What items can you make on Dark Willow to destroy your opponents?
Dark Willow is an incredible support hero that can easily transition into a hard-hitting carry. Ever since her arrival on the main stage, Dark Willow has continued to impress professional and amateur players alike because of her utility and adaptability. I’ve personally played Dark Willow both as a support and as a core hero and in both cases, there are certain items you can make that will help you dominate the game. We’ve compiled some of the best items you can make on Dark Willow to help you dominate the game.
15. Eul’s Scepter of Divinity
Eul’s Scepter of Divinity passively gives Dark Willow +10 Intelligence, +2.5 Mana Generation, and +20 Movement Speed. The item also sweeps the target unit into a cyclone for 2.5 seconds during which they’re invulnerable. Eul’s Scepter of Divinity is a core item on Dark Willow and has a 51% win rate across all games.
Eul’s Scepter of Divinity is great for Dark Willow because:
- Dark Willow has a low base movement speed and movement speed is critical for a support hero; Eul’s Scepter gives Dark Willow some additional movement speed to help her reach fights quickly and be a part of the action.
- Eul’s Scepter also allows you to break free from enemy disables and thereby gives you more chance to escape and cast more skills.
- Eul’s also allows you to better land your spells such as your Bramble Maze or more importantly your Cursed Crown spell. By casting Cursed Crown on a hero and immediately casting Eul’s on them you will always hit your stun and keep the enemy disabled on the spot.
Get Eul’s Scepter of Divinity if:
- You are lacking in movement speed and mana regen. Eul’s will mitigate both of those issues.
- You don’t have any dedicated disables in the team. Eul’s will allow you to land your third spell every time with the combo mentioned above.
Eul’s Scepter of Divinity Details: https://dota2.fandom.com/wiki/Eul%27s_Scepter_of_Divinity
14. Aghanim’s Scepter
Aghanim’s Scepter passively gives Dark Willow +10 Strength, +10 Agility, +10 Intelligence, +175 Health and +175 Mana. Aghanim’s Scepter also upgrades Dark Willow’s second spell (Shadow Realm) by allowing her to attack throughout the duration of the spell. While Aghanim’s Scepter is an expensive component it is made in most if not all of Dark Willow games and also has a 50+% win rate as well.
Aghanim’s Scepter is great for Dark Willow because:
- It passively gives Dark Willow a lot of stat updates allowing you to become stronger in the game and more durable.
- It allows Dark Willow to transition into a hard-hitting attack damage core later into the game. With additional talents later in the game Dark Willow can use this item to become an additional source of damage for your team.
Get Aghanim’s Scepter if:
- You are ahead of the game in terms of gold and have the opportunity to create this item in the early to mid-game. This is a judgment call however and you should only take this step if you’re sure you can make the item as soon as possible without jeopardizing the game for your cores.
- You are late into the game and know the game is going to continue. With an Aghanim’s Scepter, you can even the odds and help your team do more damage.
Aghanim’s Scepter details: https://dota2.fandom.com/wiki/Aghanim%27s_Scepter
13. Aghanim’s Shard
Aghanim’s Shard upgrades Dark Willow’s third spell (Cursed Crown) by spawning 4 brambles in a 175 radius around the target after the spell duration ends. This is another item that has a high win rate however it’s not always made on Dark Willow as there are better core items you can make (most of which are mentioned in this article). However, if you’re in the late game you can consider this item as it adds another pesky disable for your enemies to deal with.
Aghanim’s Shard is great for Dark Willow because:
- It gives Dark Willow an upgrade to her magic and adds another disable to her arsenal.
Get Aghanim’s Shard if:
- You are late into the game and have made most of your core items. Aghanim’s Shard has the advantage of being a consumable item and doesn’t take any space in your item slot.
- You are up against a team that clumps around each other. By using your upgraded third spell you can potentially disable them all for a short duration.
Aghanim’s Shard details: https://dota2.fandom.com/wiki/Aghanim%27s_Shard
12. Ghost Scepter
While Ghost Scepter does give you some minor passive stats, its main benefit is that it shifts your hero into an ethereal form where they can’t be attacked for 4 seconds but take amplified magical damage. Ghost Scepter is another item with a 50+% win rate however once again it’s an item that’s only made in some very specific conditions.
Ghost Scepter is great for Dark Willow because:
- It gives Dark Willow some additional time to remain alive if she’s being attacked by physical damage carries.
- Ghost Scepter could also allow Dark Willow to escape from ganks by using Ghost Scepter and then instantly casting Cursed Crown and teleporting home.
Get Ghost Scepter if:
- You’re up against a team with a lot of physical damage carries that pick you off before the fight starts.
Ghost Scepter details: https://dota2.fandom.com/wiki/Ghost_Scepter
11. Glimmer Cape
Glimmer Cape allows you to target yourself or an allied hero giving them, after a brief delay, 5 seconds of invisibility as well as increased magic resistance while invisible. Glimmer Cape is a defensive item with a 50% win rate on Dark Willow and is often made on the hero when she’s being played as a support.
