The Lightning Revenant's Shocking Build (1)

Introduction

Razor is perhaps one of the most simplest, yet toughest hero to play. With his electrifying abilities, he can become a tank, carry, and a devastating pusher.

Change Log

8-30-14 - 1: Guide published!

The Lightning Revenant

Lore:
Among the emblematic powers that populate the Underscape, Razor the Lightning Revenant is one of the most feared. With his whip of lightning, he patrols the Narrow Maze, that treacherous webwork of passages by which the souls of the dead are sorted according to their own innate intelligence, cunning and persistence. Drifting above the Maze, Razor looks down on the baffled souls below, and delivers jolts of scalding electricity that both punish and quicken the souls as they decide their own fates, hurrying on toward luminous exits or endlessly dark pits. Razor is the eternal embodiment of a dominating power, abstract and almost clinical in his application of power. Yet he has a lordly air that suggests he takes a sardonic satisfaction in his work.

Why you should choose Razor; Formidable, Badass, and truly shocking.

Who is Razor? In a nutshell, Razor is a carry that can decimate multiple heroes at once if left unopposed. If farmed and used well; the infamous Sniper, Drow Ranger, Phantom Assassin, and even Faceless Void will dissipate quick as lightning.
Sorry ladies and gents. "The puns won't be grounded anytime soon."< Earthshaker

If you like electricity, blue one at that, you're in luck. Or if you're into a questionable cross-dresser guy wearing a kinky dress and wielding a whip, well, bless my soul.

I normally play Razor as a mid hero, but I have other (in progress) builds that may work perfectly in other lanes.

Pros and Cons

Pros Durable, so Razor can substitute in being the team's tank. Able to challenge almost any hero head on. (1 vs. 1 is a guaranteed victory) Unstable Current makes him a nightmare for spell casters. Unstable Current makes it difficult for enemies to chase and/or escape. Uses items acquired in early game for late game. Plasma Field used right turns the tide of battle. Very reliable early game, and a late game monster. Cons No stuns. Does not have the best escape mechanism.* Eye of the Storm is not particularly reliable to turn the tide of a giant battle.** *: Believe it or not, Unstable Current is a heavy factor between life and death. Unstable Current damages, slows, and purges buffs from the caster. However, you cannot survive from three sources of stuns and slows in quick succession. **: Eye of the Storm is debated to be one of the best ultimates. It goes through Magic Immunity, gives Razor an edge, and lowers Armor with each strike. But recklessly charging with the thunderous storm into a 4 vs. 1 is costly. Feeling confident with Eye of the Storm is one thing you must be aware of.

Skills

Plasma Field
Releases a wave of energetic plasma that grows in power as it expands, but also zaps on contraction, dealing damage to enemy units caught in its path. Damage increases with distance from Razor.
Radius: 795
Minimum Damage: 60/100/140/180
Maximum Damage: 160/230/300/370
Cooldown: 14 Mana: 125
The Lightning Revenant rules the Underscape with plasmatic power.

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Plasma Field is a bit challenging to use. You must be able to judge the very edge of the field to maximize the damage. Harassing with Plasma Field can turn a battle that didn't even start to victory. A well-used Plasma Field is able to kill fleeing enemies and/or keep them out of your lane.
Here's a trick that I use:

1. Guesstimate the area around the target. Look for the places enemies will wander into.
2. Put yourself in a position where your Plasma Field will hit.
3. As you do, unleash your sparky field of death.
4. When the first burst hits, move a bit back.
5. The enemy will likely run away from the Plasma Field.
6. The second burst will likely give maximum damage.

IMPORTANT!: Keep in mind that a melee hero thwacking your face in close range makes your Plasma Field useless. However, your next ability is what covers this weakness.

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Static Link
Creates a charged link between Razor and an enemy Hero, stealing damage from the target and giving it to Razor. Lasts up to 8 seconds.
Range: 600
Damage Drain Duration: 8
Buff Duration: 18-26
Damage Stolen Per Second: 7/14/21/28
Cooldown: 25 Mana: 20/30/40/50
Razor's polarity channels electricity into his being, draining the power of his opposition.

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I've heard many people complain that Static Link is overpowered. However, it is not. In all fights (not just Dota 2, even real ones), you have two choices; make distance between your opponent OR make no distance between your opponent.
To engage with a successful Static Link, you have to bum rush close to get all the damage bonus. Now, it depends if you want to get close, but you never want to go too far to break the link. If your target is running away, don't attack them. Electric Slide with them. If you manage to get ahead of them, you can execute them on the spot.
Squishy supports should stay away from the enemy melee carry much as possible and use the best of their ability to create space. A successful and mindful support uses their spells to save themselves, their lane partner, and even get a kill.
Dazzle with his Poison Touch. Crystal Maiden with her Crystal Nova.

