Dota 2 slark concept artwork

How To: Slark, the Nightcrawler

(A) Ganking Orientated

DotA2 Hero: Slark

Purchase Order

SPAWN

EARLY GAME

LATE GAME

OPTIONS

LUXURY

SITUATIONAL

Hero Skills

Dark Pact

Pounce

Essence Shift

Shadow Dance

Talents

(B) Ganking Orientated

DotA2 Hero: Slark

Purchase Order

SPAWN

EARLY GAME

LATE GAME

DEFENSE LUXURY

OFFENCE LUXURY

SITUATIONAL

Hero Skills

Dark Pact

Pounce

Essence Shift

2

12

13

14

Shadow Dance

Talents

Carry Orientated

DotA2 Hero: Slark

Purchase Order

SPAWN

EARLY GAME

LATE GAME

OPTIONS

LUXURY

SITUATIONAL

Hero Skills

Dark Pact

Pounce

Essence Shift

Shadow Dance

Talents

Midlane Orientated

DotA2 Hero: Slark

Purchase Order

SPAWN

EARLY GAME

LATE GAME

OPTIONS

ON DROP

SITUATIONAL

Hero Skills

Dark Pact

Pounce

Essence Shift

10

12

13

14

Shadow Dance

Talents

How To: Slark, the Nightcrawler

1.	INTRODUCTION
2.	GUIDE KEY
3.	ROLE and POSITION
4.	BOTTLE and RUNES
5.	EARLY GAME
6.	TEAM FIGHTING
7.	FRIENDS and FOES
8.	PLEASE READ

INTRODUCTION

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In the deepest, blackest pits of the ocean a fearsome and terrifying creature lurks. Bending the shadows to his will, few have seen his true form and none have lived to speak of it. For the shadows are his sanctuary, a place of empowerment and revitalisation. Bathed in this inpenetrable darkness he strikes unseen, every attack making him swifter and more powerful whilst weakening his enemy. An unbreakable leash awaits all who try to escape, leaving them at mercy of this horrifying phantom. By sacrificing a fraction of his soul, his pact with darkness allows him break even the most powerful bonds and curses. With echoes of the Great War reaching every corner of the earth, this creature, known only as Slark, has emerged from the depths to search for an ancient relic.
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Slark is adept in the art of assasination. He is the definition of glass cannon, utilizing unconventional tools to produce a reliable stream of ganks. Should you be stray of your lane, be wary of a pouncing from the Nightcrawler, for it spells death for you; his prey.

GUIDE KEY

YELLOW – Good, go for it.
ORANGE – Situational, a maybe.
RED – Bad, generally a stay away.
GREY – Is titled accordingly.
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LEVEL [LVL] CODE:

PURP – Q, your first ability.
LIME – W, your second ability.
BLUE – E, your third ability.
PINK – R, your ultimate.
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The below content is appropriately color coded to the above key. All of the following information, with the exception of the actual [ RUNES ] or the [ PLEASE READ ], initially correspond with their description accordingly. If something is not understood fully regarding the color code, please comment with your question / issue.

ROLE and POSITION

Slark is revered as the ultimate in hit and run tactics. His kit accentuates him to be an exceptionally filthy GANKER , an adequate late game SEMI-CARRY , and in some cases a CARRY . The Nightcrawler is an oddball in the terms of ganking, and very inflexible in build and playstyle, with that being said he is a very niche hero, and fills the role to the potential.

Assuming you bought your starting equipment as suggested and are wondering what to do now, you might want to cons >SOLO or DUO lane. Slark is most compatible in the SAFE lane to have that early access to the s >MID according to picks. Generally a TRI lane is a risky investment as he’d be your main carry if you followed this route.

BOTTLE and RUNES

Bottle: A bottle should be PICKED UP you plan on taking it solo to the MID lane; in which you should try to have full control of runes as you should with any solo mid hero with a bottle. Try to have a caster with a summon to scout runes out for you.

Illusion : You do not benefit much from this rune, this should only be PICKED UP in special cases.

Double Damage : This should be picked up EARLY and MID game, and avo >LATE game.

Invisibility : Generally not needed, but for a sure gank you may PICK UP .

Regeneration : SITUATIONAL , for the most part you will pick this up if no one needs it anymore than you do.

Haste : Use your better judgment, this will be PICKED UP to catch up to the pack or escape.

EARLY GAME

(A) GANKING ORIENTATED:

Lvl 1: Save your W , only using in defense or a secured kill.

Lvl 2: Save your Q and W , only using in defense or a secured kill.

Lvl 3: Harass and farm accordingly, play safe and avoid conflict.

Lvl 4: Harass and farm accordingly, play safe and avoid conflict.

Lvl 5: Harass and farm accordingly, play safe and avoid conflict.

Lvl 6: You should now either continue your lane, or commence ganking. Save your R for ganks.

(B) GANKING ORIENTATED:

Lvl 1: Save your W , only using in defense or a secured kill.

Lvl 2: Harass and farm accordingly, play safe and avoid conflict.

Lvl 3: Save your Q and W , only using in defense or a secured kill.

Lvl 4: Continue to farm and harass your lane. Use your Q as a purge.

Lvl 5: Continue to farm and harass your lane. Use your Q as a nuke.

Lvl 6: You should now either continue your lane, or commence ganking. Save your R for ganks.

Lvl 1: Save your W , only using in defense or a secured kill.

Lvl 2: Harass and farm accordingly, play safe and avoid conflict.

Lvl 3: Save your Q and W , only using in defense or a secured kill.

Lvl 4: Continue to farm and harass your lane. Use your Q as a purge.

Lvl 5: Continue to farm and harass your lane. Use your Q as a nuke.

Lvl 6: Continue to farm and harass your lane. Use your R as an escape or a secured kill.

Lvl 1: Use your W only to escape.

Lvl 2: Save casting for next level, and only use your abilities in defense.

Lvl 3: If you can, secure a kill using your W and Q , prioritize rune control.

Lvl 4: If you can, secure a kill using your W and Q , prioritize rune control.

Lvl 5: Save casting for next level, and only use your abilities in defense.

Lvl 6: You should now either continue your lane, or commence ganking. Save your R for ganks.