Piracy
01-05-2010, 09:11 AM
Guide to Night Hound
(Rikimaru, Stealth Assasin)
~Written by Piracy / [MP3]Piracy~
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.jpg
Art from heroes-of-newerth.tumblr.com/page/2 (http://heroes-of-newerth.tumblr.com/page/2)
Scurrilous rumors of unnatural parentage have haunted this proud, leonine warrior his entire life. He long served in the Beast Horde as a shadowy scout and assassin before taking on a comparable role in the new Legion. Wherever he came from, Night Hound is a welcome ally and a deadly foe.
Table of Contents
The Alt-Tab Mini Guide
Hero Statistics
Hero Introduction
Skills
Skill Builds
Item Builds
Early Game
Mid Game
Optional Core
Luxury Items
Related Items
Reasoning
Gameplay and Strategies
Killing Mini-Guide
Smoking Mini-Guide
General Gameplay
Team Battle
Additional Skills
Friends and Foes
Conclusion
FAQ
Replays
Credits and Changelogs
Hero Statistics:
Affiliate: Legion
Attack Type: Melee
Damage: 48-52
Range: 125
Attack Speed: 0.73
Primary: Agility
Strength / Level: 2.0
Agility / Level: 2.9
Intelligence / Level: 1.3
Movement Speed: 300
Armor: 6.36
Damage Reduction: 28%
Magic Armor: 5.5
Magic Damage Reduction: 25%
Hero Introduction:
Night Hound is a easy, but effective carry, and can utilize the element of surprise to kill heroes quickly. However, he can also be an easy to kill foe if he is used wrongly. His ultimate, Invisibility, keeps him safe out of battle. He can use his skills to deal massive damage to his opponent, and also flee safely. He is the only hero in the game with a skill that can make him always invisible without wasting any mana.
When to pick
Your team needs a good carry
Your team needs a good disable
Your enemy has many low-hp heroes
When to not pick
Enemy team has skills that can reveal invisible units
Pros and Cons
[+] Always invisible
[+] Good disable
[+] Excellent farmer
[+] Good scout
[+] Skill to kill escaping heroes
[+] Excellent ganker
[-] Bound Eye can counter him easily
[-] Big target for enemy gankers early game
[-] Low mana pool early on
Skills:
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image003.jpg
Basically, Smoke Bomb is an active skill that you can use to a target position that will last for 6 seconds. Enemy units who enter the smoke bomb gets a chance to miss attack, -25% MS, -25 AS, and is silenced. All levels last 6 seconds, but the radius increases with each level.
Smoke Bomb is one of the best disables in the whole game. A well placed Smoke Bomb can win a whole team clash. Smoke Bomb lasts 6 seconds to a target point, so even if your targeted hero exits it, other people can still enter it. This skill can also be used to defend against large amounts of creeps attacking the tower. The 70% miss will cause you to take nearly no damage at all while tanking the creeps. The same goes with heroes.
To position a Smoke Bomb, you should predict where your enemy is headed. When I use Night Hound to kill someone, I usually activate my Elder Parasite, where they can?t see me, wait for me to go back to invisibility, Pounce them, attack twice, then activate my Smoke Bomb right behind them. Why not Smoke Bomb first? Well, Pounce has a 5 second cool down, and with the right items, can do around 400-600 damage, so we must abuse it. Then, I attack twice. I use the element of surprise, so I may be able to attack 2 Backstabs before they are going to disable or run. Then, I activate my Smoke Bomb. Smoke Bomb has a 1 second casting delay, so for some heroes that have instant-disables, I go straight for Smoke Bomb. I position the Smoke Bomb right behind them, because they are probably going to run that way.
To chase escaping heroes, I run past them, Smoke Bomb the area right forward of them, and immediately Pounce to get behind him in order to utilize my Backstab.
