Grimstroke

Intelligence•Ranged•Support, Nuker, Disabler, Escape

Skill Build

A level 1-25 plan based on this hero's current ability list. Adjust talents and extra spells for the match.

Levels 1-25

1
Stroke of Fate
Q
Stroke of Fate
Grimstroke paints a curved path of ink with his brush, damaging and slowing enemies. The damage is increased with each enemy the ink hits. Can be put on alt-cast to have the path be straight.
Recommended: level 1Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 11 / 9 / 7 / 5sMana: 100 / 110 / 120 / 130
2
Phantom's Embrace
W
Phantom's Embrace
Summons a phantom that moves quickly towards the target, latching to it when she arrives. Once latched, the phantom damages and silences. If she survives the full latch duration she rends her victim for heavy damage and refreshes Phantom's Embrace's cooldown. Hero attacks against the phantom count as 3 attacks each.
Recommended: level 2Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 30 / 26 / 22 / 18sMana: 80 / 100 / 120 / 140
3
Ink Swell
E
Ink Swell
Grimstroke shrouds an allied unit in ink, increasing its movement speed. Enemies in range of the allied unit are damaged with inky tendrils over time. After 3 seconds it applies damage and stun in an area around the unit in proportion to how long ink tendril was near any hero.
Recommended: level 3Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 27 / 24 / 21 / 18sMana: 120 / 130 / 140 / 150
4
Stroke of Fate
Q
Stroke of Fate
Grimstroke paints a curved path of ink with his brush, damaging and slowing enemies. The damage is increased with each enemy the ink hits. Can be put on alt-cast to have the path be straight.
Recommended: level 4Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 11 / 9 / 7 / 5sMana: 100 / 110 / 120 / 130
5
Stroke of Fate
Q
Stroke of Fate
Grimstroke paints a curved path of ink with his brush, damaging and slowing enemies. The damage is increased with each enemy the ink hits. Can be put on alt-cast to have the path be straight.
Recommended: level 5Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 11 / 9 / 7 / 5sMana: 100 / 110 / 120 / 130
6
Soulbind
R
Soulbind
Binds a targeted enemy hero to its nearest allied hero within the bind radius, preventing both from moving away from each other. Any unit-targeted ability that either bound hero receives also gets cast on the other hero. If the bind is broken before the duration expires, the initial target will be bound to its nearest allied hero in the radius.
Recommended: level 6Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 70 / 65 / 60sMana: 150 / 200 / 250
7
Stroke of Fate
Q
Stroke of Fate
Grimstroke paints a curved path of ink with his brush, damaging and slowing enemies. The damage is increased with each enemy the ink hits. Can be put on alt-cast to have the path be straight.
Recommended: level 7Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 11 / 9 / 7 / 5sMana: 100 / 110 / 120 / 130
8
Phantom's Embrace
W
Phantom's Embrace
Summons a phantom that moves quickly towards the target, latching to it when she arrives. Once latched, the phantom damages and silences. If she survives the full latch duration she rends her victim for heavy damage and refreshes Phantom's Embrace's cooldown. Hero attacks against the phantom count as 3 attacks each.
Recommended: level 8Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 30 / 26 / 22 / 18sMana: 80 / 100 / 120 / 140
9
Phantom's Embrace
W
Phantom's Embrace
Summons a phantom that moves quickly towards the target, latching to it when she arrives. Once latched, the phantom damages and silences. If she survives the full latch duration she rends her victim for heavy damage and refreshes Phantom's Embrace's cooldown. Hero attacks against the phantom count as 3 attacks each.
Recommended: level 9Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 30 / 26 / 22 / 18sMana: 80 / 100 / 120 / 140
10Talent
+damage per second Phantom's Embrace DPS
11
Phantom's Embrace
W
Phantom's Embrace
Summons a phantom that moves quickly towards the target, latching to it when she arrives. Once latched, the phantom damages and silences. If she survives the full latch duration she rends her victim for heavy damage and refreshes Phantom's Embrace's cooldown. Hero attacks against the phantom count as 3 attacks each.
Recommended: level 11Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 30 / 26 / 22 / 18sMana: 80 / 100 / 120 / 140
12
Soulbind
R
Soulbind
Binds a targeted enemy hero to its nearest allied hero within the bind radius, preventing both from moving away from each other. Any unit-targeted ability that either bound hero receives also gets cast on the other hero. If the bind is broken before the duration expires, the initial target will be bound to its nearest allied hero in the radius.
Recommended: level 12Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 70 / 65 / 60sMana: 150 / 200 / 250
13
Ink Swell
E
Ink Swell
Grimstroke shrouds an allied unit in ink, increasing its movement speed. Enemies in range of the allied unit are damaged with inky tendrils over time. After 3 seconds it applies damage and stun in an area around the unit in proportion to how long ink tendril was near any hero.
Recommended: level 13Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 27 / 24 / 21 / 18sMana: 120 / 130 / 140 / 150
14
Ink Swell
E
Ink Swell
Grimstroke shrouds an allied unit in ink, increasing its movement speed. Enemies in range of the allied unit are damaged with inky tendrils over time. After 3 seconds it applies damage and stun in an area around the unit in proportion to how long ink tendril was near any hero.
Recommended: level 14Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 27 / 24 / 21 / 18sMana: 120 / 130 / 140 / 150
15Talent
+bonus reflected spell damage% Soulbind Spell Damage
16
Ink Swell
E
Ink Swell
Grimstroke shrouds an allied unit in ink, increasing its movement speed. Enemies in range of the allied unit are damaged with inky tendrils over time. After 3 seconds it applies damage and stun in an area around the unit in proportion to how long ink tendril was near any hero.
Recommended: level 16Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 27 / 24 / 21 / 18sMana: 120 / 130 / 140 / 150
17
Soulbind
R
Soulbind
Binds a targeted enemy hero to its nearest allied hero within the bind radius, preventing both from moving away from each other. Any unit-targeted ability that either bound hero receives also gets cast on the other hero. If the bind is broken before the duration expires, the initial target will be bound to its nearest allied hero in the radius.
Recommended: level 17Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 70 / 65 / 60sMana: 150 / 200 / 250
18Stats
Stats
19Stats
Stats
20Talent
+damage% Stroke of Fate Damage
21Stats
Stats
22Stats
Stats
23Stats
Stats
24Stats
Stats
25Talent
+radius Ink Swell Radius

