Lion

Intelligence•Ranged•Support, Disabler, Nuker, Initiator

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
Earth Spike
Q
Earth Spike
Rock spikes burst from the earth along a straight path. Enemy units are hurled into the air, then are stunned and take damage when they fall.
Recommended: level 1Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 14 / 13 / 12 / 11sMana: 90 / 110 / 130 / 150
2
Hex
W
Hex
Transforms an enemy unit into a harmless beast, with all special abilities disabled.
Recommended: level 2Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 24 / 20 / 16 / 12sMana: 110 / 140 / 170 / 200
3
Mana Drain
E
Mana Drain
CHANNELED - Channels magical energy, taking mana and slowing enemies over time. If the enemy has no mana remaining, the slow is increased by 15%. Can target allies to give them mana and movement speed at a 50% rate.
Recommended: level 3Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 15 / 12 / 9 / 6s
4
Earth Spike
Q
Earth Spike
Rock spikes burst from the earth along a straight path. Enemy units are hurled into the air, then are stunned and take damage when they fall.
Recommended: level 4Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 14 / 13 / 12 / 11sMana: 90 / 110 / 130 / 150
5
Earth Spike
Q
Earth Spike
Rock spikes burst from the earth along a straight path. Enemy units are hurled into the air, then are stunned and take damage when they fall.
Recommended: level 5Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 14 / 13 / 12 / 11sMana: 90 / 110 / 130 / 150
6
Finger of Death
R
Finger of Death
Rips at an enemy unit, trying to turn it inside-out, dealing massive damage to the target. After using Finger of Death, Lion's hand becomes empowered, allowing him to use a cleaving melee attack with 250 range with bonus movement speed. Finger of Death gains permanent bonus damage for it and the fist for each enemy Hero it or the fist kills. The melee attack may be disabled by setting the ability to Alt Cast.
Recommended: level 6Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 110 / 70 / 30sMana: 200 / 400 / 600
7
Earth Spike
Q
Earth Spike
Rock spikes burst from the earth along a straight path. Enemy units are hurled into the air, then are stunned and take damage when they fall.
Recommended: level 7Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 14 / 13 / 12 / 11sMana: 90 / 110 / 130 / 150
8
Hex
W
Hex
Transforms an enemy unit into a harmless beast, with all special abilities disabled.
Recommended: level 8Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 24 / 20 / 16 / 12sMana: 110 / 140 / 170 / 200
9
Hex
W
Hex
Transforms an enemy unit into a harmless beast, with all special abilities disabled.
Recommended: level 9Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 24 / 20 / 16 / 12sMana: 110 / 140 / 170 / 200
10Talent
+movespeed% Mana Drain Slow
11
Hex
W
Hex
Transforms an enemy unit into a harmless beast, with all special abilities disabled.
Recommended: level 11Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 24 / 20 / 16 / 12sMana: 110 / 140 / 170 / 200
12
Finger of Death
R
Finger of Death
Rips at an enemy unit, trying to turn it inside-out, dealing massive damage to the target. After using Finger of Death, Lion's hand becomes empowered, allowing him to use a cleaving melee attack with 250 range with bonus movement speed. Finger of Death gains permanent bonus damage for it and the fist for each enemy Hero it or the fist kills. The melee attack may be disabled by setting the ability to Alt Cast.
Recommended: level 12Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 110 / 70 / 30sMana: 200 / 400 / 600
13
Mana Drain
E
Mana Drain
CHANNELED - Channels magical energy, taking mana and slowing enemies over time. If the enemy has no mana remaining, the slow is increased by 15%. Can target allies to give them mana and movement speed at a 50% rate.
Recommended: level 13Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 15 / 12 / 9 / 6s
14
Mana Drain
E
Mana Drain
CHANNELED - Channels magical energy, taking mana and slowing enemies over time. If the enemy has no mana remaining, the slow is increased by 15%. Can target allies to give them mana and movement speed at a 50% rate.
Recommended: level 14Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 15 / 12 / 9 / 6s
15Talent
-AbilityCooldowns Hex Cooldown
16
Mana Drain
E
Mana Drain
CHANNELED - Channels magical energy, taking mana and slowing enemies over time. If the enemy has no mana remaining, the slow is increased by 15%. Can target allies to give them mana and movement speed at a 50% rate.
Recommended: level 16Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 15 / 12 / 9 / 6s
17
Finger of Death
R
Finger of Death
Rips at an enemy unit, trying to turn it inside-out, dealing massive damage to the target. After using Finger of Death, Lion's hand becomes empowered, allowing him to use a cleaving melee attack with 250 range with bonus movement speed. Finger of Death gains permanent bonus damage for it and the fist for each enemy Hero it or the fist kills. The melee attack may be disabled by setting the ability to Alt Cast.
Recommended: level 17Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 110 / 70 / 30sMana: 200 / 400 / 600
18Stats
Stats
19Stats
Stats
20Talent
+damage per kill Finger of Death Damage Per Kill
21Stats
Stats
22Stats
Stats
23Stats
Stats
24Stats
Stats
25Talent
+radius AoE Hex

