So, you're here because you're relatively new to Lyra. Maybe you want to know why you're losing matches with her. Oh, I know! You're on a quest to learn how to execute the perfect combos!
Surely, questions like, "How to make full use of Imperial Sigil?" or "How to ruin your enemies' day with an Arcane Passage?" may or may not be bouncing around in your mind begging to be answered (just like a herd of Ameglian Major cows from Eoin Colfer's "And Another Thing" <HHGTTG2>).
Well, this is just the guide for you.
! Warning, contents not suitable for children under age 4. May contain traces of nuts and nuts. User caution is advised. !
How To Navigate My Guide.
You'll notice the icons arranged like this
This is a mark to indicate the end of a chapter and for me to show off my coding skills.
In case you're lost or you wanna skip to another specific chapter, be sure to tap/click on
And my (almost entirely Lyra) win streak thanks to this build:
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Ok, I'll admit that I posted them to brag a little (hey, it's hard work climbing from SA to POA). Then again, it's also proof that my build isn't some **** build, with the amount of success seen.
Lyra is a fantastic hero capable of flexing into any positions, with different builds accentuating different aspects of her kit. She has every thing - mobility, zoning tools, damage, protections and utility at her disposal, making her a well-rounded hero for anyone to pick up. Played in the right hands, Lyra can completely alter teamfight dynamics, creating openings and opportunities for her team to wield to their advantage.
Let's skim through Lyra's kit before we go into detail!
(Note that this is merely a quick introduction to Lyra's kit in its entirety. This is aimed at assisting players new to Lyra on understanding how her abilities work in general. Hop over to the next few chapters for an in-depth explanation on each and every part of her kit!)
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Heroic Perk - Principle Arcanum
Lyra's perk is nonetheless simple. Her auto attacks deal Crystal damage instead of the typical Weapon damage auto attacks are supposed to deal. If she doesn't move after releasing her first auto, she will channel and fire a second missile that deals a substantial amount of damage and slows the target briefly, at the cost of Energy. This is Lyra's primary source of damage and as such, try to constantly use this perk to harass your enemies when allowed. Just shoot 'em all with them missiles!!!
A Slot Ability - Imperial Sigil
Lyra's A slot ability is Imperial Sigil, the bread-and-butter of Lyra's kit. It makes supports go wet. Not only is it a point-click heal. It can also be used to deal Crystal damage, mess up the enemy team's positioning, speed up allies, and reveal anything in range. It's like a Swiss army knife, with less of the sharp, pointy ends. Due to its versatility, you can just pop it into some random location and gain an upper hand. Setting up teaamfights is a total breeze now! :D
B Slot Ability - Bright Buwlark
There are abilities deemed a nuisance to deal with. Bright Buwlark is one of them. In just a simple tap, Lyra unleashes a surge of negligible Crystal damage and, here's the fun part, creates a circular area around her that serves to prevent bloodthirsty baddies from dashing neither inwards or outwards. Enemies who dash inwards will find themselves smacked upwards by a partially invisible force with the sting of failure fresh on their cheeks. Dashing outwards is impossible at best, as everyone inside is snared and thus, are unable to use dashes. Allies are unaffected though, so don't worry.
Ultimate Ability - Arcane Passage
This is arguably my favourite abilty of all time. Upon activation, Lyra teleports towards a targetted location, leaving behind 2 portals for both allies and enemies to use. Arcane Passage is extremely useful in almost every occasion. It can be used as a means for the team to completely bypass terrain otherwise un-bypass-able. It provides Lyra and her team a secure exit if everything goes wrong. To add a final and not-so-common use, it can be used aggressively to muddle up the enemy team's engage/disengage. This'll be explained in the detailed chapter on Arcane Passage (with pictures!). It also increases your attack range like Baron's ultimate, just in case you didn't care to read the ability descriptions.
~~~~~~
Right! We've gone through the basic overview of Lyra's kit. Is it already enough to impress you into playing Lyra?
Here's some juicy info for you to wrap your head around!
Attack Speed
Principle Arcanum scales with attack speed. Building attack speed items like Swift Shooter and Blazing Salvo will alter her perk in a crazy way. Two ways, actually. In what ways, you ask?