1
Stroke of Fate
Q
Stroke of Fate
Grimstroke paints a curved path of ink with his brush, damaging and slowing enemies. The damage is increased with each enemy the ink hits. Can be put on alt-cast to have the path be straight.
Recommended: level 1Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 11 / 9 / 7 / 5sMana: 100 / 110 / 120 / 130
2
Phantom's Embrace
W
Phantom's Embrace
Summons a phantom that moves quickly towards the target, latching to it when she arrives. Once latched, the phantom damages and silences. If she survives the full latch duration she rends her victim for heavy damage and refreshes Phantom's Embrace's cooldown. Hero attacks against the phantom count as 3 attacks each.
Recommended: level 2Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 30 / 26 / 22 / 18sMana: 80 / 100 / 120 / 140
3
Ink Swell
E
Ink Swell
Grimstroke shrouds an allied unit in ink, increasing its movement speed. Enemies in range of the allied unit are damaged with inky tendrils over time. After 3 seconds it applies damage and stun in an area around the unit in proportion to how long ink tendril was near any hero.
Recommended: level 3Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 27 / 24 / 21 / 18sMana: 120 / 130 / 140 / 150
4
Stroke of Fate
Q
Stroke of Fate
Grimstroke paints a curved path of ink with his brush, damaging and slowing enemies. The damage is increased with each enemy the ink hits. Can be put on alt-cast to have the path be straight.
Recommended: level 4Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 11 / 9 / 7 / 5sMana: 100 / 110 / 120 / 130
5
Stroke of Fate
Q
Stroke of Fate
Grimstroke paints a curved path of ink with his brush, damaging and slowing enemies. The damage is increased with each enemy the ink hits. Can be put on alt-cast to have the path be straight.
Recommended: level 5Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 11 / 9 / 7 / 5sMana: 100 / 110 / 120 / 130
6
Soulbind
R
Soulbind
Binds a targeted enemy hero to its nearest allied hero within the bind radius, preventing both from moving away from each other. Any unit-targeted ability that either bound hero receives also gets cast on the other hero. If the bind is broken before the duration expires, the initial target will be bound to its nearest allied hero in the radius.
Recommended: level 6Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 70 / 65 / 60sMana: 150 / 200 / 250
7
Stroke of Fate
Q
Stroke of Fate
Grimstroke paints a curved path of ink with his brush, damaging and slowing enemies. The damage is increased with each enemy the ink hits. Can be put on alt-cast to have the path be straight.
Recommended: level 7Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 11 / 9 / 7 / 5sMana: 100 / 110 / 120 / 130
8
Phantom's Embrace
W
Phantom's Embrace
Summons a phantom that moves quickly towards the target, latching to it when she arrives. Once latched, the phantom damages and silences. If she survives the full latch duration she rends her victim for heavy damage and refreshes Phantom's Embrace's cooldown. Hero attacks against the phantom count as 3 attacks each.
Recommended: level 8Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 30 / 26 / 22 / 18sMana: 80 / 100 / 120 / 140
9
Phantom's Embrace
W
Phantom's Embrace
Summons a phantom that moves quickly towards the target, latching to it when she arrives. Once latched, the phantom damages and silences. If she survives the full latch duration she rends her victim for heavy damage and refreshes Phantom's Embrace's cooldown. Hero attacks against the phantom count as 3 attacks each.
Recommended: level 9Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 30 / 26 / 22 / 18sMana: 80 / 100 / 120 / 140
10Talent
+damage per second Phantom's Embrace DPS
11
Phantom's Embrace
W
Phantom's Embrace
Summons a phantom that moves quickly towards the target, latching to it when she arrives. Once latched, the phantom damages and silences. If she survives the full latch duration she rends her victim for heavy damage and refreshes Phantom's Embrace's cooldown. Hero attacks against the phantom count as 3 attacks each.
Recommended: level 11Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 30 / 26 / 22 / 18sMana: 80 / 100 / 120 / 140
12
Soulbind
R
Soulbind
Binds a targeted enemy hero to its nearest allied hero within the bind radius, preventing both from moving away from each other. Any unit-targeted ability that either bound hero receives also gets cast on the other hero. If the bind is broken before the duration expires, the initial target will be bound to its nearest allied hero in the radius.
Recommended: level 12Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 70 / 65 / 60sMana: 150 / 200 / 250
13
Ink Swell
E
Ink Swell
Grimstroke shrouds an allied unit in ink, increasing its movement speed. Enemies in range of the allied unit are damaged with inky tendrils over time. After 3 seconds it applies damage and stun in an area around the unit in proportion to how long ink tendril was near any hero.
Recommended: level 13Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 27 / 24 / 21 / 18sMana: 120 / 130 / 140 / 150