Glimmer Cape is great for Dark Willow because:
- It gives Dark Willow an additional option to escape from difficult situations.
- It also allows Dark Willow to cast Glimmer Cape on other allies to give them magic resistance and a chance to escape from difficult fights.
Get Glimmer Cape if:
- You’re up against a team with a lot of magical damage. With Glimmer Cape you can help reduce that damage for both yourself and your teammates.
- You’re getting picked off before fights. With Glimmer Cape you stand a chance of either escaping or staying alive till the cavalry arrives.
Glimmer Cape details: https://dota2.fandom.com/wiki/Glimmer_Cape
10. Blink Dagger
Blink Dagger allows you to teleport to a point 1200 units away. Blink Dagger can be used both as an aggressive and defensive item and as such it has a high win rate (59%). However, Blink Dagger isn’t always made since it’s an item with no components and requires a high gold investment which is difficult for support heroes as they often don’t get farm priority.
Blink Dagger is great for Dark Willow because:
- Blink Dagger allows you to position yourself in ways that allow you to better land your first spell which is crucial for a good team fight. It also allows you to land your ultimate which can save your teammates as well.
- Blink Dagger also gives you the mobility to either get to fights on time or to escape from harmful situations.
Get Blink Dagger if:
- You are able to get a lot of gold early into the game and your team is also dominating the game. If you are in this position you can get a blink dagger to further push your advantage and do some aggressive moves.
- You are against a lot of mobility heroes. If you are in this position you will need mobility to catch them and also to escape from them. Blink Dagger will help you in this scenario.
Blink Dagger details: https://dota2.fandom.com/wiki/Blink_Dagger
9. Force Staff
Force staff passively gives Dark Willow 10 Intelligence as well as 150 Health. Force staff also pushes you or any target unit 600 units in the direction you or the target unit is facing. Force staff has a 50% win rate on Dark Willow and isn’t always made in every game because it’s an item that’s only useful in certain situations.
Force staff is great for Dark Willow because:
- Force staff allows you to position yourself better to land some of your spells.
- You can also go over terrain with a force staff which can get you out of tricky situations. You can also use Force staff on your teammates to help them escape difficult fights.
Get Force staff if:
- You’re against a team of high mobility heroes that are ganking you or your teams continuously. Force staff will give you one more defensive option and just enough time to cast some spells to save yourself. Alternatively, you can also use force staff to save your teammates as well.
Force Staff details: https://dota2.fandom.com/wiki/Force_Staff
8. Monkey King Bar
Monkey King Bar gives Dark Willow 40 attack damage and 45 attack speed. Monkey King Bar also passively gives you a chance to inflict bonus damage with no chance of missing the attack. Monkey King Bar has a very high win rate on Dark Willow (63%) however it’s made very rarely on Dark Willow except if she’s being played as a carry hero.
Monkey King Bar is great for Dark Willow because:
- It gives Dark Willow a lot of attack damage and attack speed for a cheap price. As Dark Willow isn’t an attack damage carry this is a good compromise for a cheap price.
Get Monkey King Bar if:
- You are playing a right-click (Aghanim’s first build) build for which you need a lot of attack damage. Monkey King Bar gives you high attack damage for a small price.
- If you’re playing against enemies that have evasion abilities or evasion items. Monkey King Bar gives you an 80% chance to pierce through any evasion.
- If you’re late into the game and already have an Aghanim’s Scepter.
Monkey King Bar details:https://dota2.fandom.com/wiki/Monkey_King_Bar
7. Aether Lens
Aether Lens is normally a core item on most support heroes however while it has a high win rate on Dark Willow (55%) it is not always a core item. Aether Lens gives Dark Willow some passive stats but also increases the cast range of all of her spells.
Aether Lens is great for Dark Willow because:
- It increases the cast range of all of Dark Willow’s spells. Most of Willow’s spells are to be cast from a distance because as a hero she avoids fights. Aether Lens helps to make it easier to cast her spells with the safety of being far from the fight.
Get Aether Lens if:
- You are against a mobile team that you’re having trouble catching. With an extended cast range, you might be able to catch them with your Bramble Maze spell.
Aether Lens details:https://dota2.fandom.com/wiki/Aether_Lens
6. Witch Blade
Witch Blade, aside from giving Dark Willow some damage and intelligence, makes your next attack deal poison damage per second as well as slow your opponent down. This is another item with a win rate in the 50s however Willow players only make Witch Blade if they’re playing a core role from the outset of the game.
Witch Blade is great for Dark Willow because:
- It’s a great mid-game fighting item that gives Dark Willow a great boost in statistics as you build bigger items.
- It amplifies your magic damage and helps you secure more kills.
Get Witch Blade if:
- You are playing Dark Willow in the mid-lane and want to start fighting in other lanes as soon as possible.
