Introduction to Earthshaker

Earthshaker, known as Raigor Stonehoof, is a melee strength hero in Dota 2, celebrated for his exceptional crowd control and initiation capabilities. This guide delves into the strategies, item builds, abilities, and gameplay phases that will help you master Earthshaker and dominate your matches. Discover expert strategies and item builds for mastering this hero with our Dota Earthshaker Guide and enhance your gameplay.

Understanding Earthshaker’s Abilities

Mastering Earthshaker begins with a deep understanding of his abilities and how to use them effectively. Each ability serves a unique purpose and can turn the tide of battle when used correctly.

Fissure

Fissure is Earthshaker’s primary tool for controlling the battlefield. When cast, it creates an impassable ridge that can block enemy paths, making it ideal for isolating targets or preventing escapes. The stun and damage it deals are significant in early skirmishes. For example, using Fissure to block a narrow passage can trap enemies, allowing your team to secure easy kills.

Upgrading with Aghanim’s Shard enhances Fissure, reducing its cooldown and allowing Earthshaker to traverse the ridge. This mobility can be used to surprise enemies and create additional aftershocks, extending the stun duration and damage output.

Enchant Totem

Enchant Totem empowers Earthshaker’s next attack, increasing its damage and attack range. This ability is crucial for last-hitting creeps and dealing burst damage in fights. In the early game, use Enchant Totem to secure difficult last hits and harass enemy heroes. As you progress, combining Enchant Totem with Blink Dagger enables powerful initiations, dealing massive damage to enemy heroes.

With Aghanim’s Scepter, Enchant Totem becomes a ground-targeted ability, allowing Earthshaker to leap to the target location and apply the buff upon landing. This leap can surprise enemies and position Earthshaker for a devastating follow-up with Echo Slam.

Aftershock

Aftershock is a passive ability that triggers a localized stun and damage effect whenever Earthshaker casts a spell. This ability makes Earthshaker’s spell combos incredibly potent. For instance, casting Fissure followed by Enchant Totem will result in a double stun, maximizing crowd control and damage. Aftershock’s stun duration increases with ability levels, making Earthshaker a formidable disabler throughout the game.

Echo Slam

Echo Slam is Earthshaker’s ultimate ability, releasing a shockwave that deals damage based on the number of enemy units nearby. This ability is most effective in team fights where multiple enemies are clustered together. The initial shockwave deals significant damage, and each echo adds to the total output, making it deadly in large engagements. Timing and positioning are critical; initiating with Blink Dagger and following up with Echo Slam can instantly turn a team fight in your favor.

Gameplay Tips and Examples

To excel with Earthshaker, practice is key. Here are some practical examples to enhance your gameplay:

1. Blocking Creeps with Fissure: At the start of the game, use Fissure to block the enemy creeps, delaying their advance and securing better lane control for your team.
2. Chain Stuns: In a team fight, initiate with Blink Dagger, cast Echo Slam, then immediately follow up with Fissure and Enchant Totem. This combo can stun multiple enemies for an extended period, giving your team a significant advantage.
3. Surprise Attacks: Use Aghanim’s Scepter upgrade to leap with Enchant Totem, surprising enemies and dealing high burst damage. This tactic is especially effective against squishy targets like supports and carries.

Contributing to Team Success

Mastering Earthshaker not only involves individual skill but also understanding how to contribute to your team’s success. Communicate with your team to coordinate initiations and follow-ups. Your ability to disrupt enemy formations and provide crowd control is invaluable in team fights.

Earthshaker’s presence on the battlefield can be a game-changer. With practice and precision, you can become a devastating force, disrupting enemies and securing victories. By mastering his abilities, understanding item builds, and playing strategically, you will enhance your gameplay and contribute significantly to your team’s success in Dota 2.

Attributes and Abilities

Core Attributes

Earthshaker boasts impressive strength growth, making him a durable initiator. His primary attributes include:

• Strength: 22 + 3.7 per level
• Agility: 12 + 1.4 per level
• Intelligence: 18 + 2.1 per level

These attributes provide Earthshaker with a solid foundation of health and mana, essential for his role in the game.