14
Ink Swell
E
Ink Swell
Grimstroke shrouds an allied unit in ink, increasing its movement speed. Enemies in range of the allied unit are damaged with inky tendrils over time. After 3 seconds it applies damage and stun in an area around the unit in proportion to how long ink tendril was near any hero.
Recommended: level 14Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 27 / 24 / 21 / 18sMana: 120 / 130 / 140 / 150
15Talent
+bonus reflected spell damage% Soulbind Spell Damage
16
Ink Swell
E
Ink Swell
Grimstroke shrouds an allied unit in ink, increasing its movement speed. Enemies in range of the allied unit are damaged with inky tendrils over time. After 3 seconds it applies damage and stun in an area around the unit in proportion to how long ink tendril was near any hero.
Recommended: level 16Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 27 / 24 / 21 / 18sMana: 120 / 130 / 140 / 150
17
Soulbind
R
Soulbind
Binds a targeted enemy hero to its nearest allied hero within the bind radius, preventing both from moving away from each other. Any unit-targeted ability that either bound hero receives also gets cast on the other hero. If the bind is broken before the duration expires, the initial target will be bound to its nearest allied hero in the radius.
Recommended: level 17Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 70 / 65 / 60sMana: 150 / 200 / 250
18Stats
Stats
19Stats
Stats
20Talent
+damage% Stroke of Fate Damage
21Stats
Stats
22Stats
Stats
23Stats
Stats
24Stats
Stats
25Talent
+radius Ink Swell Radius

