First things first, let us take a look at each ability and their contribution to this great hero.
Recharge) This is what I call your toss-in spell becuase it's already choosen for you and it cannot be lvl'd.
Builds up static (healing)--while your moving--based on how long your not attacked. This basically heals you for not being attacked by other units. The longer you wait after an attack, the more it heals. Heals anywere from 20-600, possibly more. This spell is Evocation.
Ion Surge) This is your hero killing spell.
Turns an enemy hero ethreal for 5sec and turns any attack you do to instead do magic damage. This spell is upgraded by Int (.35 x int) and Evocation (This does the same thing as Ethreal Healing or Arcane Mistress's Ethreal).
Note. This is NOT physical damage, so all the armor in the world won't help your enemies.
Polarize) This is your farming spell. While not as effective as other AoE's, (Holy Strike, Frost Spire, Caustic Breath, ect) it nonetheless is very helpful.
When too close to other units, does damage to both the polarized and near units. This spell is upgraded by Int (0.1 x int).
Thunderstrike) This is your hero killing support spell.
When cast on an enemy hero, silences them for 4sec at lvl 1(They can't cast spells for that amount of time) and gives them a chance to miss on their next attack (I think it's 50% at lvl 1). If cast on a structure, 6 additional Thunderstrikes will occur. Also deals damage to structures and summonend units. Thunderstrike is Evocation.
Streak) This is your escape spell.
Leaps from unit to unit to reach a target point. Each unit within the path are stunned for 2sec. This is similar to dash, except it doesn't do damage and it stuns.
Stormspire) This is your ultimate.
Summons a stormspire (obilisk) with enhancing abiliities. Basically, it makes your other abilities better.
Ion Surge: adds 25% damage while in range.
Polarize: deals 0.1 x mana additional damage while in range.
Streak: increases range while in range.
Thunderstrike: treats Thunderstrike as a structure while in range.
Stormspire also adds 1% to attack damage per 16 mana and 1% to movement speed per 32 mana. Stormspire also has mana of its own and regens mana.
Well now that we made past the intro to Ardin, we move on to specs and item build. Ardin Stormsabre is a melee, int hero--one of a kind--with low hp, fast attack speed, and a high potential for mass hero killing. Because he's arguably the weakest melee hero and his primary attribute is int, you'll need to be extra careful when fighting, expecially at early lvls. As a result, health potions are an ideal choice for early game play. They're only 75g and heal 500hp. The mana potions are good too, but only if your really in need. as far as other consumables go, you don't really need much, other than possibly dust of appearence or termite jar. Remember, you have a heal so amulet of health is not needed. Instead, save your gold for repairs, creep hiring, and mainly, item building. Thats what really gets this guy good. Your a hero killer, not support, so they're going to depend on your for keeping other heros at bay. Let them deal mainly with troop support and pushing. You concentrate on getting your hero buffed, but remember to have a little extra cash if they need it.
A correctly specd hero can make all the difference in terms of survivablity, depenabilty, and ownagablity. (I know that isn't a word but wth). A good--but not always ideal--way to find out what items are the best for your hero is to look at your PA (primary attribute) and spells. Spells often say what they're upgraded by. For istance, Ion Surge is upgraded by int/evo as I stated before.
Note. Don't always mass your PA, look at your options, alot of specing has to do with common sense. Heres a guideline of the items I recommend (highly). Also, I'm not expecting you to purchace all of these items, or even these in particular. These are just the good ones for him.
Lvl 1 shop
Orb of the Magi--get this if your not going for Crystal Staff or other mana boosts.
Orb of Skill--int and agi on Ardin are deadly.
Knight's Armor--good for staying alive, or
Robes of Resistance--good for those high dmg casters, or
Scorceror's Robes--good for extra int and mana.
Gloves of evocation--excellent for getting Ion Surge up. (better than int ring)
Lvl 2 shop
Dexterous Ring--extra agi is always a good idea for DPS heros like Ardin.
Ring of Wisdom--I only get this for extra mana. If you get the magi orb or crystal staff don't bother. Get some str or even more agi.
Ring of Might--this goes with the line above. Recharge is good but it won't stop a 1200dmg Ice lance.
Helm of Champions--also excellent combo (better than agi ring). A must have!
Unique shop (don't buy all these just one, MAYBE two)
Crystal Staff--very nice to have if you've got the cash and want Ion Surge to hit hard (really hard).
Talisman of the sun--also very nice.
Flute of the winds--more agi!
Storm Hammer--? its int.
Well, thats about it. Remember, whatever you choose to buy can effect your heros potential. All the items are good. Just some are better for certain heroes. Hope this helped,
--Sieg_2
Note. Much of the wording was taken from actual context. In which case it becomes the words of Darn Yak and not my own, Im simply restating them.