1
Earth Spike
Q
Earth Spike
Rock spikes burst from the earth along a straight path. Enemy units are hurled into the air, then are stunned and take damage when they fall.
Recommended: level 1Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 14 / 13 / 12 / 11sMana: 90 / 110 / 130 / 150
2
Hex
W
Hex
Transforms an enemy unit into a harmless beast, with all special abilities disabled.
Recommended: level 2Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 24 / 20 / 16 / 12sMana: 110 / 140 / 170 / 200
3
Mana Drain
E
Mana Drain
CHANNELED - Channels magical energy, taking mana and slowing enemies over time. If the enemy has no mana remaining, the slow is increased by 15%. Can target allies to give them mana and movement speed at a 50% rate.
Recommended: level 3Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 15 / 12 / 9 / 6s
4
Earth Spike
Q
Earth Spike
Rock spikes burst from the earth along a straight path. Enemy units are hurled into the air, then are stunned and take damage when they fall.
Recommended: level 4Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 14 / 13 / 12 / 11sMana: 90 / 110 / 130 / 150
5
Earth Spike
Q
Earth Spike
Rock spikes burst from the earth along a straight path. Enemy units are hurled into the air, then are stunned and take damage when they fall.
Recommended: level 5Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 14 / 13 / 12 / 11sMana: 90 / 110 / 130 / 150
6
Finger of Death
R
Finger of Death
Rips at an enemy unit, trying to turn it inside-out, dealing massive damage to the target. After using Finger of Death, Lion's hand becomes empowered, allowing him to use a cleaving melee attack with 250 range with bonus movement speed. Finger of Death gains permanent bonus damage for it and the fist for each enemy Hero it or the fist kills. The melee attack may be disabled by setting the ability to Alt Cast.
Recommended: level 6Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 110 / 70 / 30sMana: 200 / 400 / 600
7
Earth Spike
Q
Earth Spike
Rock spikes burst from the earth along a straight path. Enemy units are hurled into the air, then are stunned and take damage when they fall.
Recommended: level 7Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 14 / 13 / 12 / 11sMana: 90 / 110 / 130 / 150
8
Hex
W
Hex
Transforms an enemy unit into a harmless beast, with all special abilities disabled.
Recommended: level 8Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 24 / 20 / 16 / 12sMana: 110 / 140 / 170 / 200
9
Hex
W
Hex
Transforms an enemy unit into a harmless beast, with all special abilities disabled.
Recommended: level 9Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 24 / 20 / 16 / 12sMana: 110 / 140 / 170 / 200
10Talent
+movespeed% Mana Drain Slow
11
Hex
W
Hex
Transforms an enemy unit into a harmless beast, with all special abilities disabled.
Recommended: level 11Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 24 / 20 / 16 / 12sMana: 110 / 140 / 170 / 200
12
Finger of Death
R
Finger of Death
Rips at an enemy unit, trying to turn it inside-out, dealing massive damage to the target. After using Finger of Death, Lion's hand becomes empowered, allowing him to use a cleaving melee attack with 250 range with bonus movement speed. Finger of Death gains permanent bonus damage for it and the fist for each enemy Hero it or the fist kills. The melee attack may be disabled by setting the ability to Alt Cast.
Recommended: level 12Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 110 / 70 / 30sMana: 200 / 400 / 600
13
Mana Drain
E
Mana Drain
CHANNELED - Channels magical energy, taking mana and slowing enemies over time. If the enemy has no mana remaining, the slow is increased by 15%. Can target allies to give them mana and movement speed at a 50% rate.
Recommended: level 13Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 15 / 12 / 9 / 6s