Wow, congratulations on reading through that. We all hate large wall of texts right? To reward you for reading so much, I?ll give you a secret letter. Collect all secret letters to find a word. =) This secret letter is: {P}
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image005.jpg
Basically, this skill teleports you to the back of an enemy target, and you automatically attack it instantly, except you deal 120 more damage. Let?s say your damage is 200 and you have 75 agility. Once you use Pounce, you go to the back of your enemy, and deal 395 damage. That?s a 400 damage every 5 seconds.
Besides from killing, this can also be an escape mechanism. There?s an enemy scout with Electric Eye planted near you, and you have red HP. He uses Vanish, and attacks you a lot of times. You now have exactly 1 HP left. Right then, you see a creep wave coming to you. You can use Pounce to teleport next to the creep, thus escaping you from death. It can also be used over cliffs.
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image007.jpg
In this ?amazing? picture, the triangle is the scout, the circle is the Night Hound, and the square is your ally. Your ally knows you?re in trouble, so he comes over the cliff. Luckily, after Scout uses Flurry, you amazingly have 1 HP left. You quickly Pounce to your square ally to over the cliff, and then you walk back to your home safely. Secret Letter {I}.
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image009.jpg
The ultimate Backstab. Best Passive in the whole game in my opinion. Basically, when you?re attacking your enemies from their behind, you do extra damage based on your Agility. This isn?t an attack modifier, so you can still buy other stuff like Lifesteal, Frostburn.
This skill is incredible coupled with Pounce. You can use it to farm very quickly by going behind the creep, wait for its HP to turn red, and attack. With this one, you can nearly kill every creep in the creep wave, making Night Hound the ultimate farming beast. {R}
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image011.jpg
This skill is great for everything. You?re simply invisible forever! But when attack, use an item, use a skill, you will go back to being visible for 3.2/2.25/1.5 seconds before you go back to invisible mode again. However, before you run right into a team that is pushing, be sure to see their items and check for Bound Eye, Wards, and Dust. If there is a Pestilence or Scout, don?t run in there at all. Wait for your allies, and when they come, let one of your initiators go in and init the fight. If you don?t have one, just Pounce an enemy and use Smoke Screen. Then run out of the fight.
This skill is also good for kill stealing. Wait near your ally while they fight an enemy. Wait for them enemy to turn to red HP, and then you Pounce them. Then in chat, say ?Easy.? No, I?m joking, don?t ever do that. Not even for K/D improving.
Skill Build:
I offer to you guys 2 skill builds. I name one ?The Farmer?s Build? and the other one ?The Ganker?s Build.? They are completely different at early game, but in mid game, they are mostly the same. The Farmer?s Build is for pure farmers, and the Ganker?s Build goes more to the people that participate in ganks a lot. Which build you choose is up to you, because they only different at early game.
The Farmer?s Build:
1. Backstab
2. Pounce
3. Backstab
4. Pounce
5. Backstab
6. Invisibility
7. Backstab
8. Pounce
9. Pounce
10. Smoke Bomb
11. Invisibility
12. Smoke Bomb
13. Smoke Bomb
14. Smoke Bomb
15. Stats
16. Invisibility
The Ganker?s Build:
1. Backstab
2. Smoke Bomb
3. Pounce
4. Smoke Bomb
5. Smoke Bomb
6. Invisibility
7. Smoke Bomb
8. Backstab
9. Backstab
10. Backstab
11. Invisibility
12. Pounce
13. Pounce
14. Pounce
15. Stats
16. Invisibility
Let me tell you my reasoning for both builds first. You can provide feedback to them in the comments.
