Brewmaster · Offlane (pos. 3)
Brewmaster Guide
More Brewmaster guides
This guide is assembled by the site from match data and the game's own information — nobody wrote it by hand. Official and community guides appear alongside it when they exist.
Overview
Brewmaster is a melee Universal hero that Valve tags as Initiator, Disabler and Durable. It is played mainly as Offlane (pos. 3): 88% of the public matches we measured, by starting lane and starting items. In this guide you play it as Offlane (pos. 3): your job is to survive a hard lane, bother the enemy carry and start the fights. This patch, Brewmaster wins 51.0% of the 73,563 public matches we measured (B tier on our ladder).
Strengths
- Valve tags Brewmaster as Durable: it stays in fights longer than most heroes.
- Heavy magical burst: Valve lists it as a Nuker.
- Clear job in the team: survive a hard lane, bother the enemy carry and start the fights.
Weaknesses
- Melee: has to walk up to its target, which makes the lane harder against ranged heroes.
- No escape in the kit: without good positioning and vision, Brewmaster is easy to catch.
- Low base armor (1): vulnerable to physical harass early on.
Build cheat sheet
Pick the build that fits what you want to do this game.
- Most-played buildBalancedRecommendedThe items most bought with this hero, phase by phase. Pick it when you don't have a clear reason to deviate. Built from what Brewmaster players buy in the public matches we measured.
- Damage buildOffensiveAdvancedMoves the popular items that add damage — Hand of Midas and Orchid Malevolence — to the front. Choose it when your lane went well and you can afford to be greedy. Built from what Brewmaster players buy in the public matches we measured.
- Survival buildDefensiveSituationalPrioritises the popular items that keep you alive — Aghanim's Scepter and Spirit Vessel. Choose it against heavy disables or burst, or when you are the enemy's focus. Built from what Brewmaster players buy in the public matches we measured.
- Team utility buildUtilitySituationalBuilt around the popular items that help your allies — Spirit Vessel and Orchid Malevolence. Choose it when your team needs saves and auras more than your damage. Built from what Brewmaster players buy in the public matches we measured.
Builds
Most-played build
When to use it
The items most bought with this hero, phase by phase. Pick it when you don't have a clear reason to deviate. Built from what Brewmaster players buy in the public matches we measured.
Where it's played
Picked before the game: the main lane first, then the alternatives.
189%- OfflaneMain89% of matchesOff lane as the space-making core (pos. 3).
Starting items
Early game
Core items
- 1Aghanim's Scepter
- 2Blink Dagger
- 3Hand of Midas
- 4Spirit Vessel
Boots
Late game
Skill order
Max order:Thunder Clap›Drunken Brawl…›Cinder Brew
| Ability | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
 | · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | ● | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
 | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | ● |
 | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | ● | · | · |
Talents by level
- Cinder Brew applies Fear when ignited1.5x Drunken Brawler Stance Bonuses25
- -12s Primal Split Cooldown+110 Attack Speed20
- +40% Cinder Brew Damage/Duration+600 Brewlings Health15
- +13 Brewlings Base Damage+2/1s Drunken Brawler Brew Up / Extend Duration10
Damage build
When to use it
Moves the popular items that add damage — Hand of Midas and Orchid Malevolence — to the front. Choose it when your lane went well and you can afford to be greedy. Built from what Brewmaster players buy in the public matches we measured.
Where it's played
Picked before the game: the main lane first, then the alternatives.
189%- OfflaneMain89% of matchesOff lane as the space-making core (pos. 3).
Starting items
Core items
- 1Hand of Midas+40 Attack Speed. Active: Transmute.
- 2Orchid Malevolence+35 Attack Speed, +20 Damage, +2.5 Mana Regeneration. Active: Soul Burn.
- 3Radiance+55 Damage, +25% Evasion.
- 4Vladmir's Offering+1 Armor, +0.75 Mana Regeneration.