Way Number One - An increase in attack speed will reduce the channel time for your heavy missile, allowing you to blast enemies faster within a given time frame compared to a Lyrawithout increased attack speed. Like all normal auto attack speed modifiers, the pause between normal auto attacks (as in light missiles) is also reduced. So yes, you can kite or stutter-step like any normal hero.
Way Number Two - An increase in attack speed (it never gets old, does it?) will also increase the speed at which your missiles travel. Don't believe me? Try it out in the field.
Weapon Lyra
If you're going for an off-meta Weapon Lyra (not exactly something I recommend but you do you), it's recommended to cast your heavy missiles sparingly as both light and heavy autos deal the same, measly amount of Weapon damage. 10. A friggen 10. And that's if enemies are without Armor. That's a very big IF.
Don't despair from trying out Weapon Lyra though. Her crit animations are on point. Kudos to the devs at the Lair for producing such wonderful animations!!!
Ah, if it isn't Atlas Pauldron. This is the bane of almost every Weapon carry. How, though, is it relevant as a topic for Lyra?
You see, Atlas Pauldron can heavily negate her from fully utilizing Principle Arcanum. Why? Because her arcane missiles are tied directly towards her attack speed. Reduced attack speed would mean reduced missiles, both heavy and light. As her missiles are one of the 2 main sources of damage, Lyra's damage output would be severely hindered for a moment. Connect the dots, people.
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Having explained the hidden intricacies a typical player might not have known, here's a trick for you.
This image shows me doing something similar to stutter-stepping. Directly after firing your heavy missile, move like how you would normally move after an auto attack. There's still a slight delay after Lyra releases her heavy missile before she resets her auto attack cooldown, so it'd be nothing but a waste of time standing there or waiting until the animation ends. Anticipate your heavy missile and, the instant it is released, move immediately. Simple as that. You want to reduce idle time as much as possible.
After a delay, an Imperial Sigil is formed in the targetted location. Allies (if their health is anywhere below their max health) are healed every second, while enemies (regardless of health amount) will be dealt with Crystal damage every second.
You can then choose to either detonate the sigil manually or let it sit there for the rest of its duration before it detonates on its own. Upon detonation, the sigil deals a burst of Crystal damage to all enemies within its radius and provides a move speed bonus to all allied heroes. If the sigil is detonated manually, it consumes whatever healing it has left in its reserve and heals all allied heroes within by 50% of the consumed healing.
Confusing, eh?
Let's assume your Imperial Sigil heals for 1000 health max. Assuming you detonate it the moment it forms, you would provide a burst heal of 500 health only. This is the only thing you have to take note of when deciding on whether or not to detonate your sigils to save your ally.
Healing
Healing is a piece of cake: just tap onto an area in range and HUZZAH! anyone inside is healed back to the pink of health!
Welp, it's not as simple as it seems.
For one, you have to cast it in a location that maximizes healing.
With that in mind, try to master casting it onto a location that allows your laner to last-hit creeps without killing off minions inside by accident.
Or something like this in teamfights to avoid wasting your sigil's health reserve on halved damage.
That's not it. You'll have to know when to detonate Imperial Sigil early and when not to.
If presented with the tough choice between healing and damaging, try to prioritize healing over using your sigil for damage.
Offense
Never underestimate the amount of damage a single sigil dishes out, or you'd be left with half a can of beer and less than half your liv - err, I meant your health.
Offense can be a broad term. It could mean something along the lines of psychological offense. It could mean something along the lines of fists and sticks. Whatever it is, everyone loves being on the giving end but never on the receiving end. A bit odd, don't you think?
The go-to way to offend your enemies would be casting Imperial Sigil directly onto them. The damage serves as a deterrent to your enemies from huddling around in that dark corner.
Here is an example of forcing the enemy laner to farm closer to their jungle.
If your allied jungler is about to flank the opposing laner, doing this increases the chance of a succesful gank. However, do note that you'd have expended your Imperial Sigil offensively and should your team fail to gank, enemies will have an easy time turning the tip of the blade around.
