Introduction Top
Heroic Perk Top
|
|
Shadows Empower Me - This is Krul's heroic perk. When activated, it gives him a temporary speed boost after standing still in a brush for 1.5 seconds. Hitting an enemy hero while the speed boost is activated will give the target a temporary slow pace. Dying in a brush will give you a temporary speed boost at the moment you respawn, too. |
|
Ability Overview Top
|
|
|
Dead Man's Rush - This is Krul's first ability. When activated, Krul will dash to assigned target, which gives himself a health barrier. Upgrading this ability gives a higher health barrier, so I recommend upgrading this at levels 2, 3, 5, 9, and 11.
When to use
Dead Man's Rush:
- If enemy is helpless, isolated, and fragile.
- If heroic perk is ready to use, to give the enemy a slow pace and dramatically reduce enemy's health.
- If with a teammate or two.
- If enemy has low HP.
When NOT to use:
- If enemy is with a teammate or two.
- If enemy is nearby an enemy turret.
|
|
|
Spectral Smite - This is Krul's second ability. Do you ever notice the skull with 8 fires appearing when you lay a hit on your target, and one fire lights up every single hit you lay on the target? I don't know what it's called, but having all 8 fires lit is the best opportunity to use
 Spectral Smite. It will give the enemy some great damage, and increase your health.
Spectral Smite is recommended to upgrade at levels 2, 5, 7, 8, and 10.
When to use
Spectral Smite:
- If all 8 fires light up.
- If your health is too low.
- If enemy is isolated, and fragile.
When NOT to use:
- If all 8 fires aren't lit yet (you can use it if your health is too low and too late to get all 8 fires light up).
- If enemy is nearby an enemy turret.
|
|
|
|
|
From Hell's Heart - This is Krul's third ability, which when triggered, the blade that impales Krul starts spinning in the air, and returns back to him, stunning any enemy hero in the path of the spinning blade. The longer the blade is in the air, the longer the stun on the enemy will be if the enemy gets hit by it. I recommend hitting the blade on the enemy whenever it is on its return path, for a longer stun. I recommend upgrading this ability at levels 6, and 12, but I don't recommend to upgrade it to its overdrive, since upgrading
Spectral Smite and
Dead Man's Rush to their overdrives are better. This ability can be used anytime, so I don't need to make a list of when to use it or not.
|
Build for Defense Top
In some cases, you might find out that other players use
Serpent Mask. They're very annoying, especially when they have
Tornado Trigger, too. This is the reason why I decided to make a guide for you guys out there, if you have trouble with people using
Serpent Mask. Here's my recommended build for you.
Early Game
|
|
At the start of the game, I recommend buying either
 Swift Shooter, or
 Ironguard Contract, to help against annoying kill stealers. I also recommend buying 2
 Halcyon Potion (s), or 2
 Flare Gun (s). After your first jungle invade, you should buy either
 Minion's Foot or
 Blazing Salvo. This is to reduce the cost of
Tornado Trigger. This is when you start helping your ally laner, to fend off against the enemy laner (well, not directly fight, but just scare away). This helps your ally laner to focus on killing the enemy lane minions, which can increase the chance of getting the first enemy turret to half health, before the enemies invade again. After your 3rd jungle invade, you should be able to buy both
Blazing Salvo and
 Lucky Strike, and earn gold to buy
Tornado Trigger. Now that you've got +75% attack speed, people will start to intimidate you. The next thing you buy is
 Journey Boots, which is followed by
 Sprint Boots, and
 Travel Boots. This is where things start to get tense. |
|
Middle Game
Late Game
|
|
Now, in the late game, all things are in the climax of intensity. After buying your
 Breaking Point, the next things you can buy are
 Bonesaw,
 Aegis, or
 Eve of Harvest. But I'd recommend
Bonesaw, for additional armor pierce, weapon power, and attack speed. Buying
Aegis, on the other hand, can increase health, armor, and shield, but it decreases both weapon power and crystal power, which led me to think that I shouldn't recommend
Aegis.
