View Hero Idea > Aslan - The Speaker for the Dead

Aslan - The Speaker for the Dead

Created by Farmstalker on 2007-04-05
Viewed 5883 times
Commented 65 times

Aslan was cast out of his tribe long ago for combining the dark arts of necromancy with his own people's shamanic magics. He was labeled a fiend and a traitor to his race because of his attempts to bring back his family, who were brutally murdered by centaur raiders. Nevertheless, he pursued his dark path to its fullest - even when he discovered that his family was lost forever, he kept learning and growing in power. Now, as the war between the Scourge and the Sentinel rages, he has sided with the Sentinel, who accept his brutish strength and supporting skills with great gratitude - even though some of the more self-righteous among them do not approve of his "tainted" magics.

Spirit Bloat (R)
Grants a friendly target with extra hit points and movement speed. Lasts 20 seconds.
Level 1 - Adds 100 HP / 1.5% movement speed.
Level 2 - Adds 150 HP / 3% movement speed.
Level 3 - Adds 250 HP. / 5% movement speed.
Level 4 - Adds 400 HP / 8% movement speed.
Mana Cost: 100/120/140/160
Cooldown: 15

Framework: Target gets a golden/yellow glow for the duration of the effect.

Notes: An excellent supporting skill. Relatively high mana cost / cooldown would prevent too much spam. Use it on you or an ally just before battle, or even if you're trying to escape death. Choose carefully...

Deadspeak (D)
Every 15 seconds, Aslan has a 25% chance to reanimate nearby dead creeps that will serve him in battle. Raised creeps will have movement speed equal to Aslan's, as well as +100 HP. Raised creeps will stay with Aslan until death. Does not work on creeps higher than level 5. If the creeps attempt to attack a target more than 1500 range from Aslan, they will explode, doing area effect damage to all nearby units. Creeps' Explode (E) ability may be activated at any time.
Level 1 - 1 unit max. Raised unit gains +1 attack. Explode has 20 area effect damage.
Level 2 - 2 units max. Raised units gain +2 attack. Explode has 30 area effect damage.
Level 3 - 4 units max. Raised units gain +5 attack. Explode has 40 area effect damage.
Level 4 - 6 units max. Raised units gain +1 armor / +10 attack. Explode has 50 area effect damage.
Mana Cost: n/a
Cooldown: n/a

Framework: When a creep comes back to life, the Ressurection graphic will play over its head. All raised creeps will have a blue tint to them. When they explode, it'll be all purple-undead-yuck-like.

Notes: Excellent for pushing a lane, obviously. The fact the the creeps explode if attacking too far from the Speaker can be used to an advantage - think of them as weak little walking bombs! Made this skill passive because 1) he's a STR Hero, and 2) your other abilities can make this skill quite powerful, and it would suck if all of them were spammed together repeatedly. This way, it slows you down a bit.

Hunger (E)
Aslan lets loose a wave of dark, hungry energies that suck the life force (HP)from enemies within a 200 AoE around him. 50% of stolen HP will be transfered to Aslan, healing him instantly. Any excess HP will be transfered to Aslan's raised creeps.
Level 1 - Enemies take 50 damage.
Level 2 - Enemies take 100 damage.
Level 3 - Enemies take 150 damage.
Level 4 - Enemies take 200 damage.
Mana Cost: 100/ 130/ 160/ 190
Cooldown: 40

Framework: A wave of rippling, dark-golden-yellow magic pulses from Aslan, and affected enemies are instantly damaged.

Notes: This one is quite fun, compared to what it was...much more useful, I'd say. 200 AoE isn't all that large, and come late-game, you'll have to be surrounded by a group of enemies for this ability to really shine...actually, that's the only time it every really "shines"...yeah.

