Shendelzare Silkwood, the Vengeful Spirit: Skills and Item Build Guide — DotA 1

Shendelzare Silkwood, the Vengeful Spirit, is one of the most versatile and impactful Agility heroes in DotA 1. Primarily utilized as a premier roaming support and initiator, her kit is packed with reliable crowd control, armor reduction, and high-impact utility. Thanks to an incredible Agility growth, Shendelzare can transition seamlessly into a physical damage dealer as the game progresses. Her signature ultimate makes her an unparalleled playmaker, capable of completely disrupting enemy positioning or saving allies at the cost of her own life.


Base Stats & Attributes

Hero Attributes

Attribute Base Value Growth (per level)
Strength 19 +2.4
Agility 20 +3.8
Intelligence 17 +1.5

Statistics & Mechanics

Statistic Value Mechanic Value
Damage 41-49 Base HP Regen 0.25/s
HP 580 HP Regen +2.15/s
MP 278 MP Regen +0.96/s
Armor 2.9 Turn Rate 0.6
Move Speed 285 Base Attack Time (BAT) 1.7
Attack Range 400 Attack Animations 0.33 / 0.64

Note: Vengeful Spirit attacks using a ranged projectile with a missile speed of 1500 units per second.


Hero Skills Breakdown

1. Magic Missile

A magic missile is thrown at an enemy unit, stunning it and causing magical damage.

  • Damage Type: Magical
  • Targeting: Single Target (Enemy)
Level Magical Damage Stun Duration Cast Range Cooldown Manacost
1 90 1.4 seconds 575 12 sec 100
2 180 1.5 seconds 600 11 sec 110
3 270 1.6 seconds 625 10 sec 120
4 360 1.7 seconds 650 9 sec 130

2. Wave of Terror

Shendelzare lets loose a wicked cry, terrorizing enemy units with a wave that grants vision as it travels toward a point. The wave deals minor pure damage and decreases the armor of foes.

  • Damage Type: Pure
  • Vision Type: Flying Vision (along the path of the wave)
  • Debuff Duration: 8 seconds
Level Pure Damage Armor Reduction Cooldown Manacost
1 60 3 16 sec 25
2 80 4 14 sec 30
3 100 5 12 sec 35
4 120 6 10 sec 40

3. Vengeance

Increases nearby units' damage. When Vengeful Spirit dies, the enemy receives the reverted effect of this aura, which decreases the damage of their own allies.

  • Aura Type: Passive (Affects nearby allied units)
  • On-Death Effect: Applies a passive debuff to the unit that killed Vengeful Spirit, reducing the damage of nearby enemy units.
Level Base Damage Bonus Enemy Damage Reduction Cooldown Manacost
1 12% 12% Passive 0
2 18% 18% Passive 0
3 24% 24% Passive 0
4 30% 30% Passive 0

4. Nether Swap

Instantaneously swaps positions with a target Hero.

  • Targeting Type: Unit Target (Allied or Enemy Heroes)
  • Interrupt Property: Instantly interrupts channeling spells on both the target and Shendelzare.
  • Aghanim's Scepter Upgrade: Dramatically improves cooldown and allows targeting of non-hero creeps. Additionally, upon death, Vengeful Spirit spawns a Vengeance Illusion. This illusion lasts until she revives, deals 100% damage, and can use all of her abilities (cannot use items).
Level Swap Range Standard Cooldown Scepter Cooldown Manacost
1 700 45 sec 10 sec 100
2 850 45 sec 10 sec 150
3 1000 45 sec 10 sec 200

Item Build Guide

Phase Recommended Items Strategic Purpose
Early Game Boots of Speed, Magic Wand, Bracer Boots of Speed help mitigate her slow 285 base movement speed. Magic Wand provides survival bursts during early skirmishes, and a Bracer increases her early-game health pool to execute aggressive swaps.
Core Items Arcane Boots, Force Staff, Medallion of Courage Arcane Boots sustain her expensive mana costs. Force Staff provides mobility to escape or reposition after using Nether Swap. Medallion of Courage stacks flat armor reduction alongside Wave of Terror to shred targets.
Late Game Aghanim's Scepter, Desolator, Assault Cuirass Aghanim's Scepter is the ultimate utility upgrade, giving her a 10-second swap cooldown and spawning a powerful spellcasting illusion on death. Desolator and Assault Cuirass amplify physical damage output and offer immense armor reduction.

Quick Gameplay Tips

  • Wave Vision for Scouting: Wave of Terror provides flying vision along its path. Use it to safely check high-ground areas, scout the Roshan pit from a distance, or keep track of juking enemies inside the trees without putting yourself in danger.
  • Pre-cast Swap Channel Breaks: Nether Swap instantly interrupts channeling spells. If an enemy hero like Enigma or Crystal Maiden initiates with their ultimate, you can use Nether Swap on them from up to 1000 units away to immediately cancel their spell and drag them into your team.
  • The Scepter Death Strategy: Once you have Aghanim's Scepter, dying is no longer the end of your contribution. The spawned Vengeance Illusion deals 100% of your damage and can cast all of your spells. Play aggressively, swap high-priority targets, and continue spamming stuns and armor reduction even after your physical body falls.