Dota 2 Grimstroke Guide Abilities, Strengths, Skills And Weaknesses

6 months ago By AI Smith

In the mystical realm of Dota 2, where ancient powers collide and battles of epic proportions are waged, one hero stands out as a master of shadowy ink and corrupted magic. Grimstroke, an Ascended guardian consumed by greed, wields a deadly brush and brings forth chaos and destruction wherever he treads. Check Grimstroke’s abilities, strengths, skills, and weaknesses to help you harness the full potential of this enigmatic hero.

Grimstroke’s Attributes:

Grimstroke is a ranged Intelligence hero with an average health pool of 582 HP and a robust mana pool of 375. However, his attack damage is relatively low at 48, and his movement speed is on the slower side at 290. To offset these drawbacks, Grimstroke boasts an armor rating of 3, making him somewhat resilient against physical damage.

Grimstroke’s potential truly shines in the hands of an experienced player who can effectively utilize his arsenal of nukes and debilitating abilities. He excels as a powerful spell caster, and his ultimate ability can turn the tide of battle by doubling the impact of single-target spells from allied heroes.

Abilities:

Stroke of Fate: Grimstroke wields his corrupt ink to paint a line of devastation. This ability deals up to 280 damage (448 with the level 25 talent) to enemies hit by the ink’s path. Additionally, it slows affected enemies by up to 80% for 1.75 seconds. The damage of this ability increases by up to 50 (80 with the level 25 talent) per unit hit within 1400 (2400 with the level 20 talent) travel distance.

Phantom’s Embrace: Grimstroke conjures a phantom that latches onto a target, dealing up to 40 damage per second (105 with the level 10 talent) and silencing it for 5 seconds. After the silence duration, the phantom deals a rend damage of up to 360 and refreshes the ability’s cooldown upon returning. The rend damage and cooldown refresh can be negated if the phantom is destroyed with up to 3 hero attacks or 9 creep attacks (4 or 12 with the level 20 talent) during its duration.

Ink Swell: Grimstroke binds an ally with corrupt magic, increasing their movement speed by up to 20% (36% with the level 15 talent) for 5 seconds. During this time, enemies within a 375-radius (525 with the level 25 talent) are hit by tendrils, dealing up to 70 damage per second. After 3 seconds, affected enemies are also damaged by up to 360 and stunned for up to 2.8 seconds. A sub-ability allows Grimstroke to detonate Ink Swell for an AoE explosion. This ability can be further upgraded with Aghanim’s Shard.

Aghanim’s Shard Upgrade: Ink Swell inflicts 40% more damage (up to 98 per second and 504 upon expiration) and provides the target with a strong dispel upon the ability’s duration.

Soulbind: Grimstroke connects a targeted enemy hero with its nearest ally, binding them together in a 600-distance bond for up to 8 seconds. Any targeted abilities used on one of the bound heroes are also reflected upon the other. If the bond is broken prematurely, it will latch onto the nearest target within the specified radius. An Aghanim’s Scepter upgrade introduces a new ability.

Dark Portrait (Aghanim’s Scepter Upgrade): Grimstroke can create an ink illusion of a targeted enemy hero that lasts for 25 seconds. This illusion takes 350% damage and deals 150% amplified damage. It possesses spell immunity, 30% bonus movement speed, and 95% magic resistance.

Talents:

Grimstroke’s talents offer a choice between enhancing his abilities or his overall performance. Here are some notable talent options:

Level 10: Choose between a -5s Ink Swell cooldown or +65 Phantom’s Embrace DPS.
Level 15: Opt for +16% Ink Swell movement speed or +25% Soulbind spell damage.
Level 20: Decide between +3 hits to kill Phantom or +1000 Stroke of Fate cast range.
Level 25: Choose +60% Stroke of Fate damage or +150 Ink Swell radius.

Strengths and Weaknesses:

Grimstroke, like any hero, comes with his own set of strengths and weaknesses.

Strengths:

Impressive Cast Range: Grimstroke boasts an impressive cast range, allowing him to engage and control fights from a safe distance.
Abundance of Slows and Disables: His abilities offer a variety of crowd control options, including slows, silences, stuns, and dispels.
Amplifies Single-Target Spells: Grimstroke’s ultimate ability, Soulbind, doubles the impact of single-target spells cast on the bound heroes, making him an excellent partner for heroes with powerful single-target abilities.
High-Damage AoE Spells: Grimstroke’s abilities deal substantial area-of-effect damage, making him a potent teamfight contributor.
Low Cooldown on Spells: His abilities have relatively short cooldowns, allowing for frequent use in fights.
Naturally Impactful Even in Late Game: Grimstroke’s kit remains relevant throughout the game, providing valuable utility and damage in both early and late game scenarios.

Weaknesses:

Fragile Hero with Low Health: Grimstroke’s low health pool makes him vulnerable to burst damage, and he can be easily picked off by enemy assassins.
Mana Dependent: His abilities have moderate mana costs, and Grimstroke relies on a sizable mana pool to use his skills effectively.
Susceptible to Disables and Silences: Crowd control effects and silences can disrupt Grimstroke’s spellcasting and render him less effective.
Requires Effective Team Coordination: Optimal use of his abilities, especially his ultimate, depends on team coordination, which may not always be present in random matchmaking games.
Skill-Intensive with Precise Aiming and Timing: Grimstroke’s abilities require accurate targeting and timing for maximum impact, making him challenging to master.

Grimstroke is a versatile and intriguing hero in the Dota 2 universe, offering a unique playstyle centered around corruption and shadowy magic. Whether you’re a seasoned player looking to expand your hero pool or a newcomer seeking an exciting challenge, Grimstroke’s abilities and potential are worth exploring. With the right knowledge and practice, you can harness the power of Grimstroke to dominate the battlefield and leave your mark in the world of Dota 2.