Death Fervor (T)
Targeted allied unit becomes ravenous for death - whether it's own or someone else's, no matter! The target will gain +40% attack damage / + 25% attack speed. If the target is killed, it will instantly explode, damaging all enemies within a 300 AOE. When this ability is cast on friendly creeps and summoned units, the explosion will only deal 50% damage. Lasts 15 seconds. * Explosion does less damage to towers.
Level 1 - Explosion deals 300 damage if cast on Heroes / 150 damage if cast on creeps.
Level 2 - Explosion deals 500 damage if cast on Heroes / 225 damage if cast on creeps.
Level 3 - Explosion deals 750 damage if cast on Heroes / 325 damage if cast on creeps.
Mana Cost: 325/350/380
Cooldown: 120

Framework: Affected unit will have the Brilliance Aura target effect (subtle blue glow at its feet). If the enemy does not notice this before killing them, they will be sorry! Does not work when Techies activate Suicide Squad. * Aslan gets the gold if the explosion kills an enemy Hero while DF is cast on an allied Hero.

Notes: Entertaining and deceptive ultimate. Cast it on yourself before a hard fight, or in the face of an oncoming gank. Even if the affected unit doesn't die, that extra attack damage/speed sure does hurt! It can also be used to balance out games with one too many noobs on your team (cast it on the noob ally)! Suggestions for this ability are more than welcome...

Discussion:

SKILL SYNERGIES

Soul Bloat Deadspeak

SPIRIT BLOAT + DEADSPEAK

If you're using your raised creeps as timebombs, cast Spirit Bloat on them so they will last long enough to reach their destination. Of course, don't expect to actually kill anybody like this. It's best use is for early-game support for your allies in other lane - or yourself, of course. It can also make the creep last longer as it (and others, idealy) are pounding away at a tower.

Deadspeak Hunger

DEADSPEAK + HUNGER

Makes it much easier to keep your creeps alive - can also be used for quick tower raids in short succession earlier in the game.

Soul Bloat Hunger

SPIRIT BLOAT + HUNGER

These will extend your life quite a bit.

With the right items, your trips back to the fountain will be few and far between.

Spirit Bloat Tainted Ferver

SPIRIT BLOAT + DEATH FERVOR

Your allies will love you for this.

Use this combo to make yourself or someone else an absolute monster.

For 15 seconds, anyway...choose the moment well.

Deadspeak Last Word

DEADSPEAK + DEATH FERVOR

This is your one and only direct Hero-killing maneuver. Anyone who wants to get really good with Aslan must learn to execute this combo - it's also pretty essential for a 1v1 battle.

Cast Death Fervor on one of your creeps (hopefully when Deadspeak is maxed out and you have six of em). Send them all at an enemy or a tower. Rinse and repeat. The fact that the tower kills your creeps fast and has a chance of taking out the one affected by Death Fervor before it reaches the base of the tower, makes this one all about the timing :D. Your enemies will do well to keep an eye on you and your little army of creeps, oh yes.

Casting DF on your own creeps has a distinct advantage - you can control when they die, and when DF's potent explosion is activated! Once DS is maxed out, send all 6 of your creeps at your enemy, and make them explode all at once - combined with Death Fervor, you'll get an instant high-damage explosion!

If you're all by your lonesome, without allies around, use Spirit Bloat to escape after you've perfomed this combo, because if anybody's left alive, they'll be pissed - and if you don't have your minions with you, you're something of a sitting duck.

If you have friends with you when you carry out this combo, add Spirit Bloat to the creep affected by Death Fervor, so that the creep will be less likely to die before you want it to.

Soul Bloat Deadspeak Hunger Last Word

STEAMROLLER COMBO

Cast SB and DF on yourself. People will run from you if they are facing you 1v1. Pretty much a loose/loose for them. Even if they gang up on you, no one will want to kill you! Useful when going in for a tower-kill - even if you aren't successful, the entire enemy team will have been very much distracted, as you will need to be dealt with - giving your allies ample time to push their own lanes (Suicide Squad with the Techies is the perfect counter to this, methinks, or perhaps the Tormented Soul)...

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SOME GOOD ALLIES

Nukers / Damage Dealers

Rylai Crestfall - The Crystal Maiden Viper - The Netherdrake

These guys will suppliment your lack of straight Hero-killing power.