Eve of Harvest on the other hand, strengthens the power of your abilities, gives you crystal lifesteal, and increased energy battery, so that you won't run out energy to cast your abilities. After you've bought one from the three, buy
 Metal Jacket for the last. It protects your health, but decreases your weapon power. This is why I recommended
Bonesaw and
Breaking Point, to increase weapon power. Now, you've got
Tornado Trigger,
Bonesaw, and
Breaking Point to increase the potential of
Serpent Mask, which can refill you health, which is supported by
Journey Boots, and portected by
Metal Jacket. Now, you've got the perfect build against
Serpent Mask users. I hope this helps! |
|
Lethal Serpent Mask Users Top
We've done the reviewing the build, so let's move on to threats that are intimidating to
Krul. Here's a list of the heroes, and how lethal they are with
Serpent Mask. This can be useful if you are trying to avoid getting neutralized with these lethal killers, and tips on how to survive them.
|
|
Koshka
FRIENDLY
Koshka isn't really a lethal user of
Serpent Mask, due to the fact that she doesn't buy
Tornado Trigger, but you have to worry about her crystal powers. Her
 Yummy Catnip Frenzy might put you down, so avoid her when she's with a teammate or two, and only if you have
Tornado Trigger and
Serpent Mask with you. |
|
Petal
FRIENDLY
Petal might be a long-ranged shooter, and her third ability can put you down. But she isn't good with
Serpent Mask as well, because she isn't just cut out for it. No offense to
Petal users, though. Only engage her with your ally laner, and fend off for the win. |
|
Joule
FRIENDLY
Joule might be intimidating, but as
Krul,
Joule isn't a big deal after all. She isn't a skilled at
Serpent Mask as well, due to the fact that her recommended items are much different from Krul's.
|
|
|
Adagio
FRIENDLY
Adagio is a healer. He heals teammates and burns you on fire. But he isn't cut out to be a
Serpent Mask user, too. I'm sure he can heal, but he is more in crystal power, not weapon power.
Eve of Harvest is also a lifesteal item, but
Serpent Mask has more, and Krul's extra lifesteal ability makes him not a big deal. |
|
Ardan
FRIENDLY
Ardan also gives health barriers, but he's not more on attack speed and lifesteal. He can kill you during early game, but as long as you've got your
Serpent Mask, you're right about fine.
Ardan isn't strong enough to blow you off during mid and late game, which makes him deserve to be on this level of the threat meter. |
|
Celeste
FRIENDLY
Celeste might be long-ranged shooter, but she's more on crystal power, since she runs out of energy battery for just a small while. She isn't cut out for
Serpent Mask because of the lack of
Tornado Trigger. She might buy those two items, but it happens rarely. Only engage with ally laner, since her
 Heliogenesis ability can beat you down.
|
|
|
Skaarf
FRIENDLY
Skaarf is the bug-like dragon who roams the Halcyon Fold. He can burn, and neutralize enemies. But for me, he isn't also cut out for
Serpent Mask. But you have to respond against his buiilds, like as usual. But do not underestimate this guy, he can also wreck you in early game, though. |
|
Glaive
SKILLED
Glaive can be quite a deal when he does his stunning ability to you, especially when he throws you to an enemy turret. It's very annoying, but hey, he can also be quite a good
Serpent Mask because of
 Sorrowblade, which increases the potential of
Serpent Mask due to increased weapon damage. Avoid him at early game, strike him during late game. |
|
Fortress
SKILLED
Fortress is a big guy, especially when he has bought some crystal and weapon power. Weapon power can support the potential of
Serpent Mask, too. This is due to the increased damage, which also increases the lifesteal ability. Watch out for him at early gane, he can cast out his abilities, which gives a somewhat rabies thing (sorry if I don't know). But hey, you can defeat him later in the game, too.
