RIKIMARUtheSTEALTHassassin
A guide for 6.57b
INTRODUCTION
Now seriously, this guide will tell the basics of playing Rikimaru and right knowledge on how and when to use them. Most beginners will actually think that Rikimaru is a very incompetent hero to some of the most powerful late-gamers: Troll, Void and the list goes on, but the fact is Rikimaru, as a farmed late gamer will suddenly come out of his shell and use his massive gardener's blade (and massive SINGING capability) to fend off and sit in the DPS throne.
For non-beginners, most of the time they'll think that things that they want to do if invisible in real life is actually applicable for Rikimaru i.e., peeping, throwing stones at their enemies and the 2nd example is bad for a Rikimaru. This guide will give the importance of how Rikimaru should always keep in mind that his STEALTH is what sets him apart. Goodbye to Aura Items and most especially goodbye to Radiance.
Now without further ado, here is my guide!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
For quick navigation do Ctrl + F, then type "GS(number)".
GS1. Skill Set
GS2. Skill Build
GS3. Item Build
GS4. Techniques and General Strategy
GS5. Best Allies and Worst Enemies
GS6. Replays
GS7. Ending Statement
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GS1.
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SKILL SET:.
*Click on the spoiler button to see the skill's description*
Spoiler for Smoke Screen:
.: Smokescreen
Mechanics:
It silences hero spells, but does not silence the item spells (Such as Dagon Burst, Shiva Blast, etc.)
Strategics: It’s your powerful slowing and enclosing skill. Late game it would be your key to out-DPSing the scary enemy late gamers and will disable powerful nukers to cast spells while in the cloud. Make sure that before the enemy gets out of the cloud, you have dealt enough damage to chase them for a few more seconds to a kill.
Framework: A bluish smoke comes out from your selected AoE.
Opinion on Recent Change:
There were two changes to this skill namely that it can't destroy trees anymore which it can previously, and that it doesn't deal any ministun anymore at its activation. The ministun implies that Smokescreen cannot be a counter anymore to channeling spells esp. TP, but if your DPS is enough you can finish the enemy off before they could transport.
About not destroying trees, there are two things to would change for Rikimaru 1. Cannot open up trees, and it means you need tangoes to jungle (You shouldn't anyway) and cannot open up strategies which need tree clearing 2. Cannot open up trees, which means a stuck hero which you Blink Strike and Screen cannot escape when they can in the past, therefore an advantage.
Spoiler for Blink Strike:
.: Blink Strike
Mechanics:
You cannot use this skill if you have no target.
You can target ally creeps and heroes, but deal no damage, and only on enemies.
Whenever you Blink Strike your target, you will always hit and arrive at their back.
It deals magic damage.
Cannot be blocked by Linken’s Sphere.
Cannot dodge projectiles even if it seemed so, so if a Fletcher throws an arrow a split second before you use Blink Strike, you will still be hit.
Strategics: This is your key chasing and escaping tool 2 in 1! Because it always hits the enemies backs, your first hit (Which comes a fraction after the bonus damage) will always trigger Backstab (If you have it leveled). Chase with this while the hero is in range. Escape and hit any enemy creep far from the ones chasing you if you are in trouble. It is also a good skill for you to target Smokescreen at an easy pace.
Framework: Rikimaru simply blinks away and lands at the back of the target.
Spoiler for Backstab:
.: Backstab
Mechanics:
It deals additional damage from items that add agility.
It deals physical damage.
The target and Rikimaru must be facing directions within 105 degrees of each other for Backstab to occur.
Strategics: Concept: Higher agi, higher damage, lesser agi, lesser damage. This is the main thesis that would make my Skill Build reasonable. Backstab is a powerful tool once you’ve racked up a lot of agi, something you will have your whole mid game continuing until the end.
Framework: Blood spurting out of the target enemy.
Spoiler for Permanent Invisibility:
.: Permanent Invisibility
Mechanics:
Rikimaru becomes revealed when he’s silenced or paused, also by truesight items and skills.
Strategics: It’s what makes your ultimate stealth. It’s what makes everyone irritated. It is what makes enemies buy wards and gems as a waste of money just for you. Get it whenever possible.
Framework: Rikimaru gains semi-transparency to allies and himself, while he will turn invisible to enemy and neutral units.
KNOWING YOUR RANGES AND LIMITATIONS :.
Now time to know how to aim your skills, and your own limitations.
.: Smoke Screen
As you can see, smoke screen's AoE at level 4 is nearly the same as his casting range, only with a 25 unit difference. Here are your limitations:
1. Very short casting range.
At level 4, it's AoE will be your range and take note of that. If your targeted AoE of SS is even a small distance from you, Rikimaru will have to move. You have to either cast Smokescreen directly infront of you where the AoE is sticking to you, or cast Smokescreen with you inside the AoE to prevent him from moving.
2. Escapable and avoidable due to bad placing.
Cast where the enemy is going to go. Casting in front of them is simply stupid, instead cast it where they're going to go i.e. they're going away from you then cast Smokescreen in front of you and the exact direction they're going or if they're going back, cast it on yourself to maximize the effect of Screenshot.
.: Blink Strike
The range is 700, a VERY long distance for a Blink Strike. Your limitations are:
1. Your BS will automatically cancel when the enemy goes inside the fog of war even if your BS is already targeted to them but you haven't hit them yet.
Don't just sit back and relax when chasing an enemy when you know they're going uphill when you're downhill/ other ways they can get in the fog of war since your BS will cancel. Normally cast the move command to their direction, and when you are also in the place free from fog of war, cast Blink Strike right away.
2. Long cooldown at early levels
The only way to counter this problem is by NOT using Blink Strike at early levels. Anyway how much do you gank at levels 1-5 anyway, unless it's going to be a dire need you have to save Blink Strike for emergency uses. You won't know when there would be an Assassinate there and a Blink Strike would remove you from its range.
Other than that Blink Strike is a superb skill for many uses, for more information, press Ctrl+F and type GS 4 and then enter x2.
.: Backstab
Look at the top image showing that Backstab will activate at a certain angle at the side of a target up to the angle where Rikimaru is at the target's back. These are the disadvantages:
1. Weak early game.
The thing here is that early game you're not going to use it to heroes, but you're going to use it on CREEPS. The primary reason why you'll get a backstab level early is because of your "STOP!" technique (for more info type Ctrl+F then type STOP! and enter 2x) which is a great last-hit alternative.
I cannot actually consider it not activating at front as a disadvantage because most of the time you'll be ganking and hitting enemies at the backs.
