Tidehunter, also known as Leviathan, is one of the most iconic heroes in Dota 2. Renowned for his durability, area control, and unmatched teamfight presence, Tidehunter dominates the battlefield with his formidable arsenal of abilities. A powerhouse in both early skirmishes and late-game team scenarios, Tidehunter fulfills multiple roles such as Initiator, Durable, Disabler, Nuker, and even Carry. Whether you’re new to Dota 2 or a seasoned gamer, this in-depth guide will equip you with everything you need to know about mastering this undersea Juggernaut.
Who is Tidehunter – Hero Overview
Tidehunter, also called Leviathan, emerges from the depths as a warrior with unparalleled resilience and power. His story, rooted in the lore-rich UNiVeRsE of Dota 2, paints a picture of a sea-behemoth tired of the endless politics of the Sunken Isles. Serving no master but his abyssal deity, Maelrawn the Tentacular, Tidehunter now roams the watery realms with a vendetta against Admiral Kunkka, a rivalry etched in the oceans of Legend.
Key Stats
- Primary Attribute: Strength
- Attack Type: Melee (Range: 150 units)
- Health: 2320 at level 30
- Mana: 747 at level 30
- Base Damage: 47–53
- Movement Speed: 300
- Armor: 2.4
Whether played in the offlane or as a support-focused disabler, Tidehunter boasts versatility and crowd-control abilities that make him invaluable in every phase of the game.
Tidehunter’s Abilities – A Detailed Breakdown
At the heart of Tidehunter’s gameplay is his diverse and impactful ability set. From soaking damage with passive tanking skills to devastating teamfights with his ultimate, every ability serves a strategic purpose.
Gush
- Type: Spell / Magical
- Effect: Summons a torrent of water to damage an enemy unit, reducing their armor and slowing their movement.
- Cast Range: 700 (2200 with Aghanim’s Scepter)
- Duration: 4.5 seconds
- Aghanim’s Upgrade: Transforms Gush into a ground-targeted wave spell that affects all enemies in a line and reduces cooldown significantly.
Usage: Gush is an excellentinitiation tool for opportunities where Tidehunter needs to pin down enemies or secure kills with its movement reduction and armor debuff effects.
Kraken Shell
- Type: Passive
- Effect: Reduces damage taken from physical attacks and removes negative status effects when cumulative damage exceeds a certain threshold (450 damage).
- Blocked Physical Damage: 15/35/55/75
- Proc Chance: 100%
Usage: Kraken Shell makes Tidehunter a nightmare to deal with in trades and skirmishes. Its built-in cleanse against stuns, slows, and other debilitating effects places him at the frontline of engagements.
Anchor Smash
- Type: Physical / Instant Attack
- Effect: Tidehunter swings his anchor to deal bonus damage to nearby foes and decrease their attack power.
- Debuff Duration: 6 seconds
- Proc Chance: 50% on default attacks
Trivia: The anchor Tidehunter wields was allegedly stolen from Admiral Kunkka’s vessel, an ode to their bitter feud.
Ravage
- Type: Active
- Effect: Tidehunter slams the ground, unleashing monstrous tentacles that stun and damage all enemies in a large radius.
- Stun Duration: Scales with talent upgrades, making it one of the best teamfight ultimates in Dota 2.
Usage: Ravage is Tidehunter’s defining ability, often used to turn the tide of battles. Timing its deployment during pivotal teamfights separates skilled Tidehunter players from the rest.
The Evolution of Tidehunter – Aghanim’s Upgrades
Tidehunter boasts incredible adaptability thanks to Aghanim’s Scepter and Shard upgrades. These enhancements elevate his performance and utility in specific contexts of the game.
Aghanim’s Scepter
- Transforms Gush into a ground-targeted wave ability.
- Increases Gush’s range from 700 to 2200.
- Reduces its cooldown, making it spammable for constant harassment or wave-clearing.
Aghanim’s Shard
- Grants the new passive ability Dead in the Water.
- Anchors enemies within a certain radius, slowing their escape.
- Useful for keeping targets locked down in chaotic teamfights.
Tidehunter’s Talents – Leveling Choices
Tidehunter’s talent tree serves as a customization tool, allowing players to adapt to the dynamic challenges presented in matches. Below are some of his most impactful talents:
- Increased Anchor Smash damage and improved effects on buildings.
- Greater Ravage stun duration to maximize control during teamfights.
- Additional armor reduction and damage for Gush, enhancing its early-game impact.
- Attribute bonuses to provide more durability and scaling power.
How to Play Tidehunter
Whether defending objectives or initiating critical fights, Tidehunter relies on situational decision-making. Here’s a step-by-step guide to dominating as Tidehunter:
Early Game
- Secure farm safely in the offlane or pressure the enemy with Anchor Smash.
- Focus on last-hitting creeps while harassing safe-lane heroes with Gush.
- Rush core items such as Arcane Boots and Magic Wand to maintain mana flow and sustain in lane.
Mid Game
- Pick up a Blink Dagger to initiate fights effectively.
- Use Ravage strategically — save it for teamfights or multiple-hero engagements.
- Transition to tanky utilities such as Pipe of Insight or Guardian Greaves if your team lacks sustain.
Late Game
- Combine your ultimate with a Refresher Orb to devastate enemies in prolonged fights.
- Build situational items such as Shiva’s Guard or Black King Bar to deal with high physical damage or magic burst teams.
FAQ – Tidehunter in Dota 2
What role does Tidehunter primarily play?
Tidehunter is primarily played as an Initiator, Durable, or Offlane hero. However, he can also transition into a Carry or support Disabler role if needed.
How does Kraken Shell work?
Kraken Shell passively blocks a portion of physical damage and removes all negative status effects once the hero takes cumulative damage exceeding 450.
What makes Ravage so powerful?
Ravage stuns all enemies within its radius, making it one of the strongest teamfight abilities in the game. The long stun duration and wide radius give Tidehunter unparalleled area control.
Which items are best for Tidehunter?
Core items for Tidehunter include Blink Dagger, Refresher Orb, Pipe of Insight, Shiva’s Guard, Guardian Greaves, and Black King Bar, depending on the game’s requirements.
Is Tidehunter effective in lower-ranked games?
Yes, Tidehunter’s straightforward skill set and durability make him great for beginners, though his ultimate timing requires practice for maximum impact.
What is Dead in the Water?
Dead in the Water is the passive ability granted by Aghanim’s Shard, which anchors enemies within a radius, slowing their escape and enhancing area control.
How do you counter Tidehunter?
Effective counters include heroes with silences or break mechanics that disable his passives, such as Doom, Silencer, or Shadow Demon.
What is Tidehunter’s synergy with Kunkka?
Tidehunter and Kunkka are lore rivals. Their abilities, however, rarely overlap but can combo well in certain lineups. Gush reduces armor, enabling Kunkka’s high physical damage abilities.
Does Tidehunter need farm?
While farm helps Tidehunter scale with tanky and utility items, he can function effectively even with limited resources if played as a Disabler or Initiator.
What patch changes have impacted Tidehunter recently?
Please refer to official patch notes or community hubs like liquipedia.Net/dota2 for detailed updates on Tidehunter’s tweaks and improvements.
Source : Rizpol
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