|
|
|
Catherine
SKILLED
Catherine is cunning, she can stun, sprint, and shut her enemies up from using abilities. She's dangerous, because she depends on tank builds. She might be good with
Serpent Mask user because she's more on health. Just watch out for her in early game, engage her during late game. |
|
Ringo
SKILLED
Ringo has the adventage of being a long-ranged shooter, and his third ability. But there's something to worry about him when it comes to
Serpent Mask. He might has
Tornado Trigger for his recommendations, and attack speed, but Krul's extra lifesteal SHOULD handle
Ringo. Just watch out because he can slow you down, so slow him down too, using your heroic perk, and as long as you have bought the middle game items. |
|
SAW
SKILLED
SAW is cunning when it comes to his abilities. They can throw lots of damage, and slow you down. And he can be a great
Serpent Mask user, too! I mean, he's a gunner like
Ringo, which means that
Tornado Trigger can be good for him too, which then increases the potential of having
Serpent Mask. Never underestimate
SAW, he can beat you to bits.
|
|
|
Phinn
SKILLED
Phinn is said to be the unstoppable tank. His health is so durable, that even
Serpent Mask without attack speed is helpful for him. He can't be stunned, which makes
From Hell's Heart useless. He's impenetratable, and him using his third skill on you is so annoying. He's a lethal
Serpent Mask user, especially when he's starting to have a high amount of health. |
|
Rona
SKILLED
Rona is a toughest female warrior roaming the Halcyon Fold. She can kill
Krul herself, too. Her, casting her third skill on you is quite a trouble, especially when with
Serpent Mask. Her health instantly increases as she uses her third ability when with
Serpent Mask. Avoid her during mid-game, engage her during late game. |
|
Skye
SKILLED
Skye is a laner, and she is a rapid sniper.
Skye can kill
Krul with
 Death From Above. Avoid her when she gets this ability during mid-game. When she uses her rapid barrage skill, her health also rapidly increases every hit, when having
Serpent Mask. She's lethal with it, so try to get
Serpent Mask as fast as you can, when you see her buying
 Book of Eulogies and
 Weapon Blade.
|
|
|
Vox
SKILLED
Vox is a long-ranged shooter. Even if the recommended attack speed is quite low, his weapon power can increase the potential of
Serpent Mask. He can be killed during late game, but you have to avoid him and only engage when with ally laner. |
|
Taka
AGGRESSIVE
Taka is the sneaky ninja of all Halcyon-born creatures. He can hide from enemies and he's actually hard to aim whenever he's moving fast. His
 X-Retsu can beat you up, and his
 Kaku is so annoying. So whenever he becomes your enemy, bring flares with you in case he ambushes you w/
Kaku and
X-Retsu. And hey, his weapon power and attack speed is highly recommended for him, which totally increases the potential of
Serpent Mask. So I'd recommend lots of attack speed and weapon power with weapon lifesteal to defeat him. |
|
Krul
AGGRESSIVE
Krul is the nightmare of the jungle.
Krul vs.
Krul fights don't seem to usually end, whenever they both have the same build and strength ot abilities. Always try to avoid
From Hell's Heart Especially when the blade is on its return path. He's the lethal
Serpent Mask user, due to his extra lifesteal abilities. This is the build I recommend for you to kill him, especially when having
Serpent Mask. This build is nearly unstoppable, and only 3v1 battles or being against
Krul can defeat you.
|
Battle Samples Top
|
|
 |
Need more proof? You better look at the image to the left. As you can see, I have
Tornado Trigger,
Journey Boots,
Serpent Mask,
Breaking Point,
Bonesaw, and
Metal Jacket. The enemy
Rona has a
Sorrowblade, which increases the potential of her
Serpent Mask. The enemy
Skye, on the other hand, has a
Tornado Trigger and two
Serpent Mask (s)! But I have
Tornado Trigger,
Bonesaw, and
Breaking Point, which increases my attack speed for 150%, but I only have one
Serpent Mask, and still, I got to beat the hell out of the two-
Serpent Mask user. This proves that attack speed is the number one capable of increasing the potential of
Serpent Mask.
|
|
|
As you can see on this image on the right, I'm battling out a 1v1 battle with my friend, Marco. I use the build I put up here on the guide, and the enemy uses two
Serpent Mask (s), and a
Sorrowblade. But here's where he's wrong (no offense to Marco, if you're reading this): he could've gotten either attack speed or weapon power FIRST before he builds
Serpent Mask. Getting
Serpent Mask first before attack speed or weapon power is a hassle, especially when the enemy rushes buying 2
Serpent Mask (s), just like what my friend did, which game me the opportunity to kill him lots of times (well, I do give him chances to build an attack speed item or a weapon power item). |
|
Questions to Ponder Top
Here, we discuss about "why"s and "can"s on this build. I'm going to answer some question that might be in your mind. If you think you have a question, feel free to post them in the discussion of this guide, and I'll answer it right here.