.: Permanent Invisibility
Note that Rikimaru is semi-transparent to allies but cannot be seen by enemies. There is only one weakness, and it's counterable by wards, gems and dust. Counters will be read later.
Fading time is not a limitation or disadvantage to Rikimaru because it is the balancing factor. People would most probably complain to a Rikimaru being invisible a whole game.
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GS2.
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SKILL BUILD :.
1. Blink Strike/ Smokescreen
2. Smokescreen/ Blink Strike
3. Blink Strike
4. Backstab
5. Blink Strike
6. Permanent Invisibility
7. Blink Strike
8. Backstab
9. Backstab
10. Backstab
11. Permanent Invisibility
12. Smoke Screen
13. Smoke Screen
14. Smoke Screen
15. Attribute Bonus
16. Permanent Invisibility
Smokescreen is gotten ONE level early game, as it is a useful spell to defend towers by letting enemy creeps miss on their attacks. However only one level is gotten because additional evasion is on one hand overkill, and the AoE is enough to cover a creep wave with enemies.
We maximize Blink Strike as much as your first levels because the cooldown dramatically decreases with each level up, and a level 1 or 2 Blink Strike is seriously useless to the point you wish you just haven’t gotten it. Blink Strike would help you a lot in harassing enemies and as well as chasing greedy heroes in the early game, and once maxed, you have no more problem in engaging battles and chasing once the busy mid game period starts in the game. Few cheap Blink Strikes can instantly net you one creep kill along with last-hitting, but don't do this in times where you could get killed by enemies.
Backstab is gotten the time you have maxed Blink Strike and at the end of early game, as when you have gotten your essential and cheap items which can also increase the damage by Backstab, and you have already gained a few more agi points from natural leveling by that time. Backstab is also good for creeping in a lane once you get used to it, and your Backstab damage might give you an edge in farming, especially against better lane-control enemies.
If you're wanting to maximize Backstab for creeping, why not get it at lvl 1/2?
A: Fact is you need at least a level of both Smokescreen and Blink Strike for defense purposes. You also can't get Backstab at level 3 because the point of maxing Blink Strike and leveling it whenever you can will be eliminated.
Get Permanent Invisibility whenever possible because it will be simply the skill that will make you abundant in all your "stealth". Maximizing it will cause you to fade away faster against those nasty ganks especially when you're getting chased and you're about to get clicked by like, Finger of Death.
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GS3.
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ITEM BUILD :.
.: Starting Items :.
Circlets give basically +2 to all stat points for a very cheap price. The time you pick Rikimaru, get two of these right away. Get these before boots, or alternate GGBranches to fill your inventory if you don't have enough money to buy circlets. Speaking of survivability, these, along with Tangoes are the cheapest and most effective way of keeping up even with the worst nightmare enemies. The conjunction of these items will guide your path to the next-best thing.
Boots of Speed are a neccessity for almost all heroes especially earlier in the game. They help you chase enemies faster, and run away faster, in conjunction with your Blink Strike which serves exactly the same objective.
.: Staple Items :.
Spoiler for Cost:
COST:
Power Treads = 1850
Town Portal = 135
Wraith Band (x2)(x3) = 920/ 1380
Blade of Alacrity = 1000
TOTAL: 3905/ 4565
Treads + TP is preferred because its additional agility points increases the Backstab damage, and also, it gives additional attack speed, something which is more powerful on SA than other heroes who just naturally get BoT.
2-3 Wraith Bands are better than its two brothers, Bracers and Nulls on Riki simply because Rikimaru has the most benefit from Wraith Bands due to additional damage on Backstab. I am not saying this contradicts getting Backstab early, as you will still continue holding these items until mid-late game when you would sell your Bands for more expensive items to fill your inventory.
Blade of Alacrity is a great mid-cost item that gives a nice amount of agility to give formidable increase in agility, attack speed and notably better Backstab output. The main attraction is that Blade of Alacrity is a prerequisite for any of your core items.
Q: Thoughts on Phase Boots?
Phase Boots are good, and also nice considering the fact they give damage and armor which Rikimaru needs, but the fact is that additional agility points from agi treads take care of that (Plus the edge that Treads give additional Backstab damage, Phase Boots can't). Plus the option of turning PT into strength treads is also a great advantage.
Q: Bracers? You simply can't deny that HP > agility esp. early game.
Alright YES, you can get Bracers. It is also a good item considering your hp is pretty bad and Bracers do compensate for it. HOWEVER, Wraith Bands will simply define you as a complete DPS hero and it synergizes with Rikimaru more because of Backstab. Bracers are good, but Wraiths are better.
Q: Nulls?
What are you using your mana for? Low-mana cost spells. I see no synergy and there's no point in getting Nulls.
.: Core Items :.
*TAKE NOTE MY TITLE ON THE QUOTES*
Quote:
Originally Posted by Main Core Item
Diffusal Blade is a powerful chasing item for SA. The purge would be a pain to the neck of heroes with low hp, and they cannot run from you. The additional agi points can match up to a SnY’s agi boost, meaning better backstab damage. Aside from this, Purge is an inevitable conjunction with Smokescreen, in which the combo covers all holes the enemies could do in order to escape.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alternative Core Item
Sange and Yasha is the appropriate killer item for SA, and as they could put it well, SnY was made for SA. It has the additional Str to help cover up Rikimaru’s precariously low hp. Additional agility and attack damage will beef up his Backstab and normal attacking abilities, and the slow + movement speed matched up with Blink Strike ensures a permaslow and sure to chase and kill with SA throughout the whole game.
.: Extension Items :.
Manta Style
Of course after you’ve lost all your charges for Diffusal Blade you might want to upgrade it into something that has no skill charges, hence Manta Style. It has it's own unique help to you too, being 1. Splitting up removes all the buffs like Track, returning you to invisiblity, and 2. Splitting up de-silences you returning you to invisibility (Thx Draco). It’s also a benefit that your illusions are also Permanently Invisible, and might trick some heroes to focus fire on a showing up illusion of yours.
Butterfly
While all the powerful and every living, the most dominating agility item isn't actually the best to get on most heroes, because of its massively hard recipe build-up. This and the fact that it only adds DPS, but ridiculously a MASSIVE boost along with your core items will make Rikimaru a step more toward a monster.
And I pretty much think any standard game would end at this point. You can get any other items, maybe unnecessary to the point we can say they’re luxury. I won’t mention them anymore since its up to the player’s style for the next few items.
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.: Further Item Discussion :.
Items in green are optional.
Items in red are rejected.
