Slark is a melee agility ganker and semi-carry. His high mobility and elusiveness makes him a fantastic ganker capable of dealing good burst damage, while his passive ability means he excels in extended skirmishes.
Skills
Skill and max Pounce first. It doubles as an escape mechanism and a great ganking tool.
Skill Dark Pact second for its debuff and ability to nullify projectile stuns. Also max it second to maximise your burst ganking potential.
Get a point in Essence Shift at level 4 but after that max it last.
Get your ultimate, Shadow Dance, whenever you can (levels 6, 11 and 16).
Your bread and butter combo is auto attack > Pounce > Dark Pact > auto-attack > Shadow Dance if necessary.
Items
Starting Items: A set of Tangos, a Healing Salve, a Stout Shield, and 2x Iron Branches.
Early Core: Power Treads, Magic Wand, Poor Man's Shield.
Early Situational: Bottle, Orb of Venom, Ring of Basilius.
Mid-Game Options: Drums of Endurance, Vladmir's Offering, Eye of Skadi, Shadow Blade, Black King Bar, Orchid, Sange & Yasha.
Luxury Options: Eye of Skadi, Abyssal Blade, Butterfly, Monkey King Bar, Assault Cuirass, Mjollnir.
