What do squishy intel heroes do to play defensive?

Remember when blademail used to be an intel item?

But then once robe was changed in to a recipe it became a strength item.

Imagine if Blademail had taken an opposite direction.

What if when Blademail is cast, then mana becomes a shield and absorbs all attacks for a period of time and obviously still reflects what is blocked back at the caster?

I think that intel has always been seen as the stat that never really goes in to defensive territory. Maybe even rightfully so.

But you know there's still all stats maybe? Like maybe the recipe on blademail could be changed to a crown and then function in the way that I mentioned?

Although, maybe all all-stat items should be converting mana in to mana shield by some percentage. At least intel gets to still be entirely offensive like it apparently should.

Oh yeah, I was wondering if a progressive force staff could be considered as well.

Like once half cost is complete then you can only cast it on yourself. And when you double click to cast it forces you backwards or something.