1
Stroke of Fate
Q
Stroke of Fate
Grimstroke paints a curved path of ink with his brush, damaging and slowing enemies. The damage is increased with each enemy the ink hits. Can be put on alt-cast to have the path be straight.
Recommended: level 1Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 11 / 9 / 7 / 5sMana: 100 / 110 / 120 / 130
2
Phantom's Embrace
W
Phantom's Embrace
Summons a phantom that moves quickly towards the target, latching to it when she arrives. Once latched, the phantom damages and silences. If she survives the full latch duration she rends her victim for heavy damage and refreshes Phantom's Embrace's cooldown. Hero attacks against the phantom count as 3 attacks each.
Recommended: level 2Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 30 / 26 / 22 / 18sMana: 80 / 100 / 120 / 140
3
Ink Swell
E
Ink Swell
Grimstroke shrouds an allied unit in ink, increasing its movement speed. Enemies in range of the allied unit are damaged with inky tendrils over time. After 3 seconds it applies damage and stun in an area around the unit in proportion to how long ink tendril was near any hero.
Recommended: level 3Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 27 / 24 / 21 / 18sMana: 120 / 130 / 140 / 150
4
Stroke of Fate
Q
Stroke of Fate
Grimstroke paints a curved path of ink with his brush, damaging and slowing enemies. The damage is increased with each enemy the ink hits. Can be put on alt-cast to have the path be straight.
Recommended: level 4Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 11 / 9 / 7 / 5sMana: 100 / 110 / 120 / 130
5
Stroke of Fate
Q
Stroke of Fate
Grimstroke paints a curved path of ink with his brush, damaging and slowing enemies. The damage is increased with each enemy the ink hits. Can be put on alt-cast to have the path be straight.
Recommended: level 5Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 11 / 9 / 7 / 5sMana: 100 / 110 / 120 / 130
6
Soulbind
R
Soulbind
Binds a targeted enemy hero to its nearest allied hero within the bind radius, preventing both from moving away from each other. Any unit-targeted ability that either bound hero receives also gets cast on the other hero. If the bind is broken before the duration expires, the initial target will be bound to its nearest allied hero in the radius.
Recommended: level 6Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 70 / 65 / 60sMana: 150 / 200 / 250
7
Stroke of Fate
Q
Stroke of Fate
Grimstroke paints a curved path of ink with his brush, damaging and slowing enemies. The damage is increased with each enemy the ink hits. Can be put on alt-cast to have the path be straight.
Recommended: level 7Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 11 / 9 / 7 / 5sMana: 100 / 110 / 120 / 130
8
Phantom's Embrace
W
Phantom's Embrace
Summons a phantom that moves quickly towards the target, latching to it when she arrives. Once latched, the phantom damages and silences. If she survives the full latch duration she rends her victim for heavy damage and refreshes Phantom's Embrace's cooldown. Hero attacks against the phantom count as 3 attacks each.
Recommended: level 8Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 30 / 26 / 22 / 18sMana: 80 / 100 / 120 / 140
9
Phantom's Embrace
W
Phantom's Embrace
Summons a phantom that moves quickly towards the target, latching to it when she arrives. Once latched, the phantom damages and silences. If she survives the full latch duration she rends her victim for heavy damage and refreshes Phantom's Embrace's cooldown. Hero attacks against the phantom count as 3 attacks each.
Recommended: level 9Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 30 / 26 / 22 / 18sMana: 80 / 100 / 120 / 140

