Krobelus, the Death Prophet: Ultimate Skills and Item Build Guide — DotA 1

Krobelus, the Death Prophet, is a formidable Intelligence-based push-specialist and sustained-damage dealer. Boasting high starting damage and excellent strength growth, she is remarkably durable for a caster, allowing her to stay in the frontline while her legion of spirits tears down enemy structures and heroes alike. Her playstyle revolves around applying relentless pressure, using her silence to neutralize threats, and siphoning health from her enemies to maintain her momentum, making her a terrifying force once she commits to a fight or siege.


2. Base Stats & Attributes

Hero Attributes

Attribute Base Value Growth (per level)
Strength 19 +3.1
Agility 14 +1.4
Intelligence 24 +3.5

Statistics & Mechanics

Statistic Value Mechanic Value
Damage 53-65 Base HP Regen 0.75/s
HP 580 HP Regen +2.65/s
MP 338 MP Regen +1.21/s
Armor 3 Turn Rate 0.5
Move Speed 320 Base Attack Time (BAT) 1.7
Attack Range 600 (missile: 1000) Attack Animations 0.56 / 0.51

3. Hero Skills Breakdown

1. Carrion Swarm

Krobelus sends forth a haunting horde of bats that travels in a straight line, damaging every enemy unit they encounter.

  • Damage Type: Magical
Level Magical Damage Cooldown Manacost
1 75 8 seconds 80
2 150 7 seconds 95
3 225 6 seconds 110
4 300 5 seconds 125

2. Silence

Krobelus invokes a curse upon a specific area, preventing all enemy units within its influence from casting their spells.

  • Area of Effect (AoE): 425 radius
  • Cast Range: 900 units
Level Silence Duration Cooldown Manacost
1 3 seconds 15 seconds 80
2 4 seconds 14 seconds 90
3 5 seconds 13 seconds 100
4 6 seconds 12 seconds 110

3. Spirit Siphon

Krobelus creates a metaphysical link between herself and an enemy unit, draining their vitality over time to restore her own health. This link persists unless the target moves beyond the break distance or expires.

  • Damage Type: Magical
  • Mechanic: Max health drain per second
Level Max Charges Health Drain per Second Cooldown (Replenish) Manacost
1 1 14 + 1% 36 seconds 80
2 2 14 + 2.5% 34 seconds 80
3 3 14 + 4% 32 seconds 80
4 4 15 + 5.5% 30 seconds 80

4. Exorcism

Krobelus releases a spectral army of evil spirits that swarm surrounding enemies. While active, the Death Prophet gains increased mobility. Upon the spell's conclusion, the spirits return to her, healing her based on the total damage dealt.

  • Damage Type: Smashing (Physical)
  • Unique Behavior: Grants 20% movement speed bonus; heals 25% of total damage dealt upon expiration
  • Duration: 35 seconds
Level Spirit Count Cooldown Manacost
1 8 145 seconds 200
2 16 145 seconds 300
3 24 145 seconds 400

4. Item Build Guide

Phase Recommended Items Strategic Purpose
Early Game Null Talisman, Bottle, Arcane Boots Provides mana sustain for constant Carrion Swarm usage and health sustain through Bottle for roaming.
Core Items Eul's Scepter, Aghanim's Shard, Kaya Eul's provides defensive utility and mana regen; Shard enhances Spirit Siphon; Kaya increases magic damage output.
Late Game Shiva's Guard, Black King Bar, Heart of Tarrasque Shiva's provides armor and slowing aura; BKB is mandatory to keep spirits out during fights; Heart provides extreme durability.

5. Quick Gameplay Tips

  • Spirit Siphon Baiting: Spirit Siphon is your primary survival tool. When being chased, drop your Siphons immediately; the combination of the drain and the constant healing you receive often forces enemies to abandon the chase or risk turning into a losing fight.
  • Tower Sieging: Exorcism is a devastating tower-sieging tool. Always activate it when your team is ready to push a lane. Even if the enemy team retreats, they cannot defend the tower easily without taking significant damage from the spirits, effectively granting you free objective control.
  • Silence Positioning: Because Silence has a significant cast range, do not feel forced to stand in the middle of a fight to cast it. Position yourself on the outskirts; timing your silence to catch multiple enemy supports or casters before a teamfight starts can single-handedly win the engagement before it truly begins.