Bristleback is a melee strength hero. Is a strong offlane and tanky carry who deals physical damage over time in teamfights as his Quill and Goo stacks build up on enemies.
Like Axe, the more damage he takes, the more damage he dishes out in an AoE thanks to his passive Bristleback ability.
Skills
Max Quill Spray first; your only direct damage ability.
Get a point in Bristleback at either level 2 (offlane, defensive) or level 4 (dual/tri-lane, offensive), and put the other point in Nasal Goo.
Max Bristleback second of all, and Nasal Goo last.
Always get your steroid ultimate Warpath (levels 6, 11 and 16).
Items
Starting Items: Healing Salve, a set of Tangos, Stout Shield, 2x Iron Branches.
Early Core: Magic Wand, Power Treads.
Early Optional: Medallion, Ring of Basilius.
Mid Core: Vanguard and/or Hood of Defiance, Drums of Endurance.
Luxury Items: Pipe of Insight, Crimson Guard, Heart of Tarrasque, Assault Cuirass, Shiva's Guard, Heaven's Halberd, Rod of Atos, Black King Bar.
Situational Items: Vladmir's Offering, Mekanism, Blade Mail, Armlet of Mordiggian.