10Talent
+damage per second Phantom's Embrace DPS
11
Phantom's Embrace
W
Phantom's Embrace
Summons a phantom that moves quickly towards the target, latching to it when she arrives. Once latched, the phantom damages and silences. If she survives the full latch duration she rends her victim for heavy damage and refreshes Phantom's Embrace's cooldown. Hero attacks against the phantom count as 3 attacks each.
Recommended: level 11Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 30 / 26 / 22 / 18sMana: 80 / 100 / 120 / 140
12
Soulbind
R
Soulbind
Binds a targeted enemy hero to its nearest allied hero within the bind radius, preventing both from moving away from each other. Any unit-targeted ability that either bound hero receives also gets cast on the other hero. If the bind is broken before the duration expires, the initial target will be bound to its nearest allied hero in the radius.
Recommended: level 12Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 70 / 65 / 60sMana: 150 / 200 / 250
13
Ink Swell
E
Ink Swell
Grimstroke shrouds an allied unit in ink, increasing its movement speed. Enemies in range of the allied unit are damaged with inky tendrils over time. After 3 seconds it applies damage and stun in an area around the unit in proportion to how long ink tendril was near any hero.
Recommended: level 13Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 27 / 24 / 21 / 18sMana: 120 / 130 / 140 / 150
14
Ink Swell
E
Ink Swell
Grimstroke shrouds an allied unit in ink, increasing its movement speed. Enemies in range of the allied unit are damaged with inky tendrils over time. After 3 seconds it applies damage and stun in an area around the unit in proportion to how long ink tendril was near any hero.
Recommended: level 14Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 27 / 24 / 21 / 18sMana: 120 / 130 / 140 / 150
15Talent
+bonus reflected spell damage% Soulbind Spell Damage
16
Ink Swell
E
Ink Swell
Grimstroke shrouds an allied unit in ink, increasing its movement speed. Enemies in range of the allied unit are damaged with inky tendrils over time. After 3 seconds it applies damage and stun in an area around the unit in proportion to how long ink tendril was near any hero.
Recommended: level 16Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 27 / 24 / 21 / 18sMana: 120 / 130 / 140 / 150
17
Soulbind
R
Soulbind
Binds a targeted enemy hero to its nearest allied hero within the bind radius, preventing both from moving away from each other. Any unit-targeted ability that either bound hero receives also gets cast on the other hero. If the bind is broken before the duration expires, the initial target will be bound to its nearest allied hero in the radius.
Recommended: level 17Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 70 / 65 / 60sMana: 150 / 200 / 250
18Stats
Stats

19Stats
Stats
20Talent
+damage% Stroke of Fate Damage
21Stats
Stats
22Stats
Stats
23Stats
Stats
24Stats
Stats
25Talent
+radius Ink Swell Radius

Talent tree

+AbilityCastRange% Stroke of Fate Speed and Travel Range

Lv25Pick one

+radius Ink Swell Radius

+destroy attacks Hits to Kill Phantom

Lv20Pick one

+damage% Stroke of Fate Damage

+movespeed bonus pct% Ink Swell Movement Speed

Lv15Pick one

+bonus reflected spell damage% Soulbind Spell Damage

-AbilityCooldowns Ink Swell Cooldown

Lv10Pick one

+damage per second Phantom's Embrace DPS

Item Builds

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

Starting Items

8 items

Iron Branch

55g

Targets the ground to plant a happy little tree that lasts for 20 seconds.