14
Mana Drain
E
Mana Drain
CHANNELED - Channels magical energy, taking mana and slowing enemies over time. If the enemy has no mana remaining, the slow is increased by 15%. Can target allies to give them mana and movement speed at a 50% rate.
Recommended: level 14Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 15 / 12 / 9 / 6s
15Talent
-AbilityCooldowns Hex Cooldown
16
Mana Drain
E
Mana Drain
CHANNELED - Channels magical energy, taking mana and slowing enemies over time. If the enemy has no mana remaining, the slow is increased by 15%. Can target allies to give them mana and movement speed at a 50% rate.
Recommended: level 16Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 15 / 12 / 9 / 6s
17
Finger of Death
R
Finger of Death
Rips at an enemy unit, trying to turn it inside-out, dealing massive damage to the target. After using Finger of Death, Lion's hand becomes empowered, allowing him to use a cleaving melee attack with 250 range with bonus movement speed. Finger of Death gains permanent bonus damage for it and the fist for each enemy Hero it or the fist kills. The melee attack may be disabled by setting the ability to Alt Cast.
Recommended: level 17Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 110 / 70 / 30sMana: 200 / 400 / 600
18Stats
Stats
19Stats
Stats
20Talent
+damage per kill Finger of Death Damage Per Kill
21Stats
Stats
22Stats
Stats
23Stats
Stats
24Stats
Stats
25Talent
+radius AoE Hex

1
Earth Spike
Q
Earth Spike
Rock spikes burst from the earth along a straight path. Enemy units are hurled into the air, then are stunned and take damage when they fall.
Recommended: level 1Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 14 / 13 / 12 / 11sMana: 90 / 110 / 130 / 150
2
Hex
W
Hex
Transforms an enemy unit into a harmless beast, with all special abilities disabled.
Recommended: level 2Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 24 / 20 / 16 / 12sMana: 110 / 140 / 170 / 200
3
Mana Drain
E
Mana Drain
CHANNELED - Channels magical energy, taking mana and slowing enemies over time. If the enemy has no mana remaining, the slow is increased by 15%. Can target allies to give them mana and movement speed at a 50% rate.
Recommended: level 3Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 15 / 12 / 9 / 6s
4
Earth Spike
Q
Earth Spike
Rock spikes burst from the earth along a straight path. Enemy units are hurled into the air, then are stunned and take damage when they fall.
Recommended: level 4Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 14 / 13 / 12 / 11sMana: 90 / 110 / 130 / 150
5
Earth Spike
Q
Earth Spike
Rock spikes burst from the earth along a straight path. Enemy units are hurled into the air, then are stunned and take damage when they fall.
Recommended: level 5Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 14 / 13 / 12 / 11sMana: 90 / 110 / 130 / 150
6
Finger of Death
R
Finger of Death
Rips at an enemy unit, trying to turn it inside-out, dealing massive damage to the target. After using Finger of Death, Lion's hand becomes empowered, allowing him to use a cleaving melee attack with 250 range with bonus movement speed. Finger of Death gains permanent bonus damage for it and the fist for each enemy Hero it or the fist kills. The melee attack may be disabled by setting the ability to Alt Cast.
Recommended: level 6Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 110 / 70 / 30sMana: 200 / 400 / 600
7
Earth Spike
Q
Earth Spike
Rock spikes burst from the earth along a straight path. Enemy units are hurled into the air, then are stunned and take damage when they fall.
Recommended: level 7Hotkey: QMax level: 4Cooldown: 14 / 13 / 12 / 11sMana: 90 / 110 / 130 / 150
8
Hex
W
Hex
Transforms an enemy unit into a harmless beast, with all special abilities disabled.
Recommended: level 8Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 24 / 20 / 16 / 12sMana: 110 / 140 / 170 / 200
9
Hex
W
Hex
Transforms an enemy unit into a harmless beast, with all special abilities disabled.
Recommended: level 9Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 24 / 20 / 16 / 12sMana: 110 / 140 / 170 / 200

10Talent
+movespeed% Mana Drain Slow
11
Hex
W
Hex
Transforms an enemy unit into a harmless beast, with all special abilities disabled.
Recommended: level 11Hotkey: WMax level: 4Cooldown: 24 / 20 / 16 / 12sMana: 110 / 140 / 170 / 200
12
Finger of Death
R
Finger of Death
Rips at an enemy unit, trying to turn it inside-out, dealing massive damage to the target. After using Finger of Death, Lion's hand becomes empowered, allowing him to use a cleaving melee attack with 250 range with bonus movement speed. Finger of Death gains permanent bonus damage for it and the fist for each enemy Hero it or the fist kills. The melee attack may be disabled by setting the ability to Alt Cast.
Recommended: level 12Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 110 / 70 / 30sMana: 200 / 400 / 600
13
Mana Drain
E
Mana Drain
CHANNELED - Channels magical energy, taking mana and slowing enemies over time. If the enemy has no mana remaining, the slow is increased by 15%. Can target allies to give them mana and movement speed at a 50% rate.
Recommended: level 13Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 15 / 12 / 9 / 6s
14
Mana Drain
E
Mana Drain
CHANNELED - Channels magical energy, taking mana and slowing enemies over time. If the enemy has no mana remaining, the slow is increased by 15%. Can target allies to give them mana and movement speed at a 50% rate.
Recommended: level 14Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 15 / 12 / 9 / 6s
15Talent
-AbilityCooldowns Hex Cooldown
16
Mana Drain
E
Mana Drain
CHANNELED - Channels magical energy, taking mana and slowing enemies over time. If the enemy has no mana remaining, the slow is increased by 15%. Can target allies to give them mana and movement speed at a 50% rate.
Recommended: level 16Hotkey: EMax level: 4Cooldown: 15 / 12 / 9 / 6s
17
Finger of Death
R
Finger of Death
Rips at an enemy unit, trying to turn it inside-out, dealing massive damage to the target. After using Finger of Death, Lion's hand becomes empowered, allowing him to use a cleaving melee attack with 250 range with bonus movement speed. Finger of Death gains permanent bonus damage for it and the fist for each enemy Hero it or the fist kills. The melee attack may be disabled by setting the ability to Alt Cast.
Recommended: level 17Hotkey: RMax level: 3Cooldown: 110 / 70 / 30sMana: 200 / 400 / 600
18Stats
Stats