Witch Blade details: https://dota2.fandom.com/wiki/Witch_Blade
5. Aeon Disk
Aeon Disk is normally a last resort item for Dark Willow if she’s being picked off early into the fight. Aside from some helpful statistics, Aeon Disk gives you 75% status resistance as well as a 2.5-second buff when your health falls below 70%. In a nutshell, it gives you a few more seconds to live if you get nuked. Aeon Disk has a 60% win rate on Dark Willow but is normally only made when you’re constantly being picked off in the game.
Aeon Disk is great for Dark Willow because:
- It gives you a health boost in stats making Dark Willow all the more durable.
- It keeps you alive for a few more priceless seconds allowing you more time to cast spells or escape.
Get Aeon Disk if:
- You are against a team of nukers that can take you out quickly with their high magic damage.
- You are being picked off during the team fights before you can cast your spells.
Aeon Disk details: https://dota2.fandom.com/wiki/Aeon_Disk?so=search
4. Urn of Shadows
Urn of Shadows passively gives Dark Willow +2 points in Strength, Agility, Intelligence, and Armor as well as +1.4 Mana Regeneration. Urn of Shadows can be used to target your own teammates and doing so heals them, alternatively, you can target enemies to deal damage per second. Urn of Shadows has a low win rate on Dark Willow but it can be a good item in certain scenarios.
Urn of Shadows is great for Dark Willow because:
- It’s a cheap item that can be made quickly to give you great stats on Dark Willow.
- Urn of Shadows gains charges whenever you are in the radius of any enemy kill. You can use these charges to either heal your allies or damage your enemies.
Get Urn of Shadows if:
- If your team is ahead and you’re getting a lot of kills then getting an early Urn can give you a lot of charges which you can use to deal more damage or heal your teammates.
- If your team is up against heroes that have a lot of regen abilities, an Urn of Shadows can later be upgraded to a Spirit Vessel which if used on an enemy can reduce their healing power.
Urn of Shadows details:https://dota2.fandom.com/wiki/Urn_of_Shadows
3. Mjollnir
Mjollnir gives Dark Willow a massive boost in attack speed as well as adding a chance of adding chain lightning to her physical attacks. You can also use Mjollnir to place a shield on yourself or an allied hero which when attacked has a chance to do magical damage to the attacking hero and other surrounding targets. The item has a high win rate on Dark Willow but is rarely made since it doesn’t come into the realm of support items.
Mjollnir is great for Dark Willow because:
- It gives Dark Willow a lot of attack speed which she can use later in the game to tear down enemies with her upgraded second spell. It also stacks with her level 25 attack speed talent giving her a massive boost in attack speed.
Get Mjollnir if:
- If you are playing a core role and intend to make an attack damage build (Aghanim’s Scepter, Monkey King Bar, etc.)
- If you are late into the game and are approaching level 25. With the level 25 attack speed talent you can quickly amplify your physical damage.
Mjollnir details: https://dota2.fandom.com/wiki/Mjollnir
2. Dragon Lance
Dragon Lance increases Dark Willow’s attack range allowing her to attack from much further away. The item has a 53% win rate on Dark Willow but it’s not a frequently made item on Dark Willow as it’s only needed in very specific situations.
Dragon Lance is great for Dark Willow because:
- It expands Dark Willow’s attack range and when paired with an Aghanim’s Scepter can allow Dark Willow to do serious physical damage from afar.
Get Dragon Lance if:
- If you are playing a core role and are in a team with a lot of tank heroes. You can sit back and dish out the damage while your allies tank any damage.
- You are up against a team that likes to get close and personal. By making a Dragon Lance you can stay far away and still do a lot of damage.
Dragon Lance details: https://dota2.fandom.com/wiki/Dragon_Lance
1. Rod of Atos
Rod of Atos is a great item to make on any support hero because it can be made from small components and when completed it not only offers a healthy boost in stats but also a 2-second disable. Rod of Atos has a 51% win rate on Dark Willow but is often made much lesser than its closest alternative i.e. the Eul’s Scepter of Divinity. That said, there are still certain scenarios in which you should prefer making Rod of Atos over Eul’s and we’ll talk about those below.
Rod of Atos is great for Dark Willow because:
- It boosts your stats and makes you a lot more durable during the course of the game.
- It gives you another disable to cause in the fight. You can also use Rod of Atos to extend the disables you have by using Rod of Atos and then casting either your first or third spell on the targetted hero to disable them further.
Get Rod of Atos if:
- If you are struggling to land your first or third spell Rod of Atos can be a great help. Alternatively, if your team is short on disables the disable from Rod of Atos can be an addition to your team’s arsenal.
- If you are struggling with surviving in the mid-game and want a quick boost to your stats Rod of Atos can come in handy.
Rod of Atos details: https://dota2.fandom.com/wiki/Rod_of_Atos
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