Dota 2: How to play Wraith King and best build

Wraith King has been a staple pick in Dota 2 for years, known for his tankiness, simplicity, and effectiveness in team fights. As of Patch 7.34, Wraith King remains a formidable hero in both pub games and competitive play. His ability to resurrect with Reincarnation makes him a persistent threat on the battlefield, allowing him to be both a frontline tank and a damage dealer.

Understanding how to play Wraith King effectively and building him correctly can be the difference between dominating a match and becoming a liability. In this guide, we'll delve into the best ways to play Wraith King, covering his optimal builds, positioning, talents, and items, along with tips and tactics to maximize his potential.

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Understanding the role of Wraith King in Dota 2

Wraith King's Dreadborn Regent set (Image via Valve)

Wraith King is traditionally played as a Position 1 carry, where he can farm efficiently and scale into the late game as a powerhouse. However, he can also be played as a Position 3 offlaner, providing a more utility-based role while still packing a punch in fights.

Regardless of the position, Wraith King excels in taking long engagements, soaking up damage, and dishing out significant physical damage. His skill set is straightforward, making him an excellent choice for players looking to learn the ropes of playing a tanky, right-click hero in Dota 2.

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How to effectively play Wraith King in Dota 2?

Wraith King as seen in the game (Image via Valve)

Playing Wraith King revolves around understanding your role at different stages of the game. In the early game, as a Position 1 carry, focus on last-hitting creeps and farming your core items. Prioritize getting to your Radiance or Armlet of Mordiggian as quickly as possible, as these items drastically increase your farming speed and team fight presence.

Your early game should be about efficient farming and avoiding unnecessary fights unless you're certain of a favorable outcome.

If you're playing Wraith King as a Position 3 offlaner, your early game objective changes slightly. Here, you're more focused on applying pressure in the lane, harassing the enemy's carry, and securing farm for your mid-game items.

Items like Vanguard or Blade Mail can help you sustain yourself in the lane and contribute to early clashes.

As the game transitions into the mid and late game, your role as Wraith King shifts to being the frontline tank and primary damage dealer for your team. Use your Reincarnation strategically; it's often better to initiate fights knowing you have Reincarnation ready, forcing the enemy to expend resources to kill you twice.

Position yourself in the front lines, absorbing as much damage as possible while using your critical strikes and crucial stuns to dish out heavy physical attacks with your Wraithfire Blast.

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Best Dota 2 Wraith King builds

Best builds for both Wraith King's positions (Image via Valve)

Position 1 carry build:

• Starting Items: Quelling Blade, Tango, Healing Salve, Iron Branches.
• Early Game: Phase Boots, Magic Wand, Armlet of Mordiggian.
• Core Items: Radiance, Black King Bar, Assault Cuirass.
• Late Game: Abyssal Blade, Satanic, Swift Blink.

In the carry role, Radiance is often your first major item, providing excellent farming speed and damage in fights.

Black King Bar is essential to avoid being controlled during engagements, while Assault Cuirass boosts your and your team’s armor and attack speed.

In the late game, Abyssal Blade offers lockdown potential, and Satanic provides immense lifesteal to sustain long fights.

Position 3 Offlane Build:

• Starting Items: Stout Shield, Tango, Healing Salve, Mango, Iron Branch.
• Early Game: Phase Boots, Magic Wand, Vanguard.
• Core Items: Blade Mail, Blink Dagger, Black King Bar.
• Late Game: Overwhelming Blink, Assault Cuirass, Heaven’s Halberd, Shiva’s Guard.

As an offlaner, your build focuses on durability and utility. Vanguard and Blade Mail allow you to survive in the lane and reflect damage in fights.

Blink Dagger provides initiation, and Black King Bar ensures you can engage without being disabled.

Finally, in the late game, Assault Cuirass and Shiva’s Guard add further tankiness and team fight presence.

Aghanim's Shard and Aghanim's Scepter can also increase the impact of both builds, although they do come at a high cost.

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Tips and tactics to play Wraith King in Dota 2

• Reincarnation timing: Be mindful of your Reincarnation cooldown. Avoid aggressive plays when it’s down, as dying without Reincarnation can be disastrous for your team.
• Farm efficiency: Always farm efficiently using jungle camps and stacking them whenever possible. This ensures you maintain a gold advantage.
• Team fight positioning: As a carry, stay in the frontline but don’t overextend. Use your Blink Dagger to position yourself effectively in fights.
• Itemization flexibility: Adapt your item build based on the enemy lineup. For example, if facing a lot of magic damage, consider an early Black King Bar.

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Pros and Cons of Wraith King in Dota 2

Wraith King's Arcana set (Image via Valve)

Pros:

• High survivability with Reincarnation.
• Strong laning phase, especially with sustain from Vampiric Spirit.
• Excellent scaling into the late game as a carry.
• Simple, straightforward gameplay, making him beginner-friendly.

Cons:

• Vulnerable during Reincarnation cooldown.
• Can struggle against heroes with mana burn abilities.
• Limited mobility without items like Blink Dagger.
• Predictable playstyle, which can be countered by experienced opponents.

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Which Wraith King Talents to Pick in Dota 2

• Level 10: +10% Vampiric Spirit Lifesteal
• Level 15: +400 Health is ideal for position 3 while +1 second of Wraithfire Stun duration helps when playing position 1
• Level 20: Both +70 Attack Speed and +35% Cleave are good buffs, the selection depends on the situation and the opponent's lineup
• Level 25: Reincarnation Casts Wraithfire Blast

These talents enhance Wraith King’s tankiness and damage output, making him more effective in fights. The Level 25 talent is particularly powerful, allowing you to disable multiple enemies after reincarnating.

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Best Wraith King Items in Dota 2

• Radiance: A core item for farming speed and team fight damage.
• Black King Bar: Essential for avoiding disables and magic damage.
• Assault Cuirass: Provides armor and attack speed for you and your team.
• Overwhelming Blink/Swift Blink: Necessary for initiation, repositioning in fights, chasing enemies, and escaping an unwinnable fight.
• Abyssal Blade: Offers a reliable stun and increases your kill potential in the late game.
• Aghanim's Shard: Removes the Mana Cost on Reincarnation

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FAQs about Wraith King Items in Dota 2

1) How to play Wraith King effectively?

Focus on farming in the early game, build your core items, and take strategic fights where you can maximize the use of Reincarnation.

2) What is Wraith King's role in Dota 2?

Wraith King is primarily played as a Position 1 carry but can also be effective as a Position 3 offlaner.

3) Who can counter Wraith King?

Heroes like Anti-Mage, Nyx Assassin, and Invoker can be effective counters due to their ability to burn mana, rendering Wraith King’s Reincarnation useless.