- Introduction
- Author's Note
- Overview of the Guide
- Statistics and Abilities
- Leshrac's Statistics (in spoiler)
- Leshrac's Abilities (in spoiler)
- Author's Views on the Hero
- Skill and Item Builds
- Gameplay and Strategies
- Laning Phase
- Creating Lanes
- Soloing Leshrac
- Dual Laning Leshrac
- Controlling Your Lane
- Soloing Leshrac
- Dual Laning Leshrac
- Creating Lanes
- Ganking Phase
- Pre-Bloodstone
- Post-Bloodstone
- Pushing and Team Battles
- Laning Phase
- Good Allies and Enemies to watch out for
- Replays (coming soon)
- Final Words
- Introduction
Author's Note:
Hi. I'm a DotA player that's playing in the Philippines, and Leshrac is so far, my favorite hero. Upon knowing that there are currently no guides to Leshrac, I've decided to take my first attempt in guide writing. English is not my mother language (although I'll try my best to make this error-free), and most people in the Philippines still play Warcraft 3 1.20/1.21 (I will try to upgrade soon), so I apologize in advance if I cannot supply you with replays at the moment. I am also tinkering on the fact that I'm struggling to have screenshots for this guide. Also, I am only a pub player at Garena, with the occasional cash games here and there, so I cannot guarantee you that this guide will be helping you out in those higher level games.
Another thing, I won't be telling my name
.
Background Story
Torment around me. Torment in me. Torment be with me. And let us conquer our foes. They do not understand our pain. Do you? No. Not a soul can. And for that, We shall make them feel the torment... The torment that inhabits my soul.
Pros and Cons
+ AoE Stun
+ Good lane-control spell with a low cooldown
+ Mana-efficient tower busting spell
+ Ultimate has huge damage potential
- Poor HP
- Mana-hungry
- Slooooooow casting animation of 0.7 seconds(!)
- Item dependent
- Split Earth can be hard to aim for newer players
- Often has to be in the middle of the battle to utilize his spells
- Silence ruins him, as with most casters
Guide Overview
This is my first attempt and I am planning this to be a full guide. I will try my best to relay everything that I know about Leshrac to those reading this guide, both newer and more experienced players. I am writing this with passion, and I will try my best to keep this as updated as possible (even though my mother won't approve of this).
I will try to give my builds on this hero (those that work for me) and defend those builds for each and everyone of you. I welcome criticisms, as well as suggestions for the guide. But I won't be accepting such comments involving me as a person (race, age, etc).
- Statistics and Abilities
Statistics
Abilities
Split Earth
Splits the earth under your enemies' feet. Deals damage and stuns for a short duration.
Level 1 - 70 damage; 150 AoE; 1.25 seconds stun; 100 manacost
Level 2 - 140 damage; 175 AoE; 1.5 seconds stun; 125 manacost
Level 3 - 210 damage; 200 AoE; 1.75 seconds stun; 140 manacost
Level 4 - 280 damage; 225 AoE; 2 seconds stun; 165 manacost
Notes
- Damage type: magical
- Destroys trees within its AoE.
- Stuns creeps for 0.75/1.5/2.25/3 seconds.
- Cooldown of 9 seconds at all levels.
- There is a 0.35 seconds delay before the effect is applied.
The picture above shows the maximum casting range of Split Earth (equivalent to his attack range) as well as its AoE.
Diabolic Edict
Saturates the area around Leshrac with magic, causing 32 random explosions to enemies. Lasts 8 seconds.
Level 1 - 12.5 damage each (400 total); 30 seconds cooldown; 95 manacost
Level 2 - 25 damage each (800 total); 28 seconds cooldown; 120 manacost
Level 3 - 37.5 damage each (1200 total); 26 seconds cooldown; 135 manacost
Level 4 - 50 damage each (1600 total); 24 seconds cooldown; 155 manacost
Notes
- Damage type: mixed (reduced by both armor and magical resistance)
- Has an area of 500 AoE at all levels.
- The explosions will continue even if Leshrac is disabled or killed.
- Can damage invisible heroes if they are within the AoE.
- Can damage structures.
The picture shows the AoE of Diabolic Edict.
Lightning Storm
Calls a lightning storm that hits nearby enemies.
