Spirit Breaker · Soft Support (pos. 4)
Spirit Breaker Guide
More Spirit Breaker 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
Spirit Breaker is a melee Strength hero that Valve tags as Disabler, Durable and Initiator. It is played mainly as Soft Support (pos. 4): 72% of the public matches we measured, by starting lane and starting items. In this guide you play it as Soft Support (pos. 4): your job is to help your offlaner win the hard lane, rotate for kills and make space with your spells. The kit brings crowd control (stun) with Greater Bash. Its ultimate is Nether Strike. This patch, Spirit Breaker wins 52.2% of the 609,843 public matches we measured (S tier on our ladder).
Strengths
- Reliable stun: Greater Bash sets up kills and interrupts enemy channels.
- Valve tags Spirit Breaker as Durable: it stays in fights longer than most heroes.
- Strong this patch: wins 52.2% of measured public matches.
Weaknesses
- Melee: has to walk up to its target, which makes the lane harder against ranged heroes.
- Low base armor (1): vulnerable to physical harass early on.
- Plays on little gold: expensive items arrive late.
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 Spirit Breaker players buy in the public matches we measured.
- Damage buildOffensiveAdvancedMoves the popular items that add damage — Shadow Blade and Hand of Midas — to the front. Choose it when your lane went well and you can afford to be greedy. Built from what Spirit Breaker players buy in the public matches we measured.
- Survival buildDefensiveSituationalPrioritises the popular items that keep you alive — Drum of Endurance and Spirit Vessel. Choose it against heavy disables or burst, or when you are the enemy's focus. Built from what Spirit Breaker players buy in the public matches we measured.
- Team utility buildUtilitySituationalBuilt around the popular items that help your allies — Drum of Endurance and Spirit Vessel. Choose it when your team needs saves and auras more than your damage. Built from what Spirit Breaker 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 Spirit Breaker players buy in the public matches we measured.
Where it's played
Picked before the game: the main lane first, then the alternatives.
211%179%- OfflaneMain79% of matchesOff lane next to your offlaner, as Soft Support (pos. 4).
- Safe lanePriority 211% of matchesSafe lane next to your carry, as Hard Support (pos. 5).
Starting items
Early game
Core items
- 1Drum of Endurance
- 2Shadow Blade
- 3Spirit Vessel
- 4Aghanim's Shard
Boots
Late game
Skill order
Max order:Greater Bash›Charge of Dar…›Bulldoze
| Ability | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
 | · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | ● | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
 | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | ● |
 | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | ● | · | · |
Talents by level
- -4s Charge of Darkness Cooldown+20% Greater Bash Damage25
- +8%/+2% Empowering Haste Movespeed BonusBulldoze 375 All Damage Barrier20
- +60 Charge of Darkness Bonus Speed-3s Bulldoze Cooldown15
- +500 Night Vision+4 Armor10
Damage build
When to use it
Moves the popular items that add damage — Shadow Blade and Hand of Midas — to the front. Choose it when your lane went well and you can afford to be greedy. Built from what Spirit Breaker players buy in the public matches we measured.
Where it's played
Picked before the game: the main lane first, then the alternatives.
211%179%- OfflaneMain79% of matchesOff lane next to your offlaner, as Soft Support (pos. 4).
- Safe lanePriority 211% of matchesSafe lane next to your carry, as Hard Support (pos. 5).
Starting items
Core items
- 1Shadow Blade+25 Damage, +35 Attack Speed. Active: Shadow Walk.
- 2Hand of Midas+40 Attack Speed. Active: Transmute.
- 3Vladmir's Offering+1 Armor, +0.75 Mana Regeneration.
- 4Orchid Malevolence+35 Attack Speed, +20 Damage, +2.5 Mana Regeneration. Active: Soul Burn.
Boots
Late game
Skill order
Max order:Greater Bash›Charge of Dar…›Bulldoze
| Ability | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | ● | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | ● |
| · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | ● | · | · |
Talents by level
- -4s Charge of Darkness Cooldown+20% Greater Bash Damage25
- +8%/+2% Empowering Haste Movespeed BonusBulldoze 375 All Damage Barrier20
- +60 Charge of Darkness Bonus Speed-3s Bulldoze Cooldown15
- +500 Night Vision+4 Armor10
Survival build
When to use it
Prioritises the popular items that keep you alive — Drum of Endurance and Spirit Vessel. Choose it against heavy disables or burst, or when you are the enemy's focus. Built from what Spirit Breaker players buy in the public matches we measured.
