Nathrezim Buckler: Classic DotA Allstars Item Guide

Within the classic DotA Allstars custom map for Warcraft III, Nathrezim Buckler functions as an efficient early-game defensive and supportive tool. By offering a solid boost to physical armor and attributes alongside an active protective buff, this item helps frontline heroes and supports mitigate physical damage during early skirmishes, tower dives, and pushes.


Section 1 - Item Stats, Auras, and Passive Bonuses

Nathrezim Buckler provides direct defensive attributes and an active area-of-effect defensive utility.

  • Direct Stats & Bonuses:
  • +5 Armor
  • +2 to All Stats (Agility, Intelligence, and Strength)
  • Active Ability (Protection):
  • Cooldown: 25 seconds
  • Mana Cost: 10 mana
  • Effect: Adds 2 bonus armor to allied units in 900 AoE for 15 seconds.

Net Carrier Bonus Summary: When held by a hero, Nathrezim Buckler directly provides +5 Armor and +2 to All Stats (Strength, Agility, and Intelligence), alongside the capability to activate a temporary armor buff for nearby teammates.


Section 2 - Recipe and Required Components

Assembling Nathrezim Buckler requires standard protective materials, a minor stat branch, and a shop recipe.

Component Gold Cost
Chainmail 550
Ironwood Branch 50
Recipe 200
Total Cost 800 gold

Resale Note: In classic DotA Allstars, selling Nathrezim Buckler returns half of its total purchase price (yielding 400 gold, as shown in the player inventory details).


Section 3 - Tactical Analysis and Strategic Impact

Nathrezim Buckler provides a strong physical damage counter during the early and mid-game phases:

  • Pushing and Towers: The active Protection ability allows friendly creep waves and pushing heroes to shrug off tower attacks more effectively, making early tower sieges much safer.
  • Physical Amplification & Defense: The flat +5 armor boost significantly increases the carrier's survivability against early physical attackers, while the active +2 armor bonus in a 900 AoE protects surrounding teammates from incoming physical burst damage.
  • Team Mitigation: With a low 25-second cooldown and a minimal mana cost of 10 mana, the item can be utilized frequently during skirmishes to consistently mitigate physical damage across team engagements.

Because Nathrezim Buckler provides cheap physical durability and utility, it is best built on frontline melee or supportive heroes:

  • Kunkka (Admiral Proudmoore): Utilizes the extra armor and attribute pool to stand safely on the frontline during early team fights and pushes.
  • Omniknight (Purist Thunderwrath): Complements his heavy damage-prevention kit with extra physical armor buffering for his allies.
  • Sand King (Crixalis): Benefits from the bonus armor and stats when jumping into enemy formations to unleash his epicenter.
  • Axe (Mogul Khan): Maximizes his early game tankiness and counter-attack potential by stacking physical armor components.

Conclusion

Nathrezim Buckler acts as a cost-effective building block and early utility item in DotA Allstars. Offering substantial armor and a spammable active protective buff for a low total cost, it ensures that supports and utility cores can anchor their teams against physical lineups during the early phases of the game.