Level 1 - 80 damage; 4 targets; 100 manacost
Level 2 - 145 damage; 6 targets; 115 manacost
Level 3 - 205 damage; 7 targets; 130 manacost
Level 4 - 265 damage; 8 targets; 145 manacost
Notes
- Damage type: magical
- Damage stays the same through all the bounces.
- 6 seconds cooldown at all levels.
- 700 casting range and 650 bouncing range at all levels.
The picture shows the casting range (outermost circle) as well as the bouncing range (middle circle). The inner circle is Leshrac's attack range.
Pulse Nova
Summons a Pulse Nova every second to damage nearby enemies.
Level 1 - 66 (88) damage; 300 AoE; manacost = 110 + 20 per second
Level 2 - 100 (133) damage; 350 AoE; manacost = 110 + 40 per second
Level 3 - 144 (177) damage; 400 AoE; manacost = 110 + 60 per second
Notes
- Damage type: magical
- Summons novas per second until deactivated/Leshrac runs out of mana/Leshrac is silenced.
- Will not deal damage nor drain mana if Leshrac is invisible.
- Can be improved by Aghanim's Scepter (improved values in parentheses).
The picture shows the AoEs of Pulse Nova levels 1-3 as well as Leshrac's attack range (from innermost to outermost).
Author's Views on the Hero
Leshrac is a hero whose AoE damage potential is something to be reckoned with. Although he is item-dependent, he can lay waste to creepwaves and heroes alike, if he is able to farm for his items.
- Skill and Item Build
Level 1 - Split Earth
Level 2 - Lightning Storm
Level 3 - Lightning Storm
Level 4 - Split Earth
Level 5 - Lightning Storm
Level 6 - Split Earth
Level 7 - Lightning Storm
Level 8 - Split Earth
Level 9 - Diabolic Edict
Level 10 - Diabolic Edict/Pulse Nova
Level 11 - Diabolic Edict/Pulse Nova
Level 12 - Diabolic Edict
Level 13 - Pulse Nova/Diabolic Edict
Level 14 - Pulse Nova/Diabolic Edict
Level 15 - Attribute Bonuses
Level 16 - Pulse Nova
Levels 17 to 25 - Attribute Bonuses
Item Build
Starting Items
OR
We get 2 Gauntlets of Strength and a Circlet of Nobility to improve Leshrac's HP. These will be upgraded later on to Bracers.
If you think that you'll need Magic Wand later (lots of enemy casters), then substitute a Gauntlet for 3x Branches.
A set of Tangoes or a Healing Salve is necessary if Leshrac is to stay longer in a lane.
Core Items
Boots - self-explanatory.
2x
AND/OR
Bracer(s) and Magic Wand - completed to have more slots for more items.
OR 
Bloodstone - it is usually rushed after your Boots and your two Bracers. It needs to be formed ASAP in order to store more charges. Despite the nerfs, Bloodstone is still core on Leshrac because it gives him HP, mana, and regen. Not to mention that Leshrac dies often in team battles due to being a high priority target, so the bonuses on death are quite handy. Generally better if Leshrac is designated as the primary carry.
Aghanim's Scepter - good item overall on Leshrac because of the build-up. It also increases your ultimate's damage. Also adds good amounts of EHP comparable to Bloodstone. This is preferable in shorter games, because Bloodstone's regen goes a long way in farming up your items. Generally better if your team wants Leshrac just to nuke as much as possible before dying (you have some other carries or something).
Black King Bar - it is needed so that Leshrac will not die to some stray AoE. Also, it blocks most disables (especially silencing spells), which is always nice. If you don't have a spare slot (due to Dust/Wand/Bottle/etc.), then you could sell a Bracer for it, because it also gives +10 to strength.
TP Scrolls - Leshrac needs to farm, and this item helps farming heroes a lot. Also, Leshrac should help if necessary while his spells are at their peak.
After-Core Items
Boots of Travel - useful late game because Leshrac is such a good creep killer, and the slot taken by TP scrolls becomes more juicier by the moment. Gotten if your team is pushing/you need the extra slot+MS.
Heart of Tarrasque - being a high priority target, 1060 HP is always welcome. Gotten especially if your BKB is running low on duration.
Guinsoo's Scythe of Vyse - more mana regen, more int, and of course, the awesome Hex. Gotten if you need to disable that hard carry which somehow got farmed.
Shiva's Guard - armor, int, -AS aura, and Arctic Blast are good to have especially on Leshrac who gets in the middle of the fray. I personally take this over Heart because BKB shields you from nukes, as well as it gives you an offensive boost.