Psychological warfare can also work. Just drop that sigil onto your laner before returning to your jungler. Unless the enemy team has vision on you, their laner would assume you're in the brush or somewhere close and as such, would opt out of getting aggressive or maybe even ganking. Essentially, you're messing your enemies' minds by being omnipresent!!! How cool is that?
Utility
Now, onto the part that makes Imperial Sigil such a flexible tool. We're not gonna talk about the speed boost, as anyone with eyes can register the sudden burst of magical speed when the sigil detonates. No, we'll talk about vision.
When you're about to roam back to your jungle, you can cast your sigil in another way aside from dropping it onto your ally or your enemy. Cast it into the enemy's mustache bush and let it sit for as long as possible as a part flare, part scout trap kinda thing.
Here's an example:
Now you get sufficient warning about enemy advancements!
This flare-trap hybrid can also help you steal your enemies' farm!
Bright Bulwark Stands Strong Even After The Nerf Storm Top
After a short delay (like, so short you don't even know it's a delay), Lyra deals a surge of Crystal damage in a wide area around her, slowing all enemies within range. Afterwards, the area is sealed shut by some dark sorcery.
Attached here is the much dreaded image of every Ardan's nightmare.
Should any one of the baddies touch the wall, they take the same amount of damage and are slowed too. Enemy dashes are interrupted (and they're affected the same way a baddie walks into a wall) when they try to enter the area. Enemies on the inside are snared, meaning their automatic movement abilities have temporarily abandoned them. As a side note, this ability does not disable movement-speed-increasing abilities.
You may be wondering, "Why the odd title for this chapter?!"
You see, the old Bright Bulwark, when overdriven, used to last for 6 whole seconds. It was then tweaked to 2.5 seconds. One day, the devs at SEMC went, 'Hmm...2.5 seconds is still a little too long. Let's cut it down to 2!' Such was Bright Bulwark's sad fate. It then received another whammy when its slow was reduced from 50% to the current 20%.
On the bright side, at least it didn't have the 20 something cooldown anymore! :D
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Let's see how it affects every hero.
Unaffected, with feelings of disgust.
A and B Silenced and disrupted on collision.
A, B and Ult Silenced and disrupted on collision. If Ardan casts Gauntlet and hits the wall, he'll center it around his disrupted location. Due to both abilities having identical radius, Ardan will stun Lyra if she doesn't move.
Unaffected.
B Silenced. Jump Jets inwards will be disrupted unless Overdriven.
Ult Silenced and disrupted. Trespass will still deal damage and Stun even when disrupted.
Unaffected.
A Silenced. If Fortress pounces before passing through the wall, Truth of the Tooth is disrupted. If he enters the area before pouncing, it remains unaffected.
A Silenced and disrupted. Glaive can still apply the Stun and Knockback even if disrupted.
A and B Silenced and disrupted. Into the Fray will cause the eruption at point of collision.
Embarassed, but otherwise unaffected.
Generally unaffected. Backwards roll after shanking can be disrupted from either side. (In to Out // Out to In)
Unaffected.
B Silenced and disrupted. Missiles will still land.
A and Ult Silenced. Kaiten will not be disrupted if Taka flips into the area. Like Krul, X-Retsu will be cast if no additional command is input so long as Taka enters the area beforehand.
A Silenced and disrupted. Autos will still be cast.
Arcane Passages Are Definitely Not Overpowered Top
Upon cast, Lyra teleports directly towards the target location, ignoring all possible terrain and granting her a short burst of speed. She leaves portal openings at both her initial and final location, to which both teams can freely use.
Anyone who goes through the portal is granted a short burst of move speed, but enemies have to wait for 1 second after the portals form before they get to use them.
While this ability offers little to no damage, it does surprisingly well in terms of utility.
Note: This ability cannot be cast if affected by Snare, Root, Stun, and Silence
Displacing
Doing this can actually save lives otherwise lost, y'know.
As seen in both scenarios, Arcane Passage was used defensively in order to force enemies away from allies. Turn it around and you can use it offensively too. Just teleport in front of a fleeing enemy and enjoy your medium-rare beef Wellington, a-lã Ramsay!
Combos
It can also be used in tandem with Lyra's other abilities to create unique combos.
Of course, the most common combo Lyra players use would be:
+
A word of sage advice.
