Troll Warlord · Carry (pos. 1)
Troll Warlord Matchups and Counters
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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
This guide covers Troll Warlord's matchups and how to adapt to them. Matchups that show a win rate come from the public matches we measured (at least 50 games each; 100 when the sample allows). When the sample is too small, the list is completed with matchups read from both heroes' kits, which carry no figures.
Strengths
- Reliable root: Berserker's Rage sets up kills.
- Valve tags Troll Warlord as Durable: it stays in fights longer than most heroes.
- Takes towers quickly: Valve lists it as a Pusher.
Weaknesses
- No escape in the kit: without good positioning and vision, Troll Warlord is easy to catch.
- Low base armor (-1): vulnerable to physical harass early on.
- Item-dependent: weak until Battle Fury is done.
Build cheat sheet
Pick the build that fits what you want to do this game.
- Against magic damageDefensiveRecommendedFor games where the enemy kills with spells: keep your first two core items and add magic resistance or spell immunity.
- Against physical damageDefensiveSituationalFor games against right-click carries: keep your first two core items and add armor, evasion or damage block.
- Against disablesDefensiveSituationalFor games against a lot of stuns and silences: items that dispel, block or ignore them.
Builds
Against magic damage
When to use it
For games where the enemy kills with spells: keep your first two core items and add magic resistance or spell immunity.
Where it's played
Picked before the game: the main lane first, then the alternatives.
187%- Safe laneMain87% of matchesSafe lane as the farming core (pos. 1).
Core items
- 1Battle Fury
- 2Sange and Yasha
Situational
Skill order
Max order:Whirling Axes…›Whirling Axes…›Fervor›Berserker's R…
| Ability | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Talents by level
- Battle Trance Strong DispelsWhirling Axes Pierce Magic Immunity25
- Allies Receive Battle Trance Attack Speed+160 Whirling Axes Damage20
- +1s Battle Trance Duration+4 Fervor Attack Speed15
- +2.5s Whirling Axes Debuff Duration+20 Berserker's Rage Movement Speed10
Against physical damage
When to use it
For games against right-click carries: keep your first two core items and add armor, evasion or damage block.
Where it's played
Picked before the game: the main lane first, then the alternatives.
187%- Safe laneMain87% of matchesSafe lane as the farming core (pos. 1).
Core items
- 1Battle Fury
- 2Sange and Yasha
Situational
Skill order
Max order:Whirling Axes…›Whirling Axes…›Fervor›Berserker's R…
| Ability | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | ● | ● | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
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Talents by level
- Battle Trance Strong DispelsWhirling Axes Pierce Magic Immunity25
- Allies Receive Battle Trance Attack Speed+160 Whirling Axes Damage20
- +1s Battle Trance Duration+4 Fervor Attack Speed15
- +2.5s Whirling Axes Debuff Duration+20 Berserker's Rage Movement Speed10
Against disables
When to use it
For games against a lot of stuns and silences: items that dispel, block or ignore them.
Where it's played
Picked before the game: the main lane first, then the alternatives.
187%- Safe laneMain87% of matchesSafe lane as the farming core (pos. 1).
Core items
- 1Battle Fury
- 2Sange and Yasha
Situational
Skill order
Max order:Whirling Axes…›Whirling Axes…›Fervor›Berserker's R…
| Ability | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | ● | ● | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | ● | ● | · | · |
| · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | ● |
Talents by level
- Battle Trance Strong DispelsWhirling Axes Pierce Magic Immunity25
- Allies Receive Battle Trance Attack Speed+160 Whirling Axes Damage20
- +1s Battle Trance Duration+4 Fervor Attack Speed15
- +2.5s Whirling Axes Debuff Duration+20 Berserker's Rage Movement Speed10
Abilities
Battle StanceTroll Warlord swaps from using ranged to melee attacks. While melee, Troll Warlord's base attack time is improved to 1.4.
Troll Warlord gains 1 armor per 30 bonus attack speed.- Whirling Axes (Ranged)9sTroll hurls a fistful of five axes in a cone shape over 950 range, slowing and damaging enemy units.
- Axe damage
- 60·80·100·120
- Slow duration
- 2.5·3·3.5·4
- Movement slow
- 40%
- Whirling Axes (Melee)9sTroll hurls two axes around him in a close range area of effect, damaging enemy units and causing them to miss some attacks.
- Damage
- 75·120·165·210
- Radius
- 450
- Blind duration
- 5
- Miss chance
- 60%
- Whirl duration
- 3
- FervorPassiveWith each continuous blow on the same target, Troll gains increased attack speed. If Troll changes targets, the stacks drop to zero.