Situational Items
Phase Boots - as of 6.64, it is no longer a must on Leshrac now, because Leshrac used to get this to have some cheap armor midgame. Creeps are not that much of a problem because they would be dead anyway, which makes Phasing (for zero-collision) redundant. BoT will help in chasing better; and before BoT, you usually don't need to chase a lot because either the enemy heroes or Leshrac will be dead already (due to being a high priority target). Though, it is advisable to get this if you plan on finishing the game fast OR if you are ganking regularly.
Empty Bottle - gotten if you plan on going solo mid. Also, Bottle+Crow is a reliable way to have good regen in lane.
Kelen's Dagger - if your team is running blink strats (Void/ES/etc), then it is necessary to keep up with your teammates with this. Even without those allies, mobility is always good. Viable after core, because your BKB is running out of duration by then.
Linken's Sphere - gotten if BKB is not enough to block all enemy disables/there is a Doombringer on the enemy team. Goes after BKB, though.
Necronomicon - you can get it if you need the demons so much. It will be coming pretty late, though (after Bloodstone/Aghanim's+possibly BKB).
Talisman of Evasion - if physical attacks are still a problem even after your survivability item after BKB, then this is a decent option. Get this over Ghost Scepter if the enemy team has balanced spell+physical damage.
or 
Plate Mail/Vitality Booster - nice, slot-effective items that can be bought to increase your armor/HP, which Leshrac might lack. Get either of these if you need the extra armor/HP and the gold for a more important item (such as Guinsoo).
Observer Wards are always great for saving your fragile ass from being ganked. Leshrac can farm this pretty fast, but it is in no way a core item for him, because he is item-dependent.
Not-so-good Items
Hood is not so good due to the fact that you will be getting a BKB as fast as possible, making spell damage reduction redundant.
Mekansm and Pipe are supportive items, and with Leshrac being a carry (or a semi-carry), they will slow down your tanking items. Also, both items strain your already constricted manapool even more.
Eul's Scepter is not that good for its gold, but it should be only considered if you can't farm beyond 1000 gold while needing the disable.
Orchid Malevolence is not good because of the wasted attributes. You don't need the damage nor the attack speed, and Guinsoo's Scythe gives more relevant benefits. It is only worth considering if you can't farm beyond 900 gold and you badly need the silence.
Force Staff is not so good because you can get a Dagger for a similar amount of gold; which moves you for twice the distance. Also, there are wasted attributes.
Rejected Items
Power Treads - the IAS is wasted, and Leshrac can use only the extra strength OR intelligence (which is the only good part of the item). Phase Boots are faster for MS. A faster Bloodstone is better in the long run.
Dagon - Leshrac is a hero that does damage over time, not a burst damage hero like NA. Also, it compounds your mana problems, and it slows down your Bloodstone; and if you build this afterwards, it will be wasted.
Vanguard - in terms of tanking, it is subpar when compared to similarly priced items (Mek, Hood), and if you actually can waste your cash for it, you might as well go straight for a Heart, which is a much better tanking item despite the removal of the combat regen. Also, damage block is kind of useless on Leshrac because he either outguns those physical harassers with his nukes, or he is outnuked. The Vitality Booster and the Ring of Health can be better used in the Bloodstone or Heart of Tarrasque.
DPS Items - Leshrac is not a DPS hero. If you truly want to have crits/rainbow orb/ministuns/cleave, then go play someone else. This style does not suit him.
Refresher Orb - dual Diabolic Edict+Lightning Storm+Split Earth for the lulz. Seriously, you don't need it. - Ability Usage
Using Leshrac's Spells
In using Leshrac's spells in general, be sure to Animation Cancel, because his cast point and cast backswing are not that good (0.7/0.8).
Split Earth
Using Split Earth requires accurate forecasting of the enemy hero's location. For players to hit Split Earth, one must consider the enemy hero's movement after one second (0.7 second casting point+0.35 delay for effect). My advice would be clicking approximately 350 units in the direction of the hero you are going to hit. If you have an allied disable, then it's much easier.
Split Earth can destroy trees in its AoE; it might be helpful in saving your ally from Furion's Sprout or creating your own path through the trees in order to chase/escape.
Using Leshrac's absurdly long casting point to stop erroneous Split Earths is advisable. It is also useful to fake your Split Earths.
