[Lich] Without a Trace of Warmth

[FlamingFist]

Guide Version|Forum Version

Table Of Contents

1. Story
2. Introduction
3. Info and Stats
4. Skill Explanation
5. Skill Build
6. Item Build
7. Strategy
8. Hero Synergy
9. Replays
10. Others
11. Conclusion
12. Credits

I. Hero's Story

Forcibly raised from the dead by the Lich King to serve as his elite magical guard, the Lich has the burning cold of Northrend in his realm of control. Evoking numerous freezing blasts, his talent in life still remains in death. Delving into the essence of cold magic, he has the power to cause ice to condense into an orb that bounces from foe to foe, causing tremendous pain in its wake. Sacrificing his allies for magical power, the Lich is a murderer without a trace of warmth.

2. Introduction

Lich, probably the babysitter/support/hard lane solo in the game. This versatility makes him insta firstpick for most teams.

When to Pick

- When your team needs mid game damage
- When your team needs an offensive babysitter
- Anytime

When not to Pick

- When your team lacks ganking power. Hes not the best roamer out there and does much better laning.
- When you team is filled with fragile int and agi heroes
- When enemy teams goes for mass summons push strat.

3. Info And Stats

Basic Hero information found here: Kel'Thuzad, Lich

4. Skill Explanation

Frost Nova

Blasts enemy units around a target enemy unit with a wave of damaging frost that slows movement and attack rates for 4 seconds.
Level 1 - Deals 50 to the target damage and 75 AoE damage.
Level 2 - Deals 100 to the target damage and 100 AoE damage.
Level 3 - Deals 125 to the target damage and 125 AoE damage.
Level 4 - Deals 175 to the target damage and 150 AoE damage.
• Damage type: magical
• Frost slows movement speed by 30% and attack speed by 20%.
• Casting range: 600
• Area of Effect: 200
Mana Cost: 125/150/170/190
Cooldown: 9.25/9.25/9.25/8

Lich's primary harassing spell at early game, as well as killing spell.Nova's slow can also save your allies and let you do an additional 2-3 attacks from max range. You basically spam nova then dark ritual your creeps.

Frost Armor

Creates a shield of frost around a target friendly unit. The shield adds armor and slows attacking melee units for 2seconds. Lasts 40 seconds.
Level 1 - Adds 3 armor.
Level 2 - Adds 6 armor.
Level 3 - Adds 9 armor.
Level 4 - Adds 12 armor.
• Frost slows movement speed by 30% and attack speed by 20%.
• If autocast is activated, the Lich will cast this spell on nearby allies who are attacked.
• Casting range: 800
Mana Cost: 25
Cooldown: 5

Best used against roshan and melee dpsers. Nothing much to say, pretty spammable.

Dark Ritual

Sacrifices a target friendly unit to convert its hit points into mana.
Level 1 - Converts 15% of the current HP of the creep to mana.
Level 2 - Converts 30% of the current HP of the creep to mana.
Level 3 - Converts 45% of the current HP of the creep to mana.
Level 4 - Converts 60% of the current HP of the creep to mana.
• Enemy heroes get no experience from creeps killed with Dark Ritual.
Casting range: 400
Mana Cost: 25
Cooldown: 35/30/25/20

This skill satisfies Lich's early game mana problems, makes constant spamming for Frost Nova like no problem. This skill made Lich permapick or permafirstpick in competitive games.(due to the buff, 2years ago Ritual's cd was 55/50/45/40). Even tards should know when to use this.

