Foreword
Icarus was one of the new heroes introduced in 6.69.When It was just released,many people complained that both Icarus and Tuskarr were just too imbalanced.But these 2 heroes were nerfed in the following map.So,I'm going to present a guide about The Icarus.before reading the guide,please forgive me for my poor english,I'm a Malaysian,but neither an American nor an English People.

Introduction
Well,Icarus can play many roles in DotA including supporter,ganker,and also a semi-carry in mid-late games.

Basic Infos
PROS
-High STR gain
-A very imba ultimate
-Useful AOE heal
-Cool chaser/escaper

CONS
-Very low base armor
-Mana/Intelligence Item Dependant
-Not highly spammable skills because they cost hp


Skill Builds
1.Sun Ray
2.Icarus Dive
3.Sun Ray/Fire Spirits(if you are being harrassed seriously in a lane,learn FS 1st)
4.Icarus Dive
5.Fire Spirits/Sun Ray(if you learn FS at lvl 3,learn SR at lvl 5 or else learn SR at lvl 3 as it is your main killing/supporting mechanism)
6.Supernova
7.Sun Ray
8.Sun Ray
9.Icarus Dive
10.Icarus Dive
11.Supernova
12.Fire Spirits
13.Fire Spirits
14.Fire Spirits
15.+
16.Supernova
17-25.+

OK,Sun Ray should be max out first because a 28% slow at early game is really really useful.Icarus Dive will be max out next.If you have a hard time farming in a lane,learn Fire Spirits at level 3 because it will help you to stay at a lane more longer(especially when there are heavy nukes/DPS heroes in the enemy team).Supernova should be learn whenever it is available.

Item Builds
START GAME

Always have a chick.If there are skill spammers in enemy team,combine Branch into Magic Wand.


WHAT BOOTS SHOULD I BUY?

Not recommended as Icarus's movement speed is only 290,but you can switch between Str boots or Int Boots for some additional attributes.


If you're playing a role as a supporter,this will be your best choice.


NO,NO,NO!Buying Phase Boots is a BIG WASTE for Icarus,because you cannot activate Phase while using Sun Ray.


A nice choice for Icarus.You can roam here and roam there and even play hide-and-seek with enemy heroes.But if you can't manage to buy it in <15 minutes in game,I'll suggest you to buy either Power Treads or Arcane Boots.(recommended if you're playing solo mid or solo BLABLABLA.)


SUPPORTING ITEMS

Strongly recommended for pure supporters.Fire Spirits+Urn Of Shadows's Heal can even restore a red hp hero into fully regenerated in early-mid games.


Buy this if there are nukers in enemy team.


Hex is useful in whole game.You can hex someone into *behhh*sheep before you use your ultimate,It should be useful.


The Freezing Aura is OMFG.Equipping a Shiva also solves your armor and mana problem.


Another chasing/escaping mechanism but not recommended except there are some Blink heroes or Chaser heroes such as MAGINA,QOP,TUSKARR,etc.


Almost the same with Pipe.This is mainly bought for heal in ganks.If you wanna use your ultimate,click it before you go in your supernova to give your teammates more survivability.


Not often seen in Icarus.I know that you're a supporter but buying this will only waste your slot.Don't buy this except you're toooooooooo poor.


a very nice choice for Icarus if you often use your ultimate.Use this before you use ultimate makes a -6 armor buff on 1 enemy hero and you will not be affected.Use it on some soft heroes(Crystal Maiden,Slayer,etc.).If there are no soft heroes,use it on the hero that your teammate is 'raping'.


ORB ITEMS

Sorry to tell all of you that Icarus is not IMBA in Orb Items Section.These are not suitable for Icarus because you already had a 28% slow.


Increasing your Attack Speed doesn't benefit you.Your main job is Gank/Support.Remember,Icarus Is Not A Killer Nor A Hardcore-Carry.Rushing this will only waste your money.


Buff items are also not suitable for Icarus.Although Desolator is a DPS item,but it only hits 1 target.You don't worth it.About the Diffusal Blade,it's the same with Sange & S&Y.You can't even purge when you are using Sun Ray.


Buying this item will also make you more vulnerable,don't even buy it.


If you must have a lifesteal Orb Items,i will recommend these for you.HotD gives you a 5 armor bonus.Satanic gives you more lifesteal and also increases your strength.But actually Satanic is a luxury item for Icarus,so,buy it only if you're too rich.

CORE ITEMS

One of the best core item for Icarus.Cast on an enemy hero before you use your skills and most of them will react like this :


I think i don't have to add any more explanations for this item.Heart Gives a massive HP boost for Icarus.


Get these often.Spell blocking can help you to block nuke skills especially stuns when you're using Sun Ray.


A nice DPS item for Icarus.Radiance can help you to push more quicker.


Ya,Icarus needs it.Icarus has a 0 armor at start game so it really needs the damage block to increase its survivability(especially in start game).Alot of thanks to RDz_FireCricket and D3rK_LiVinG


REJECTED ITEMS

If you buy this for Icarus,please take a knife and stab yourself.What is the F**King use of Refresher Orb for Icarus?Double Ultimates?What a big joke and what a waste.After using your ultimate,you MUST be fully regenerated and yet,you go for an ultimate again?So,why don't you buy Refresher Orb for Storm Spirit?


Oh Gosh!Blademail is not useful for Icarus,i would recommend either Shiva's Guard or Assault Cuirass for Icarus.


Please Wake Up,dude.Icarus will become a vulnerable useless crap after buying Armlet.It's skills cost HP already,so,avoid from buying this item.


DON'T PLAY ICARUS AS AN AURA TOWER.Leave it to other melee heroes or healers/supporters(Dazzle) because their lifesteal effect will disappear when you use your ultimate.(actually there's not only lifesteal but additional damage and armor.)


Whoever buy these for Icarus is definitely a Noob.Icarus is damage independant.As i mentioned just now,Icarus is not a killer nor a hardcore-carry.


A TOTAL WASTE.


Icarus's Best allies & worst enemies
ICARUS'S BEST ALLIES
AOE STUNNERS/DISABLERS

These are some examples for Icarus's best supporters/babysitters.

IF YOU PLAY ICARUS AS A SUPPORTER(COMBOS WITH OTHER HEROES)

Combo between Icarus and Butcher is superb,2 DPS can kill anyone easily.


*A Big Secret*Icarus's ultimate works in Faceless Void's Chronosphere too!So,if you two can timing accurately,you can cast a stun after Chronosphere.A very useful combo for Icarus.(Thanks For D3rK_LiVinG's help to test this combo.)


ICARUS'S WORST ENEMIES

His clones also cause damage to your Supernova.watch out for this guy.


Same with WR.You will definitely die when you saw him.


Whoever tethers with this ball shaped little kid with his Overcharge activating will kill you for sure.

SOME OTHER EXAMPLES



Conclusions
Yeah,finally done...my 1st guide.Icarus is not my favourite hero but yet i still write a guide for it.Feel free to comment and i'll appreciate for it.I think i will still make some changes for this Icarus guide whenever i had found some mistakes.


Credits
-Syllabeardota
-D3rK_LiVinG
Alot of thanks for IceFrog & PlayDotA.


Change Log

• 20/1/2011-Guide submitted.
• 21/1/2011-Added some items to SUPPORTING ITEMS and remake ORB ITEMS section.MoM added from REJECTED ITEMS to ORB ITEMS.Added some REJECTED ITEMS.
• 4/3/2011-Added Vanguard to CORE ITEMS.
• 1/4/2011-Removed Windrunner on ICARUS'S WORST ENEMIES section.Removed 'increased damage to Sunray' from Heart of Tarrasque.