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Tusk

Tusk

StrengthMeleeInitiator, Disabler, Nuker

Hero Guides

Different item routes for common ways to play this hero.

Standard build

The safest route from lane to late game using the most common items.

Balanced

Starting Items

Observer and Sentry Wards
Observer and Sentry Wards50g
Tango
Tango90g
Observer Ward
Observer Ward
Blood Grenade
Blood Grenade50g

Early Game

Boots of Speed
Boots of Speed500g
Tranquil Boots
Tranquil Boots900g
Chainmail
Chainmail500g
Phase Boots
Phase Boots1,450g

Mid Game

Blink Dagger
Blink Dagger2,250g
Phase Boots
Phase Boots1,450g
Arcane Boots
Arcane Boots1,500g
Aghanim's Shard
Aghanim's Shard1,400g

Late Game

Aghanim's Scepter
Aghanim's Scepter4,200g
Black King Bar
Black King Bar4,050g
Eul's Scepter of Divinity
Eul's Scepter of Divinity2,600g
Blink Dagger
Blink Dagger2,250g

Tempo build

Cheaper early and mid game items when you want to fight sooner.

Fast

Early Game

Boots of Speed
Boots of Speed500g
Tranquil Boots
Tranquil Boots900g
Chainmail
Chainmail500g
Phase Boots
Phase Boots1,450g
Arcane Boots
Arcane Boots1,500g

Mid Game

Blink Dagger
Blink Dagger2,250g
Phase Boots
Phase Boots1,450g
Staff of Wizardry
Staff of Wizardry1,000g
Ogre Axe
Ogre Axe1,000g
Point Booster
Point Booster1,200g
Arcane Boots
Arcane Boots1,500g

Scaling build

Bigger mid and late game items when the match is likely to go long.

Greedy

Mid Game

Eul's Scepter of Divinity
Eul's Scepter of Divinity2,600g
Aghanim's Scepter
Aghanim's Scepter4,200g
Solar Crest
Solar Crest2,575g
Boots of Bearing
Boots of Bearing4,225g

Late Game

Aghanim's Scepter
Aghanim's Scepter4,200g
Black King Bar
Black King Bar4,050g
Eul's Scepter of Divinity
Eul's Scepter of Divinity2,600g
Consecrated Wraps
Consecrated Wraps2,600g
Lotus Orb
Lotus Orb3,850g

Situational options

Alternative common pickups to consider when the game calls for it.

Flex

Mid Game

Arcane Boots
Arcane Boots1,500g
Aghanim's Shard
Aghanim's Shard1,400g

Late Game

Eul's Scepter of Divinity
Eul's Scepter of Divinity2,600g
Blink Dagger
Blink Dagger2,250g

Item Builds

Based on real match data from OpenDota. Sorted by popularity.

Starting Items

Observer and Sentry Wards
Observer and Sentry Wards50g
Tango
Tango90g
Observer Ward
Observer Ward
Blood Grenade
Blood Grenade50g
Sentry Ward
Sentry Ward50g
Iron Branch
Iron Branch55g
Boots of Speed
Boots of Speed500g
Enchanted Mango
Enchanted Mango65g

Early Game

Boots of Speed
Boots of Speed500g
Tranquil Boots
Tranquil Boots900g
Chainmail
Chainmail500g
Phase Boots
Phase Boots1,450g
Arcane Boots
Arcane Boots1,500g

Mid Game

Blink Dagger
Blink Dagger2,250g
Phase Boots
Phase Boots1,450g
Staff of Wizardry
Staff of Wizardry1,000g
Ogre Axe
Ogre Axe1,000g
Point Booster
Point Booster1,200g
Arcane Boots
Arcane Boots1,500g
Aghanim's Shard
Aghanim's Shard1,400g
Eul's Scepter of Divinity
Eul's Scepter of Divinity2,600g

Late Game

Aghanim's Scepter
Aghanim's Scepter4,200g
Black King Bar
Black King Bar4,050g
Eul's Scepter of Divinity
Eul's Scepter of Divinity2,600g
Blink Dagger
Blink Dagger2,250g
Force Staff
Force Staff2,200g
Consecrated Wraps
Consecrated Wraps2,600g
Lotus Orb
Lotus Orb3,850g
Demon Edge
Demon Edge2,200g