Balanar, the Night Stalker, is a menacing Strength-based ganker and semi-core hero in DotA 1, feared for his absolute dominance over the battlefield when darkness falls. Boasting exceptional early physical bulk, high base damage, and superb stat growth, Balanar plays the role of a terrifying apex predator. He excels at hunting down isolated targets, locking down spellcasters, and manipulating the map's day-night cycle to force high-tempo, aggressive skirmishes.
Base Stats & Attributes
Hero Attributes
| Attribute |
Base Value |
Growth (per level) |
| Strength |
23 |
+3.0 |
| Agility |
18 |
+2.3 |
| Intelligence |
15 |
+1.6 |
Level 1 Statistics & Mechanics
| Statistic |
Value |
Mechanic |
Value |
| Damage |
61-65 |
Base HP Regen |
2/s |
| HP |
660 |
HP Regen (Total) |
+4.3/s |
| MP |
230 |
MP Regen (Total) |
+0.76/s |
| Armor |
4.6 |
Turn Rate |
0.5 |
| Move Speed |
295 |
Base Attack Time (BAT) |
1.7 |
| Attack Range |
150 (melee) |
Attack Animations |
0.55 / 0.55 |
Note on Vision: Uniquely inverse to most heroes, Balanar possesses 800 day vision and an extensive 1800 night vision.
Hero Skills Breakdown
1. Void
Creates a damaging void. If cast at night, slows the target. Slows for 1.25 seconds during the day. Slow enemy's move speed by 50% and reduce his attack speed by 50. Also stuns the target for 0.1 second if casted at night time. Deals magical damage.
- Damage Type: Magical
- Movement Speed Slow: 50% (Constant across all levels and times)
- Attack Speed Reduction: 50 (Constant across all levels and times)
- Daytime Slow Duration: 1.25 seconds (Constant across all levels)
- Nighttime Stun Duration: 0.1 second (Interrupts channeling spells)
- Aghanim's Scepter Upgrade: Turns Void into an instant Area of Effect (AoE) ability around Night Stalker with an increased stun duration.
| Skill Level |
Damage (Magical) |
Nighttime Slow Duration |
Cooldown |
Manacost |
| Level 1 |
90 |
2.5 seconds |
11 sec |
80 |
| Level 2 |
160 |
3.0 seconds |
10 sec |
90 |
| Level 3 |
255 |
3.5 seconds |
9 sec |
100 |
| Level 4 |
335 |
4.0 seconds |
8 sec |
110 |
2. Crippling Fear
Night Stalker horrifies all nearby enemies, causing them to become silenced while near him. The effect of ability lasts longer at night, and at daytime it only lasts 3 seconds.
- Mechanic: Aura-based Silence centered on the hero
- Daytime Duration: 3 seconds (Constant across all levels)
- Targeting: Affects all nearby enemies within proximity
| Skill Level |
Nighttime Silence Duration |
Cooldown |
Manacost |
| Level 1 |
4 seconds |
30 sec |
50 |
| Level 2 |
5 seconds |
25 sec |
50 |
| Level 3 |
6 seconds |
20 sec |
50 |
| Level 4 |
7 seconds |
15 sec |
50 |
3. Hunter in the Night
The Night Stalker is at home alt night. He attacks and moves more swiftly.
- Skill Nature: Passive Self-Buff
- Activation Condition: Active strictly during nighttime or while under the effects of Dark Ascension
| Skill Level |
Bonus Movement Speed |
Bonus Attack Speed |
Cooldown |
Manacost |
| Level 1 |
22% |
20 |
Passive |
0 |
| Level 2 |
28% |
40 |
Passive |
0 |
| Level 3 |
34% |
60 |
Passive |
0 |
| Level 4 |
40% |
80 |
Passive |
0 |
4. Dark Ascension
Night Stalker smothers the sun and summons instant darkness, so that he might use his powers at their fullest. Nightstalker gains flight and bonus damage during this time. Has unobstructed vision.
- Duration: 30 seconds
- Movement Mechanic: Grants full flight capabilities (allows crossing cliffs, trees, and terrain obstacles)
- Vision Quality: Grants unobstructed vision (ignores trees, high ground, and structures)
- Environmental Effect: Forces an instantaneous global shift to nighttime for the skill's duration
| Skill Level |
Bonus Raw Damage |
Cooldown |
Manacost |
| Level 1 |
50 |
140 sec |
125 |
| Level 2 |
100 |
130 sec |
175 |
| Level 3 |
150 |
120 sec |
2225 |
Item Build Guide
| Phase |
Recommended Items |
Strategic Purpose |
| Early Game |
Phase Boots, Urn of Shadows, Bracer |
Phase Boots augment his terrifying night chasing speed and grant raw damage. Urn of Shadows capitalizes on his non-stop early ganking schedule, providing mana regen, armor, and active heals/damage charges. |
| Core Items |
Aghanim's Scepter, Echo Sabre, Black King Bar |
Aghanim's Scepter changes Void into a powerful instant AoE spell to control teamfights while maximizing his unobstructed night vision. Echo Sabre adds double-hit burst and mana sustainability, while BKB guarantees he cannot be locked down while flying. |
| Late Game |
Assault Cuirass, Abyssal Blade, Nullifier |
Assault Cuirass synergizes with his high attack speed by lowering enemy armor. Abyssal Blade gives him a reliable magic-immunity-piercing hard lock, and Nullifier stops targets from escaping via defensive items like Ghost Scepter or Force Staff. |
Quick Gameplay Tips
- The Channel-Breaking Micro-Stun: Remember that Void only triggers its 0.1-second ministun if it is cast during the night. During day cycles, it only applies a regular movement and attack speed slow. If you need to stop an enemy's Town Portal Scroll escape or a channeling ultimate (like Enigma's Black Hole) during the day, you must activate Dark Ascension first to force nighttime before hitting them with Void.
- Abusing Unobstructed Flight: When Dark Ascension is active, your vision completely ignores high ground elevation and tree structures, and you gain absolute flight. Use this mechanical advantage to bypass traditional observer ward spots, scale directly into the enemy's high-ground base behind their towers, or trap slippery heroes hiding inside the treeline.