- Attack speed per stack
- 15·20·25·30
- Max stacks
- 10
- Berserker's RagePassiveWhile in melee form, Troll Warlord's attacks have a chance to ensnare, preventing the target from moving or using mobility spells and has additional movement speed.
When in ranged form, Troll Warlord's attacks have a chance to Maim the target, dealing bonus damage, and slowing the target's movement and attack speed.
- Bonus move speed
- 15·25·35·45
- Ensnare chance
- 20%
- Ensnare duration
- 0.8·1.2·1.6·2
- Maim chance
- 20%
- Maim duration
- 0.8·1.2·1.6·2
- Maim move slow
- 8%·16%·24%·32%
- Battle Trance90 / 80 / 70s150 mpTroll unleashes a powerful battle trance, that forces you to continuously attack the closest enemy unit within 900 range, prioritizing heroes. Damage does not kill you during this mode. Grants you bonus lifesteal, attack speed, slow resistance and movement speed. Applies a Basic Dispel.
DISPEL TYPE: Basic Dispel
- Trance duration
- 6.5
- Lifesteal
- 40%·60%·80%
- Attack speed
- 140·170·200
- Movement speed
- 35%
- Slow resistance
- 35%
- Battle trance max fervor stacks
- 0
Most played skill order
The most played order in the last 32 professional matches with this hero. Highlighted levels are the points spent on talents.
Max order:Whirling Axes…›Whirling Axes…›Fervor›Berserker's R…
| Ability | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | ● | ● | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | ● | ● | · | · |
| · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | ● |
Strategy
1Good matchups
Troll Warlord does well against these:
- Shadow Fiend: Troll Warlord wins 54.7% of the 137 games measured against Shadow Fiend this patch.
- Rubick: Troll Warlord wins 51.3% of the 117 games measured against Rubick this patch.
- Slardar: Troll Warlord wins 50.9% of the 165 games measured against Slardar this patch.
2Tough matchups
Troll Warlord struggles against these:
3Synergies
Troll Warlord works well alongside these, because their kits fit together:
- Io: Tether from Io keeps Troll Warlord alive, and Troll Warlord is the damage the team needs to protect.
- Marci: Bodyguard from Marci keeps Troll Warlord alive, and Troll Warlord is the damage the team needs to protect.
- Ogre Magi: Fire Shield from Ogre Magi keeps Troll Warlord alive, and Troll Warlord is the damage the team needs to protect.
4Adapting the build
The situational builds in this guide answer specific threats: Against magic damage, Against physical damage and Against disables.
5Playing against Troll Warlord
If you're on the other side, this is what to exploit:
- No escape in the kit: without good positioning and vision, Troll Warlord is easy to catch.
- Low base armor (-1): vulnerable to physical harass early on.
- Item-dependent: weak until Battle Fury is done.
Tips
- Look at the enemy team before choosing your build: the situational builds below answer the most common threats.
- Good matchup: Shadow Fiend. Play forward when you face them.
- Tough matchup: Disruptor. Play safer and wait for your team.
- Against slippery heroes, hold Berserker's Rage until their escape is used.
Matchups
Strong against
- Shadow Fiend54.7%win rate in the matchup
Troll Warlord wins 54.7% of the 137 games measured against Shadow Fiend this patch.
137 matches
- Rubick51.3%win rate in the matchup
Troll Warlord wins 51.3% of the 117 games measured against Rubick this patch.
117 matches
- Slardar50.9%win rate in the matchup
Troll Warlord wins 50.9% of the 165 games measured against Slardar this patch.
165 matches
Weak against
- Disruptor47.9%win rate in the matchup
Troll Warlord only wins 47.9% of the 117 games measured against Disruptor this patch.
117 matches
- Ursa48.2%win rate in the matchup
Troll Warlord only wins 48.2% of the 112 games measured against Ursa this patch.
112 matches
- Snapfire49.7%win rate in the matchup
Troll Warlord only wins 49.7% of the 153 games measured against Snapfire this patch.
153 matches
Works well with
Tether from Io keeps Troll Warlord alive, and Troll Warlord is the damage the team needs to protect.
Bodyguard from Marci keeps Troll Warlord alive, and Troll Warlord is the damage the team needs to protect.
Fire Shield from Ogre Magi keeps Troll Warlord alive, and Troll Warlord is the damage the team needs to protect.
Changelog
- Guide created for patch 7.41.
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