Yasha
Along with Diffusal Blade, Yasha is a great deal. With additional movespeed you'll have easier time chasing scoring more hits, and much more agility which means armor and additional backstab for you, my friend. It's a very good item also to mention it requires Blade of Alacrity so you might actually want to decide what to go on first. But it becomes Yasha when your core item is SnY simply because stacking sucks and you could use that +2k for something else that synergizes better with SnY.
Gem of True Sight/ Sentry Wards– These items are important for you as these are needed against higher level games where your enemies get ward bitches and screw your invisibility. It may either be you or another ally to get these, and the purpose is to get rid of all the enemy wards and therefore creating you less harm.
All DPS Items – Sure again, if the game doesn’t end upright after Bfly gets in, there’s no problem to boost your killing damage, and outDPS other enemies, if that’s really what it needs to win the game.
Survivability Items (Linken’s, BKB, etc) – Another of those optional items, yes Rikimaru does need this, actually he doesn’t really have any HP items in his core except for Manta or Sange’s str, and items such as BKB, Linken’s, HoT and the likes gives you more survivability. Do take note that you should not take too much focus on these, but give more inventory slots for your DPS items.
Radiance – The ultimate eye-candy for many players, commonly their argument starts that it surprises enemy units and that it may damage them and make them tremble in fear, but excuse me! You do know that there is a gem and sentry wards over in the shop, and especially once they feel Radiance and know its you, they could activate a Dust of Appearance and have you raped even without even having a chance to blink.
Basher – You may hit heroes in the Smoke for numerous times while them not getting out or even fighting back but NOT basher. Slow is already too much, there is no reason to bash them as you can already hit them with your slows alone, and adding Bash is gross overkill.
Other Orb Effects – I did say by any means get other DPS items if you want to, but I suggest especially if you got Diffusal/Manta that do not get other Orb Effects because they won’t stack with either your first or second core item.
Aura Items – First off, most Aura items are shit for Riki anyway. Shiva's? Hell no. Take note due to the recent versions aura effects cannot be spread to allies or enemies while invisible, which is actually good for it keeps your stealth unlike Radiance does. HOWEVER, they are auras and what good do they do if they don't affect allies? All of them provide negative synergy for Riki, and if they won't just work all the time, the more reason not to get any.
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GS4.
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TECHNIQUES AND GENERAL STRATEGY :.
.: TECHNIQUES
The techniques mentioned will be the main combos you're going to do throughout the game, and its names are the names I'll use most of the times in the General Strategy section unless there is a need for specification.
|| STOP!
PREREQUISITES:
Backstab - 0 MP
TOTAL MP: 0
This is a pretty useful skill from lvl 4 towards, though not useful in early-mid game. Backstab triggers before you give an attack, so like issues with other heroes' skills, you can spam the stop key (press S multiple times) and you deal multiple hits of Backstab without even actually making the real attack. This maybe useful in last hitting.
|| SCREEN-PURGE/ MAIM
PREREQUISITES:
Smokescreen - 75/80/85/90 MP
Purge - 0 MP
TOTAL MP: 75/80/85/90 MP + 50 additional when chasing
The most IRRITATING combo for enemies, once you have your main items, slowing them in the middle of the screen actually means you're maximizing the time keeping them in the screen, and at the same time giving you a myriad more hits against your target. Along with an ally or two, this is the most basic mid-game-gank combo you will do.
INTODUCING THE STRIKES:
|| STRIKE HARASS
PREREQUISITES:
Blink Strike - 50 MP
TOTAL MP: 50 MP
This might not work against heroes which are hard to face, but maybe useful against simple weaker agi glass canons like Mortred or Sniper. Just continue spamming Blink Strike to them and hit a one or two strikes and go back (Though it maybe hard against ranged ones), and against low HP heroes this maybe an effective harassing strategy. Unfortunately for stronger laners, it may not. In that case, DO NOT Strike-Harass unless you have an ally to back you up, else you'll probably have a red life or die.
|| STRIKE-CHASE
PREREQUISITES:
Blink Strike - 50 MP
TOTAL MP: 50 MP
This is another basic move. Simply you use Blink Strike just to chase a hero, because other than to escape, Blink Strike is very suitable for chasing. Luckily since Rikimaru will be a farmed carry, Strike-Harass along with Screen-Purge, or Smoke Screen/ Purge alone is formidable to shut them up and keep them from escaping and getting a kill.
|| STRIKE-FARM
PREREQUISITES:
Blink Strike - 50 MP
TOTAL MP: 50 MP
Against very hard lanes, while tower hugging and you see an enemy creep about to die use Blink Strike to get gold from it. That's another way to farm besides last hitting, and would be useful in such hard times.
|| STRIKE-RETREAT
PREREQUISITE:
Blink Strike - 50 MP
TOTAL MP: 50 MP
As I said with my Boots of Speed description, other than offensively, Blink Strike can be used defensively. If you are in the brink of trouble and you have ally creeps coming toward you, Blink Strike at them for an escape. This is a very effective (And most practical) way that Rikimaru can get away from trouble, the other being Smokescreen, costing more mana.
|| STRIKE-SCREEN
PREREQUISITES:
Blink Strike - 50 MP
Smoke Screen - 75/80/85/90 MP
TOTAL MP: 125/130/135/140 MP
The most basic combo for Rikimaru, simply Blink Strike to an enemy or anything and cast Smokescreen. Here are the steps for a well baked cookie:
1. Go near the enemy.
2. Cast Blink Strike to the enemy. You may use Blink Strike to allies but a reminder Blink Strike deals additional damage when used against enemies.
3. Cast Smokescreen at them. Cast Blink Strike at the CENTER of where they are (or where they're going) so they may have a harder time getting out.
This simple combo is a great initiating move in clashes as it silences enemies and even spreads them out, breaking their union.
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.: GENERAL STRATEGY
|| LANING
Always try to beg for top lane Scourge or bottom lane Sentinel as you are going to hug your tower to prevent being harassed badly, and always go with a partner to get a helping hand in lane control. Block creeps especially that Rikimaru needs lots of love from his own tower. Even against easier heroes don't go Strike-Harassing all the time. It will drain much of your mana, and in some situations, much of your life. That's the reason why you need a babysitter: For they will be the ones to harass the enemies, not you.
When you reach level 6 and get Perma Invi go and Strike-Screen. NO. DO NOT go aggressive against heroes when you don’t have items simply because you have no AoE nukes or even any nukes except Blink Strike, especially don’t face those high hp heroes or nukers because you’ll definitely lose or die an instant you try to face them, so play safe and only kill when their life is really down.
|| GANKING
Once you are invisible, you already have a level of cloud and already max BS. At early game, continue farming first and do not go much into action so you can beef yourself up. When given the chance you pass by delicious fragile heroes, either you go alone by yourself or call an ally. Either way, always cast screen first so they'll get silenced first before you whack and Strike to chase or use other skills such as Purge. You will have to support and along the way, give much hits to get the enemy life go down fast before they escape.