In the Farmer?s Build, you are going to be an extreme farmer. Backstab and Pounce are maxed first. Backstab is the best farming skill, and you?ll need it to last hit creeps. Pounce, because it?s good harassing, and can further let you Pounce creeps, when you won?t make it in time. Invisibility is always maxed first, because it can let you kill/harass people more easily. The Farmers Build is perfectly effective when you are soloing. I only take the Farmers Build when I am the only carry in my team, and I go for Mid Solo. At level 7, I would go behind them, Attack them twice, Smoke Bomb, Pounce, and they would be dead. Since I am soloing, I would be superior by level and items, thus making it a easy kill. While I?m at Mid Solo, the enemy might also be mid soloing, making the kill harder. If that?s the case, I go up scout at the top river spot at afternoon, where I?ll be able to see the rune at far away. If there?s no rune there, I go to bottom rune and gank bottom. Since I?m superior to level and items, it?ll be a easy kill. If top has rune, I gank top. Even without Smoke Bomb, it would be a easy kill. {R}
Now, the Ganker?s Build is different. Backstab is given first, because of its good farming abilities. Second, is the Smoke Bomb, in order to disable opponents. Third level is Pounce, because it would always be needed to kill escaping heroes. Don?t farm with Pounce, because we would only get one level of it at early game, and its cooldown is 30 seconds at level 1. For levels 4 and 5, we get Smoke Bomb because of its disability. I usually get the Ganker?s Build when I lane with someone else, and I let a hard carry solo. At level 5, I would Pounce them and then immediately Smoke Bomb them. My ally would do all he would to nuke and disable them too, and it would be a easy First Blood.
The builds are only starter builds for you, and you need to learn to change them to fit your situation. Look at who you will be laning with and against to decide which skill you will take on level 4:
Solo vs Dualstunner lane (like Hammerstone + Polliwog Priest) : Smoke Bomb
Solo vs high burst damage solo lane (like Pyromancer): Smoke Bomb
Solo vs non high burst damage lane (like Forsaken Archer): Backstab
Solo vs deffensive + carry lane (like Sand Wraith + Hellbringer) : Backstab
Solo vs aggressive + carry lane (like Witch Slayer + Predator): Backstab
Solo vs heroes with runners (Magebane, Kraken): Pounce
Dual vs anything: Smoke Bomb
In general: Backstab for harass and when you can play aggressive, Smoke Bomb when you have to keep distance and farm because you can't kill anyone and your opponent(s) will try and can kill you easily. Pounce for runners and people with high movement speed.{A}
Item Build:
Starting Items
Your starting items will vary with each situation. My personal starting item is this:
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Minor-Totem.png) file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Minor-Totem.png) file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Minor-Totem.png) file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image015.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Runes-of-Blight.png)
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Minor-Totem.png) file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Minor-Totem.png) file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image017.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Monkey-Courier.png) file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image019.jpg
5 Minor Totem will get you +5 to all stats. Nothing can beat that. After you buy the Courier, use it and then place the potion in the inventory spot that used to be the courier. Some people prefer Runes of Blight, so you can buy that instead of the health potion if you like to.
If your friend also bought Monkey Courier, you can use this build instead:
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Minor-Totem.png)file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Minor-Totem.png)file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Minor-Totem.png)
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Minor-Totem.png)file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Minor-Totem.png)file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image019.jpgx3
As in x3, I mean 3 Potions. Again, the Health Potion can be replaced with Runes of Blight. +5 to all stats is a godlike starting item build, and the 3 potions will keep you alive for a long time. If you had simply randomed, you start out with more gold, and this is the starting item I use when I random Night Hound:
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image021.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Major-Totem.png)file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image017.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Monkey-Courier.png)
Why Major Totem? Because +4 to all stats for only 540 is pretty good, and you can later use it to make Frostburn. ?No Potions!?!?? After farming some creeps, you can use your courier to bring you back some potions. Again, if your friend bought the courier, use this build:
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image021.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Major-Totem.png)file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image019.jpgfile:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image019.jpg
Why Major Totem? Because +4 to all stats for only 540 is pretty good, and you can later use it to make Frostburn. The 2 potions will keep you alive for a long time. {T}
Early Game
In early game, you will be mainly farming, and ganking/harassing your enemies. Once you have farmed over 1000 gold, go to any of the side stores close to you and buy 2 Major Totems. If you already own one, then buy only one. In early game, +8 to all stats will make you generally strong. 540 for +4 to all stats is quite good, since another item exists that costs 450, but only gives +5 to one stat.
