Vengeful Spirit · Carry (pos. 1)
Vengeful Spirit Guide
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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
Vengeful Spirit is a ranged Agility hero that Valve tags as Support, Disabler and Initiator. It is played mainly as Carry (pos. 1): 39% of the public matches we measured, by starting lane and starting items. In this guide you play it as Carry (pos. 1): your job is to farm efficiently, hit your item timings and win the late game. The kit brings crowd control (stun) with Magic Missile. Its ultimate is Nether Swap. This patch, Vengeful Spirit wins 52.4% of the 375,234 public matches we measured (S tier on our ladder).
Strengths
- Reliable stun: Magic Missile sets up kills and interrupts enemy channels.
- Heavy magical burst: Valve lists it as a Nuker.
- Scales into a late-game threat as the items come in.
- Strong this patch: wins 52.4% of measured public matches.
Weaknesses
- Low base armor (0): vulnerable to physical harass early on.
- Item-dependent: weak until Specialist's Array is done.
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 Vengeful Spirit players buy in the public matches we measured.
- Damage buildOffensiveAdvancedMoves the popular items that add damage — Specialist's Array and Vladmir's Offering — to the front. Choose it when your lane went well and you can afford to be greedy. Built from what Vengeful Spirit players buy in the public matches we measured.
- Team utility buildUtilitySituationalBuilt around the popular items that help your allies — Pavise and Drum of Endurance. Choose it when your team needs saves and auras more than your damage. Built from what Vengeful Spirit 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 Vengeful Spirit players buy in the public matches we measured.
Where it's played
Picked before the game: the main lane first, then the alternatives.
232%159%- Safe laneMain59% of matchesSafe lane as the farming core (pos. 1).
- OfflanePriority 232% of matchesOff lane as the space-making core (pos. 3).
Starting items
Early game
Core items
- 1Specialist's Array
- 2Aghanim's Scepter
- 3Pavise
- 4Manta Style
Boots
Late game
Skill order
Max order:Magic Missile›Wave of Terror›Vengeance Aura
| 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
- +16% Vengeance Aura Base Damage Bonus-18s Nether Swap Cooldown25
- Wave Of Terror Steals 25% Of Reduced Damage And Armor-2s Magic Missile Cooldown20
- +0.3s Magic Missile Stun Duration-3 Wave of Terror Armor15
- +100 Magic Missile Cast Range+150 Nether Swap Enemy Damage10
Damage build
When to use it
Moves the popular items that add damage — Specialist's Array and Vladmir's Offering — to the front. Choose it when your lane went well and you can afford to be greedy. Built from what Vengeful Spirit players buy in the public matches we measured.
Where it's played
Picked before the game: the main lane first, then the alternatives.
232%159%- Safe laneMain59% of matchesSafe lane as the farming core (pos. 1).
- OfflanePriority 232% of matchesOff lane as the space-making core (pos. 3).
Starting items
Core items
- 1Specialist's Array+15 Agility, +20 Damage.
- 2Vladmir's Offering+1 Armor, +0.75 Mana Regeneration.
- 3Mask of Madness+20 Damage, +22% Lifesteal. Active: Berserk.
- 4Hydra's Breath+15 Strength, +30 Agility, +25 Damage.
Boots
Late game
Skill order
Max order:Magic Missile›Wave of Terror›Vengeance Aura
| 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
- +16% Vengeance Aura Base Damage Bonus-18s Nether Swap Cooldown25
- Wave Of Terror Steals 25% Of Reduced Damage And Armor-2s Magic Missile Cooldown20
- +0.3s Magic Missile Stun Duration-3 Wave of Terror Armor15
- +100 Magic Missile Cast Range+150 Nether Swap Enemy Damage10
Team utility build
When to use it
Built around the popular items that help your allies — Pavise and Drum of Endurance. Choose it when your team needs saves and auras more than your damage. Built from what Vengeful Spirit players buy in the public matches we measured.
Where it's played
Picked before the game: the main lane first, then the alternatives.
232%159%- Safe laneMain59% of matchesSafe lane as the farming core (pos. 1).
- OfflanePriority 232% of matchesOff lane as the space-making core (pos. 3).
Starting items
Core items
- 1Pavise+3 Armor, +175 Mana, +175 Health. Active: Protect.
- 2Drum of Endurance+8 Strength. Active: Endurance.
- 3Solar Crest+7 Armor, +25 Movement Speed, +200 Mana. Active: Shine.
- 4Glimmer Cape+20% Magic Resistance. Active: Glimmer.
Boots
Late game
Skill order
Max order:Magic Missile›Wave of Terror›Vengeance Aura
| Ability | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | ● | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | ● |
| · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | ● | · | · |
Talents by level
- +16% Vengeance Aura Base Damage Bonus-18s Nether Swap Cooldown25
- Wave Of Terror Steals 25% Of Reduced Damage And Armor-2s Magic Missile Cooldown20
- +0.3s Magic Missile Stun Duration-3 Wave of Terror Armor15
- +100 Magic Missile Cast Range+150 Nether Swap Enemy Damage10
Abilities
- Magic Missile14 / 13 / 12 / 11s90 / 95 / 100 / 105 mpFires a magic missile at an enemy unit, stunning and dealing damage.