There is ONE technique you have to prioritize when ganking comes: Screen-Purging/Maiming. It is true that the longer enemies see you coming the more time they will have to get away. If you Blink right away to them they can still detect you and run away from your dangerous cloud. With Screen-Purging once you Screened them they cannot get away anymore, even with skills.
|| FARMING
I know it will be hard for a Rikimaru to farm well because facing the facts straight, he has no AoE nukes or anything. So the only option would be normal last hitting and to gank less so you could get your items in a faster pace. For assurance of last hits always try using STOP! and/or always going behind the creeps to activate backstab all the time. Remember that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
|| SCOUTING
If there’s a suspicion of farming in neuts, Roshaning, or ganking, you of course will be the leader for it. Walk around the river, the enemy forest, NOT between enemy towers as you can be seen, and keep safe. Once scouted something, call your allies for immediate help and execute a plan and use the simply combos I told you earlier. Once finished with that or you found nothing, don’t go back from where you were, instead, farm on the safest farming place near where you stopped to keep yourself from being underleveled.
|| PUSHING
The only difference of Pushing with Riki and farming in a lane is you can use Smokescreen to further push your lane. However, don’t push too much, wards may be abundant nearer the enemy territory and its much more dangerous near the enemy towers. If you’re looking for a farming place while your enemy creeps push back the lane, go to your forest and kill some neuts.
|| CHASING
Diffusal Blade goes best in this part of the game. Blink Strike will only deal a small magical damage and around 2 hits, then they will outrun you, so Strike-Screen-Purge them, then it will be much easier to kill. If there are two heroes running, cast Smoke on both on them, and kill the more important one (Esp. the carry). If several heroes run on different directions after running away from cloud, pick the most painful one. If it has an escaping Mechanism, that’s left to your allies to go to other directions or provide tools such as Blink Dagger or Wards to catch them.
|| RUNING
Unfortunately you're not a bottle user, but still you can make use of most runes.
Double Damage - OMG win! A massive damage amplifier which signals you to gank more easy preys in the forest and glass farmers trying to make a name for their own.
Haste - Alongside Purge BS and SS this could a great tool for chasing, and with haste you may kill easy preys with ease and avoid worrying about getting chased by other heroes or losing to farm afterwards.
Regeneration - This is a really good rune to get early game especially if you're harassed too much you lost all your health getting pwned in lane control. A useful thing to pass through the river the early stages of the game.
Illusion - Oh two illusions like manta does, but longer the duration! Cool. Rikimaru is one of the most irritating heroes if he gets an Illusion rune because people would actually think its the real one and they'll spam their nukes on it.
Invisibility - I seriously think you won't gain benefit from it and just leave it to your other allies from level 6 and above. If you see enemies going near it, just get it anyway so they don't get a free invisibility skill.
|| WARDS, GEMS AND DUST
This is what breaks the stealth of Rikimaru. These nasty items will give the sight of you, and unluckily if these are available and casted(In DoA’s case), you have no choice but to silence them and run away. If this doesn’t work, you die. If it does, run fast and go to hiding spots and TP away. Always play safe and don’t be fooled for those heroes letting you track them to areas as they will have allies around them and you’ll die.
Against Sentry Wards, since they are nerfed, they aren’t much of a pain for you now than what it did back then. Go to different lanes and farm on different places, so that they won’t know where to plant Sentry Wards, and this neglects the danger of these. In clashes or places like rivers or farming spots, you cannot just avoid these and you cannot even see them, so try bringing your own sentries or just DoA’s to see wards on the lanes. If enemies have wards planted in clashes, the way to prevent from hurting you is to kill them, and fast.
Another way to counter Sentry Wards and even Nerub's Watchers are getting gems. Once you see enemies with wards take note of their number, and if they went down watch out. Go to places where they are not, and search for them while farming along the way.
For other skills such as eyes of the forest, just eat the trees affected with tango and goodbye for Truesight.
|| CLASHES
Prevent too much participation. Even if they do know you have smokescreen, after that one they see you and they whack up all their AoE’s as much armor Riki has, he will still die. Sometimes it’s wise not to participate in clashes which your allies can handle and farm, however don’t greed and participate especially if a tower is at stake. Participate all the time ONLY when you are beefed up.
Now more on what you will actually do when you're participating.
You have to prioritize being a secondary initiator-carry and a singer. By this, always go 2nd after the tank so you will have the longest time of your whackapalooza while the tank's special skills have a way to weaken them. Always use Strike-Screen after your team has started, and it will make a massive shut down to the enemy team.
When you're all losing, Screen or Purge the fastest chasing hero/es to slow them down and prevent them from killing any of your allies (or yourself). Always keep in mind that Smokescreen is a tide-turning skill in battle. If you use it a lot, you will achieve praises for being a great team-oriented player.
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GS5.
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BEST ALLIES AND WORST ENEMIES :.
.: BEST ALLIES
Disablers and Nukers
Nothing like an old fashioned disable and nuke to aid you in lane control and harassing and to give you less pressure on farming. With mass disablers such as Lion or Rhasta, you’ll surely have a good time whacking without trouble included.
Healers
They heal you and its very good because you have a low hp pool despite a massive base armor.
Purge
Purge removes spells that screw your invisibility like Track, Faerie Fire and others, and will let you continue your cookie-cutting ability.
.: WORST ENEMIES
Silencers
When you’re silenced, you can be seen, and you’re stealth is pretty much screwed up.
Nukers
These are pains in the head. They can harass you without even having the chance to fight back, and are hard to gank because once you do and they get away from being silenced you’re dead. AoE nukes also hit you even if you’re invisible.
Tanks
These are hard to kill heroes and you would most likely lose to their sturdiness, also most tanks have stuns that will give them the upper hand so better get away from it.
True Sight
Those who can give sight of you while invisible are notorious and dangerous for your life. Apparently, all these heroes seem to outbattle you in DPS or in skills so better watch out and get allies to go near you and to prepare for battle once the enemies kick in.
.: ASSASSIN FEEDS
Glass Canons
Or low HP heroes - especially those Int type heroes are ones you can pick on. Some may be lethal, but with your smokescreen you can avoid being nuked. Some agi heroes with no escapes are also delicious food for you, and will serve nutrition for the rest of the game ^^.
