DOTA Hero Tips: Earthshaker

Earthshaker is undoubtedly one of the best initiators in DOTA. This is why Earthshaker is usually banned in Captain Mode games. Despite being a strength hero, he has a very good set of passive skills that can disable and greatly damage enemy heroes in groups. With his first skill, you can trap heroes and make them easier to kill. To bring out Earthshaker’s initiating capabilities buying a Kelen’s dagger is a must. An Aghanims Scepter is also recommended as it greatly boosts his ultimate skill’s damage. Being a strength hero, Earthshaker finds it easy to survive clashes. With the right items and a good background on how to use his skills effectively, Earthshaker will surely cause chaos in the battlefield and make it hell for the opposing team. If you are interested to use Earthshaker in an upcoming DOTA game, here are more relevant guidelines that you should know.

Early Game

Buying a bottle or not should depend on what lane Earthshaker is assigned. He is more effective in the top and bottom lane. If this is the case, it would be best to consider other items for mana regeneration. Rushing arcane boots is certainly a good idea. As much as possible, you should stay in fogged areas of the map. Enemy heroes in every lane will think twice about pushing given they don’t know where you are. If you are at the bottom lane, pull neutral creeps. Nonetheless, don’t be too far away from your partner hero in the lane so you can easily aid him with a stun if he’s ambushed. Earthshaker’s first skill is one of the best in the game. If you know what you are doing, you can easily trap a certain enemy hero and separate him from his allies. His second and third skills work hand in hand so upgrading them alternately is advisable. You can focus on harassing enemy heroes or leaving them baffled as to where you are. The decision as to what gameplay to follow should entirely depend on who you are up against. If most of them are strength types and can easily take your skills, the latter strategy should be applied. On the other hand, if majority of them are intelligence or agility type heroes, harassing them early on by spamming your first skill is a must.

Mid Game

By now, you should have a Kelen’s Dagger. This is where Earthshaker gains the spotlight. Roam and start hunting enemy carries. With his first and second skill plus a Kelen’s Dagger for better positioning, even the toughest or most agile heroes can’t escape an ambush initiated by Earthshaker. However, be sure to look at your mana before daggering to enemy ranks. You should have enough to cast all your skills. Earthshaker’s ultimate is more effective if casted on an area with a lot of heroes and creeps around. Be patient and wise in using it.

Late Game

Although the effectiveness of Earthshaker’s skills are lessened in the later part of the game as most enemy heroes purchased items to counter them, he can still decide a clash. If casted on the right moment, his ultimate skill can instantly kill two or three enemy heroes and greatly damage the rest. Your carry can easily dispatch the remaining ones. You should focus more on buying items that can help you survive during clashes. If you won’t die easily, you’ll have more chances to cast your skills and leave enemy heroes helpless against your team’s hitters.