19Stats
Stats
20Talent
+damage per kill Finger of Death Damage Per Kill
21Stats
Stats
22Stats
Stats
23Stats
Stats
24Stats
Stats
25Talent
+radius AoE Hex

Talent tree

+AbilityCastRange Earth Spike cast range/travel distance

Lv25Pick one

+radius AoE Hex

Earth Spike affects a 30 degree cone

Lv20Pick one

+damage per kill Finger of Death Damage Per Kill

+spell amp% To Hell And Back Debuff/Spell Amp

Lv15Pick one

-AbilityCooldowns Hex Cooldown

+20 Movement Speed

Lv10Pick one

+movespeed% Mana Drain Slow

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.

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.

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.

Circlet

155g

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.

Early Game

7 items

Tranquil Boots

900g

Whenever you attack a hero or are attacked by any unit, the bonus 14 HP regen is lost and the movement speed bonus is reduced to 40 for 13 seconds.

Bracer

505g

Null Talisman

505g

Power Treads

1,400g

Switches between +10 Strength, +10 Agility, or +10 Intelligence.

Wraith Band

505g

Hand of Midas

2,200g

Kills a non-hero target for 160 gold. Killing a neutral creep additionally grants a madstone bundle. Cannot be used on Ancient creeps.

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

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.

Force Staff

2,200g

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

Aether Lens

2,275g

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.

Power Treads

1,400g

Switches between +10 Strength, +10 Agility, or +10 Intelligence.

Echo Sabre

2,700g

Causes melee attacks to attack twice in quick succession. The double attacks apply a 100% movement slow for 0.8 seconds on the first strike.

Black King Bar

4,050g

Applies a basic dispel. Grants 60% magic resistance and immunity to reflected and pure damage. For the duration of the effect, any negative effect from enemy spells has no effect. Duration: 9s Dispel Type: Basic Dispel

Shadow Blade

3,250g

Makes you invisible for 17 seconds, or until you attack or cast a spell. While Shadow Walk is active, you move 20% faster and can move through units. If attacking to end the invisibility, you gain 175 bonus physical damage on that attack.

Late Game

8 items

Black King Bar

4,050g

Aghanim's Scepter

4,200g

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

Lotus Orb

3,850g

Applies a shield to the target unit for 5 seconds which re-casts most targeted spells back to their caster. The shielded unit will still take damage from the spell. Dispel Type: Basic Dispel

Satanic

5,050g

Increases Lifesteal percentage to 175% for 6 seconds. Dispel Type: Basic Dispel

Ethereal Blade

5,200g

Converts the target unit to ethereal form, rendering them immune to physical damage, but unable to attack and -30% more vulnerable to magic damage. Enemy targets are also slowed by -80%, and take 1x the sum of all your attributes + 50 as magical damage. Duration: 4 seconds

Crimson Guard

3,725g

For 7 seconds, grant nearby allied heroes and buildings a 100% chance to block damage equal to 70 plus 2% of the caster's max health value from each incoming attack. Radius: 1200

Silver Edge

5,700g

Makes you invisible for 17 seconds, or until you attack or cast a spell. While invisible, you move 25% faster and can move through units. Attacking to end the invisibility will deal 300 bonus physical damage, disable their passive abilities for 5 seconds, and cap their movement speed to 200.

Swift Blink

6,800g

Teleport to a target point up to 1200 units away. After teleportation, you gain 40% phased movement speed and +35 Agility for 6 seconds. Swift Blink cannot be used for 3 seconds after taking damage from an enemy hero or Roshan.