Dota 2: How to Build Invoker Mid Lane

Invoker is a master of magic, capable of combining mystical elements to create powerful spells capable of handling virtually any situation. From flaming minions to mystical tornadoes to freezing ice—Invoker is capable of all this and more. Known as one of the game's most complex heroes for his unique gameplay, Arsenal Magus, as he's known, is also one of the most famous characters since the original Dota.

Facets and Abilities

Invoker initially has three basic skills, Quas, Wex and Exort, which you need to combine to enable the hero's most powerful abilities. Quas provides a health regeneration bonus, Wex provides a movement speed bonus, and Exort grants an attack bonus.

Cold Snap

By combining three instances of Quas, you can use this ability. Cold Snap freezes the target and deals damage, repeating the freeze if additional damage is dealt to the target.

Ghost Walk

By combining Quas + Quas + Wex, you can enable this skill. Invoker becomes invisible, also receiving an aura that slows nearby enemies.

Ice Wall

By combining Quas + Quas + Exort you can use this skill. Invoker conjures a wall of ice in front of him, dealing magic damage and slowing the movement of enemies that touch it.

E.M.P.

By combining three instances of Wex, you can cast this skill. Launches an electromagnetic blast in a targeted area, burning the mana of targeted enemies and dealing equivalent damage, in addition to restoring Invoker's mana.

Tornado

You can combine Quas + Wex + Wex to unlock Tornado, a skill that summons a tornado in a chosen direction that will lift and disable enemies in its path, dealing magic damage.

Alacrity

Wex + Wex + Exort grants Invoker the Alacrity ability, which grants him bonus attack and attack speed, and can be used on allies.

Sun Strike

Combining Exort three times will give you access to Sun Strike, a beam of light that deals magic damage to any chosen point on the map, which scales with the current level of Exort.

Forge Spirit

Quas + Exort + Exort enables this skill, which allows Invoker to summon fire minions to fight and reduce enemy armor with their attacks.

Chaos Meteor

Wex + Exort + Exort enables this skill. Invoker summons a large fiery meteor from the sky, damaging and burning enemies in its path.

Deafening Blast

By combining Quas, Wex, and Exort, Invoker can enable this skill. Deafening Blast releases a sonic wave in front of Invoker that knocks back, disarms, and damages targets hit.

Aghanim

For this build, we’ll consider the Agent of Gallaron facet which allows us to improve the Sun Strike ability. Aghanim's Scepter grants the Cataclysm upgrade, which allows you to rain Sun Strikes on enemies wherever they are, and Aghanim's Shard causes Forged Spirits to be summoned near enemies hit by the Sun Strike.

Invoker is a hero who benefits greatly from some specific items that end up being essential in his build, especially in a Core build, where you have the responsibility of carrying the game.

Depending on the matchup, there are other items you might consider. Scythe of Vyse is very useful against heroes like Ursa and Juggernaut, as is Eul’s Scepter of Divinity. Orchid Malevolence can help deal with enemies with problematic abilities, especially supports, and Linken's Sphere will protect your hero if he's being targeted.

Tips and Strategies

Start the game by enabling Exort, which’ll grant you access to Sun Strike early on. This ability is crucial for attacking neighboring lanes from a distance while farming. Stay informed about the situation of enemy heroes in these lanes and use Sun Strike to secure or assist a kill (you can enable keyboard shortcuts to control the camera and share vision with allies).

Ghost Walk is an ability that can be used to escape, provide information, and ambush enemies.

Deafening Blast and Chaos Meteor are excellent abilities for farming the jungle and large creep waves.

Practicing Invoker's combos and skill combinations is essential to playing the hero correctly. Tornado + Blast + Meteor, Cold Snap + Ice Wall + Deafening Blast. Test all combinations and improve your keyboard prowess before jumping into matches.

You can use Forged Spirits to farm in the jungle while farming in the lane.

Be careful when using Cataclysm. In-game, the skill's usage is described awkwardly, and you must use it yourself to activate it. After activation, enemies will be able to see and hear the ability, unlike Sun Strike. Cataclysm has a longer cooldown, and the skill will be disabled for a longer period.

Invoker is probably the most difficult hero to pilot due to the sheer number of commands required to use a single skill. Furthermore, each basic skill has its own benefits that the hero can take advantage of in certain situations, requiring an even greater degree of mastery and knowledge. Knowing when you need increased movement, increased regeneration, or damage is what makes Invoker so complex.

This concludes another article. Leave your questions, suggestions, criticisms, and/or compliments in the comments. Thanks for reading, and see you next time.