Table of Contents
Irithel Skills Explanation
Passive Skil: Jungle Heart
As for her passive, this is called Jungle Heart, and she states she is capable of attacking while moving. This basic attack consists of three arrows; these deal 42% of Phy damage each, and the first is capable of triggering item passive as well.
Skill 1: Strafe
Her first skill is called Strafe, and it’s pretty straightforward, it bombards an area with arrows and deals Phy damage to any target inside its area of effect. However, it has some utility, as its secondary effect reduces the afflicted enemies’ physical defense by 24 points for 3 seconds. Its effect is such that a full 1oo physical resistance target can be rendered vulnerable down to 67 points via this skill. It should need no mention that this skill is at its most effective when first engaging an enemy as it leaves him or her vulnerable for later attacks and remains especially useful during ganking situations.
Skill 2: Force of the Queen
Her second skill is named Force of the Queen, and it is an area of effect attack which deals Phy damage to any nearby targets once the powerful smilodon she mounts (Leo) dishes out a mighty shout. Its unique application comes from the fact that it slows down all the damaged enemies by a massive 80% for 2 seconds. The possibilities brought forth by this moving range from a useful tool in opening up the enemy and pushing onwards with overwhelming force while these can’t escape to a strategic retreat for a few seconds. Given it is an area of effect move most of its value will, once more, come from its implementation within team fights and often perilous ganking situations.
Skill 3: Heavy Crossbow
Her third and most exciting skill is called Heavy Crossbow. Although it does possess the capability to deal with substantial damage in an area of effect, very much like the first two, it has an added layer of nuance and utility, given that it buffs your overall attack immediately after. The way it works on the game begins when Leo (the mounted smilodon) executes a mighty leap and charges towards the enemy. Irithel doesn’t waste any time, however, and equips a heavy crossbow during her brother’s advance. This leaves her ready to start shooting as soon as he lands, her attack is bolstered to 80 points of physical damage (A full +126% total increase in the physical attack) and acquires and area of effect trait for a full 15 seconds after this state is triggered.
Irithel Build
As it is always essential to play in favor of one’s strengths rather than trying to compensate for any weaknesses, the ideal build should be a blend of attack speed, critical attack chance, and Phy attack boost. This is thankfully entirely achievable through the combination of effects presented by:
Swift Boots (+15% Movement Speed)Windtaker (+40% Attack Speed, +20 Movement Speed, +10 Critical Chance)Berserker’s Fury (+65 Physical Attack, +25% Critical Chance)Scarlet Phantom (+30 Physical Attack, +20 Attack Speed, +25% Critical Chance)Endless Battle (+65 Physical Attack, +25 Mana Regeneration, +250 HitPoints, +10% Cooldown Reduction, +5% Movement Speed, +15% Lifesteal)Blade of Despair (+170 Physical Attack, +5% Movement Speed)
Other build elements that you might want to add or implement at your leisure include:
Raptor Machete (+30 Physical Attack, +15% Physical PEN)Haa’s Claws (+70 Physical Attack)Demon Hunter Sword (+35 Physical Attack, +25% Attack Speed)
Emblem for Irithel
Her emblem configuration should strive to bolster the same stats as her build (Movement and attack speed, critical chance, and Phy attack boost) while also especially looking out for Electro Flash and Bounty Hunter.
Electro Flash is best suited for beginners, given its health regeneration, while Bounty Hunter is only recommended after mastering her for the extra gold.
Battlespells
Her two main recommendations are Purify and Flicker. The former is ideal for struggling better in ganks and offers some resistance to crowd control tactics. In contrast, the latter provides an extra edge of mobility to either escape or pursue.
Irithel Skill upgrading route
Level Strafe first, followed by Heavy Crossbow whenever possible and lastly Force of the Queen.
Recommended lane
Her recommended lane is the mid one.
Irithel Strengths and Weaknesses
It should come off as no surprise that a high mobility marksman combined with an all-around area of effect offensive is nothing to scoff at. Her passive, coupled with her elusive nature and constant attacking, can lead to an insane burst damage potential. She makes for a highly offensive nuke ideal for hit and runs tactics. Her utility as a team fight suited hero capable of slowing her enemies’ movement speed pretty much cements this.
As strong as she might seem, however, she’s not without her fair degree of weaknesses and things to watch out for to use her effectively. For once, she’s quite squishy and must rely entirely on either her mobility or the aid of her teammates to stay alive; she is capable of only decentralized damage. She will struggle against any hero with matching mobility. She is most effective when in team fights by making use of her high burst damage while taking cover behind her team’s tanks or if push comes to shove, by continually moving around to avoid taking any damage while consistently chipping away at their hit points. This is the exact type of gameplay most vulnerable to any crowd control tactics, however, primarily when Irithel relies on her skill’s effects to stay competent at any given moment.
Given all of the mentioned above, her most effective combo is Force of the Queen, followed by Strafe and lastly Heavy Crossbow to finish the job.
Gameplay Tips
The most important thing to remember when playing her is to keep moving at all times, never given the enemy a chance to either retaliate or run away. It is also advised to always be on the lookout for crowd control skills when entering a team fight, as well as hiding behind one’s teammates whenever possible. You have an easy time against heroes with less mobility, while those either faster or just as mobile must be engaged with the proper care and, if possible, only when on team fights, especially should their crowd control skills be on cooldown.
All in all, she’s challenging to use hero but can prove nigh unstoppable if appropriately nurtured and used correctly at a higher level.