A guide for 6.57b
INTRODUCTION
Now seriously, this guide will tell the basics of playing Rikimaru and right knowledge on how and when to use them. Most beginners will actually think that Rikimaru is a very incompetent hero to some of the most powerful late-gamers: Troll, Void and the list goes on, but the fact is Rikimaru, as a farmed late gamer will suddenly come out of his shell and use his massive gardener's blade (and massive SINGING capability) to fend off and sit in the DPS throne.
For non-beginners, most of the time they'll think that things that they want to do if invisible in real life is actually applicable for Rikimaru i.e., peeping, throwing stones at their enemies and the 2nd example is bad for a Rikimaru. This guide will give the importance of how Rikimaru should always keep in mind that his STEALTH is what sets him apart. Goodbye to Aura Items and most especially goodbye to Radiance.
Now without further ado, here is my guide!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
For quick navigation do Ctrl + F, then type "GS(number)".
GS1. Skill Set
GS2. Skill Build
GS3. Item Build
GS4. Techniques and General Strategy
GS5. Best Allies and Worst Enemies
GS6. Replays
GS7. Ending Statement
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GS1.
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SKILL SET:.
*Click on the spoiler button to see the skill's description*
Spoiler for Smoke Screen:
.: Smokescreen
Mechanics:
It silences hero spells, but does not silence the item spells (Such as Dagon Burst, Shiva Blast, etc.)
Strategics: It’s your powerful slowing and enclosing skill. Late game it would be your key to out-DPSing the scary enemy late gamers and will disable powerful nukers to cast spells while in the cloud. Make sure that before the enemy gets out of the cloud, you have dealt enough damage to chase them for a few more seconds to a kill.
Framework: A bluish smoke comes out from your selected AoE.
Opinion on Recent Change:
There were two changes to this skill namely that it can't destroy trees anymore which it can previously, and that it doesn't deal any ministun anymore at its activation. The ministun implies that Smokescreen cannot be a counter anymore to channeling spells esp. TP, but if your DPS is enough you can finish the enemy off before they could transport.
About not destroying trees, there are two things to would change for Rikimaru 1. Cannot open up trees, and it means you need tangoes to jungle (You shouldn't anyway) and cannot open up strategies which need tree clearing 2. Cannot open up trees, which means a stuck hero which you Blink Strike and Screen cannot escape when they can in the past, therefore an advantage.
Spoiler for Blink Strike:
.: Blink Strike
Mechanics:
You cannot use this skill if you have no target.
You can target ally creeps and heroes, but deal no damage, and only on enemies.
Whenever you Blink Strike your target, you will always hit and arrive at their back.
It deals magic damage.
Cannot be blocked by Linken’s Sphere.
Cannot dodge projectiles even if it seemed so, so if a Fletcher throws an arrow a split second before you use Blink Strike, you will still be hit.
Strategics: This is your key chasing and escaping tool 2 in 1! Because it always hits the enemies backs, your first hit (Which comes a fraction after the bonus damage) will always trigger Backstab (If you have it leveled). Chase with this while the hero is in range. Escape and hit any enemy creep far from the ones chasing you if you are in trouble. It is also a good skill for you to target Smokescreen at an easy pace.
Framework: Rikimaru simply blinks away and lands at the back of the target.
Spoiler for Backstab:
.: Backstab
Mechanics:
It deals additional damage from items that add agility.
It deals physical damage.
The target and Rikimaru must be facing directions within 105 degrees of each other for Backstab to occur.
Strategics: Concept: Higher agi, higher damage, lesser agi, lesser damage. This is the main thesis that would make my Skill Build reasonable. Backstab is a powerful tool once you’ve racked up a lot of agi, something you will have your whole mid game continuing until the end.
Framework: Blood spurting out of the target enemy.
Spoiler for Permanent Invisibility:
.: Permanent Invisibility
Mechanics:
Rikimaru becomes revealed when he’s silenced or paused, also by truesight items and skills.
Strategics: It’s what makes your ultimate stealth. It’s what makes everyone irritated. It is what makes enemies buy wards and gems as a waste of money just for you. Get it whenever possible.
Framework: Rikimaru gains semi-transparency to allies and himself, while he will turn invisible to enemy and neutral units.
KNOWING YOUR RANGES AND LIMITATIONS :.
Now time to know how to aim your skills, and your own limitations.
.: Smoke Screen
As you can see, smoke screen's AoE at level 4 is nearly the same as his casting range, only with a 25 unit difference. Here are your limitations:
1. Very short casting range.
At level 4, it's AoE will be your range and take note of that. If your targeted AoE of SS is even a small distance from you, Rikimaru will have to move. You have to either cast Smokescreen directly infront of you where the AoE is sticking to you, or cast Smokescreen with you inside the AoE to prevent him from moving.
2. Escapable and avoidable due to bad placing.
Cast where the enemy is going to go. Casting in front of them is simply stupid, instead cast it where they're going to go i.e. they're going away from you then cast Smokescreen in front of you and the exact direction they're going or if they're going back, cast it on yourself to maximize the effect of Screenshot.
.: Blink Strike
The range is 700, a VERY long distance for a Blink Strike. Your limitations are:
1. Your BS will automatically cancel when the enemy goes inside the fog of war even if your BS is already targeted to them but you haven't hit them yet.
Don't just sit back and relax when chasing an enemy when you know they're going uphill when you're downhill/ other ways they can get in the fog of war since your BS will cancel. Normally cast the move command to their direction, and when you are also in the place free from fog of war, cast Blink Strike right away.
2. Long cooldown at early levels
The only way to counter this problem is by NOT using Blink Strike at early levels. Anyway how much do you gank at levels 1-5 anyway, unless it's going to be a dire need you have to save Blink Strike for emergency uses. You won't know when there would be an Assassinate there and a Blink Strike would remove you from its range.
Other than that Blink Strike is a superb skill for many uses, for more information, press Ctrl+F and type GS 4 and then enter x2.
.: Backstab
Look at the top image showing that Backstab will activate at a certain angle at the side of a target up to the angle where Rikimaru is at the target's back. These are the disadvantages:
1. Weak early game.
The thing here is that early game you're not going to use it to heroes, but you're going to use it on CREEPS. The primary reason why you'll get a backstab level early is because of your "STOP!" technique (for more info type Ctrl+F then type STOP! and enter 2x) which is a great last-hit alternative.
I cannot actually consider it not activating at front as a disadvantage because most of the time you'll be ganking and hitting enemies at the backs.
.: Permanent Invisibility
Note that Rikimaru is semi-transparent to allies but cannot be seen by enemies. There is only one weakness, and it's counterable by wards, gems and dust. Counters will be read later.
