Rubick, also known as the Grand Magus, is one of the most versatile and captivating heroes in Dota 2. Known for his unique ability to steal and use enemy spells, Rubick showcases an unparalleled level of skill expression and strategic depth in gameplay. Whether it’s turning the tide of battle by casting a stolen ultimate or supporting his team with his crowd-control and utility, Rubick offers something for players who relish cerebral and mechanically rewarding gameplay. Let us take a deep dive into Rubick’s lore, abilities, talents, itemization, strategies, and more to understand his impact on the game and why he’s revered as one of the most dynamic support heroes in Dota 2.
Background and Lore – The Journey of the Grand Magus
Rubick’s story is one of power and intrigue. As the son of Aghanim, a legendary mage, Rubick inherited a natural aptitude for magic. His name draws inspiration from the Hungarian inventor Ernő Rubik, the creator of the iconic Rubik’s Cube. This subtle nod represents Rubick’s puzzle-solving prowess in both his backstory and gameplay.
Rubick ascended to the esteemed title of Grand Magus through a harrowing journey. During his youth, numerous assassination attempts were made on his life. It was during his seventh attempt that Rubick discovered his innate genius: the ability to steal and manipulate the arcane abilities of others. This newly found power became his defining skill, allowing him to survive and eventually challenge the mightiest of mages to claim his title. Rubick’s ability to counter and defeat his enemies using their own spells against them solidified his legacy as a master of the arcane.
Roles and Playstyle – A Multifaceted Support
Rubick is primarily played as a support hero, but his versatility allows him to function as a disabler, a nuker, and even as a situational core in certain matches. His gameplay revolves around crowd control, spell amplification, and the strategic use of the abilities he steals from enemies. What sets him apart from other support heroes is his lack of dependence on farming. Rubick remains impactful throughout the game, thriving on positioning and timing rather than item dependency.
In team compositions, Rubick shines by providing reliable control through Telekinesis, reducing the enemy team’s damage output with Fade Bolt, and turning the tide of battles with a well-timed use of stolen spells. His effectiveness lies in his ability to outplay opponents with intelligence and adaptability.
Abilities – Master of the Arcane
Telekinesis
Type: Targeted Ability
Effect: Telekinesis lifts an enemyunit into the air for 0.95 to 1.7 seconds, disabling their abilities and movement. Once suspended, Rubick can throw the enemy unit to a nearby location, creating a small area of effect stun upon landing. The landing stun lasts for 0.9 to 1.5 seconds and affects all enemies within a radius of 300 to 375 units.
Telekinesis is a premier crowd-control ability, making it an excellent tool for initiating or securing kills. It synergizes well with Rubick’s need to disrupt enemy positioning, isolate heroes, and create openings for his team to capitalize on.
Fade Bolt
Type: Targeted Ability
Effect: Fade Bolt hurls a bolt of arcane energy at a target, which bounces to nearby enemies up to 5 times. The initial damage dealt is 100 to 325 (scaling with ability level) and reduces the attack damage of affected units for 10 seconds. With the level 10 talent, the damage reduction scales from 26% to 47%, making it a reliable tool for damping enemy carry output.
Fade Bolt is vital for early-game wave-clearing, harassing enemies in laning, and reducing the damage output of heavy-hitting enemy cores. The balanced cooldown of 10 seconds ensures it remains a consistent tool throughout the game.
Arcane Supremacy
Type: Passive
Effect: Arcane Supremacy passively increases Rubick’s spell damage by 14% to 26% and extends his spell-casting range by 100 to 250 units.
The bonus spell damage makes Rubick significantly more impactful, especially when combining it with potent spell-stealing opportunities. This ability also synergizes with Rubick’s item builds, such as Aether Lens, to amplify his spell-casting potential and restore mana quickly.
Spell Steal (Ultimate)
Type: Targeted Ability
Effect: Spell Steal enables Rubick to acquire the last used ability of an enemy hero. The stolen spell is amplified by 10% to 30%. The duration of the stolen spell can last for up to 3 to 5 minutes or until Rubick uses it or dies.
Spell Steal is the defining feature of Rubick that makes him truly unique in Dota 2. The sheer range of strategic choices Rubick presents by casting stolen spells allows him to counter some of the game’s most dangerous heroes, ranging from Enigma to Magnus. The player’s ability to maximize the potential of stolen spells distinguishes an average Rubick player from a masterful one.