Boots
Late game
Skill order
Max order:Thunder Clap›Drunken Brawl…›Cinder Brew
| Ability | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | ● | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | ● |
| · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | ● | · | · |
Talents by level
- Cinder Brew applies Fear when ignited1.5x Drunken Brawler Stance Bonuses25
- -12s Primal Split Cooldown+110 Attack Speed20
- +40% Cinder Brew Damage/Duration+600 Brewlings Health15
- +13 Brewlings Base Damage+2/1s Drunken Brawler Brew Up / Extend Duration10
Survival build
When to use it
Prioritises the popular items that keep you alive — Aghanim's Scepter and Spirit Vessel. Choose it against heavy disables or burst, or when you are the enemy's focus. Built from what Brewmaster players buy in the public matches we measured.
Where it's played
Picked before the game: the main lane first, then the alternatives.
189%- OfflaneMain89% of matchesOff lane as the space-making core (pos. 3).
Starting items
Core items
- 1Aghanim's Scepter+10 All Attributes, +175 Health, +175 Mana.
- 2Spirit Vessel+1.75 Mana Regeneration, +10 All Attributes, +2 Armor. Active: Soul Release.
- 3Radiance+55 Damage, +25% Evasion.
- 4Lotus Orb+10 Armor, +6.5 Health Regeneration, +4.0 Mana Regeneration. Active: Echo Shell.
Boots
Late game
Skill order
Max order:Thunder Clap›Drunken Brawl…›Cinder Brew
| Ability | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | ● | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | ● |
| · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | ● | · | · |
Talents by level
- Cinder Brew applies Fear when ignited1.5x Drunken Brawler Stance Bonuses25
- -12s Primal Split Cooldown+110 Attack Speed20
- +40% Cinder Brew Damage/Duration+600 Brewlings Health15
- +13 Brewlings Base Damage+2/1s Drunken Brawler Brew Up / Extend Duration10
Team utility build
When to use it
Built around the popular items that help your allies — Spirit Vessel and Orchid Malevolence. Choose it when your team needs saves and auras more than your damage. Built from what Brewmaster players buy in the public matches we measured.
Where it's played
Picked before the game: the main lane first, then the alternatives.
189%- OfflaneMain89% of matchesOff lane as the space-making core (pos. 3).
Starting items
Core items
- 1Spirit Vessel+1.75 Mana Regeneration, +10 All Attributes, +2 Armor. Active: Soul Release.
- 2Orchid Malevolence+35 Attack Speed, +20 Damage, +2.5 Mana Regeneration. Active: Soul Burn.
- 3Lotus Orb+10 Armor, +6.5 Health Regeneration, +4.0 Mana Regeneration. Active: Echo Shell.
- 4Refresher Orb+14 Health Regeneration, +7.0 Mana Regeneration. Active: Reset Cooldowns.
Boots
Late game
Skill order
Max order:Thunder Clap›Drunken Brawl…›Cinder Brew
| Ability | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | ● | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | ● |
| · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | ● | · | · |
Talents by level
- Cinder Brew applies Fear when ignited1.5x Drunken Brawler Stance Bonuses25
- -12s Primal Split Cooldown+110 Attack Speed20
- +40% Cinder Brew Damage/Duration+600 Brewlings Health15
- +13 Brewlings Base Damage+2/1s Drunken Brawler Brew Up / Extend Duration10
Abilities
- Thunder Clap18 / 16 / 14 / 12s100 mpSlams the ground, dealing damage and slowing the movement speed and attack rate of nearby enemy units.
- Radius
- 400
- Damage
- 80·160·240·320
- Movement slow
- 15%·30%·45%·60%
- Attack slow
- 15·30·45·60
- Duration
- 4·4.25·4.5·4.75
- Cinder Brew19 / 17 / 15 / 13s50 / 60 / 70 / 80 mpRolls a barrel of ale at enemies that damages enemies along its path and spills out at the target location.
Any enemy in the path or the spill area is drenched in cinder brew, becoming slowed. If the enemy receives Magic or Pure damage, they will be ignited, extending the duration by 3s and causing them to take damage over time.
- Duration
- 5
- Ignite total damage
- 80·160·240·320
- Movement slow
- 24%·28%·32%·36%
- Radius
- 400
- Barrel speed
- 950
- Barrel impact damage
- 40·70·100·130
- Drunken BrawlerBrewmaster can switch stances based on the elements he controls.
Whenever Brewmaster casts an ability, he becomes Brewed Up, increasing his stance power by 150% for 5s. If he casts another ability while Brewed Up, the duration is extended by 2s. After Brewed Up expires, he is hungover and cannot Brew Up again for 9s.
