You're Playing Phantom Assassin Wrong in Dota 2

Summary

In the video, Talini discusses the impact of the 7.36 update on Phantom Assassin's popularity in Dota 2, focusing on the changes to her blur ability and the introduction of new facets. The 'Veiled One' facet, resembling her traditional playstyle, and the 'Methodical' facet, requiring a strategic approach, are compared. Talini explains how the Methodical facet, despite its initial unpopularity, offers benefits in critical damage and farm efficiency, encouraging a more controlled playstyle. The video also covers item builds, skill progression, and the importance of adapting to the new meta for Phantom Assassin players.

Takeaways

• 😎 Phantom Assassin experienced a decline in popularity due to changes in her blur ability and the release of new facets.
• 🔍 The blur ability was crucial for Phantom Assassin's early game and survivability, but it was removed in patch 7.36.
• 💎 Players initially preferred the 'Veiled One' facet due to its familiarity with Phantom Assassin's traditional playstyle.
• 🛠 The 'Methodical' facet was initially seen as a downgrade, but it was later buffed to improve its critical strike mechanics.
• 📈 Pros tend to prefer the 'Methodical' facet for its consistency and predictability in dealing critical damage.
• 🎯 The 'Methodical' facet requires a change in playstyle, focusing on consistent damage output rather than relying on chance for critical strikes.
• 🚀 With the 'Methodical' facet, Phantom Assassin's farming efficiency is increased, allowing for faster acquisition of key items like Battle Fury.
• 🛡️ The item build for Phantom Assassin shifts towards more defensive options like Black King Bar and Manta Style, especially with the 'Methodical' facet.
• ⏰ The 'Methodical' facet helps Phantom Assassin join mid-game team fights more effectively and stay in them longer.
• 🤔 The choice between facets depends on personal preference and playstyle, with 'Veiled One' offering a more traditional approach and 'Methodical' demanding a more strategic play.

Q & A

What was the impact of Phantom Assassin's new facet and the removal of her blur ability on her popularity?

Phantom Assassin experienced a significant decline in popularity due to the new facet and the dismantling of her blur ability, which was a staple for her gameplay, allowing her to avoid detection and take risks in the lane.

Why did players prefer the Veiled One facet over Methodical in patch 7.36?

Players preferred the Veiled One facet because it resembled the traditional playstyle of Phantom Assassin, while the Methodical facet was seen as a downgrade due to its reliance on getting a number of hits before dealing critical damage.

How did the buff in patch 7.36a affect the Methodical facet?

In patch 7.36a, the Methodical facet was buffed by making Phantom Assassin's daggers count as two attacks towards Krass, which helped to distinguish it from the Veiled One facet.

What is the main difference between the Veiled One and Methodical facets in terms of gameplay?

The Veiled One facet allows for more traditional Phantom Assassin gameplay with a focus on evasion and quick strikes, while the Methodical facet requires a more strategic approach, focusing on consistent critical damage and sustained fights.

How does the Methodical facet affect Phantom Assassin's early and mid-game farming?

The Methodical facet hastens Phantom Assassin's farming by providing a guaranteed critical strike every four attacks, allowing for faster jungle clearing and earlier acquisition of key items like Battle Fury.

What is the recommended item build for Phantom Assassin with the Methodical facet?

With the Methodical facet, the recommended item build includes Battle Fury for damage, mana, and health regeneration, and Black King Bar for attack speed and disable resistance. High-level players often opt for more defensive items like San Jasha or Manta Style items instead of Desolator.

Why do professional players prefer the Methodical facet over the Veiled One?

Professional players prefer the Methodical facet for its consistency in dealing critical damage, allowing for more precise timing when to engage in fights.

How does the Methodical facet change the way Phantom Assassin approaches team fights?

The Methodical facet encourages a more methodical approach to team fights, focusing on building up attack stacks with Stifling Dagger before committing with Phantom Strike, rather than relying on chance for double critical strikes.

What is the significance of the level 10 talent choice for Phantom Assassin with the Methodical facet?

With the Methodical facet, the level 10 talent that increases attack speed during Phantom Strike is more beneficial than the talent that reduces the cooldown of Stifling Dagger, as it allows for more consistent critical damage during crucial fight moments.

How does the Methodical facet affect Phantom Assassin's evasion ability?

The Methodical facet's evasion ability is now part of Phantom Assassin's innate ability, making it immune to being stopped by Silver Edge and only vulnerable to true strike effects from items like Bloodthorn and Manta Style.