Venomancer - Assist King

Introduction

This is my first hero guide, I just signed up to dota fire specifically to share my thoughts on this particular Venomancer build.

So i'm going to skip all the basics and assume that everyone is familiar with how to typically play Veno as a support.

This build focuses on using Veno for extreme early game harassment evolving into a late game monster who will keep enemy heroes constantly at low health.

Items

The core of this build still focuses on Venomancer as a support but with a focus on improving the occasional right-click harass.

• ORB OF VENOM - The great thing about Venomancers passive poison is that it isn't a unique attack modifier so equip this early game to maximise effectiveness for some hard core right click harass.
  
• ARCANE BOOTS - Standard support build to keep your abilities fed.
  
• MEKANISM - Again, a core support item build that requires little explanation.
  
• DESOLATOR - Replacing the orb of venom later in the game with the desolator is the key to maximising the effectiveness of that passive poison stack. By right-clicking an enemy at least once every 15 seconds you're going to ensure that they feel the poison effects of you and your wards.
  
• LINKENS SPHERE - Late game this will keep your mana up and protect you from any targeted magical attacks which will no doubt save your *** more than once. Also adding to your support role don't forget to put it on the tank or initiator.

Of course you might want to alter what else you buy depending on the heroes and how your team is going in the fight as there is no shortage of alternative items. This build hinges on your team having strong team-fight capabilities.

Skills

Because of the emphasis on harass, the focus is on wards and poison sting. Venomous Gale doesn't see a lot of use early game anyway due to the high mana cost and Venomancers relatively low mana pool and regen capabilities.

I don't bother with the scepter with this build as the objective is to stay at a distance from the fight, constantly whittling down the enemies with right-click harass and wards.

Pros and Cons

PROS

• Excellent harass
• Reduced armor makes your teams attacks more effective
• Force the enemy back to base early game or to waste gold on healing
• Better at pushing towers

CONS

• Heavily reliant on a good tank or iniator
• Requires significant gold to acquire early enough to be effective
• Will make you a target

Play tips

As a support, remember to use wards to help your team escape or stop an escaping enemy. Just like creeps, if you plant the ward immediately in front of the target you'll slow them allowing an escape or a catch up.

I've found this invaluable with helping team mates escape.

Summary

Thanks for reading. Again, this is my first ever guide so i'd love feedback - I know it lacks all the fancy stuff but i'll learn that as I go. I'm not the most experienced player but I have a lot of fun playing Venomancer who has a relaxed kind of laid back playstyle. Give this a try and tell me what you think.