SB (extra HP/MS) and DF (extra attack damage/speed) on a low HP damage dealer is quite a potent combo. Try to always have at least one damage dealer on your team.

Tanks

Bradwarden - The Centaur Warchief

Will put that extra HP/MS from Spirit Bloat to good use.

Also, these are good recipiants of Death Fervor. The greatly improved attack damage combined with the fact that they will be close to their enemy when/if they are killed = good thing!

Melee AGI Heroes

Magina - The Anti-Mage Rikimaru - The Stealth Assassin

The best recipiants of Death Fervor by far, as they usually have low-to-average HP, making them easier to kill. What's more, the huge boost in attack damage/speed will make them monsters (for a short time). IF they don't manage to kill the enemy, and the enemy kills them, the enemy will most likely already be at low health, and close to your ally when he/she dies - DEAD!

Oh, and if N`aix - The Lifestealer is on your team, bestow him with your buffs whenever possible, oh yes.

Folks with buffer auras

Shendelzare Silkwood - The Vengeful Spirit

Great for your mass of minions, oh yes.

Noobs!

Just cast Death Fervor on 'em, and the enemy will think twice before ganking them.

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FOES TO FEAR

Stunners / Disablers

Jah’rakal - The Troll Warlord

Ranged ones in particular. These guys are always fear-worthy. Sigh. Mostly because they can hold you in place while they or someone else (a ranged damage dealer) kills you, making Death Fervor kinda useless - if they are paired up with a nuker, they'll just hold you in place while you're being pounded - and they'll be more than able to get out of the way before the nuker finishes you off.

Nukers

Lina Inverse - The Slayer

They'll laugh at your petty little minions and lack of Hero-killing ability.

And, being ranged, they won't let you get close enough to use Hunger, no sir...

Ranged Damage Dealers

Kardel Sharpeye - The Dwarven Sniper

If somebody can dish out damage at long range, much less move quickly, then you've got a problem, as your abilities require you to be close to your enemy.

Anti-Summon Abilities

Harbinger - The Obsidian Destroyer

Those with abilities that harm summoned creatures will hit your minions hard.

AOE mo-fos.

Leshrac - The Tormented Soul

They'll destroy your raised creeps with a flick of the wrist and go to town on you! Of course, if you have DF on one of your creeps, they'll be sorry, oh yes.

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FOES THAT WILL RUN FROM YOU IN FEAR

Melee AGI Heroes

Rikimaru - The Stealth Assassin

These guys usually have lower-than-average HP.

With you and your creeps surrounding them, especially with Hunger and Spirit Bloat maxed out, they'll be hard pressed to stand and fight - and will most likely run away, screaming curses.

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ITEMS

I'd guess anything that helped your already improved HP regeneration would be a definite plus - it would certainly balance out your lack of Hero-killing abilities, oh yes.

Anything that helps out your shallow mana pool would be essential as well, I'd say - you have some powerful abilities, and using them at your whim could spell victory!

Speed-enhancing items have loads of potential.

Remember that your raised creeps will have movement speed = to yours. High movement speed makes the DS+DF combo DEADLY - that much harder for them to run away

Also, if you want to play more offensive, get stuff that ups your damage/attack rate!

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NOTES

I intended to make an excellent support Hero with good pushing ability.

If the lack of straight Hero-killing ability sucks too much, feel free to mention it...though he is a support STR Hero, so I didn't think Hero killing was their forte :P

To use him well, you've got to micro-manage a bit - I don't believe any other Hero in DotA has this much micro.

Also, KNOW YOUR ALLIES, so you can exploit their strengths and suppliment their weaknesses.

I must state that I haven't been playing DotA very long -

So, if something is imbalanced, or if a skill is too much like another already in the game, just let me know and I'll get right on it!