At level 6, you will have an advantage because they can?t see you anymore. You can then gank far more easily. Sometimes, I buy a scroll from the side shop if I?m at top/bottom lane, and teleport to another lane that has dual allies. I am invisible, so I go behind the enemy and Smoke Bomb them. My 2 other allies will then rush in and spam all their skills and attacks. Keep farming and keep ganking. Sooner, you will have farmed a lot of gold. When you have 1,500 gold, buy Steamboots. And then work on to Firebrand.
Middle Game
If you have farmed greatly, you should be able to have Steamboots, Frostburn by 20:00~25:00 minutes. If you are playing EM and is well farmed, you could get that by 15:00 minutes. You would also need a lifesteal, and I myself would personally go for Elder Parasite. Its extra 100 Attack Speed can kill anyone when coupled with Backstab. If you don?t like Elder Parasite, Abyssal Skull would also work fine. But Abyssal Skull?s Lifesteal is an aura, so if there is 2 Abyssal Skulls in your team, you just wasted a lot of gold. Whispering Helm is also a good choice, if you want to upgrade it to Symbol of Rage. I sometimes do that if they?re team has a lot of nukers and damage dealers.
Core (Optional)
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image023.jpg
It doesn?t hurt to have an extra mana and HP charge-up. Especially when you?re a rune whore.
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image025.jpg
The best item out there in my opinion. It acts as an extreme escape-mechanism, if you don?t think Pounce and Invisibility is enough for you. You can always be prepared for ganks, and immediate defending. {E}
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image027.jpg
+22 Agility, and an extra mana boost is pretty good. But there?s also a Purge! If you want to buy this, you can?t buy Elder Parasite/Whispering Helm anymore. The stats for this one is good for your carry role and Backstab, and the -27 mana per attack.
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image029.jpg
You?re permanent Invisible. You have an insane Pounce + Backstab Damage. You think you are invincible. You are wrong. Your Invisibility can?t escape you from all the stunners, and all the nukes.
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image031.jpg
These are even better than Scrolls.
Luxury
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image033.jpg
The main source of Night Hound?s ability to pawn. A +25 agility is actually +50 damage thanks to Backstab. It also gives +25 Attack Speed. And it also gives +10 damage and a further +10 attack speed. And then it gives 25% Evasion. This item is simply godlike. A must-get.
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image035.jpg
A critical strike can make a critical difference in a fight.
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image037.jpg
A further stun that you can use to stop teleporting heroes. Also makes heroes stay longer in your Smoke Screen.
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image039.jpg
Trick your opponents. Your illusions are also invisible. So if you are not sure if your enemies have wards or not, use your illusions to scout and if no one attacks them, you?re safe!
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image041.jpg
The best item out there for Night Hound. At only a 5000 price, you get +15 Damage, +15% Movement Speed, +15 Attack Speed, +16 Strength, +16 Agility, +10 Intelligence, and a 15 Frost attack at every attack. It costs the same as Wingbow, but I?d recommend this over Wingbow first, but you should buy both.
Gameplay and Strategies
Killing Mini-Guide:
Killing with Night Hound is easy.
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image043.jpg
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image045.jpg
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image047.jpg
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image049.jpg
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image051.jpg
1. To kill, first, go behind your target hero and hit him twice.
2. Then, Smoke Bomb
3. Attack him more
4. Use Pounce to last hit
Smoking Mini-Guide
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image053.jpg
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image055.jpg
In a team clash, a good Smoke Bomb is the way to win!
When chasing escaping heroes, Smoke Bomb ahead of them, and then go behind them and backstab them.