Chain Frost

Releases a jumping breath of frost that jumps 7 times.
Level 1 - Deals 280 damage per jump, 370 damage with Aghanim's Scepter.
Level 2 - Deals 370 damage per jump, 460 damage with Aghanim's Scepter.
Level 3 - Deals 460 damage per jump, 550 damage with Aghanim's Scepter.
• Damage type: magical
• Frost slows movement speed by 30% and attack speed by 20%.
• The first target of this skill is ministuned.
• Casting range: 750
• Area of Effect: 600
Mana Cost: 200/325/500
Cooldown: 145/115/60

Best used against 2-3 heroes because it wont do that much damage if you cast this vs 5 enemies, without surrounding creeps/summons. Too hard to get all 7 bounces hit heroes, dont get too disappointed, 3-5 bounces at hero should be fine. Gives "Flying vision"(visit this link). tl;dr DWS21 - SMM again, HFGL update, Vision, and Riddle hints! - YouTube @ 5:05

5. Skill Build

1. Frost Nova/Frost Armor/Dark Ritual
2. Frost Nova
3. Frost Nova
4. Dark Ritual
5. Frost Nova
6. Chain Frost
7. Frost Nova
8. Dark Ritual
9. Dark Ritual
10. Frost Armor
11. Chain Frost
12. Frost Armor
13. Frost Armor
14. Frost Armor
15. Stats
16. Chain Frost
17. Stats

Any skill could be useful at lvl 1. Frost Nova is the option at level 1 if your team plans to gank with lich, although most of the time no. Dark Ritual is the best choice at level 1. Frost Nova wont do much damage anyway, plus the fact that you already denied 1 creep before they even hit your creeps is just gay. Frost Armor should only be gotten at lvl 1 5 man roshan attempts.

Nova should be maxed first at level 7, followed by Ritual at level 9(i said earlier that i personally leave ritual at level 3 and skill frost armor but your choice) and ulti whenever possible.

6. Item Build

Early Game Items



Start with a Chicken or a pair of Wards, Salve and the rest is GG Branches.I personally prefer Chicken/Ward + Salve + 4 GG branches, lich is the only support that does not need clarities. Later on, buy Ring of Regen and then later complete Headress. Bracers gives stats and can be upgraded to a janggo later on. Special mention would be Boots + Tango if soloing a Trilane because thats what the Chinese do.

Core Items




Upgrade your chick into Courier, it provide better mobility and faster delivery. Lich doesnt really need null talisman, Dark Ritual solves his problem in mana. Wand is one of the most powerful and useful low-tier item in dota, it also makes use of the shittons of branches you bought as starting item. Upgrade your bracers to a Janggo if no one in your team got it also your headdress to Mekansm, gives you overall nc stats and a Aoe heal. Lich is one of common wielders of meka in competitive games because of the mana gaining ability.Dont forget to buy wards/blue wards/dust and whatever your team needs. Urn is also good but get it if no one buys it.

After Core

After u got Meka, Janggo boots basically you can just buy anything. Wards/Blue Ward/Dust/Force Staff/Mass Bracers/Veil/NecroBook and High Tier items like Guinsoo, Shivas, HoT. DPS items is obviously rejected.

7. Strategy

Nothing much to be said here. Deny using dark ritual at lvl 1, Spam Nova then Ritual. In laning, focus on denies. Lich got some nice stats/animation so no reason to get <10 denies not counting Ritual denies. Chain Frost whenever youre dying but not in the obviously worst situation, long cooldown is long so you might wanna save it and wait for respawn.

Additional Strategy

Roshan at Level 1

Line up of Lich/Syllabear +3 heroes(not random heroes of course, something that has summons and stuff) can take down roshan at lvl 1 even without items. Lich uses frost armor on syllabear's bear and then let bear tank and the rest auto attack. The reason why teams kill roshan at level is simple: he got less hitpoints, attack, and is weaker, it ensures a sure level 2 on all 5 players and an aegis OR Insta Level 5 too a hero(allies should leave out of EXP range).

Warding

Lich's item-independence makes him a candidate for warding. For guide in warding, refer here: [Warding]The Eyes of the Wolf by Lycan

Basic Knowledge

1. Tower Hugging. By last hitting efficiently, you can control the aggressiveness of the creep waves. Auto-attacking all the time will hasten your creep advance. This means your creeps will get to the opposition towers EARLIER therefore, dying faster and you not gaining EXP has quickly as you could have. Ritual + denies ensures good creep equilibrium

2. Harassing. The mana generated through your denying with DARK RITUAL + FROST NOVA and your occasional attack(A)-clicks on the enemy, over time, you can force them to return to the base, denying them tomoney, EXP and the ability to do the same to you.