Changelog:

2007-05-03: Completely changed the 3rd skill. It's much cooler now, oh yes. Also, changed the wording in Discussion section accordingly.
2007-04-09: - Raised his AGI - Nerfed Deadspeak a bit - Changed Perpetual Soul to Earth Aura, a standard HP regen aura, for better synergy - Changed "Last Word" to "Death Fervor," messed with the effects a bit (in description) - changed wording in discussion area accordingly
2007-04-06: Raised the cooldown for Last Word.
2007-04-05: - Buffed movement speed bonus from Spirit Bloat. - Buffed Perpetual Soul quite a bit. - Buffed the stats on Last Word quite a bit; gave it much more mana cost, only 50% attack damage increase, explosions don’t do quite as much damage. - Fixed the wording in the synergies section according to the new changes.

Comments

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1 By `UnholY` 2007-04-05

too strong especcially the 3rd skill and mostly the last skill.. like god's strength w/ explosion upon death! and can be given to allies!!!

1st and 2nd skill is fine..

2 By `UnholY` 2007-04-05

oh, i was 1st post?! didn't notice that until now..

3 By Shimrra_3 2007-04-05

I reckon this is cool. Ult needs some values to be tweeked. A bunch of things that I'm not sure about that everyone else will either ignore or whine about... And, seeing as I play Techies, that combo wouldn't work. Techies Suicide skill doesn't count as 'being killed' - he kills himself. This is why he doesn't lose the spree doing this (assume theres a spree, Techies remember). Ummm, compare Last Word to Shallow Grave on Dazzle. Rate after more comments.

4 By andilon123 2007-04-05

ulti is imba ulti must at least 300+ mana cost

5 By nazarite 2007-04-05

16% movement speed in first skill is a little too imba since it adds to some life.... Example... If you used this on a Level 11 Naix wouldn't it be too imba a spell??? I know he's supposed to be a support hero but i don't think it would be fair....
Rate after some more comments....

6 By newbie 2007-04-05

a counter for brad warden

7 By Luka_9 2007-04-05

nice hero...suportive and hero killer... just 1 questino...when unit buffed with last word is killed who gets gold ,you or?

8 By Farmstalker 2007-04-05

@nazarite: did not think about Naix...
@Shimrra_3: Shallow Grave gave me the idea for Last Word - but LW doesn't bring anybody back to life, so I figured it could deal much more damage...
@Luka_9 - You'd get the gold if LW explosion killed the enemy Hero - t'ain't your fault if your ally gets killed...and if the enemy got the kill, they'd get the gold from your ally.

Thanks for the tips ya'll!
- Buffed MS bonus on Spirit Bloat.
- (Hopefully) fixed Perpetual Soul.
- Buffed Last Word a bunch and increased mana cost a bunch.

9 By Farmstalker 2007-04-05

ACTually, switched "buffed" with "nerfed" in above comment. Oops.

10 By Bard Man 2007-04-05

This guy would be total havoc. I love it! Odd skills for a Str hero, but all awesome. I'll give ya a 8/10

11 By Ae]Sprite 2007-04-05

I think he should go on the scourge side becasue of all that dark magic stuff. But its up to you.

12 By Farmstalker 2007-04-05

Thanks Bard Man!

@Ae]Sprite - he was originally a Scourge Hero, but his ulti is somewhat like Dazzle's, and I also thought it would be cool if he was a "misunderstood outsider" type, using the Scourge's magic against them...of course, he probably doesn't enjoy the company of Bradwarden all that much

13 By Tokemus 2007-04-05

greatest... hero.... EVER!

14 By Millennium 2007-04-06

Interesting

15 By Greedygood 2007-04-06

Hello Mr. Farmstalker - this was fun to read! A great idea. I think either the mana cost or the cooldown need to be tweaked for the ultimate, else it's rather spammable at higher levels.

16 By Firesky 2007-04-07

ok at 1st i thot whoa imba then i realized that it has a unit cap on deadspeak but constant summons might be imbalanced not to mention its passive and every 1o secs 50% chance so ur guarennteed 1 every 20 secs last word is already a skill on the silencer check that out 3rd skill when hp low is imbalanced and when high its useless =P dunno how that works overall hes better than most heros i see in this section.

