[Request] Guide to Demented Shaman

[Albane]

I am very new this game, with only a week or so of experience (never played DOTA). I have played almost every hero, and have found that my favorite is the Demented Shaman. I love his ability to keep himself and his team alive, while still getting a decent amount of kills/gold.

What I am requesting is that someone with more experience post a guide to what items you go for first and why, as well as what your skill leveling is.

I tend to go for the AoE heal (E) and the -50% damage buff (W) first. I ignore the armor debuff until my AoE heal and ward are maxed. By doing this, I can push a tower solo with a couple players defending, as well as get alot of gold from the AoE damage of my heal. IMO, living is more important than killing, so the -50% damage buff is great.

I also go for mana regeneration off the start, then boots, then the heart (200% mana regen lets me cast the AoE everytime it is up), then i am undecided on what to get next. Normally it depends on how well the game is going and whether I need more Defense or Offense.

[xhunt3r]

personally I like Ring of Sorcery, Enhanced Marchers, and Totem of Kuldra... and maybe Astrolabe.

anyway, here is a thread on Demented Shaman > http://forums.heroesofnewerth.com/showthread.php?t=3230

[Firedrop]

in pubs i usually get steamboots, astrolabe, and 2x halberds. i level up the first skill(slow/phys damage) and his healing wave, and get his damage reduction buff to level1. i get his ult at levels 10 and 11 respectively, making sure to max his q and e skills.

start like this
run in attack a few times, when they start to run poison them and run next to them. healing wave yourself and auto attack them. they should be dead at that point

[_sh]

Firedrop, he's trying to build as Support.

OP: I would go Ring of Sorcery, Steamboots with Intelligence gain (or Strength if you're dying quickly), Totem of Kuldra, and Astroblade.

See what happens:D

[Nome]

Hmm, that guide is not very in-depth. I'll make one too.

[Firedrop]

demented shaman has very good gank potential early game now that he can actually take damage with his barrier. if you're playing against heroes you can't gank effectively then yes totem is absolutely necessary.

[jamby]

He's very, very good early game. Especially when he's solo and the other team has a solo. You really can only kill well if there are creeps near you (since your healing wave does damage to enemies nearby, and it'll do it multiple times if you have more allied creeps at the time). Basically you'd want to get his Entangled and Healing Wave. I never got his second ability until late game.

I would get Enhanced Marchers, Frostworm Plate, and Totem of Kudra. That's what I had at the end of the game that I did fairly well with him.