Key Abilities

1. Fissure
   • Slams the ground with a totem, creating an impassable ridge of stone while stunning and damaging enemy units.
   • Cast Range: 1600 (Talent 1800)
   • Damage/Stun Radius: 225
   • Damage: 110/160/210/260 (Talent 200/250/300/350)
   • Stun Duration: 0.8/1/1.2/1.4 seconds
   • Cooldown: 18/17/16/15 seconds
   • Mana Cost: 120/130/140/150
   With Aghanim’s Shard, Fissure’s cooldown is reduced, and Earthshaker can walk on the fissure, releasing an Aftershock along its path that stuns for a shortened duration.
2. Enchant Totem
   • Empowers Earthshaker’s totem, causing it to deal extra damage and have 100 bonus attack range on the next attack.
   • Bonus Damage: 100%/200%/300%/400% (Talent 150%/250%/350%/450%)
   • Cooldown: 5 seconds (Talent 3.5)
   • Mana Cost: 45/50/55/60
   Aghanim’s Scepter upgrades Enchant Totem to a ground target ability, allowing Earthshaker to leap and land at the target spot, casting Enchant Totem there with a cleaving attack.
3. Aftershock
   • Causes the earth to shake underfoot, adding additional damage and stuns to nearby enemy units when Earthshaker casts his abilities.
   • Radius: 350 (Talent 550)
   • Damage: 70/100/130/160 (Talent 120/150/180/210)
   • Stun Duration: 1/1.1/1.2/1.3 seconds
4. Echo Slam
   • Releases a powerful shockwave, dealing damage to nearby enemies and creating additional echoes for each enemy hit.
   • Initial Search Radius: 700
   • Echo Damage: 90/110/130 (Talent 140/160/180)
   • Cooldown: 150/200/250 seconds
   • Mana Cost: 145/205/265
   Echo Slam’s echo waves travel at a speed of 600 and can target multiple enemies within the radius, dealing significant damage especially when hitting multiple heroes.

Early Game Strategy

Starting Items

In the early game, Earthshaker’s primary objective is to secure his lane and farm essential items. Starting with a Tango for health regeneration and a Quelling Blade for easier last hits is crucial. Additionally, purchasing the recipe for Soul Ring allows you to complete it from the side shop without returning to the fountain.

Laning Phase

Focus on last-hitting creeps to accumulate gold for your core items. Prioritize Power Treads for increased attack speed and survivability. If the laning phase is challenging, consider rushing a Blink Dagger for better initiation and escape potential. Otherwise, complete Soul Ring first and then work towards Blink Dagger.

Mid-Game Strategy

Core Items

During the mid-game, Earthshaker transitions into a more active role, initiating fights and setting up kills for his team. Essential items include:

• Blink Dagger: Provides the mobility needed for perfect initiations.
• Power Treads: Enhances attack speed and survivability.
• Soul Ring: Ensures a steady mana supply for spellcasting.

Ganking and Team Fights

With Blink Dagger in hand, start ganking enemy heroes and participating in team fights. Use Fissure to block enemy escape routes and isolate targets. Follow up with Enchant Totem and Aftershock to maximize your damage output. Echo Slam should be reserved for critical moments when multiple enemies are grouped together.

Late Game Strategy

Advanced Items

In the late game, Earthshaker should focus on items that enhance his damage and survivability. Consider the following:

• Black King Bar: Provides spell immunity, allowing you to initiate without interruption.
• Aghanim’s Scepter: Upgrades Enchant Totem to a ground-targeted ability, increasing its utility.
• Shiva’s Guard: Adds survivability and provides an area-of-effect slow.

Team Fight Execution

In late-game team fights, positioning is crucial. Use Blink Dagger to initiate with Echo Slam, followed by Fissure to control the battlefield. Ensure that Aftershock stuns as many enemies as possible. Properly timing your abilities can turn the tide of battle in your favor.

Countering Earthshaker

While Earthshaker is a formidable hero, he has weaknesses that can be exploited. Heroes with high mobility or abilities that bypass his stuns can pose significant challenges. Additionally, keeping tabs on his Blink Dagger purchase and positioning yourself to avoid being caught in his initiation combo can mitigate his impact.

Lore of Earthshaker

Earthshaker, once part of the earth itself, shaped himself into the form of a mortal beast through sheer will. Named Raigor Stonehoof, he now walks freely upon the earth, wielding the power of his enchanted totem. His transformation from stone to a living entity allows him to breathe, bleed, and engage in the mortal realm’s conflicts. Earthshaker’s spirit remains deeply connected to the earth, and he will return to it as a prodigal son when his journey ends.

Conclusion

Mastering Earthshaker in Dota 2 requires understanding his abilities, item builds, and strategic role in different game phases. By following this guide, you can enhance your gameplay and contribute significantly to your team’s success. With practice and precision, Earthshaker can become a devastating force on the battlefield, disrupting enemies and securing victories.