Where it's played
Picked before the game: the main lane first, then the alternatives.
211%179%- OfflaneMain79% of matchesOff lane next to your offlaner, as Soft Support (pos. 4).
- Safe lanePriority 211% of matchesSafe lane next to your carry, as Hard Support (pos. 5).
Starting items
Core items
- 1Drum of Endurance+8 Strength. Active: Endurance.
- 2Spirit Vessel+1.75 Mana Regeneration, +10 All Attributes, +2 Armor. Active: Soul Release.
- 3Ghost Scepter+5 All Attributes. Active: Ghost Form.
- 4Eul's Scepter of Divinity+10 Intelligence, +2.5 Mana Regeneration, +20 Movement Speed. Active: Cyclone.
Boots
Late game
Skill order
Max order:Greater Bash›Charge of Dar…›Bulldoze
| Ability | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | ● | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | ● |
| · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | ● | · | · |
Talents by level
- -4s Charge of Darkness Cooldown+20% Greater Bash Damage25
- +8%/+2% Empowering Haste Movespeed BonusBulldoze 375 All Damage Barrier20
- +60 Charge of Darkness Bonus Speed-3s Bulldoze Cooldown15
- +500 Night Vision+4 Armor10
Team utility build
When to use it
Built around the popular items that help your allies — Drum of Endurance and Spirit Vessel. Choose it when your team needs saves and auras more than your damage. Built from what Spirit Breaker players buy in the public matches we measured.
Where it's played
Picked before the game: the main lane first, then the alternatives.
211%179%- OfflaneMain79% of matchesOff lane next to your offlaner, as Soft Support (pos. 4).
- Safe lanePriority 211% of matchesSafe lane next to your carry, as Hard Support (pos. 5).
Starting items
Core items
- 1Drum of Endurance+8 Strength. Active: Endurance.
- 2Spirit Vessel+1.75 Mana Regeneration, +10 All Attributes, +2 Armor. Active: Soul Release.
- 3Eul's Scepter of Divinity+10 Intelligence, +2.5 Mana Regeneration, +20 Movement Speed. Active: Cyclone.
- 4Glimmer Cape+20% Magic Resistance. Active: Glimmer.
Boots
Late game
Skill order
Max order:Greater Bash›Charge of Dar…›Bulldoze
| Ability | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | ● | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | ● |
| · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | ● | · | · |
Talents by level
- -4s Charge of Darkness Cooldown+20% Greater Bash Damage25
- +8%/+2% Empowering Haste Movespeed BonusBulldoze 375 All Damage Barrier20
- +60 Charge of Darkness Bonus Speed-3s Bulldoze Cooldown15
- +500 Night Vision+4 Armor10
Abilities
- Charge of Darkness22 / 19 / 16 / 13s80 / 90 / 100 / 110 mpSpirit Breaker fixes his sight on an enemy unit and starts charging through all objects, starting at 25% of the bonus speed and reaching his max speed after 1.5s.
All enemy units passed through and the targeted unit will be hit by a Greater Bash. If the targeted unit dies, Spirit Breaker will change his target to the nearest enemy unit to that location.
- Charge bonus speed
- 275·325·375·425
- Stun duration
- 1.3·1.6·1.9·2.2
- Min linger time
- 0
- Max linger time
- 0
- Charge for max linger
- 0
- Bulldoze22 / 20 / 18 / 16s30 / 40 / 50 / 60 mpSpirit Breaker gains movement speed and status resistance to ram through enemies. Can be used while charging.
- Movement speed
- 8%·12%·16%·20%
- Status resistance
- 40%·50%·60%·70%
- Duration
- 8
- Greater BashPassive1.2sGives a chance to stun and knockback an enemy unit on an attack. Deals a percentage of movement speed as damage.
