DotA Guide: Rigwarl - The Bristleback Introduction

Defense of the Ancients or DotA is one of the most popular custom made maps for Warcraft III: Frozen Throne. To allow you a better understanding of this intricate and sometimes complex game here is a hero guide.

Rigwarl is a cool Strength hero that most find difficult to control. Well they're right. Unless you farm and try not to get killed, this hero will be useles. You can recruit him from the Neutral Tavern.

Let's take a look at this hero's background story: "The quillboars were never interested in the affairs and wars of other races, but one knew that the Scourge would eventually descend on their lands if left unchecked.

Entering the ranks of the Sentinel for the sole reason of the preservation of his tribe, Rigwarl brings primal instincts to the never ending battle.

Each time he releases a flurry of quills or a glob of slime, he works himself into a frenzy that increases his effectiveness drastically, and should he be in danger, his bristle back would shield him from further harm.

A perfect demonstration of the abilities that even lesser beings can unleash."

Bristleback's skills are very powerful in capable hands. He has two active ones and two passive ones:

- Viscous Nasal Goo (shortkey G) - Covers a target in snot, causing it to have reduced armor -1/-1/-2/-2 and 20% movement speed. Casts on the same target are cumulative 3/6/9/12%. Lasts 5 seconds. Stacks up to 4 times.

- Quill Spray Quill Spray (shortkey R) - Sprays enemy units with quills dealing 20/40/60/80 damage in a 650 AoE. Deals 30 extra damage for every time the unit was struck by a quill in the last 10 seconds. Has a cap of 180 damage.

- Bristleback Bristleback (shortkey K) - Rigwarl covers his back in spines, causing him to take reduced damage 16/24/32/40% reduced from rear and 8/12/16/20% reduced from sides. Automatically releases a quill spray whenever his rear receives 250 damage. Bristleback's rear is considered to be within 70 degrees from the back. Bristleback's side is considered to be within 110 degrees from the back.

- Warpath Warpath (shortkey W) - Everytime Rigwarl casts a spell, he works himself into a fury. Movement speed 5/7/10% and 10/20/30 damage increase on repeated spell casts. The spell also adds 4/8/12 damage and 1/2/3% movement speed stack. Lasts 10 seconds.

If you thought Raigor was easy to play, try playing Rigwarl. This hero prefers the early game: play safe, defensively and accurately. Last until the late part of the game and you will have the upper hand (equiped with the right "tools" of course). If you have any other suggetions please let all the DotA fans know in a comment.