Weaver, also known as Skitskurr, is one of the most dynamic and elusive heroes in Dota 2. Revered for his agility and relentless mobility, Weaver can turn the tide of any battle, assuming players master his timing and nuanced mechanics. This multifaceted carry hero thrives in various roles, such as a damage-dealer, escape artist, or even as an offbeat support pick, thanks to his versatile toolkit. Despite being relatively fragile, Weaver compensates with superior map control, split-push potential, and clutch survivability through swift movements and disruptive abilities. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve deep into Weaver’s lore, gameplay mechanics, abilities, itemization, and advanced strategies to help you dominate your matches.
Understanding Weaver – Attributes, Roles, and Core Stats
Weaver belongs to the agility cohort of heroes and is primarily played as a carry, although he has the flexibility to fit other roles like a disabler or playmaker. Let’s examine his core attribute growth and how it influences his gameplay:
- Strength: 16 + 2.0 per level
- Agility: 20 + 3.3 per level (Primary attribute)
- Intelligence: 17 + 2.0 per level
Weaver’s agility scaling ensures rapid attack speed and increased damage as the game progresses. However, his low strength and intelligence scaling underline his fragility and mana dependency, making positioning and resource management critical to his success.
The Lore Behind Weaver
Weaver, or Skitskurr, was once an otherworldly artisan responsible for weaving the very fabric of creation. Dissatisfied with this monotonous destiny, he yearned to create rather than repair. This rebellion led to his banishment by the cosmic overseers. Now unfettered, Skitskurr manipulates dimensions, rewriting reality itself. His newfound freedom breathes life into his unpredictable fighting style as he defies linear constraints of time and space.
Abilities – Weaver’s Skillset in Detail
Weaver’s abilities are designed to exploit his exceptional mobility, deal consistent damage, andreshape time in his favor. Here, we’ll explore each ability in depth:
The Swarm (Q)
The Swarm unleashes a swarm of 12 beetles that latch onto enemies in their path. These beetles inflict constant physical damage and reduce the target’s armor with every attack.
- Armor reduction: 1 per beetle attack.
- Attack interval: 1.15/1/0.85/0.7 seconds depending on the skill level.
- Beetle durability: 6/6/8/8 hits to destroy (heroes deal double damage).
- Vision: Beetles provide flying vision.
The Swarm excels in team fights as it cripples enemy defenses, making them vulnerable to physical bursts from Weaver and his allies. Proper positioning ensures the swarm afflicts multiple opponents.
Shukuchi (W)
Shukuchi turns Weaver invisible and grants maximum movement speed, damaging enemies he phases through.
- Buff duration: 4 seconds.
- Fade time: 0.25 seconds.
- Enemy slow: 100% for 0.2 seconds.
- Aghanim’s Shard: Adds a secondary Geminate Attack on marked enemies when Weaver reappears.
The burst mobility of Shukuchi makes it Weaver’s core escape mechanism and also opens up opportunities for precision ganks, chasing enemies, or split-pushing lanes.
Geminate Attack (E)
Geminate Attack enables Weaver to perform a bonus attack on his target, enhancing his damage output significantly.
- Bonus attack damage: 20/35/50/65.
- Affects buildings, couriers, and units.
- Aghanim’s Shard: Triggers a secondary attack on marked targets from Shukuchi.
This passive ability is fundamental to Weaver’s playstyle, allowing him to shred through enemy heroes, objectives, or neutral creeps with unmatched efficiency.
Time Lapse (R)
Weaver’s ultimate ability, Time Lapse, rewinds his position to where he was 5 seconds earlier while restoring health and mana lost during that time.
- Aghanim’s Scepter: Time Lapse can now be cast on allied heroes.
Time Lapse is a potent survivability tool for clutch saves during fights, making it nearly impossible to pin Weaver down without proper disabling spells.
Innate Ability – Rewoven
Weaver’s innate ability, Rewoven, grants him a 50 bonus attack range for 7 seconds each time he casts an ability. This effect opens up aggressive and creative approaches to fights, especially given that it stacks independently with each cast.
Core Talents of Weaver
Weaver’s talent tree augments his potential further, providing key bonuses that significantly impact his gameplay:
- Level 10: Improved Geminate Attack damage or additional mana regen.
- Level 15: Reduced Shukuchi cooldown or enhanced The Swarm armor reduction.
- Level 20: Increased attack speed per stack of Rewoven or Magic Resistance.
- Level 25: Additional Geminate Attack or a longer Shukuchi duration.
Recommended Items for Weaver
Weaver’s items should focus on amplifying his damage, mobility, and survivability. Here’s an optimal item progression:
- Early Game: Wraith Band, Power Treads, Magic Stick, Ring of Aquila.
- Mid Game: Maelstrom, Dragon Lance, Black King Bar, or Diffusal Blade.
- Late Game: Butterfly, Daedalus, Aghanim’s Scepter, Satanic, or Manta Style.
Always adapt to your game’s flow and counter specific threats with items like MKB, Linken’s Sphere, or Lotus Orb as needed.
How-To Guide – Playing Weaver
How to Play Early Game
- Focus on securing last hits using Shukuchi.
- Keep an eye on enemy spells and predict ganks.
- Start building economic advantage for transitioning into the mid game.
How to Excel in the Mid Game
- Apply pressure with The Swarm during team fights.
- Split-push safely while always monitoring enemy positions.
How to Clutch the Late Game
- Capitalize on Time Lapse to win chaotic engagements.
- Prioritize killing enemy supports and backliners.
Interesting Trivia About Weaver
- Weaver’s lore ties deeply into the mythos of “time manipulation” rampant across Dota 2’s universe.
- Skitskurr’s aesthetic design blends insectoid features inspired by beetles and arachnids.
- Weaver’s ultimate, Time Lapse, is a fan favorite due to its clutch-battle saves.
FAQs About Weaver
What role does Weaver fill best?
Weaver thrives as a carry due to his scaling damage and agility, but he can adapt to play an off-lane Disruptor or even support.
What is the best counter to Weaver?
Heroes with silences, disables, or true sight, like Bloodseeker or Lion, can hinder Weaver’s effectiveness.
What makes Weaver’s Geminate Attack unique?
It allows Weaver to land two simultaneous attacks, significantly amplifying his DPS.
What is Weaver’s biggest weakness?
His limited durability makes him vulnerable to burst damage and crowd control.
How does Rewoven impact effective gameplay?
Rewoven increases attack range with each cast, incentivizing frequent ability usage for aggressive positioning.
Is Weaver a good choice for new players?
While highly mobile and fun, Weaver is best suited for experienced players who can manage positioning and cooldowns effectively.
What lanes are best for Weaver?
The safe lane is optimal, though he can sometimes perform well in the offlane with a proper support duo.
Can Weaver target allies with Time Lapse?
Yes, with Aghanim’s Scepter, Weaver can cast it on allies to reverse their time as well.
Why does Weaver rely on mobility?
Mobility is crucial for chasing kills, dodging enemy spells, and maintaining relevance in chaotic fights.
What abilities counter Weaver’s plays most?
True sight abilities, silences, and instant disables are the Bane of Weaver’s existence.
Source : Dota2HighSchool
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