17 By Farmstalker 2007-04-07

@Greedygood: True-true, I raised the cooldown for the ultimate...

@Firesky: Yesh I guess that would be a lot of summoning...how does 50% chance every 30 seconds sound...? I will think on it, just like I will think on a new name for the ulti, since Last Word's taken...heh
Guess I'll have to rethink Perpetual Soul a bit, though I did know it'd be sorta useless at high HP, I thought your minions/Spirit Bloat were for when you were at high HP, and PS would help you regenerate more after battles, rather than during (strong nukes/stunners could kill ya?)...

oh, and thanks Tokemus!

18 By hiromico 2007-04-08

Cool...

19 By Dota-Lover-123 2007-04-08

AS Luka_9 said, who gets the gold when Last Word has being cast upon other allied hero. You or him?

20 By Farmstalker 2007-04-08

You'd get the gold, since it was your spell that killed the enemy Hero...at least, that's what I assumed would be fair...if it's not, lemme know

21 By dWanderingNuts 2007-04-09

lowest agi i've ever seen (in my whole life hehehe )

22 By Ballista 2007-04-09

a good hero... i give 8/10 also... but i think you should tweak the Deadspeak skill... maybe lesser % or longger cooldown... and nerfed the corpse's gain... 12 damage and +2 armor...
and what is the damage dealt when the corpse explode?

23 By Farmstalker 2007-04-09

@ dWanderingNuts - wow...don't know what I was thinking with the AGI...thanks for pointing that out

@ Ballista - changed Deadspeak a bit...explosion damage is listed with skill levels, btw.

24 By Farmstalker 2007-04-09

Oh, and check out the ulti (Death Fervor). I added increased attack speed, but it no longer affects enemy Heroes when they kill the unit affected (other than the damage from the explosion, of course).

25 By caspian 2007-04-14

I've no objections to your hero, just the name. Sounds exactly like the main good character in a novel. Ppl will feel distasteful of dota if ever yr character gets its place in it.

26 By Shadowinks 2007-04-14

Death Speak is very imaginative, job well done. The ulti is great too, I would try to master this if it went into DotA......9/10

27 By nthomas5143 2007-04-14

I like your changes and think that this hero would be fun to play. He has some fun combos that would take some time to get used to but could be absolutly devastating. Well done

28 By Farmstalker 2007-04-14

Thanks you guys!

@caspian - Orson Scott Card is one of my favorite authors
I was just tipping my hat, I guess...

29 By Farmstalker 2007-04-14

@caspian (cont'd)
It'd be easy enough to change the name if I had to, since that's the one and only thing linking it to the character from the novel (he's not exactly a shamanistic tauren necromancer).

30 By ncc1701 2007-04-14

Well nnot bad but to many str heroes.

31 By Farmstalker 2007-04-14

But not a ton of support STR heroes

32 By caspian 2007-04-15

@Farmstalker

Yeah. Thx for taking that into consideration. 4 my part, I was thinking of Aslan from the Chronicles of Narnia.

33 By mando 2007-04-16

oh my god.....

34 By Swaga 2007-04-16

Very impressive and imaginative hero. Wouldn't mind playing this hero one bit.

35 By DjShadow_vnm 2007-04-17

he is good 5on5

36 By DjShadow_vnm 2007-04-17

he is good in 5on5

37 By Farmstalker 2007-04-17

@caspien - Yes...a lion that came back from the dead...but Aslan's actually a real name, so I didn't think there would be much of a problem.

@swaga - Thanks. Me too...

@DJ_Shadow_vnm - Yes, he would be ruthless in team battles...

38 By Demon`King` 2007-04-18

I think aslan can be a very good supportive type hero than killing machine the use of supportive and mana improving items will help like guinsoo it can be use for scaping or cathing enemy!

39 By Farmstalker 2007-04-18

Aha! That would definitely go into my item build...I think I'll make a couple for this guy...for giggles and fecal matter - that would always be a good item whether you're going aggressive or supportive

40 By mahos 2007-04-19

grats man,nice job.a good supportive but not boring hero like chen or purist.well done

41 By Farmstalker 2007-04-20

Thanks mahos
That was my intention

42 By tundaga2 2007-04-30

Great pusher + supporter. If goes with another hero killer, they'll own!