- Stun duration
- 1.2·1.4·1.6·1.8
- Damage
- 100·180·260·340
- Wave of Terror16 / 14 / 12 / 10s40 mpVengeful Spirit lets loose a wicked cry, weakening the total attack damage and armor of enemies, and giving vision of the path ahead.
- Damage
- 60·80·100·120
- Armor reduction
- -3·-4·-5·-6
- Attack damage reduction
- 10%·15%·20%·25%
- Vision duration
- 4
- Debuff duration
- 8
- Vengeance AuraPassiveVengeful Spirit's presence increases the damage of nearby friendly heroes. Vengeful Spirit herself receives 25% extra bonus.
- Base damage bonus
- 10%·15%·20%·25%
- Self multiplier
- 25%
- Radius
- 1200
- Revenge window duration
- 0
RetributionPassiveVengeful Spirit is considered both a ranged and a melee attacker to gain the respective bonuses.
When killed by an enemy hero, Vengeful Spirit deals 20% bonus damage to her killer until their next death. Only one debuff can exist at a time.- Nether Swap46 / 38 / 30s100 / 150 / 200 mpInstantaneously swaps positions with a target Hero, friend or enemy. Nether Swap interrupts channeling abilities on the target. Enemy Swapped units take damage. Vengeful Spirit and allied swapped units gain a barrier equal to the damage dealt.
- Shield duration
- 10
- Damage/shield
- 150·300·450
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:Magic Missile›Wave of Terror›Vengeance Aura
| Ability | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | ● | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | ● |
| · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | ● | · | ● | ● | · | · |
Strategy
1Early game
The first ten minutes are about last hits. Stay close to your supports, deny when you can and only trade when the enemy offlaner overextends: a death now costs more than any kill is worth. Trade right-clicks only when the enemy walks up to last hit, and step back as soon as their support shows up.
- Early items: Wraith Band and Bracer.
2Mid game
With Specialist's Array done, farm the lanes the map lets you farm safely and join the fights that happen near you. Your team is making space; your job is to turn that space into items like Aghanim's Scepter. Your spikes are level 6, when Nether Swap comes online, and your core items: Specialist's Array and then Aghanim's Scepter.
- Core items: Specialist's Array, Aghanim's Scepter and Pavise.
3Late game
Late, you are the win condition. Farm dangerous areas only with vision, group for Roshan and high ground, and keep gold for buyback: dying before the fight loses the game.
- Late items: Hydra's Breath and Butterfly.
4Team fights
Walk in after the enemy has used their key disables and hit whatever you can reach safely: your survival is the fight. Use Nether Swap where it hits the most enemies or catches the key target.
Tips
- Last-hit every creep you can in the first ten minutes: Vengeful Spirit needs Specialist's Array before taking real fights.
- If you can't see the enemy supports on the map, assume they are coming for you and farm closer to your towers.
- Once Aghanim's Scepter is done, stop farming alone: move with your team to take towers and Roshan.
- From the mid game on, keep enough gold for buyback before buying your next big item.
- Plan fights around Nether Swap: without it, Vengeful Spirit is far less threatening.
Matchups
Strong against
- Disruptor53.2%win rate in the matchup
Vengeful Spirit wins 53.2% of the 156 games measured against Disruptor this patch.
156 matches
- Mars52.5%win rate in the matchup
Vengeful Spirit wins 52.5% of the 122 games measured against Mars this patch.
122 matches
- Pudge51.2%win rate in the matchup
Vengeful Spirit wins 51.2% of the 127 games measured against Pudge this patch.
127 matches
- Lion51.1%win rate in the matchup
Vengeful Spirit wins 51.1% of the 176 games measured against Lion this patch.
176 matches
Weak against
- Rubick42.6%win rate in the matchup
Vengeful Spirit only wins 42.6% of the 188 games measured against Rubick this patch.
188 matches
- Luna46.2%win rate in the matchup
Vengeful Spirit only wins 46.2% of the 106 games measured against Luna this patch.
106 matches
- Invoker46.8%win rate in the matchup
Vengeful Spirit only wins 46.8% of the 109 games measured against Invoker this patch.
109 matches
- Ogre Magi48.1%win rate in the matchup
Vengeful Spirit only wins 48.1% of the 162 games measured against Ogre Magi this patch.
162 matches
- Queen of Pain48.6%win rate in the matchup
Vengeful Spirit only wins 48.6% of the 105 games measured against Queen of Pain this patch.
105 matches
Works well with
Magic Missile from Vengeful Spirit holds enemies in place for Terrorize from Dark Willow.
Magic Missile from Vengeful Spirit holds enemies in place for Exorcism from Death Prophet.
Magic Missile from Vengeful Spirit holds enemies in place for Magnetize from Earth Spirit.
Changelog
- Guide created for patch 7.41.
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