Introduction to riki in dota 2

Riki is a stealthy and elusive melee agility hero in Dota 2, designed for players who enjoy backstabbing enemies and striking from the shadows. Known for his invisibility and high burst damage, Riki is a frequent pick for those who favor ganking roles and hit-and-run tactics. If you are looking to enhance your skills with this iconic hero, the Riki Dota 2 Hero guide provides comprehensive insights and strategies.

Hero Overview

Riki, also known as Stealth Assassin, is a unique agility hero who thrives on surprise and mobility. He becomes permanently invisible with his signature ability from an early stage, making him difficult to track and deadly in combat when played correctly.

Primary Attributes

1. Primary Attribute: Agility
2. Attack Type: Melee
3. Roles: Carry, Escape, Disabler
4. Starting Armor: 5.7
5. Starting Movement Speed: 315

Core Abilities

Riki has a set of abilities that focus on stealth, mobility, and sustained damage over time. These make him especially effective in snowballing the game and catching isolated targets.

Smoke Screen

Riki throws a cloud of smoke that silences and slows enemies within its radius. The smoke also causes enemies to miss their attacks, making it an essential tool for initiating fights or escaping sticky situations.

Blink Strike

This gap-closing ability allows Riki to teleport behind an enemy and deal bonus damage with his next hit. It is useful for hunting squishy heroes and repositioning quickly in battle.

Tricks of the Trade

In this ability, Riki becomes untargetable while attacking all enemies in a small area from behind. It is often used to dodge powerful area effects or spells and deal substantial damage over a few seconds.

Cloak and Dagger

Riki’s passive ability grants him permanent invisibility and bonus backstab damage when striking from behind. This makes him incredibly potent in sneaky ambushes and prolonged skirmishes.

Best Item Builds for Riki

Unlike other heroes, Riki thrives with items that increase his survivability and attack impact. Here are some item recommendations:

Early Game

1. Orb of Corrosion: Offers added slow and armor reduction, perfect for early harassment.
2. Power Treads: Improves attack speed and allows attribute switching for situational benefits.

Mid Game

1. Diffusal Blade: A core item that burns mana and slows enemies, synergizing with Riki’s hit-and-run style.
2. Manta Style: Provides escape capability and helps in dodging disables.

Late Game

1. Skull Basher/Abyssal Blade: Adds lockdown potential with bash and guaranteed stun.
2. Black King Bar: Ensures survival during team fights where magical burst can be a danger.

Tips and Tactics

Playstyle

Riki excels when played as a roamer or semi-carry. Focus on picking off isolated targets using his invisibility combined with mobility tools. Silence and disable supports before they can disable you, and choose team fights wisely.

Map Awareness

Ward locations and enemy vision are critical to Riki's success. False confidence due to invisibility often leads to unnecessary deaths, especially with the introduction of Sentry Wards and Dust of Appearance.

Communication

Coordinate with your team before initiating fights. Riki works best when paired with stuns or slows to guarantee safe entrance and exits in combat.

Conclusion

Riki is a versatile and deadly hero in the right hands. Stealth, mobility, and precision are key when mastering this assassin. Once you get accustomed to his mechanics and timing, you can be one of the most feared figures on the battlefield. For a detailed breakdown of strategies, item builds, and skill tips, don’t forget to explore the full Riki Dota 2 Hero guide.