Tango

90g

Consumes a target tree to gain 7 health regeneration for 16 seconds. Consuming an Ironwood Tree doubles the heal duration. Comes with 3 charges. Can be used on an allied hero to give them one Tango. Tree Range: 165

Blood Grenade

50g

Throw a grenade at the target area. Enemies in the area will take 50 damage on impact, and be slowed by -15% and take 15 damage every 1s for 5 seconds. Radius 300.

Sentry Ward

50g

Plants a Sentry Ward, an invisible watcher that grants True Sight, the ability to see invisible enemy units and wards, to any existing allied vision within a 1050 radius. Lasts 7 minutes. Does not grant ground vision. Hold Control to give one Sentry Ward to an allied hero.

Faerie Fire

65g

Instantly restores 85 health.

Observer and Sentry Wards

50g

Plant the currently active ward. Double-Click to switch the currently active ward.

Magic Stick

200g

Instantly restores 15 health and mana per charge stored. Max 10 charges. Gains a charge whenever a visible enemy within 1200 range uses an ability.

Circlet

155g

Early Game

4 items

Arcane Boots

1,500g

Restores 150 mana to all nearby allies. Radius: 1200

Null Talisman

505g

Bracer

505g

Urn of Shadows

825g

Provides 30 health regeneration when cast on allies, and deals 25 damage per second when cast on enemies. Lasts 8 seconds. Gains charges every time an enemy hero dies within 1500 units.

Mid Game

8 items

Arcane Boots

1,500g

Restores 150 mana to all nearby allies. Radius: 1200

Blink Dagger

2,250g

Teleport to a target point up to 1200 units away. Blink Dagger cannot be used for 3 seconds after taking damage from an enemy hero or Roshan.

Glimmer Cape

2,150g

After a 0.5 second delay, grants invisibility, 20 movement speed and a magic damage barrier that absorbs up to 375 damage to you or a target allied unit for 5 seconds. Can be cast while channeling.

Aghanim's Scepter

4,200g

Upgrades the ultimate, and some abilities, of all heroes.

Force Staff

2,200g

Pushes any target unit 600 units in the direction it is facing.

Solar Crest

2,575g

When cast on an ally, grants them 5 armor, 60 attack speed, 15% movement speed and a 350 physical damage barrier. Does not grant bonus armor, movement or attack speed if used on self. Duration: 7

Pavise

1,350g

When cast on an ally, grants them a physical damage barrier that absorbs 250 damage. Duration: 7s.

Essence Distiller

1,775g

Provides 40 health regeneration when cast on allies. Can be ground targeted to lie dormant for up to 15s and attach to the first enemy that comes within 400 radius. When on enemies, deals 25 damage per second and provides True Sight over them and shares their vision with the wearer's team. Lasts 8 seconds. Gains charges every time an enemy hero dies within 1500 units.

Late Game

6 items

Aghanim's Scepter

4,200g

Upgrades the ultimate, and some abilities, of all heroes.

Scythe of Vyse

5,200g

Turns a target unit into a harmless critter for 2.8 seconds. The target has a base movement speed of 140 and will be silenced, muted, and disarmed. Instantly destroys illusions.

Refresher Orb

5,000g

Resets the cooldowns of all your abilities. Shares a cooldown with Refresher Shard. This item's cooldown only progresses in your hero's main inventory.

Guardian Greaves

4,450g

Restores 325 health and 200 mana to nearby allies, and removes most negative effects from the caster. Radius: 1200 Dispel Type: Basic Dispel

Aghanim's Blessing

5,800g

Upgrades the ultimate, and some abilities, of all heroes.

Boots of Travel 2

4,500g

Upgrades your Town Portal Scroll, allowing it to target units and heroes, reduces cooldown, channel time and does not consume a charge on usage.