3. Call missing heroes.(from all lanes) That's what a good babysitter is for.

8. Hero Synergy

Allies

Lich benefit from heroes with Mass Aoe positioning skillls like Dark Seer and Magnus. Compressing them and then possibly killing creeps makes enemies easy prey. Lich also benefit from AoE Disablers. Who doesnt benefit from them? Lich ensures the hardcarry farms under their tower. Lich is also the best hero paired with a hardcarry in the trending Dual-lane mid.

Enemies

Clones/Illusion makers such as Slithice, Phantom Lancer and Dark Seer makes Chain Frost weaker, and uneffective, Chen also counters lich for the same reason. Lich is fragile, nukers like Lina can kill him like one-two-three pwn. Panda, when critical, splits into OMGWTF panda and that is hard to kill even using ulti, even when you killled those 3 pandas, it counts as a suicide. Hardcarry's gonna instagib lich later so might as well add them to enemies

9. Replays

Nah, you would fine tons of them at GGnet. Youll see every Lich is similarly played by pro teams.

10. Others

Tower Attack Cycling

One way to stop the tower from attacking you is to press "A" key, (attack command) then left click on an ally creep that is full or close to full hp as if denying. This is useful to know if you like to dive towers. The tower will "cycle" pass you and start attacking another unit.


Animation Cancelling

Learn more about animations here:

Animations - Learn DotA

Newbie Guides:

Purge's Inclusive Guide for Noobs - DotA Guides
Improving Yourself - DotA Guides

11. Conclusion

So this is the end, thanks for reading my Lich guide. Lich will still reign as a TOP pick at competitive games and will be one of best heroes to start with in playing Dota. As same as int-based casters, he excels at early game but not that effective at late game as on early game. Lich is a murderer without a trace of warmth.

12. Credits

Credits to: All the guys who helped me with this guide 2 yrs ago, shoutout to PDPH

[iKrivetko]

I've heard something about getting Ritual at lvl 1 for denying/creepstopping purposes.
PT as core? Nah, I'd rather spend those ~1k on an extra aghanim part and head for a BoT later on.
Also, Blink Dagger is a very useful item for positioning Chain Frost.

[FunnyWarfare]

In fact you can skill any skill on lvl 1^^ I think that you replace Power Treats by BoT, too... Other good items are Refresher (in lategame), and maybe Skadi, thats cool for your frost theme Also you should mention the way he is mostly played in competitive games: Babysitting, ganking, letting the carry the farm. Items: Boots maybe 1 or 2 bracers and then chicken + wards. That doesn't really make him weaker because he is the item independentness in person. (He doesn't even need mana regeneration).

[Manta]

...Why treads? I don't think you need the AS.

[The Other Guy]

Very very nice, just one thing though...

I believe a "core" is something a hero needs asap to reach maximum effectiveness and everything else is either an extension of said core or luxuries. As such it might be better to remove BoT and Scepter from your core and put them as Extension items as it is rather unrialistic to get them every single game.

I'd also put blink dagger as an higher priority as BoT for the great mobility/positioning it provides.

So my core would be

Courier, Bracer/Wand, Boots, Mek

Extension

Blink/Point Booster ( order up to you ), Boot upgrade

With wards inbetween ofc.

EDIT: It is also worth mentioning how powerful a fast dagon on Lich is, as have been proved over the years.

[FlamingFist]

Originally Posted by The Other Guy

Very very nice, just one thing though...

I believe a "core" is something a hero needs asap to reach maximum effectiveness and everything else is either an extension of said core or luxuries. As such it might be better to remove BoT and Scepter from your core and put them as Extension items as it is rather unrialistic to get them every single game.

I'd also put blink dagger as an higher priority as BoT for the great mobility/positioning it provides.

So my core would be

Courier, Bracer/Wand, Boots, Mek

Extension

Blink/Point Booster ( order up to you ), Boot upgrade

With wards inbetween ofc.