- Chance to bash
- 17%
- Movement speed as damage
- 25%·30%·35%·40%
- Stun duration
- 0.9·1.1·1.3·1.5
- Knockback duration
- 0.5
- Knockback distance
- 143·152·158·162
Planar Pocket30s100 mpBarathrum gains magic resistance and distorts reality around the selected hero, making any unit-targeted spells cast by enemy heroes get redirected towards Spirit Breaker. Can be cast on both allied and enemy heroes, but only spells cast by enemies of Spirit Breaker will be redirected.- Duration
- 6
- Self magic resistance
- 40%
Empowering HastePassiveSpirit Breaker gains bonus Movement Speed for a duration whenever he stuns an enemy. Effects from multiple stuns stack and have independent durations. Duration pauses during Charge of Darkness.- Hero duration
- 2
- Creep duration
- 1
- Hero movespeed
- 8%
- Creep movespeed
- 2%
- Nether Strike75 / 55 / 35s125 / 150 / 175 mpSpirit Breaker slips into the nether realm, reappearing next to his hapless victim. Upon reappearing, a Greater Bash of the current level occurs and deals bonus damage. Knocks back for double the normal distance.
- Bonus damage
- 150·250·350
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:Greater Bash›Charge of Dar…›Bulldoze
| Ability | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | ● | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | ● |
| · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | ● | · | · |
Strategy
1Early game
Position 4 starts in the off lane with your offlaner: harass the enemy carry, block or pull their camp when it helps and look for the first rotation to mid once the runes spawn. Harass when the enemy core walks up to last hit: every hit you land is gold your carry keeps.
- Early items: Urn of Shadows and Bracer.
2Mid game
Rotate to the lanes where you can get kills, smoke with your cores to catch heroes out of position and keep vision around the next objective. Your spikes are level 6, when Nether Strike comes online, and your core items: Drum of Endurance and then Shadow Blade.
- Core items: Drum of Endurance, Shadow Blade and Spirit Vessel.
3Late game
Late, your death costs little gold but your spells are worth a lot: stay behind the team, keep your save items ready and ward before the fight, not during it.
- Late items: Black King Bar and Eul's Scepter of Divinity.
4Team fights
Stay behind your cores and use Greater Bash on whoever jumps on your carry. Use Nether Strike where it hits the most enemies or catches the key target.
Tips
- Land Greater Bash on the enemy core first: a disabled carry doesn't hit back.
- Buy and place wards every time they are available: vision is your first job.
- Your key purchases are Drum of Endurance and Shadow Blade: they give your team the saves it needs.
- Plan fights around Nether Strike: without it, Spirit Breaker is far less threatening.
Matchups
Strong against
- Axe57.3%win rate in the matchup
Spirit Breaker wins 57.3% of the 150 games measured against Axe this patch.
150 matches
- Void Spirit57.1%win rate in the matchup
Spirit Breaker wins 57.1% of the 112 games measured against Void Spirit this patch.
112 matches
- Shadow Shaman57.0%win rate in the matchup
Spirit Breaker wins 57.0% of the 142 games measured against Shadow Shaman this patch.
142 matches
- Nature's Prophet56.6%win rate in the matchup
Spirit Breaker wins 56.6% of the 129 games measured against Nature's Prophet this patch.
129 matches
- Lich56.2%win rate in the matchup
Spirit Breaker wins 56.2% of the 121 games measured against Lich this patch.
121 matches
Weak against
- Tidehunter45.1%win rate in the matchup
Spirit Breaker only wins 45.1% of the 182 games measured against Tidehunter this patch.
182 matches
- Warlock46.4%win rate in the matchup
Spirit Breaker only wins 46.4% of the 168 games measured against Warlock this patch.
168 matches
- Lina46.4%win rate in the matchup
Spirit Breaker only wins 46.4% of the 138 games measured against Lina this patch.
138 matches
- Ember Spirit46.7%win rate in the matchup
Spirit Breaker only wins 46.7% of the 152 games measured against Ember Spirit this patch.
152 matches
- Invoker47.8%win rate in the matchup
Spirit Breaker only wins 47.8% of the 157 games measured against Invoker this patch.
157 matches
Works well with
Spirit Breaker can peel for Morphling with Nether Strike, and Morphling has no escape of their own.
Spirit Breaker can peel for Shadow Fiend with Nether Strike, and Shadow Fiend has no escape of their own.
Spirit Breaker can peel for Kez with Nether Strike, and Kez has no escape of their own.
Changelog
- Guide created for patch 7.41.
Was this helpful?
Your vote helps other players find the best guides.