Fading time is not a limitation or disadvantage to Rikimaru because it is the balancing factor. People would most probably complain to a Rikimaru being invisible a whole game.
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GS2.
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SKILL BUILD :.
1. Blink Strike/ Smokescreen
2. Smokescreen/ Blink Strike
3. Blink Strike
4. Backstab
5. Blink Strike
6. Permanent Invisibility
7. Blink Strike
8. Backstab
9. Backstab
10. Backstab
11. Permanent Invisibility
12. Smoke Screen
13. Smoke Screen
14. Smoke Screen
15. Attribute Bonus
16. Permanent Invisibility
Smokescreen is gotten ONE level early game, as it is a useful spell to defend towers by letting enemy creeps miss on their attacks. However only one level is gotten because additional evasion is on one hand overkill, and the AoE is enough to cover a creep wave with enemies.
We maximize Blink Strike as much as your first levels because the cooldown dramatically decreases with each level up, and a level 1 or 2 Blink Strike is seriously useless to the point you wish you just haven’t gotten it. Blink Strike would help you a lot in harassing enemies and as well as chasing greedy heroes in the early game, and once maxed, you have no more problem in engaging battles and chasing once the busy mid game period starts in the game. Few cheap Blink Strikes can instantly net you one creep kill along with last-hitting, but don't do this in times where you could get killed by enemies.
Backstab is gotten the time you have maxed Blink Strike and at the end of early game, as when you have gotten your essential and cheap items which can also increase the damage by Backstab, and you have already gained a few more agi points from natural leveling by that time. Backstab is also good for creeping in a lane once you get used to it, and your Backstab damage might give you an edge in farming, especially against better lane-control enemies.
If you're wanting to maximize Backstab for creeping, why not get it at lvl 1/2?
A: Fact is you need at least a level of both Smokescreen and Blink Strike for defense purposes. You also can't get Backstab at level 3 because the point of maxing Blink Strike and leveling it whenever you can will be eliminated.
Get Permanent Invisibility whenever possible because it will be simply the skill that will make you abundant in all your "stealth". Maximizing it will cause you to fade away faster against those nasty ganks especially when you're getting chased and you're about to get clicked by like, Finger of Death.
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GS3.
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ITEM BUILD :.
.: Starting Items :.
Circlets give basically +2 to all stat points for a very cheap price. The time you pick Rikimaru, get two of these right away. Get these before boots, or alternate GGBranches to fill your inventory if you don't have enough money to buy circlets. Speaking of survivability, these, along with Tangoes are the cheapest and most effective way of keeping up even with the worst nightmare enemies. The conjunction of these items will guide your path to the next-best thing.
Boots of Speed are a neccessity for almost all heroes especially earlier in the game. They help you chase enemies faster, and run away faster, in conjunction with your Blink Strike which serves exactly the same objective.
.: Staple Items :.
Spoiler for Cost:
COST:
Power Treads = 1850
Town Portal = 135
Wraith Band (x2)(x3) = 920/ 1380
Blade of Alacrity = 1000
TOTAL: 3905/ 4565
Treads + TP is preferred because its additional agility points increases the Backstab damage, and also, it gives additional attack speed, something which is more powerful on SA than other heroes who just naturally get BoT.
2-3 Wraith Bands are better than its two brothers, Bracers and Nulls on Riki simply because Rikimaru has the most benefit from Wraith Bands due to additional damage on Backstab. I am not saying this contradicts getting Backstab early, as you will still continue holding these items until mid-late game when you would sell your Bands for more expensive items to fill your inventory.
Blade of Alacrity is a great mid-cost item that gives a nice amount of agility to give formidable increase in agility, attack speed and notably better Backstab output. The main attraction is that Blade of Alacrity is a prerequisite for any of your core items.
Q: Thoughts on Phase Boots?
Phase Boots are good, and also nice considering the fact they give damage and armor which Rikimaru needs, but the fact is that additional agility points from agi treads take care of that (Plus the edge that Treads give additional Backstab damage, Phase Boots can't). Plus the option of turning PT into strength treads is also a great advantage.
Q: Bracers? You simply can't deny that HP > agility esp. early game.
Alright YES, you can get Bracers. It is also a good item considering your hp is pretty bad and Bracers do compensate for it. HOWEVER, Wraith Bands will simply define you as a complete DPS hero and it synergizes with Rikimaru more because of Backstab. Bracers are good, but Wraiths are better.
Q: Nulls?
What are you using your mana for? Low-mana cost spells. I see no synergy and there's no point in getting Nulls.
.: Core Items :.
*TAKE NOTE MY TITLE ON THE QUOTES*
Quote:
Originally Posted by Main Core Item
Diffusal Blade is a powerful chasing item for SA. The purge would be a pain to the neck of heroes with low hp, and they cannot run from you. The additional agi points can match up to a SnY’s agi boost, meaning better backstab damage. Aside from this, Purge is an inevitable conjunction with Smokescreen, in which the combo covers all holes the enemies could do in order to escape.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alternative Core Item
Sange and Yasha is the appropriate killer item for SA, and as they could put it well, SnY was made for SA. It has the additional Str to help cover up Rikimaru’s precariously low hp. Additional agility and attack damage will beef up his Backstab and normal attacking abilities, and the slow + movement speed matched up with Blink Strike ensures a permaslow and sure to chase and kill with SA throughout the whole game.
.: Extension Items :.
Manta Style
Of course after you’ve lost all your charges for Diffusal Blade you might want to upgrade it into something that has no skill charges, hence Manta Style. It has it's own unique help to you too, being 1. Splitting up removes all the buffs like Track, returning you to invisiblity, and 2. Splitting up de-silences you returning you to invisibility (Thx Draco). It’s also a benefit that your illusions are also Permanently Invisible, and might trick some heroes to focus fire on a showing up illusion of yours.
Butterfly
While all the powerful and every living, the most dominating agility item isn't actually the best to get on most heroes, because of its massively hard recipe build-up. This and the fact that it only adds DPS, but ridiculously a MASSIVE boost along with your core items will make Rikimaru a step more toward a monster.
And I pretty much think any standard game would end at this point. You can get any other items, maybe unnecessary to the point we can say they’re luxury. I won’t mention them anymore since its up to the player’s style for the next few items.
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.: Further Item Discussion :.
Items in green are optional.
Items in red are rejected.
Yasha
Along with Diffusal Blade, Yasha is a great deal. With additional movespeed you'll have easier time chasing scoring more hits, and much more agility which means armor and additional backstab for you, my friend. It's a very good item also to mention it requires Blade of Alacrity so you might actually want to decide what to go on first. But it becomes Yasha when your core item is SnY simply because stacking sucks and you could use that +2k for something else that synergizes better with SnY.
