Dota 2 Hero Discussion: Zeus - the Lord of Heaven

Zeus. Dota 2 by Espenartman

Zeus has one role: offensive spellcaster. His spell damage output is probably the highest of any hero in the game, due to the great damage and low cooldown periods of his spells.  Arc Lightning strikes a large number of enemies with a relatively low damage chain lightning, but due to its low cost and cooldown it can be cast a large number of times during a battle. Lightning Bolt is easy to understand: lots of damage! Compared to a lot of other offensive spells, Lightning Bolt's damage, cooldown, and mana cost are very good, and it is Zeus' primary means for dealing with enemy heroes. Although Zeus has a passive skill, it is in fact another way to blast his enemies with even more spell damage. Every time Zeus casts a spell,  Static Field shocks nearby enemy heroes for a small percentage of their life. This means Zeus will continue to deal good damage throughout the game as enemy heroes get higher and higher life. Perhaps  Zeus ' most feared ability is Thundergod's Wrath. When cast, this spell causes a Lightning Bolt to strike all enemy heroes on the battlefield. This spell is especially useful for finishing off nearly dead heroes who are fleeing from battle, but it is also useful to give Zeus and his allies an edge in team fights.

genteelGunslinger - Ever since the Lightning change this guy makes warding a nightmare

Ever since the Lightning change this guy makes warding a nightmare. He doesn't have to waste gold on sentries so he can check all the good warding spots. He's such a prick now and I love his new found power.

dr_philbert - Thatelevel of harrass is pretty significant early and it's incredibly easy to secure farm using arc

When Merlini plays him on stream he builds a soul ring and I've found it to be incredibly effective on him. It gives you one free Lightning Bolt or two free Arc Lightning every thirty seconds. Thatelevel of harrass is pretty significant early and it's incredibly easy to secure farm using  Arc Lightning. Also, ground-casting this on an enemy doesn't count as a targeted spell so it doesn't proc linken's or razor's purge.

ZoomJet - He has a certain weight to his pick now

He has a certain weight to his pick now. I remember back when Zeus would be drafted in CM, I'd feel yes he was a little powerful and could definitely nuke his way through certain parts of the match, but others he was left a little helpless - especially if he was the only magical nuker and they got pipe. He was certainly strong, but now - now, it feels like although his main nuke doesn't scale like Skywrath's, his ultility is beyond amazing.

HubcapDota - Zeus needs that xp from global killing to stay ahead in levels

Correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as the "Killstealing" matter goes, is it not better to watch the map to get the last hit on a hero with your ulti so that you get the xp for it? In teamfights, however, initiating with Wrath or using it during the fight would be better. IMO, Zeus needs that xp from global killing to stay ahead in levels, which ends up benefiting his team anyway.

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