General Gameplay
Team Battle
Additional Skills
(Rikimaru, Stealth Assasin)
~Written by Piracy / [MP3]Piracy~
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.jpg
Art from heroes-of-newerth.tumblr.com/page/2 (http://heroes-of-newerth.tumblr.com/page/2)
Scurrilous rumors of unnatural parentage have haunted this proud, leonine warrior his entire life. He long served in the Beast Horde as a shadowy scout and assassin before taking on a comparable role in the new Legion. Wherever he came from, Night Hound is a welcome ally and a deadly foe.
Table of Contents
The Alt-Tab Mini Guide
Hero Statistics
Hero Introduction
Skills
Skill Builds
Item Builds
Early Game
Mid Game
Optional Core
Luxury Items
Related Items
Reasoning
Gameplay and Strategies
Killing Mini-Guide
Smoking Mini-Guide
General Gameplay
Team Battle
Additional Skills
Friends and Foes
Conclusion
FAQ
Replays
Credits and Changelogs
Hero Statistics:
Affiliate: Legion
Attack Type: Melee
Damage: 48-52
Range: 125
Attack Speed: 0.73
Primary: Agility
Strength / Level: 2.0
Agility / Level: 2.9
Intelligence / Level: 1.3
Movement Speed: 300
Armor: 6.36
Damage Reduction: 28%
Magic Armor: 5.5
Magic Damage Reduction: 25%
Hero Introduction:
Night Hound is a easy, but effective carry, and can utilize the element of surprise to kill heroes quickly. However, he can also be an easy to kill foe if he is used wrongly. His ultimate, Invisibility, keeps him safe out of battle. He can use his skills to deal massive damage to his opponent, and also flee safely. He is the only hero in the game with a skill that can make him always invisible without wasting any mana.
When to pick
Your team needs a good carry
Your team needs a good disable
Your enemy has many low-hp heroes
When to not pick
Enemy team has skills that can reveal invisible units
Pros and Cons
[+] Always invisible
[+] Good disable
[+] Excellent farmer
[+] Good scout
[+] Skill to kill escaping heroes
[+] Excellent ganker
[-] Bound Eye can counter him easily
[-] Big target for enemy gankers early game
[-] Low mana pool early on
Skills:
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image003.jpg
Basically, Smoke Bomb is an active skill that you can use to a target position that will last for 6 seconds. Enemy units who enter the smoke bomb gets a chance to miss attack, -25% MS, -25 AS, and is silenced. All levels last 6 seconds, but the radius increases with each level.
Smoke Bomb is one of the best disables in the whole game. A well placed Smoke Bomb can win a whole team clash. Smoke Bomb lasts 6 seconds to a target point, so even if your targeted hero exits it, other people can still enter it. This skill can also be used to defend against large amounts of creeps attacking the tower. The 70% miss will cause you to take nearly no damage at all while tanking the creeps. The same goes with heroes.
To position a Smoke Bomb, you should predict where your enemy is headed. When I use Night Hound to kill someone, I usually activate my Elder Parasite, where they can?t see me, wait for me to go back to invisibility, Pounce them, attack twice, then activate my Smoke Bomb right behind them. Why not Smoke Bomb first? Well, Pounce has a 5 second cool down, and with the right items, can do around 400-600 damage, so we must abuse it. Then, I attack twice. I use the element of surprise, so I may be able to attack 2 Backstabs before they are going to disable or run. Then, I activate my Smoke Bomb. Smoke Bomb has a 1 second casting delay, so for some heroes that have instant-disables, I go straight for Smoke Bomb. I position the Smoke Bomb right behind them, because they are probably going to run that way.
To chase escaping heroes, I run past them, Smoke Bomb the area right forward of them, and immediately Pounce to get behind him in order to utilize my Backstab.