Gem of True Sight/ Sentry Wards– These items are important for you as these are needed against higher level games where your enemies get ward bitches and screw your invisibility. It may either be you or another ally to get these, and the purpose is to get rid of all the enemy wards and therefore creating you less harm.
All DPS Items – Sure again, if the game doesn’t end upright after Bfly gets in, there’s no problem to boost your killing damage, and outDPS other enemies, if that’s really what it needs to win the game.
Survivability Items (Linken’s, BKB, etc) – Another of those optional items, yes Rikimaru does need this, actually he doesn’t really have any HP items in his core except for Manta or Sange’s str, and items such as BKB, Linken’s, HoT and the likes gives you more survivability. Do take note that you should not take too much focus on these, but give more inventory slots for your DPS items.
Radiance – The ultimate eye-candy for many players, commonly their argument starts that it surprises enemy units and that it may damage them and make them tremble in fear, but excuse me! You do know that there is a gem and sentry wards over in the shop, and especially once they feel Radiance and know its you, they could activate a Dust of Appearance and have you raped even without even having a chance to blink.
Basher – You may hit heroes in the Smoke for numerous times while them not getting out or even fighting back but NOT basher. Slow is already too much, there is no reason to bash them as you can already hit them with your slows alone, and adding Bash is gross overkill.
Other Orb Effects – I did say by any means get other DPS items if you want to, but I suggest especially if you got Diffusal/Manta that do not get other Orb Effects because they won’t stack with either your first or second core item.
Aura Items – First off, most Aura items are shit for Riki anyway. Shiva's? Hell no. Take note due to the recent versions aura effects cannot be spread to allies or enemies while invisible, which is actually good for it keeps your stealth unlike Radiance does. HOWEVER, they are auras and what good do they do if they don't affect allies? All of them provide negative synergy for Riki, and if they won't just work all the time, the more reason not to get any.
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GS4.
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TECHNIQUES AND GENERAL STRATEGY :.
.: TECHNIQUES
The techniques mentioned will be the main combos you're going to do throughout the game, and its names are the names I'll use most of the times in the General Strategy section unless there is a need for specification.
|| STOP!
PREREQUISITES:
Backstab - 0 MP
TOTAL MP: 0
This is a pretty useful skill from lvl 4 towards, though not useful in early-mid game. Backstab triggers before you give an attack, so like issues with other heroes' skills, you can spam the stop key (press S multiple times) and you deal multiple hits of Backstab without even actually making the real attack. This maybe useful in last hitting.
|| SCREEN-PURGE/ MAIM
PREREQUISITES:
Smokescreen - 75/80/85/90 MP
Purge - 0 MP
TOTAL MP: 75/80/85/90 MP + 50 additional when chasing
The most IRRITATING combo for enemies, once you have your main items, slowing them in the middle of the screen actually means you're maximizing the time keeping them in the screen, and at the same time giving you a myriad more hits against your target. Along with an ally or two, this is the most basic mid-game-gank combo you will do.
INTODUCING THE STRIKES:
|| STRIKE HARASS
PREREQUISITES:
Blink Strike - 50 MP
TOTAL MP: 50 MP
This might not work against heroes which are hard to face, but maybe useful against simple weaker agi glass canons like Mortred or Sniper. Just continue spamming Blink Strike to them and hit a one or two strikes and go back (Though it maybe hard against ranged ones), and against low HP heroes this maybe an effective harassing strategy. Unfortunately for stronger laners, it may not. In that case, DO NOT Strike-Harass unless you have an ally to back you up, else you'll probably have a red life or die.
|| STRIKE-CHASE
PREREQUISITES:
Blink Strike - 50 MP
TOTAL MP: 50 MP
This is another basic move. Simply you use Blink Strike just to chase a hero, because other than to escape, Blink Strike is very suitable for chasing. Luckily since Rikimaru will be a farmed carry, Strike-Harass along with Screen-Purge, or Smoke Screen/ Purge alone is formidable to shut them up and keep them from escaping and getting a kill.
|| STRIKE-FARM
PREREQUISITES:
Blink Strike - 50 MP
TOTAL MP: 50 MP
Against very hard lanes, while tower hugging and you see an enemy creep about to die use Blink Strike to get gold from it. That's another way to farm besides last hitting, and would be useful in such hard times.
|| STRIKE-RETREAT
PREREQUISITE:
Blink Strike - 50 MP
TOTAL MP: 50 MP
As I said with my Boots of Speed description, other than offensively, Blink Strike can be used defensively. If you are in the brink of trouble and you have ally creeps coming toward you, Blink Strike at them for an escape. This is a very effective (And most practical) way that Rikimaru can get away from trouble, the other being Smokescreen, costing more mana.
|| STRIKE-SCREEN
PREREQUISITES:
Blink Strike - 50 MP
Smoke Screen - 75/80/85/90 MP
TOTAL MP: 125/130/135/140 MP
The most basic combo for Rikimaru, simply Blink Strike to an enemy or anything and cast Smokescreen. Here are the steps for a well baked cookie:
1. Go near the enemy.
2. Cast Blink Strike to the enemy. You may use Blink Strike to allies but a reminder Blink Strike deals additional damage when used against enemies.
3. Cast Smokescreen at them. Cast Blink Strike at the CENTER of where they are (or where they're going) so they may have a harder time getting out.
This simple combo is a great initiating move in clashes as it silences enemies and even spreads them out, breaking their union.
++++O++++
.: GENERAL STRATEGY
|| LANING
Always try to beg for top lane Scourge or bottom lane Sentinel as you are going to hug your tower to prevent being harassed badly, and always go with a partner to get a helping hand in lane control. Block creeps especially that Rikimaru needs lots of love from his own tower. Even against easier heroes don't go Strike-Harassing all the time. It will drain much of your mana, and in some situations, much of your life. That's the reason why you need a babysitter: For they will be the ones to harass the enemies, not you.
When you reach level 6 and get Perma Invi go and Strike-Screen. NO. DO NOT go aggressive against heroes when you don’t have items simply because you have no AoE nukes or even any nukes except Blink Strike, especially don’t face those high hp heroes or nukers because you’ll definitely lose or die an instant you try to face them, so play safe and only kill when their life is really down.
|| GANKING
Once you are invisible, you already have a level of cloud and already max BS. At early game, continue farming first and do not go much into action so you can beef yourself up. When given the chance you pass by delicious fragile heroes, either you go alone by yourself or call an ally. Either way, always cast screen first so they'll get silenced first before you whack and Strike to chase or use other skills such as Purge. You will have to support and along the way, give much hits to get the enemy life go down fast before they escape.