43 By Judahmakabee 2007-05-01

You know if you casted that ultimate on techies when he did suicide be an awsome combo! anyway cool hero idea

44 By Judahmakabee 2007-05-01

GAH NVM....... techies should be allowed to have it....

45 By Farmstalker 2007-05-02

Thanks tundaga2

@Judahmakabee - yeah I thought that would make a good combo, too...but someone told me that Suicide Squad didn't count as "getting killed," but "killing yourself," or something...anyway, thanks for the comment!

46 By aznchaos 2007-05-02

pretty good hero

47 By Artansis 2007-05-03

Honestly ,great idea for hero!

But!! -1. skill imba in combo with Ulti
on the other hand 3. sounds quite useles to me especially in the late game.

still i cheeeer for u with this necromantic beast.

48 By Farmstalker 2007-05-03

Yes, quite right...

No body's probably gonna see it, but I've fixed that skill anyway...
Didn't want to make it and active skill, but it's better than a useless passive!

But I like the ulti. The SB+DF combo isn't quite so scary when cast on yourself, just other heroes...which you may or may not always have around...I dunno.

49 By r12213 2007-05-13

what version is this ? ? ?

50 By Farmstalker 2007-05-14

It's just my Hero idea, not in any dota versions...

51 By archmage1222 2007-05-17

oh my god! i dont like those skills

52 By Shadowless_Zach 2007-05-18

nice hero....

Storyline- good.. =)

stats-i wonder can the int increase a little more like + 2.1 or 2.3 becoz this is basically a skill tanker

1st skill-good stuff T-up
2nd skill-totally rules~ =) But i have a suggestion... u use the animated death animation... fit the name more...
3rd skill-change the 50% to lower..e like 30% and the aoe to 350... as u can see 200 is like casting a melee skill... >.<
uti-sounds like a double edge sword...
Try to combine with techie suicide bomb.. a bomb with a bomb... Boom! totally sweet... it sounds good to me.. =)especially it may just lead to triple kill in huge battles =)

8.5/10 T-up

53 By opink 2007-05-31

seems good to me... and for my noobs allies..

54 By Shimrra_3 2007-06-04

Hmm. I appear to have ignored this guy after a mere one comment, how shameful. The changes - none of which I knew about until now - have made this quite good and balanced; I see a similar theme in one of the new heroes in v6.44.
I say 9/10

55 By Farmstalker 2007-06-07

Thanks for the comments, ya'll!

I've posted a new-and-much-improved version of this guy over at dota-allstars, mostly because the necromancer/pusher role was taken in 6.44....

http://forums.dota-allstars.com/index.php?act=ST&f=401&t=148668&st=0#entry1822021

Look at him if you want to :)

@Shadowless_Zach: Stats have been changed, thanks...and yes, he did need more INT gain

@Shimrra_3: Glad you like the changes. Like I said, since the role's been taken, I remade him completely. I should probably repost him here...

56 By antz191 2007-06-20

Great idea

57 By TA 2007-06-21

This is my type of hero.Dark with devasating abilities.May be to strong for some people`s tastes,but who cares?

58 By Tomas0113 2007-07-16

^^ looks like another hero idea to be put up in DOTA Hehe...

59 By evoblade 2007-08-27

skills fine but ulti

60 By OceanPwntage 2007-10-23

heh i agree with UnholY the ult is too cheap. Mebbe u should make 40%atk spd, AND HASTE! its like mini hyperstone for 15 sec, and with SB skill on tiny, wow that is awesome

61 By trawble 2007-11-14

Aslan.. The lion, witch and the wardrobe aslan?

62 By AXCELACCEL 2007-11-21

nice hero idea

63 By hanwai1993 2007-12-10

imba healing sia

64 By Pop_N_Fresh 2008-01-10

IMBA

65 By ParaZito 2008-03-17

nice one......