In team battles, Split Earth takes top priority (after activating Pulse Nova) except if your initiator had those enemy heroes stunned, then you should chain your stun afterwards. Unless if the enemy has a farmed up carry, it is preferable to stun casters that are clumped together in order to save those few precious seconds of Avatar that you should have.
Diabolic Edict
Its random damage makes it unreliable when there are multiple units around, so it is preferable to use other spells to clear more fragile units. Use it to eliminate lone towers and injure lone heroes (like when you would use Eclipse).
In team battles, it takes the least priority, because clearing creeps is much more important to take full advantage of Diabolic Edict, not to mention that it persists even if you die. Another thing is that you can't cast this twice (unlike his other spells).
Lightning Storm
Your farming and harassing tool, all in one spell. Farming with it is no-brainer. Hitting enemy heroes can be done in two ways. First, hitting the heroes, themselves. The advantage of this is that if the spell is cast, it will surely hit. The disadvantage is that it can put you in a dangerous position. The second way is to bounce it through creeps. Its advantage is that you can harass safely, possibly getting some creep kills along the way, while this method also allows enemies to use fog of war in order to dodge it, as Lightning Storm bounces pretty slowly. To remedy this, maintain vision of your intended targets through other units (usually Obs Wards) or Leshrac himself (only at daytime, though).
Against a defensive opponent, moving in then casting Lightning Storm will cause them to move back because they will think that you will cast Split Earth.
In team battles, cast it third because there is a chance that you will be casting this for a second time.
Pulse Nova
Use it to clear huge creepwaves (on smaller ones, Lightning Storm+last hits/Split Earth will suffice), or on every battle. It has no cooldown; you just have to take care of your mana, though.
Activate this as soon as the team battle starts; you want this to last as long as possible.
Using Items that you should have as Leshrac
BKB - Use it at the moment that the enemy casters (read: pure casters) and disablers aren't disabled anymore. It will preserve those precious seconds that you won't be killed by enemy spells.
Guinsoo's Scythe of Vyse/Eul's Scepter of Divinity - other than disabling, you may use this to set up your own Split Earth. Hitting a hexed unit is just as easy as hitting a stunned unit. As for Eul's Scepter, make sure that you time it so that the target is hit by the time that he lands.
Shiva's Guard - the snare can be helpful in hindering the enemy team's efforts to scatter. It can also be used to clear stray creeps for Diabolic Edict (so you can cast it earlier).
Kelen's Dagger/Force Staff - use it to get the optimum position on team clashes to not waste precious seconds of Avatar, and to make the most use out of your mana.
- Gameplay and Strategies
Laning Phase (0-15 Minutes into the game)
Creating Lanes
Usually, Leshrac is seen in dual lanes, because Split Earth needs ally assistance in order to hit flawlessly. Also, Lightning Storm's damage does not get reduced per bounce, which makes bouncing it from creeps just as good as clicking the hero directly. But Leshrac is also a viable solo, because he can make good use of the extra experience and gold given by the solo lane. You won't have an ally to back you up, though. Your call.
Dual Laning with Leshrac
Leshrac is well known for being able to create lethal combos with heroes that have some sort of disable, especially stuns. It is preferable that you have an opening disable to make sure your Split Earth will hit. Whether it be a slow or a stun, as long as it is reliable in the sense that they would hit easily, Leshrac can make use of an ally ranging from a Mortred (not recommended, but better than nothing) to a Sven.
Soloing with Leshrac
If you are soloing middle lane, it is recommended that you buy a set of Observer Wards in order to help control your lane with Lightning Storm. If you are asked to solo another lane (say, you have a jungler or something), then solo the long lane (Sent bot/Scourge top) because the top lane is way too dangerous for a hero like Leshrac, who has no escape mechanisms nor good amounts of survivability.
Controlling Your Lane
2v2
If you are facing a babysitter lane, then try to burst down the carry because you can take the babysitter pretty easily. If you are facing a combo lane, then adjust accordingly based on the enemy's lane. If it is a proactive lane, then try to whittle down the enemy heroes with Lightning Storm while matching up to their aggressiveness. If it is a reactive lane, then take the initiative with your partner to try to finish off the secondary disable. Either way, DON'T BE A TARGET!
2v1
Take the initiative early because you are facing an outnumbered enemy. Unless if it's someone with insane survivability like Puck, most soloers will fall.