EDIT: It is also worth mentioning how powerful a fast dagon on Lich is, as have been proved over the years.

Shortly: You mean to seperate Core and ExtendedCore? And also tnx for mentioning dagon.

[The Other Guy]

Originally Posted by BlackRain

Shortly: You mean to seperate Core and ExtendedCore? And also tnx for mentioning dagon.

Yes, just do this: Core > Extensions > Luxury

Core ( items you should get asap in ever game )

Extension ( Items you should get after core if the game allows it )

Luxuries ( Anything helpful, but only after core and extensions are complete )

[iKrivetko]

If you choosed solo than babysitting allies

Wut?


Other stuff:
Lich is a decent roamer, so you don't have to stay all the time on your lane even early game.
Frost Armor is a HUGE pain in the ass for your opponents' melee dpsers, so max it if there are plenty (that's mostly true for pubs obviously). It is also a decent counter to melee summons (Necro Warrior, Spirit Bear, Furion's Treants etc.)
Frost armor will slow centaur if he has levelled return when you attack him

[FlamingFist]

Originally Posted by iKrivetko

Wut?


Other stuff:
Lich is a decent roamer, so you don't have to stay all the time on your lane even early game.
Frost Armor is a HUGE pain in the ass for your opponents' melee dpsers, so max it if there are plenty (that's mostly true for pubs obviously). It is also a decent counter to melee summons (Necro Warrior, Spirit Bear, Furion's Treants etc.)
Frost armor will slow centaur if he has levelled return when you attack him

To level faster than your opponent.(If you choosed solo than babysitting allies(babysitting is better on competitive)

early game objective, at pubs. You need to lvl faster because lich can deal lots of damage and kill and kill. However, competitive gamers play him as babysitter.

i dont really agree with maxing armor. 3 bonus armor + your armor aura(from meka) will be enough. Besides slow values does not improve in levelling it. maybe yes at pubs

Edit: Decent roamer, but not that good, heroes with stun will always be the best roamer.

[Lycan]

When your team needs a (Defensive) babysitter

4.
Nova she slow can save your allie and let you do an additional 2-3 attacks from max range
Chain frost can be used as inniate. Try to lure at least two enemies away from their creeps for a Sweet Chain Frost
Chain frost + Counterganking is a fearsome tactic.


5. Skillbuild
I take Ritual at lvl 1 and max it first. This will make sure Lich needs near nothing. But if i don't need the mana sure burst damage is fine. But the point is lich skillbuild is rather flexible.

LVL 16. You taking a fifth level of Frost Armor :P? Chain frost dude

6. Itembuild

Magic Stick ? Wards up till the end.

PT core vs Agha core vs Phase core just don't get phase and your good to go.
Don't include Aghanims in your core build it's not needed. Sheep/Eul > Aghanim.

Mention Necrobook. Since it wins every ward wars.

7.

4. Call missing heroes. (from all lanes) That's what a good babysitter is for.

... You don't always have to Ward but you will have to pay for them and make sure that they are placed.



Format:
Overal Looks good
Return to ToC anchors might be a good addition.

Dunno perhaps some change in your colourscheme to fit the frost theme?

~Lycan

[MiranaPotM]

Great guide, you have covered most of stuff. I would add 2 things, first you should get dagger before scepter. What is the point of improved ulit if you can't pull it off. And you should add some pictures of a good ultis. Nothing more to add, good luck with your guide.

[Twilice]

Normal skillbuild:
1, dark ritual
2, frost nova
3, dark ritual
4, frost nova
5, dark ritual
6, chain frost
7, frost nova
8, frost nova
9, dark ritual
10, frost armor
11, chain frost
12, frost armor
13, stats
14, stats
15, frost armor
16, chain frost
17, frost armor
18-25, stats

Use dark ritual whenever possible, try to use it at a full hp creep outside of the enemy exp range.

