In the world of Dota 2, a game celebrated for its depth, complexity, and diversity of heroes, few stand as tall and powerful as the Elder Titan. Revered for his destructive potential and strategic prowess, this ancient being commands the very forces of the cosmos. He shapes the field to his advantage in every sense of the word. In this article, we delve into the intricacies of Dota 2’s Elder Titan. Moreover, we aim to uncover the lore, abilities, playstyle, and impact he brings to the game.
Lore of the Elder Titan
Elder Titan, also known as Tauren Chieftain in Dota’s earlier days, is a melee strength hero with a powerful backstory. Once a great and wise chieftain of the Tauren, he endured a profound journey to reconnect with the primordial powers that shaped the universe. This relentless pursuit led him to delve deep into the Elemental Plane. There, he absorbed the energies of the universe itself, transforming into the cosmic powerhouse he is today. Driven by a singular purpose, the Elder Titan now roams the Dota 2 battlefield, wielding his astral powers to reshape reality itself.
Abilities
- Echo Stomp (Q). The Elder Titan pounds the ground with his mighty Ancestral Spirit, causing a powerful shockwave that ripples through the terrain. After a short delay, the shockwave stuns and damages all nearby enemies. However, the true strength of this ability lies in its combination with the Astral Spirit.
- Astral Spirit (W). The Elder Titan releases his Astral Spirit to roam the battlefield, granting vision as well as an aura that reduces the armor of any enemy it touches. The Astral Spirit can be re-summoned to return to the Elder Titan, dealing damage to all enemies in its path. Moreover, this ability synergizes with Echo Stomp, amplifying its potency based on the number of enemy heroes hit.
- Natural Order (E). Perhaps the most unique and fearsome aspect of the Elder Titan’s arsenal, Natural Order strips away enemy base armor and magic resistance, leaving foes vulnerable to significant physical and magical attacks. This ability, when mixed with armor-reducing items or abilities, can quickly turn a battle in the Elder Titan’s favor.
- Earth Splitter (R – Ultimate). The Elder Titan summons the full force of the cosmos to create an Earth Splitter, a colossal chasm that spans the battlefield. After a brief channeling, the chasm ruptures, causing immense magical damage to any enemy caught within its wake. This ultimate ability is an invaluable tool for team fights. In fact, it is capable of turning the tide and securing victory for the Elder Titan’s team.
Talents
As Elder Titan progresses through the game, he gains access to talents that further enhance his abilities and playstyle. These talents offer different strategic options depending on the situation:
- Level 10. Choose between a +25 Attack Speed boost or granting Astral Spirit +2% Movement Speed per hero encountered.
- Level 15. Opt for Astral Spirit’s +25 Damage per hero or a hefty +75 Damage bonus to Echo Stomp.
- Level 20. Decide between Natural Order’s +100 Radius increase or granting Elder Titan +100 Cleave.
- Level 25. Choose either a +450 Wake Damage requirement for Echo Stomp or a -60 second Cooldown reduction for Earth Splitter.
It’s worth noting that while some players may consider using Elder Titan as a carry, he generally excels as a support/offlaner due to his unique skill set and contributions to team fights.
Playstyle and Impact
The Elder Titan is a hero renowned for his versatility and potential to single-handedly sway team fights. With his potent mix of stuns, armor reduction, and devastating area-of-effect damage, he excels in both crowd control and burst damage roles. His playstyle primarily revolves around positioning and timing, as proper execution of his abilities can determine the outcome of a match.
In the laning phase, the Elder Titan can support his allies with Astral Spirit to provide vision and harass the enemy heroes by reducing their armor. He can also contest last hits and deny creeps effectively due to his high base damage. As the game progresses, the Elder Titan transitions into a formidable initiator. He sets up team fights with his Echo Stomp and Earth Splitter combo. In coordination with his allies, he can decimate the enemy team’s defenses, making them susceptible to further onslaughts.
When it comes to itemization, the Elder Titan benefits from items that amplify his crowd control or survivability. Items like Blink Dagger and Force Staff can enhance his initiation skills, while utility items like Guardian Greaves can keep his team sustained during extended engagements. Additionally, items that increase his mana pool and regeneration are crucial to ensure he can cast his abilities consistently throughout the game.
Conclusion
The Elder Titan stands tall as one of Dota 2’s most destructive heroes. He weaves together the elemental forces of the universe to reshape the battle. With his potent mix of crowd control, armor reduction, and immense AoE damage, he poses a great threat to the enemy team. His versatility allows him to be a disruptive force in the early game. Also, a game-changing presence in the late game.
Mastering the Elder Titan requires a deep understanding of the game’s systems, teamwork, and strategic thinking. Players who can harness the full potential of this ancient cosmic being will find themselves wielding the power of creation and destruction, leaving their mark on the battlefield as a true Titan of Dota 2.
