DotA Guide: Icarus - Phoenix Introduction

DotA is short for Defense of the Ancients, one of the most popular custom made maps for Warcraft III. To give players a better understanding of this complex and sometimes complicated game here is a hero guide.

Icarus the Phoenix was first introduced to DotA as an awesome secret boss in version 6.69. It later became a playable hero in 6.70 and there were really mixed feelings about him. It can be recruited at the Neutral Strength Tavern.

The hero has a great story as you can see next: "Ancient scriptures spoke of seven sacred emanations of light, and of their convergence in great conflict. The collision of these rays upon the mortal realm created a pyre of the highest purity, giving birth to the mythical Phoenix.

As a manifestation of divine flames, Icarus can discharge either flames of death and destruction, or of life and healing. The concentrated beam of energy that he can emit can incinerate whole armies from across the battlefield.

Unafraid to utilize his own life-force in order to vanquish his enemies, Icarus can also harness the direct power of the sun to create a stellar explosion."

This hero has slightly more difficult skills, that can be a little hard to master, but once you learn them you're going to dominate the opposition:

- Icarus Dive (Shortkey D) - The Phoenix will dive forward to a fixed targeted direction, dealing 100/150/200/250 damage and disabling any unit it touches for 2/2.5/3.0/3.5 seconds; after which returns to his original position.

If Phoenix initiates another skill during the dive, then the Icarus Dive spell ends. Be careful as this spell will cost you 10% of current HP to cast.

- Fire Spirits (Shortkey F) - Using 10% of the current HP, Icarus will create 4 fire spirits that orbit around him. Each of them will grow in power and does (7.5/12.5/17.5/22.5 minimum up to 30/50/70/90 maximum) damage or heal allies.

- Sun Ray (R) - The Phoenix fires a massive light beam at the cost of 25% of current HP of his own life energy. The ray of light will damage enemies for a percentage of their life: 15/30/45/60 dmg/sec + 6% of target's max life.

- Supernova (Shortkey V) - Phoenix puts an end to his current life and will be reborn from ashes. The process transforms him into a burning sun that cuts deep into his enemies health (60/80/100 damage/seconds) within 1000 range. The ball of fire can be attacked only by heroes using 5/7/9 attacks; and if it is destroyed, Phoenix dies as well.

Here are, in my opinion, some luxury items you may want to posses later in the game: Heart of Tarasque, Eye of Skadi, Assult Cuirass, Stygian Desolator, Buriza-do Kyanon.

Overall, Icarus is a fun hero to play, there are so many ways to effectively use his skills and it’s possible to play a lot of different roles: ganker, support, pusher and even tank!

If you have any other suggestions please let all the DotA fans know in a comment.