Necrophos, previously known as Necrolyte, is a ranged intelligence semi-carry. Despite rarely ever being picked competitively and being a relatively unpopular pick in public matchmaking as well, Necrophos has persistently had one of the highest win rates in the game since Dota 2’s release.
This is thanks largely to his great sustainability in pushes and extended teamfights thanks to Death Pulse, and from an ultimate which is a fantastic counter to tanky heroes.
Skills
Death Pulse is always skilled and amxed first.
Heartstopper Aura is maxed last, although an early value point can make for good early lane harass.
Sadist is maxed second.
Reaper's Scythe is always skilled (levels 6, 11 and 16). Use it only on enemies below 50% of their total health.
Items
Starting Items: A set of Tangos, Healing Salve, 3x Iron Branches.
Early Game: Boots of Speed, Magic Wand.
Core Items: Power Treads or Phase Boots or Arcane Boots, Mekanism.
Luxury Items: Drums of Endurance, Bloodstone, Scythe of Vyse, Shiva's Guard, Black King Bar, Aghanim's Scepter, Heart of Tarrasque, Necronomicon.
Situational Items: Bottle, Boots of Travel, Ethereal Blade, Dagon, Linken's Sphere.
