Sand King, also known as Crixalis, is one of the most iconic heroes in Dota 2. As a versatile initiator, disabler, support, and nuker, he stands as a cornerstone for many team strategies. Sand King’s unique abilities make him a powerful presence on the battlefield, where his skillset can change the tides of a match. This hero commands respect for his ability to disrupt opponents, deal massive damage over time, and escape precarious situations with practiced ease. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned veteran, mastering Sand King can be a fulfilling experience that often leads to epic victories.
Hero Overview – Sand King
Sand King, or Crixalis, brings unparalleled utility to any Dota 2 team. With disruptive crowd-control abilities, explosive damage, and escape mechanisms, he is a hero who thrives whether he’s initiating team fights, defending towers, or roaming to pick off core targets. More than just a single role, Sand King is a flexible pick that scales well from early to late game if built correctly.
Lore and Background
Sand King is much more than a mere creature—he is a representation of the desert itself. He embodies the ferocious, unyieldingnature of the Scintillant Waste, from which he was born. Created as a fragment of the sentient sands by the Djinn of Qaldin, Sand King wears a magic armor that gives his arachnid form even greater menace. Crixalis traverses his territory as a warrior, Guardian, and ambassador, inseparable from the desert that shaped him. His every move echoes the violent, shifting tensions of the dunes, making him a primal force of nature within Dota 2’s fantastical UNiVeRsE.
Attributes and Stats
Sand King’s stats at level 1 provide a great baseline for his roles as an initiator and disabler. His mix of survivability, mana pool, and damage makes him particularly dangerous in skilled hands. Here’s a breakdown of his attributes and base stats:
Attribute Bonuses
- Strength: +22 HP and +0.1 HP regeneration per point
- Agility: +0.17 armor and +1 attack speed per point
- Intelligence: +12 MP and +0.05 MP regeneration, +0.1% magic resistance per point
- Main Attribute Bonus: +0.7 main attack damage per attribute point
Base Stats
- Health: 582
- Mana: 279
- Armor: 4.17
- Magic Resistance: 26.7%
- Attack Damage: 46.9 – 54.9
- Attack Speed: 110 (129 with items)
- Attack Range: 150 (melee)
- Vision Range: 1800/800
- Turn Rate: 0.6
Abilities
Burrowstrike
Type: Point/Unit Target
Description: Sand King tunnels through the earth, bursting through enemy units and applying damage and stun effects.
- Cast Range: 525/600/675/750
- Damage: 80/140/200/260
- Stun Duration: 1.2/1.4/1.6/1.8 seconds
- Additional Effects: Leaves a Caustic Finale debuff on units hit
Sand Storm
Type: No Target/Aura
Description: Creates a sandstorm around Sand King, damaging and obscuring him from enemies. The storm remains active until Sand King leaves the area.
- Duration: 16/20/24/28 seconds
- Radius: 575/650/725/800
Caustic Finale (Passive)
Type: Passive
Description: Injects venom into enemies on attack, causing them to explode on death, dealing area damage based on their maximum health.
- Base Damage: 15/35/55/75
- Max Health Bonus Damage: 4%/8%/12%/16%
- Duration: 4.5/5/5.5/6 seconds
Epicenter
Type: No Target
Description: Sand King causes the ground to shake violently, dealing damage and applying slows in a series of pulses. Each pulse increases the radius of the Epicenter.
- Slow: 30%-50% movement speed, reduces attack speed by 50/55/60
- Duration: 6 seconds
Upgrades and Talents
Aghanim’s Scepter
- Enhances Epicenter by randomly summoning Stinger Spines within its radius.
- Increases Burrowstrike cast range.
Aghanim’s Shard
- Triggers an automatic minor Epicenter pulse.
- Pulses cannot be altered or reduced by cooldown resets.
Talents
- Level 10: +35% Sand Storm Slow/Blind, +10 Epicenter Pulses
- Level 15: +100 Base Epicenter Radius
- Level 20: +150 Burrowstrike Cast Range
- Level 25: +20 Sand Storm Damage per Second
Item Builds and Strategies
Early Game
- Start with Soul Ring to alleviate mana issues.
- Pick up Boots of Speed for better mobility.
Mid Game
- Acquire Blink Dagger for powerful initiations.
- Add Veil of Discord to amplify ability damage.
Late Game
- Focus on control and survivability with Scythe of Vyse.
FAQ – Sand King Hero
How does Sand King counter invisible heroes?
Using Dust of Appearance or Sand Storm lets him manage invisible enemies efficiently.
What is Sand King’s role in team fights?
He initiates fights with Burrowstrike and follows up with an Epicenter for massive area damage.
Is Aghanim’s Scepter worth purchasing?
Yes, it significantly boosts Epicenter and adds massive damage in heavily contested fights.
How to Play Sand King – A Step-by-Step Guide
Maximize Sand King’s potential with these steps:
- Level up Burrowstrike first for lane control.
- Farm using Sand Storm and jungle.
By mastering positioning and timing with Epicenter, players ensure impactful contributions that shape the game.
Source : DotaCinemas
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