Mage build guide
Mages deal big damage with skills. The key: enough damage to finish a target, while staying alive until your next skill is ready.
Beginner questions
When should I buy Glowing Wand?
When the enemy has 2 or more heroes who heal or shield (for example Estes, Rafaela, Angela), or when their tanks and fighters have lots of HP. Usually the 2nd or 3rd item. If every enemy is squishy, a burst item like Lightning Truncheon or Holy Crystal usually does more.
Which item do I buy first?
Boots, then one core item. For beginners Clock of Destiny is the safest, since it adds durability and restores mana. Burst mages who rely on combos can pick Lightning Truncheon.
Why is my damage low late game?
Usually the enemy has bought magic defense by then. Divine Glaive pierces magic defense and shines late game.
I always die first. What should I buy?
One defensive item early: Winter Crown (brief immunity, use it when an assassin jumps you) or Immortality (a second life). Mind your position too: mages stand behind the tank or fighter.
Does Kimmy build like other mages?
Kimmy is a hybrid: her damage is magic but comes from attacks like a marksman's. Magic items with attack speed (Feather of Heaven, Concentrated Energy) usually suit her better than pure burst items.
Buy order
The usual order; adapt it to how the game goes
1. Early: boots
Arcane Boots for damage, Demon Shoes if you run out of mana in lane, Magic Shoes if your skills have long cooldowns.
2. First core item
Pick one to suit your style: Clock of Destiny (safe, mana), Lightning Truncheon (burst combos), Genius Wand (early damage), Enchanted Talisman (skill spam, good for support mages).
3. Power spike
Holy Crystal gives the most magic power and scales with level; usually your 3rd or 4th item.
4. Situational
Items 4 and 5 answer the enemy lineup: see the table below.
5. Survive
One defensive item late game, or earlier if you keep dying.
What the stats mean
What to look at in the item shop
- Magic Power
- Raises skill damage. A mage's main stat.
- Magic Penetration
- Ignores part of the enemy's magic defense. The tougher their defense, the more it helps.
- Cooldown Reduction
- Skills come back faster. The cap is 40% (45% with Enchanted Talisman); anything over it is wasted.
- Mana
- Fuel for your skills. If you keep running dry, pick an item that restores mana.
- HP & defense
- Keeps you alive through one combo. One defensive item often helps more than a sixth damage item.
Read the enemy lineup
The enemy has this → buy this
The enemy has 2+ heroes with heals or shields
Cuts the enemy's healing and shields.
The enemy has tanks or fighters with lots of HP
Burns a share of max HP: the more HP they have, the more it hurts.
The enemy starts buying magic defense (Athena's Shield, Radiant Armor)
Big magic penetration, stronger against high magic defense.
You keep running out of mana
Restores mana so you can keep casting.
Enemies easily escape your skills
Skills that hit also slow the enemy.
Assassins or burst keep killing you first
A moment of immunity or a second life buys your team time to strike back.
The enemy has burst mages
Reduces magic damage after the first hit lands.
Tips
- Don't save up for an expensive item: buy its components first so the stats help right away.
- Far ahead? Buy damage. Dying a lot? Buy a defensive item first.
- Check your build again mid-game: the enemy lineup decides items 4 to 6.
General guidance for beginners, not pro builds. Item effects can change every patch: check the item details in game.