The strong eat the weak, and I eat the strong - A guide to Ja'rakal

Introduction

Welcome to my very first guide on Ja'rakal, Troll Warlord. This guide is a compilation of my own experience playing as Ja'rakal and information I have gained online. Any constructive criticism would be great, also any tips or opinions are available. (Just a reminder that this guide is in no way finished. That is another reason why I would appreciate any comments or suggestions).

DOTA CINEMAS INTRODUCTION TO Troll Warlord Play Video PROS
- Can choose to fight ranged or melee
- Ganker and carry
- Low manacost on skills
- Short cooldown
- At it's longest Bash lasts for 2.0 seconds
- Ultimate affects whole team

CONS
- Will be targeted in teamfights
- Low Bash chance (10%)
- Somewhat squishy
- Switching target lowers DPS and attack speed

Skills

Berserker Rage

Berserker Rage

Type: Targets:

Toggle Self

Allows the Warlord to use his throwing axes as melee weapons, gaining bonus damage, attack speed, movement speed, hitpoints, armor, and a chance to bash targets on attack. Berserker's Rage also changes the functionality of Whirling Axes.

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Notes:

• (MELEE) Allows the Warlord to use his throwing axes as melee weapons, gaining bonus damage, attack speed, movement speed, hitpoints, armor, and a chance to bash targets on attack. Berserker's Rage also changes the functionality of Whirling Axes.
• When melee Troll Warlord gains 15 Bonus damage, 100 Bonus HP and +3 Bonus Armor
• Base attack time: 1.55
• Bash chance: 10%
• Bash deals magical damage.
• The stun goes through magic immunity.
• Does not stack with Skull Basher.
• When changing back to ranged all bonuses listed in the description of the above ability are removed.

Whirling Axes (Ranged)

Type: Targets:

Active Enemy Units

Troll hurls a fistful of five axes in a cone shape over 900 range, slowing and damaging enemy units.

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Notes:

• Movement speed slow: 30%

Whirling Axes (melee)

Type: Targets:

Active Enemy Units

Troll unleashes a set of magical axes which whirl around him in a circle. Nearby enemies take damage and have a chance to miss on their attacks.

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Notes:

• Miss chance: 60%

Fervor

Type: Targets:

Passive Enemy units and structures

With each continuous blow on the same target, Troll gains increased attack speed. If Troll changes targets, the stacks drop to zero.

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Notes:

• If target is changed, rage counter drops to zero.
• Fervor increments increase while attacking towers.
• Each hit increases attack speed by 20.

Battle Trance

Type: Targets:

Active Allied heroes

Troll's presence on the battlefield increases the attack speed of himself and all allied heroes.

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Notes:

• Does not affect illusions.

Role/Position/Gameplay

ROLE

Troll Warlord is a agility carry who has an ability to switch between ranged or melee with his skill Berserker Rage. Notice that by becoming melee he becomes stronger overall has the capability to also bash. Troll Warlord focuses mainly on DPS, with only one skill that serves as a nuke ( Whirling Axes (Ranged) Whirling Axes (Melee)) and the rest of his skills boost up his attack speed.

POSITION & GAMEPLAY

Position:
Starting of with Troll Warlord you want to get a DUO or TRIO lane. You should not team up with another carry because you are going to need and want those last hits. Also if there is a disabler or any sort of babysitter (such as Crystal Maiden you should definitely go with them for better farm chance.
NOTE: Troll Warlord is also a possible jungler, but this is recommended in mid-game

Early Game:
First up, build your Boots of Speed into Phase Boots along with getting these two items; Magic Wand & Ring of Aquila. Focus on farming and harassing( Whirling Axes (Ranged) or Whirling Axes (Melee) are good for harrassing). Don't try to be too aggressive unless there's a sure kill(pretty obvious). Gank if possible, if not then just continue getting last hits

Mid Game:
Okay so obviously start getting your core items, before Crystalys get Helm of the Dominator for more armor. Gank whenever you have the opportunity, but continue to farm. Also pushing and getting towers will be easy/ier with Battle Trance.
In teamfights you should never be the initiator and if the enemy team has disablers, I suggest you wait for them to use their disable skills. In teamfights you pretty much want to use all of your skills, whether you're ranged or melee. I prefer melee for the increased stats and bash, but in some cases range works better(slow and if others are escaping, though this is pretty obvious and I'm sure you'll know about when to switch). Also it is a better idea to focus on the carries first, never tanky opponents unless their health is low(this is also pretty obvious).

Late Game:
Since Troll Warlord can't get away from teamfights and doesn't have THAT much armor, I usually get Shadow Blade so you nearly always have a safe getaway. I suggest you build your Crystalys into Daedalus for the awesome damage. When you've finished with Daedalus, try not to build for too many luxuries just in case you die(your team will need you as a carry). NOTE: I don't have that many luxuries listed so suggestions would be nice.
Teamfights are pretty much the same as in mid-game(don't initiate, wait for disables, use all skills), though usually you'd want to be there because of your damage, if you aren't use your ULTI!

Authors Comment

Thanks for reading, hope you like my first guide. I understand criticism, I am in no way a pro player and any tips are appreciated!