are relatively straightforward, Phantom Lancer’s playstyle requires strategic thinking and illusion management, making him moderately challenging for beginners.
What heroes counter Phantom Lancer?
Heroes with strong AoE damage, like Earthshaker, Ember Spirit, and Leshrac, are natural counters to Phantom Lancer.
What heroes does Phantom Lancer counter?
Phantom Lancer excels against squishy supports and mana-dependant heroes due to Diffusal Blade’s mana-burn mechanic.
How should I use Doppelganger effectively?
Doppelganger should be used to dodge spells, reposition in fights, or escape from dangerous situations with the confusion it creates.
Why is Diffusal Blade essential?
The Diffusal Blade synergizes with Phantom Lancer’s illusion damage, amplifies farming efficiency, and provides strong offensive capabilities against mana-reliant enemies.
How do I counter Phantom Lancer?
Invest in AoE items or spells, carry detection for his illusions, and focus on warding to deny him safe farming opportunities.
Source : Dota2HighSchool
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