There is ONE technique you have to prioritize when ganking comes: Screen-Purging/Maiming. It is true that the longer enemies see you coming the more time they will have to get away. If you Blink right away to them they can still detect you and run away from your dangerous cloud. With Screen-Purging once you Screened them they cannot get away anymore, even with skills.
|| FARMING
I know it will be hard for a Rikimaru to farm well because facing the facts straight, he has no AoE nukes or anything. So the only option would be normal last hitting and to gank less so you could get your items in a faster pace. For assurance of last hits always try using STOP! and/or always going behind the creeps to activate backstab all the time. Remember that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
|| SCOUTING
If there’s a suspicion of farming in neuts, Roshaning, or ganking, you of course will be the leader for it. Walk around the river, the enemy forest, NOT between enemy towers as you can be seen, and keep safe. Once scouted something, call your allies for immediate help and execute a plan and use the simply combos I told you earlier. Once finished with that or you found nothing, don’t go back from where you were, instead, farm on the safest farming place near where you stopped to keep yourself from being underleveled.
|| PUSHING
The only difference of Pushing with Riki and farming in a lane is you can use Smokescreen to further push your lane. However, don’t push too much, wards may be abundant nearer the enemy territory and its much more dangerous near the enemy towers. If you’re looking for a farming place while your enemy creeps push back the lane, go to your forest and kill some neuts.
|| CHASING
Diffusal Blade goes best in this part of the game. Blink Strike will only deal a small magical damage and around 2 hits, then they will outrun you, so Strike-Screen-Purge them, then it will be much easier to kill. If there are two heroes running, cast Smoke on both on them, and kill the more important one (Esp. the carry). If several heroes run on different directions after running away from cloud, pick the most painful one. If it has an escaping Mechanism, that’s left to your allies to go to other directions or provide tools such as Blink Dagger or Wards to catch them.
|| RUNING
Unfortunately you're not a bottle user, but still you can make use of most runes.
Double Damage - OMG win! A massive damage amplifier which signals you to gank more easy preys in the forest and glass farmers trying to make a name for their own.
Haste - Alongside Purge BS and SS this could a great tool for chasing, and with haste you may kill easy preys with ease and avoid worrying about getting chased by other heroes or losing to farm afterwards.
Regeneration - This is a really good rune to get early game especially if you're harassed too much you lost all your health getting pwned in lane control. A useful thing to pass through the river the early stages of the game.
Illusion - Oh two illusions like manta does, but longer the duration! Cool. Rikimaru is one of the most irritating heroes if he gets an Illusion rune because people would actually think its the real one and they'll spam their nukes on it.
Invisibility - I seriously think you won't gain benefit from it and just leave it to your other allies from level 6 and above. If you see enemies going near it, just get it anyway so they don't get a free invisibility skill.
|| WARDS, GEMS AND DUST
This is what breaks the stealth of Rikimaru. These nasty items will give the sight of you, and unluckily if these are available and casted(In DoA’s case), you have no choice but to silence them and run away. If this doesn’t work, you die. If it does, run fast and go to hiding spots and TP away. Always play safe and don’t be fooled for those heroes letting you track them to areas as they will have allies around them and you’ll die.
Against Sentry Wards, since they are nerfed, they aren’t much of a pain for you now than what it did back then. Go to different lanes and farm on different places, so that they won’t know where to plant Sentry Wards, and this neglects the danger of these. In clashes or places like rivers or farming spots, you cannot just avoid these and you cannot even see them, so try bringing your own sentries or just DoA’s to see wards on the lanes. If enemies have wards planted in clashes, the way to prevent from hurting you is to kill them, and fast.
Another way to counter Sentry Wards and even Nerub's Watchers are getting gems. Once you see enemies with wards take note of their number, and if they went down watch out. Go to places where they are not, and search for them while farming along the way.
For other skills such as eyes of the forest, just eat the trees affected with tango and goodbye for Truesight.
|| CLASHES
Prevent too much participation. Even if they do know you have smokescreen, after that one they see you and they whack up all their AoE’s as much armor Riki has, he will still die. Sometimes it’s wise not to participate in clashes which your allies can handle and farm, however don’t greed and participate especially if a tower is at stake. Participate all the time ONLY when you are beefed up.
Now more on what you will actually do when you're participating.
You have to prioritize being a secondary initiator-carry and a singer. By this, always go 2nd after the tank so you will have the longest time of your whackapalooza while the tank's special skills have a way to weaken them. Always use Strike-Screen after your team has started, and it will make a massive shut down to the enemy team.
When you're all losing, Screen or Purge the fastest chasing hero/es to slow them down and prevent them from killing any of your allies (or yourself). Always keep in mind that Smokescreen is a tide-turning skill in battle. If you use it a lot, you will achieve praises for being a great team-oriented player.
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GS5.
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BEST ALLIES AND WORST ENEMIES :.
.: BEST ALLIES
Disablers and Nukers
Nothing like an old fashioned disable and nuke to aid you in lane control and harassing and to give you less pressure on farming. With mass disablers such as Lion or Rhasta, you’ll surely have a good time whacking without trouble included.
Healers
They heal you and its very good because you have a low hp pool despite a massive base armor.
Purge
Purge removes spells that screw your invisibility like Track, Faerie Fire and others, and will let you continue your cookie-cutting ability.
.: WORST ENEMIES
Silencers
When you’re silenced, you can be seen, and you’re stealth is pretty much screwed up.
Nukers
These are pains in the head. They can harass you without even having the chance to fight back, and are hard to gank because once you do and they get away from being silenced you’re dead. AoE nukes also hit you even if you’re invisible.
Tanks
These are hard to kill heroes and you would most likely lose to their sturdiness, also most tanks have stuns that will give them the upper hand so better get away from it.
True Sight
Those who can give sight of you while invisible are notorious and dangerous for your life. Apparently, all these heroes seem to outbattle you in DPS or in skills so better watch out and get allies to go near you and to prepare for battle once the enemies kick in.
.: ASSASSIN FEEDS
Glass Canons
Or low HP heroes - especially those Int type heroes are ones you can pick on. Some may be lethal, but with your smokescreen you can avoid being nuked. Some agi heroes with no escapes are also delicious food for you, and will serve nutrition for the rest of the game ^^.
Rikimaru the Stealth AssassinAuthor: xRtA
Map Vers.: 6.57b
The Backstabber is here.
Guide to playing Rikimaru
Last Comment:28/07/2010
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