1v1
The thing is to use Lightning Storm to harass the opposing solo (with the help of the first ward if going mid) so as to give you time to find/get runes (second ward) or for your Bottle to be refilled by your Crow. I personally do this because I want to be farmed up as much as possible (I play Leshrac as a carry pretty often).
1v2
Dangerous for Leshrac; if possible, get an ally for you. But if you can't, stay back and cast Lightning Storm to slowly whittle down your opponents while getting creep kills along the way. Don't worry about getting the last hit on the ranged creep. Most of the time, it will be denied; but it's better than dying for an extra 45 gold. Even at your tower, still don't get near; smart (or greedy) opponents know that Leshrac's HP is low that they might tower dive on you. Usually, an Observer Ward is necessary to help detect incoming gank attempts on you.
Ganking Phase (15-25/30 minutes)
Pre-Bloodstone
Leshrac should balance his farming and ganking. Gank with teammates when/if there are little farming opportunities. Farm if possible and don't roam too much; you want to have that Bloodstone/Aghanim's Scepter ASAP.
Post-Bloodstone
When you have your Bloodstone ready, gank as much as possible so as to obtain charges for team battles. If there are no allied ganks, farm as much as possible for that BKB. I don't care where you farm; you can farm lane creeps, neutral creeps, as well as creep-like heroes. :P
Taking out outer towers (if you haven't done yet) is also good because of your Diabolic Edict. Just be careful not to get ganked, because we want our Bloodstone (possibly a charged one) and BKB by the time team battles start.
What to do when you will gank???
First of all, your spell sequence is heavily decided by your surroundings. If you are solo ganking from behind (not recommended), use Lightning Storm first to allow it to bounce on the target, followed by Pulse Nova, then Edict, and Split Earth if he gets out of range/TPs away. If there is a lead stunner, then think accordingly on which to cast first: Split Earth or Lightning Storm? Lightning Storm if you are quite near, and your ally/allies can chain up a bit; Split Earth if otherwise.
If you are ganked???
First of all, cast Edict first. Why? Because it scares them at the very least; it heavily damages them at the very most. If they are in range for Pulse Nova, then activate it. It is recommended to use Split Earth as early as possible so if there is a countergank, you can have it ready again. Do NOT use Lightning Storm unless if that will finish off a ganker; it gives you little for its cost when you are ganked because you will lose precious time (better used for running/casting another spell) and mana (which might mean 1 second of Pulse Nova).
If possible, juke through trees because Pulse Nova and Diabolic Edict hits invisible/fogged targets, regardless if you are in fog or not. Also, use your items accordingly, and if you think that you can overpower the ganker(s), then do so.
Pushing and Team Battles (25/30 minutes>end of the game)
Farm up a BKB if you don't have it yet. If you have it up and ready, call up your teammates and commence team battles. Your AoE spells are necessary in order to win team battles. Push towers with Diabolic Edict after clearing creepwave after creepwave with Lightning Storm and Pulse Nova (if you have the mana to spare). It is possible with a charged Bloodstone. If you went for Aghanim's Scepter, be conservative with your mana, though. Just until you get some serious mana regen item like Guinsoo/Bloodstone.
If you are losing team battles, Lightning Storm is good at turtling. This coupled with Pulse Nova is good at clearing giant creepwaves.
Sometimes, ganking a lone hero then initiating a team battle is a good way to win team battles. Push, push, and push until the game is decided to the Tree/Throne.
- Good Allies and Enemies to watch out for
Good allies for Leshrac are of course, those that can set up for your stuns while in lane. Supporters are also good because they help you survive anything they throw at you. And who hates AoE disablers on your team?
Watch out for heroes with Silence (screws you up in battles), heroes with huge burst damage that can make short work of you (before you have a BKB), as well as NA and KotL, who both have mana burns that are based on your mana. Oh, and also Magina, who makes short work of your piss poor HP (and of nearby teammates) after all those Pulse Novas that you've summoned.
- Replays
COMING SOON!!!
- Final Words
I hope that this guide helped you, the reader, as this site helped me, the author, to play DotA better. I would like to give credits to IceFrog himself (for making DotA the DotA today; been playing it for 4 years now), to those who gave comments on this guide (especially Justin and Val), and also to you, the reader, for taking your time to read my first guide ever. Thank you, and please leave by a comment.
P.S. Long ass cast!
Credits go to Thisisbob.