Why Use Bonesaw?
|
|
Bonesaw increases attack speed, weapon power, and it can shatter the enemy's armor for 6 seconds. Using this item a good idea against
Ardan,
Catherine, or
Phinn who are the tanks of the Halcyon Fold. Having
Bonesaw is also a factor on increasing the potential of
Serpent Mask due to its increased weapon power and increased attack speed. |
|
Can We Build Breaking Point First before Anything Else?
Can We Use Ironguard Contract
Ironguard Contract is good to use during early game.
Krul has a weak early game, and an unbeatable late game. So I recommend you to keep
Ironguard Contract during early game and late game, to get extra gold, and help other farm. Sell it before you start building
Bonesaw, and don't settle for Warhorn or
 Contraption, because I don't recommend those items, due to waste of time and gold. Having
Ironguard Contract helps you by at least 1500 gold before selling it, so I recommend this item. |
|
Why Breaking Point?
Advantages & Disadvantages Top
Krul's strength depends on how the user uses him, which can lead to advantages and disadvantages when playing. Here is a list of the advantages and disadvantages of pros, amateurs, and beginners, when they use
Krul.
|
|
PROFESSIONALS
- Able to fully utilize given abilities.
- Able to avoid death during early game.
- Able to fully utilize heroic perk.
- Able to handle 2v1 battles in late game.
- Able to buy entire build before 25 minute mark.
- Able to dominate the jungle alone.
- Able to handle 1v1 battles against
Krul.
- Able to retreat during the correct time.
- Able to save teammates from danger.
|
|
AMATEURS
- Able to utilize given abilities.
- Unable to avoid death during early game.
- Able to buy entire build before 30 minute mark.
- Able to handle 2v1 battles in late game.
- Able to utilize heroic perk.
- Unable to handle 1v1 battles against
Krul.
- Unable to retreat during the correct time.
- Unable to save teammates from danger.
- Unable to fully control vision.
|
|
BEGINNERS
- Unable to utilize given abilities.
- Nearly impossible to avoid death during early game.
- Never able to buy full build before game ends.
- Never able to handle 2v1 battles.
- Still able to utilize heroic perk.
- Never manages to retreat when needed.
- Unable to save teammates from danger.
- Unable to control vision around the map.
|
Extra Tips Top
Here are some of the few tips that I would like to share you, based from my own experiences through the times I've used
Krul. I hope this one heps you, too.
The Kraken
Capturing the kraken is what is in the people's minds when the 15 minute mark has passed. They start to build lots of WP, CP, or tank items, so that they can avoid being aced. There maybe are lots of people there giving the advice to you that you should only start capturing the Kraken whenever you ace the enemy.
|
|
As you can see on the image to the right, We've aced the enemy, so I started capturing the Kraken. The enemies can't do anything else but just watch. Krul can capture just by himself, due to his lifetseal powers and health barriers. As you can see on the bottom left corner of the image, I have my full build, which can easily take care of the Kraken. Sometimes, the enemy starts attacking the Kraken even without acing you. When this happens, head to the giant brush next to the Kraken and do your best to anticipate the last hit. When you don't, the enemy will unleash the Kraken, and you have to kill the enemies and start killing off the Kraken, to avoid your turrets from being destroyed. |
|
People overestimate the Kraken. When you unleash the Kraken, it doesn't mean that she can handle everything. She needs backup and support, too. But when the enemy unleashes the Kraken, it isn't over. The Kraken can be killed, so don't surrender. Having the Kraken on your side can destroy at least 1 enemy turret, so she needs support, too.
|
|
 Me and the rest of the team giving backup and support to the Kraken. |
|
 A desperate enemy,
Taka, attempted to anticipate the last hit on the Kraken, but ally
Ringo was skilled enough to make him run away scared.
|
Atlas Pauldron
Quick Comment (5) View Comments
You need to log in before commenting.