This is where Razor gets NASTY.
"Deluxe, whatever do you mean by that?" you may ask.
You see, supports are almost useless against Razor.
"What? How?"(See Unstable Current.)
With the right mind set and cool head, you, as a Razor, can zap the bugs known as the opponent's carry and support.
IMPORTANT!: Static Link still connects with your target even if stunned. However, it will break if your prey runs away too far.

1. Engage by getting close to the carry. Initiate with Static Link. (Use Eye of the Storm if needed to get an edge.)
2. If the support has a stun, it gives their carry extra breathing room. Which is excellent. The support will be purged, damaged, and slowed. And now, the carry is taking shots at you with no damage. Your link is draining their attack quickly.
3. Use your new-found attack damage and smite the opponent. By then, they're already low on HP.
4. As they run away, release a Plasma Field. You got a kill.
5. Now, the support is running. But you're faster.
6. Supports have naturally slower movement speed. With Unstable Current's bonus speed, you can catch up quickly and kill them in a few shots.
7. >profit

Another important tip!: An enemy's Shadow Blade may prove useless against you. The Shadow Blade kicks in when the user has low HP. Your Plasma Field boots them in the arse in return. As they run away, use your field. They're down for the count.

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Unstable Current Unstable Current
Razor moves with increased speed, and any abilities targeted at him are instantly countered with a jolt of electricity which damages, slows, and purges buffs from enemies.
Movement Speed Bonus: 4%/8%/12%/16%
Slow Duration: 0.5/1/1.5/2
Attack Speed Slow: 100
Reduces Attacker's Movement Speed to: 100
Damage: 40/70/100/130
Attacking the Lightning Revenant is rewarded with shock therapy.

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A nightmare for a few certain spellcasters and heroes with abilities that have low mana cost and low cooldown. It's hell for them. Do you hear that, Phantom Assassin?
Every spell that hits Razor is countered with electricity that damages, slows, and purges buffs from your adversary. A Bloodlust from Ogre Magi and many other buffs will poof up in blue shocky light.
Unstable Current can save your life. Now, even if you get hit by a spell, you will feel the effects of it. A stun is a stun, and it can get you killed. Small light spells is something where Razor can brush off. With your allies backing you up, simple spells will be the least of your worries.

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Eye of the Storm
A powerful lightning storm strikes out at enemy units with the lowest health, dealing damage and reducing their armor.
Radius: 500 for units/380 for buildings**
Duration: 30
Damage Per Strike: 37.5/50/62.5
Armor Reduced Per Strike: 1
Strike Interval: 0.7/0.6/0.5 (0.55/0.45/0.35*)
Cooldown: 80/70/60 Mana: 100/150/200
Can be Improved by Aghanim's Scepter (* shows the improved values). Causes faster strikes that can damage structures as well. When striking buildings, it will only target towers, barracks, and the Ancient.
Ride the lightning.

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Imagine a cloud. And in this cloud you've imagined, it attacks by itself. Mr. Cloud here may count as a hero. With the Eye of the Storm in wake, its simple activation can rupture bowels in sheer terror. It goes through Magic Immunity and decreases armor by one with each attack. Paired with the Aghanim's Scepter and the Refresher Orb makes it a potent pair.
Keep in mind that the lightning will strike the unit with the lowest HP. Just like Juggernaut's Omnislash; creeps in the way can ruin it. However, Razor does not have to worry about it as much. You can eliminate the creeps and/or ignore them, the bolt will soon attack the heroes.

Refresher Orb Tip!: Use Eye of the Storm, and then your Refresher Orb. You cannot afford to lose any mana when using this combo. Refresher Orb takes 375 mana, and Razor does not have all the mana in the world.

Items

You may be scoffing.
"A Vanguard and a Helm of the Dominator?! Uninstall!"
Here, let me explain.I've played with this build many times and lead my teammates to victory. Razor is one of my favorite heroes to play and has the potential to use different items for different outcomes.
Why the Vanguard?
While the Vanguard drops heavily late game, the early and middle stages gives Razor an extra boost in survivability. It also gives him more tankiness, perfect if your team lacks a tank
"Then why the Helm of the Dominator? Desolator is better!"
A-tut-tut-tut. Helm of the Dominator builds into the Satanic. Perfect for a late game monster. Life steal also gives a way for Razor to heal quickly. It also gives him an edge if up against an enemy alone.

Counters