Earth Brawler gains bonus Magic Resistance and Armor.
Storm Brawler gains bonu
- Magic resist
- 8%·12%·16%·20%
- Armor
- 3·5·7·9
- Evasion
- 15%·20%·25%·30%
- Move speed
- 4%·6%·8%·10%
- Crit chance
- 20%
- Crit damage
- 120%·140%·160%·180%
Liquid CouragePassiveWhen Brewmaster drops below 50% Health he gains a Status Resistance buff and his movement speed alternates every 1s between being faster and being slower. The effect becomes stronger at lower health, scaling from 0 up to max values at 20% Health.- Max status resist
- 10%
- Max speed slow
- 10%
- Max speed increase
- 30%
- Primal Split140 / 130 / 120s150 / 200 / 250 / 250 mpSplits Brewmaster into elements, forming 3 specialized warriors, adept at survival, each with their own abilities. If any of them survive until the end of their summoned timer, the Brewmaster is reborn. Each Warrior gains its respective Drunken Brawler stance.
- Duration
- 16·20·24·24
- Earth brewling hp
- 1400·2300·3200·4100
- Earth brewling damage
- 35·70·105·140
- Storm brewling hp
- 1000·1500·2000·2500
- Storm brewling damage
- 30·50·70·90
- Fire brewling hp
- 1300·1450·1600·1750
Most played skill order
The most played order in the last 100 professional matches with this hero. Highlighted levels are the points spent on talents.
Max order:Thunder Clap›Drunken Brawl…›Cinder Brew
| Ability | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | ● | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | ● |
| · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | ● | · | · |
Strategy
1Early game
You usually play outnumbered, so experience matters more than last hits. Stay alive, keep the enemy carry busy and punish them whenever their support leaves. Trade when the enemy support uses their mana or leaves the lane; a level up is worth more than a kill here.
- Early items: Bracer and Urn of Shadows.
2Mid game
With Aghanim's Scepter you become the initiator: pick the fight, catch the key target and give your cores a good start. Your spikes are your core items: Aghanim's Scepter and then Blink Dagger.
- Core items: Aghanim's Scepter, Blink Dagger and Hand of Midas.
3Late game
Late, your value is in starting fights and absorbing spells. Decide who you jump on before you jump.
- Late items: Assault Cuirass and Refresher Orb.
4Team fights
You go in first: catch as many heroes as you can and soak the spells your carry fears.
Tips
- Aghanim's Scepter is what lets you start fights: get it before you look for them.
- If the lane is lost, farm the nearby jungle and come back for experience: a lost lane is not a lost game.
- Before each fight, check which key abilities the enemy has available.
- Look at the minimap every few seconds: most deaths come from enemies you didn't see.
Matchups
Strong against
- Dark Willow64.7%win rate in the matchup
Brewmaster wins 64.7% of the 51 games measured against Dark Willow this patch.
51 matches
- Void Spirit62.1%win rate in the matchup
Brewmaster wins 62.1% of the 58 games measured against Void Spirit this patch.
58 matches
- Centaur Warrunner59.7%win rate in the matchup
Brewmaster wins 59.7% of the 67 games measured against Centaur Warrunner this patch.
67 matches
- Slardar57.1%win rate in the matchup
Brewmaster wins 57.1% of the 63 games measured against Slardar this patch.
63 matches
- Warlock56.3%win rate in the matchup
Brewmaster wins 56.3% of the 96 games measured against Warlock this patch.
96 matches
Weak against
- Tiny48.5%win rate in the matchup
Brewmaster only wins 48.5% of the 101 games measured against Tiny this patch.
101 matches
- Ember Spirit49.0%win rate in the matchup
Brewmaster only wins 49.0% of the 100 games measured against Ember Spirit this patch.
100 matches
- Shadow Fiend49.5%win rate in the matchup
Brewmaster only wins 49.5% of the 107 games measured against Shadow Fiend this patch.
107 matches
Works well with
Brewmaster holds the front line while Troll Warlord deals damage from behind.
Brewmaster holds the front line while Gyrocopter deals damage from behind.
Brewmaster holds the front line while Weaver deals damage from behind.
Changelog
- Guide created for patch 7.41.
Was this helpful?
Your vote helps other players find the best guides.