Talents – Customizing Rubick’s Arsenal
Level 10:
- +10% Fade Bolt damage reduction
- +175 Telekinesis land damage
Level 15:
- -25% Stolen Spell cooldown
- +0.6 seconds Telekinesis lift duration
Level 20:
- +240 Telekinesis land distance
- -4 seconds Fade Bolt cooldown
Level 25:
- +40% spell amplification for Spell Steal
- -12 seconds Telekinesis cooldown
Item Builds – Equipping the Grand Magus
Core Items
- Aether Lens: Increases cast range and improves mana regeneration, making it crucial for Rubick’s ability usage.
- Blink Dagger: Essential for positioning, helping Rubick execute the perfect Telekinesis initiation or escape.
- Glimmer Cape: Offers survivability and allows Rubick to disengage or aid teammates with invisibility.
- Force Staff: Adds additional mobility for escaping or chasing down enemies.
Situational Items
- Eul’s Scepter: Excellent for self-dispelling debuffs or temporarily disabling opponents.
- Veil of Discord: Amplifies magic damage, synergizing with his spell-stealing capabilities.
- Black King Bar (BKB): Rarely built but can be essential when facing heavy magic damage combos.
General Strategy – How to Play Rubick Effectively
Rubick’s gameplay revolves around positioning, awareness, and flexibility. Here are some core strategies:
- Focus on positioning—a good Rubick player knows when to engage and when to hold back.
- Steal high-impact abilities in team fights from enemy heroes like Enigma, Earthshaker, or Magnus.
- Use Fade Bolt during laning to harass enemies and control creep equilibrium.
- Initiate fights or counter enemy advances with Telekinesis, buying time for your team to capitalize.
- Coordinate with your team to maximize the utility of stolen spells and take advantage of enemies’ mistakes.
FAQ – Rubick in Dota 2
What role does Rubick play in Dota 2?
Rubick is primarily a support hero, but his versatility allows him to perform as a disabler, nuker, and even offlaner depending on the matchups.
What are Rubick’s strengths?
Rubick excels at spell stealing, countering heroes with high-value ultimates, and providing consistent crowd control through Telekinesis and Fade Bolt.
What are Rubick’s weaknesses?
Rubick lacks escape mechanisms, has low base stats, and is vulnerable to burst damage. His effectiveness also hinges on the quality of spells available to steal.
Which spells should I prioritize stealing as Rubick?
High-impact ultimates such as Black Hole, Reverse Polarity, and Chronosphere are top-priority targets for Rubick.
What items should I prioritize on Rubick?
Aether Lens, Blink Dagger, and Force Staff are core items that improve Rubick’s utility and survivability.
How can I maximize Rubick’s impact in team fights?
Use Telekinesis to control high-value targets, position yourself strategically, and steal game-changing spells from the enemy team.
How does Rubick counter specific heroes?
Rubick counters heroes like Enigma, Zeus, and Magnus by stealing their spells and using them more effectively against their team.
Should Rubick be played as a core?
While Rubick thrives as a support, he can function as a core in situations where the enemy team has heroes with impactful magic abilities.
What talent build is best for Rubick?
The ideal talent choices depend on the game’s context. Generally, reduced Stolen Spell cooldown and additional spell amplification are highly valuable in most situations.
How does Rubick perform in the late game?
Rubick’s ability to steal impactful spells ensures his relevance in every phase of the game, especially in the late game, where stolen abilities can turn team fights around.
How-To Guide – Steps to Master Rubick
- Understand the Hero Pool: Familiarize yourself with enemy heroes and their abilities to maximize the potential of Spell Steal.
- Positioning is Key: Stay at the back during fights and use Blink Dagger to position yourself for offensive plays.
- Itemize Smartly: Build items like Aether Lens and Force Staff for utility and survivability.
- Spell Efficiency: Use abilities like Fade Bolt and Telekinesis strategically to disrupt enemy movements and reduce their damage output.
- Communicate: Coordinate with your team to ensure that the spells you steal work well with your team’s composition and objectives.
In conclusion, Rubick is the epitome of an intelligent and high-skill hero. His mechanics encourage players to think creatively, anticipate enemy movements, and turn the tide of battle with his ability to outplay even the strongest adversaries. For players willing to invest time and effort into mastering him, Rubick offers unmatched satisfaction and impact in the ever-competitive battlefield of Dota 2.
Source : hOlyhexOr
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