Wow, congratulations on reading through that. We all hate large wall of texts right? To reward you for reading so much, I?ll give you a secret letter. Collect all secret letters to find a word. =) This secret letter is: {P}
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image005.jpg
Basically, this skill teleports you to the back of an enemy target, and you automatically attack it instantly, except you deal 120 more damage. Let?s say your damage is 200 and you have 75 agility. Once you use Pounce, you go to the back of your enemy, and deal 395 damage. That?s a 400 damage every 5 seconds.
Besides from killing, this can also be an escape mechanism. There?s an enemy scout with Electric Eye planted near you, and you have red HP. He uses Vanish, and attacks you a lot of times. You now have exactly 1 HP left. Right then, you see a creep wave coming to you. You can use Pounce to teleport next to the creep, thus escaping you from death. It can also be used over cliffs.
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image007.jpg
In this ?amazing? picture, the triangle is the scout, the circle is the Night Hound, and the square is your ally. Your ally knows you?re in trouble, so he comes over the cliff. Luckily, after Scout uses Flurry, you amazingly have 1 HP left. You quickly Pounce to your square ally to over the cliff, and then you walk back to your home safely. Secret Letter {I}.
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image009.jpg
The ultimate Backstab. Best Passive in the whole game in my opinion. Basically, when you?re attacking your enemies from their behind, you do extra damage based on your Agility. This isn?t an attack modifier, so you can still buy other stuff like Lifesteal, Frostburn.
This skill is incredible coupled with Pounce. You can use it to farm very quickly by going behind the creep, wait for its HP to turn red, and attack. With this one, you can nearly kill every creep in the creep wave, making Night Hound the ultimate farming beast. {R}
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image011.jpg
This skill is great for everything. You?re simply invisible forever! But when attack, use an item, use a skill, you will go back to being visible for 3.2/2.25/1.5 seconds before you go back to invisible mode again. However, before you run right into a team that is pushing, be sure to see their items and check for Bound Eye, Wards, and Dust. If there is a Pestilence or Scout, don?t run in there at all. Wait for your allies, and when they come, let one of your initiators go in and init the fight. If you don?t have one, just Pounce an enemy and use Smoke Screen. Then run out of the fight.
This skill is also good for kill stealing. Wait near your ally while they fight an enemy. Wait for them enemy to turn to red HP, and then you Pounce them. Then in chat, say ?Easy.? No, I?m joking, don?t ever do that. Not even for K/D improving.
Skill Build:
I offer to you guys 2 skill builds. I name one ?The Farmer?s Build? and the other one ?The Ganker?s Build.? They are completely different at early game, but in mid game, they are mostly the same. The Farmer?s Build is for pure farmers, and the Ganker?s Build goes more to the people that participate in ganks a lot. Which build you choose is up to you, because they only different at early game.
The Farmer?s Build:
1. Backstab
2. Pounce
3. Backstab
4. Pounce
5. Backstab
6. Invisibility
7. Backstab
8. Pounce
9. Pounce
10. Smoke Bomb
11. Invisibility
12. Smoke Bomb
13. Smoke Bomb
14. Smoke Bomb
15. Stats
16. Invisibility
The Ganker?s Build:
1. Backstab
2. Smoke Bomb
3. Pounce
4. Smoke Bomb
5. Smoke Bomb
6. Invisibility
7. Smoke Bomb
8. Backstab
9. Backstab
10. Backstab
11. Invisibility
12. Pounce
13. Pounce
14. Pounce
15. Stats
16. Invisibility
Let me tell you my reasoning for both builds first. You can provide feedback to them in the comments.