Wy would you ever want to skip his ultimate

[FlamingFist]

Originally Posted by Prizo

Normal skillbuild:
1, dark ritual
2, frost nova
3, dark ritual
4, frost nova
5, dark ritual
6, chain frost
7, frost nova
8, frost nova
9, dark ritual
10, frost armor
11, chain frost
12, frost armor
13, stats
14, stats
15, frost armor
16, chain frost
17, frost armor
18-25, stats

Use dark ritual whenever possible, try to use it at a full hp creep outside of the enemy exp range.

Wy would you ever want to skip his ultimate

I would again tell that i disagree with having dark ritual at lvl 1, big ganks happen at lvl 1, what's also the use of having recovering mana if you got wasted no mana? Is it for denying?

Edit:

Originally Posted by Lycan

5. Skillbuild
I take Ritual at lvl 1 and max it first. This will make sure Lich needs near nothing. But if i don't need the mana sure burst damage is fine. But the point is lich skillbuild is rather flexible.

LVL 16. You taking a fifth level of Frost Armor :P? Chain frost dude

6. Itembuild

Magic Stick ? Wards up till the end.

PT core vs Agha core vs Phase core just don't get phase and your good to go.
Don't include Aghanims in your core build it's not needed. Sheep/Eul > Aghanim.

Point is: Firstblood/some big ganks happen at lvl 1, what will happen if you got dark ritual at lvl1? Start autoattacking? And yes, fix the typo

I find bracers more attractive than magic stick. Lich doesnt really need Powertreads/phase, he doesnt need attack speed/damage. Besides, it will be sold later on and be replaced by BoT. I dont think lich needs Euls, dark ritual is already great.

Originally Posted by MiranaPotM

Great guide, you have covered most of stuff. I would add 2 things, first you should get dagger before scepter. What is the point of improved ulit if you can't pull it off. And you should add some pictures of a good ultis. Nothing more to add, good luck with your guide.

will do

[Lycan]

Euls can be used to catch a runner, to eul yourself when being targetted in a teamfight.

the cheaper version of a sheepstick. It can disable a lot of DPS during a teamfight from the enemie. Magic wand.... is the best item in dota which isn't a tier 4 item.....


PT are gotten for ms and stats not the ias.


If a gank happens at lvl one... so ? Just run around your towers... they'll die fast enough for me to get lvl 2.... There's a thing called juking.

[Twilice]

idd, I would only use frost nova if I myself were involved in the gank (125 damage nuke is pretty much at start)

But I find the dark ritual a basic start, you can also hold the middle lane rather good with just some basic regen items, so in the long run making your enemies lower level usually is better.

[FlamingFist]

Originally Posted by Lycan

Euls can be used to catch a runner, to eul yourself when being targetted in a teamfight.

the cheaper version of a sheepstick. It can disable a lot of DPS during a teamfight from the enemie. Magic wand.... is the best item in dota which isn't a tier 4 item.....


PT are gotten for ms and stats not the ias.


If a gank happens at lvl one... so ? Just run around your towers... they'll die fast enough for me to get lvl 2.... There's a thing called juking.

Eul for me is on optional. Id rather get phase boots for ms than power treads. If a gank happends at lvl 1, how can you defend or help in gank with dark ritual.

[Lycan]

you're never alone... just run under your tower.... if it's a 5 man gank sure you'll die but with nova you'd died as well. IF a 5man gank is done abuse the time givin on the other lanes

[FlamingFist]

Originally Posted by Lycan

you're never alone... just run under your tower.... if it's a 5 man gank sure you'll die but with nova you'd died as well. IF a 5man gank is done abuse the time givin on the other lanes

Well i think you won over me.

if lich was 5manganked, it will make other allies lvl faster because there is no enemy prescence

it this way you meant?

[Lycan]

Originally Posted by BlackRain

Well i think you won over me.

if lich was 5manganked, it will make other allies lvl faster because there is no enemy prescence

it this way you meant?

partly, but it also grants free time for setting up wards on the best spots. Creep pulls and even some serious damage on their towers

[FlamingFist]

Done Updating