In the Farmer?s Build, you are going to be an extreme farmer. Backstab and Pounce are maxed first. Backstab is the best farming skill, and you?ll need it to last hit creeps. Pounce, because it?s good harassing, and can further let you Pounce creeps, when you won?t make it in time. Invisibility is always maxed first, because it can let you kill/harass people more easily. The Farmers Build is perfectly effective when you are soloing. I only take the Farmers Build when I am the only carry in my team, and I go for Mid Solo. At level 7, I would go behind them, Attack them twice, Smoke Bomb, Pounce, and they would be dead. Since I am soloing, I would be superior by level and items, thus making it a easy kill. While I?m at Mid Solo, the enemy might also be mid soloing, making the kill harder. If that?s the case, I go up scout at the top river spot at afternoon, where I?ll be able to see the rune at far away. If there?s no rune there, I go to bottom rune and gank bottom. Since I?m superior to level and items, it?ll be a easy kill. If top has rune, I gank top. Even without Smoke Bomb, it would be a easy kill. {R}
Now, the Ganker?s Build is different. Backstab is given first, because of its good farming abilities. Second, is the Smoke Bomb, in order to disable opponents. Third level is Pounce, because it would always be needed to kill escaping heroes. Don?t farm with Pounce, because we would only get one level of it at early game, and its cooldown is 30 seconds at level 1. For levels 4 and 5, we get Smoke Bomb because of its disability. I usually get the Ganker?s Build when I lane with someone else, and I let a hard carry solo. At level 5, I would Pounce them and then immediately Smoke Bomb them. My ally would do all he would to nuke and disable them too, and it would be a easy First Blood.
The builds are only starter builds for you, and you need to learn to change them to fit your situation. Look at who you will be laning with and against to decide which skill you will take on level 4:
Solo vs Dualstunner lane (like Hammerstone + Polliwog Priest) : Smoke Bomb
Solo vs high burst damage solo lane (like Pyromancer): Smoke Bomb
Solo vs non high burst damage lane (like Forsaken Archer): Backstab
Solo vs deffensive + carry lane (like Sand Wraith + Hellbringer) : Backstab
Solo vs aggressive + carry lane (like Witch Slayer + Predator): Backstab
Solo vs heroes with runners (Magebane, Kraken): Pounce
Dual vs anything: Smoke Bomb
In general: Backstab for harass and when you can play aggressive, Smoke Bomb when you have to keep distance and farm because you can't kill anyone and your opponent(s) will try and can kill you easily. Pounce for runners and people with high movement speed.{A}
Item Build:
Starting Items
Your starting items will vary with each situation. My personal starting item is this:
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Minor-Totem.png) file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Minor-Totem.png) file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Minor-Totem.png) file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image015.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Runes-of-Blight.png)
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Minor-Totem.png) file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Minor-Totem.png) file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image017.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Monkey-Courier.png) file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image019.jpg
5 Minor Totem will get you +5 to all stats. Nothing can beat that. After you buy the Courier, use it and then place the potion in the inventory spot that used to be the courier. Some people prefer Runes of Blight, so you can buy that instead of the health potion if you like to.
If your friend also bought Monkey Courier, you can use this build instead:
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Minor-Totem.png)file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Minor-Totem.png)file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Minor-Totem.png)
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Minor-Totem.png)file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image013.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Minor-Totem.png)file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image019.jpgx3
As in x3, I mean 3 Potions. Again, the Health Potion can be replaced with Runes of Blight. +5 to all stats is a godlike starting item build, and the 3 potions will keep you alive for a long time. If you had simply randomed, you start out with more gold, and this is the starting item I use when I random Night Hound:
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image021.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Major-Totem.png)file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image017.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Monkey-Courier.png)
Why Major Totem? Because +4 to all stats for only 540 is pretty good, and you can later use it to make Frostburn. ?No Potions!?!?? After farming some creeps, you can use your courier to bring you back some potions. Again, if your friend bought the courier, use this build:
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image021.jpg (http://heroes-newerth.com/wp-content/myimages/Major-Totem.png)file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image019.jpgfile:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image019.jpg
Why Major Totem? Because +4 to all stats for only 540 is pretty good, and you can later use it to make Frostburn. The 2 potions will keep you alive for a long time. {T}
Early Game
In early game, you will be mainly farming, and ganking/harassing your enemies. Once you have farmed over 1000 gold, go to any of the side stores close to you and buy 2 Major Totems. If you already own one, then buy only one. In early game, +8 to all stats will make you generally strong. 540 for +4 to all stats is quite good, since another item exists that costs 450, but only gives +5 to one stat.
At level 6, you will have an advantage because they can?t see you anymore. You can then gank far more easily. Sometimes, I buy a scroll from the side shop if I?m at top/bottom lane, and teleport to another lane that has dual allies. I am invisible, so I go behind the enemy and Smoke Bomb them. My 2 other allies will then rush in and spam all their skills and attacks. Keep farming and keep ganking. Sooner, you will have farmed a lot of gold. When you have 1,500 gold, buy Steamboots. And then work on to Firebrand.
Middle Game
If you have farmed greatly, you should be able to have Steamboots, Frostburn by 20:00~25:00 minutes. If you are playing EM and is well farmed, you could get that by 15:00 minutes. You would also need a lifesteal, and I myself would personally go for Elder Parasite. Its extra 100 Attack Speed can kill anyone when coupled with Backstab. If you don?t like Elder Parasite, Abyssal Skull would also work fine. But Abyssal Skull?s Lifesteal is an aura, so if there is 2 Abyssal Skulls in your team, you just wasted a lot of gold. Whispering Helm is also a good choice, if you want to upgrade it to Symbol of Rage. I sometimes do that if they?re team has a lot of nukers and damage dealers.
Core (Optional)
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image023.jpg
It doesn?t hurt to have an extra mana and HP charge-up. Especially when you?re a rune whore.
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image025.jpg
The best item out there in my opinion. It acts as an extreme escape-mechanism, if you don?t think Pounce and Invisibility is enough for you. You can always be prepared for ganks, and immediate defending. {E}
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image027.jpg
+22 Agility, and an extra mana boost is pretty good. But there?s also a Purge! If you want to buy this, you can?t buy Elder Parasite/Whispering Helm anymore. The stats for this one is good for your carry role and Backstab, and the -27 mana per attack.
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image029.jpg
You?re permanent Invisible. You have an insane Pounce + Backstab Damage. You think you are invincible. You are wrong. Your Invisibility can?t escape you from all the stunners, and all the nukes.
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image031.jpg
These are even better than Scrolls.
Luxury
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image033.jpg
The main source of Night Hound?s ability to pawn. A +25 agility is actually +50 damage thanks to Backstab. It also gives +25 Attack Speed. And it also gives +10 damage and a further +10 attack speed. And then it gives 25% Evasion. This item is simply godlike. A must-get.
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A critical strike can make a critical difference in a fight.
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image037.jpg
A further stun that you can use to stop teleporting heroes. Also makes heroes stay longer in your Smoke Screen.
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Trick your opponents. Your illusions are also invisible. So if you are not sure if your enemies have wards or not, use your illusions to scout and if no one attacks them, you?re safe!
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image041.jpg
The best item out there for Night Hound. At only a 5000 price, you get +15 Damage, +15% Movement Speed, +15 Attack Speed, +16 Strength, +16 Agility, +10 Intelligence, and a 15 Frost attack at every attack. It costs the same as Wingbow, but I?d recommend this over Wingbow first, but you should buy both.
Gameplay and Strategies
Killing Mini-Guide:
Killing with Night Hound is easy.
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image043.jpg
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image045.jpg
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file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image051.jpg
1. To kill, first, go behind your target hero and hit him twice.
2. Then, Smoke Bomb
3. Attack him more
4. Use Pounce to last hit
Smoking Mini-Guide
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image053.jpg
file:///C:/Users/Kenneth/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image055.jpg
In a team clash, a good Smoke Bomb is the way to win!
When chasing escaping heroes, Smoke Bomb ahead of them, and then go behind them and backstab them.
General Gameplay
Team Battle
Additional Skills