Don't let your lack of imagination impede you from pulling off absolutely disgusting combos with Arcane Passage.
Here's a combo you can meditate!!! :)
++
This is an extremely useful combo to take the offensive. This combo allows for surprise Gold Mine/Kraken steals or engages if used fluidly.
Next up, we have the same combo with a little adjustments.
Executing this combo can save the pathetic lives of your allies temporarily. When paired with Fountain of Renewal, you'd be able to save allies on the brink of death.
Try out weird and wacky combos, who knows what you'd have concocted.
Backdooring
This is a situational use of Arcane Passage. If you can coordinate with your teammates well, flawless backdoors can be achieved easily.
+ She is the first and (currently) only hero with a kit centered around healing. Her heal easily outclasses most other heroes with healing.
+ She has a plethora of utility. Speed boosts, soft CC, damage, portals, zoning, vision, to name a few. Her wide range of application in abilities make her relatively flexible when it comes to using them.
+ Her kit allows her to control areas on the map to prevent enemy access or benefit allies. Enemies can be easily dissuaded from playing in a safe position, allowing easy exploitation.
+ Mobility is one if the most important aspects in MOBAs, and Lyra sure as hell has it. Played well, she can be absolutely impossible to pin down.
WEAKNESSES
- She's a huge threat early, but as the game stretches on, her damage really starts to decline.
- Without hard CC, Lyra finds herself at a handicap compared to heroes with Stuns, Silences, Root, et cetera. Really, she has no way to make you stop attacking her teammates.
- She's just as vulnerable as the carries she protects, and is unable to really stay in the front lines.
- The impact of hers isn't as huge as other heroes like, say Adagio or Catherine. She just can't put a pause in fights.
In this phase, you'd want to play a little more aggressive. When combining the damage on Principle Arcanum and Imperial Sigil, you can easily whittle down your enemy's health.
Try to bully the enemy carry out to create a safer environment for your carry, especially if you have a safe position to take advantage of. If you're the carry, save Imperial Sigil to heal yourself up and expect to be harassed due to the difficulty in last-hitting creeps.
Mid-Game
At this point, you're pretty much nothing. Lyra's damage has already begun to fall off, and Imperial Sigil's cooldown has yet to become forgiving.
At this point, aim to constantly roam between both the lane and jungle. Try to sit a wave with your carry before joining your jungler through a rotation.
If played well, you should be getting Fountain of Renewal at approximately 5 minutes into the game.
Try to stay out of continuous combat until you've gotten more items.
Late Game
By this point, you've already grown into a formidable protector. If the enemy didn't abuse your weak mid-game, you should be capable of traversing most of the map without much worry.
Keep boosting your team with 5-second sigils. At this point, you should have at least 2 out of 3 core CD items.
We're finally gonna get over the items! Yay! At long last! Let's get over this quick!
Captain Cores
Compared to other boots, I prefer Halcyon Chargers for the additional Energy, Energy recharge, move speed, cooldown reduction and a decent amount of health.
This is a no-brainer. Try to rush this to alleviate the amount of reliance on Imperial Sigil. Don't pop it too early though, it's precious.
Crucible is a pretty good item for Lyra to pick up. It provides a huge amount of Health and it can further enhance her ability to protect her allies. However, due to its low impact, I usually rush the others first.
Cooldown, vision and health are the main few reasons why Contraption should be an early pick-up. Being able to manage vision and increase map information is what separates the great Captains from the good.
Same reason as Contraption at the top when it comes to stats. However, Nullwave Gauntlet serves as an offensive measure for Lyra's team. Not only can it force out a Reflex Block on vigilant enemies, it can also punish Captains by Silencing them temporarily, allowing for easier engagements.
Echo is really useful for double Imperial Sigils or Bright Bulwark. Heck, it can even be used for double jumps, which make you close to impossible to catch.
Carry (Lane/Jungle) Cores
WTF?!?!
A staple item for Lyra due to her preference for drawn-out fights.
While Crystal Lyra is squishy, Eve of Harvest helps offset that weakness by offering even more sustain when paired with Imperial Sigil. The bonus Energy is a given.
Being a default protector, Lyra has some fancy base damage. Sadly, it comes from 2 legit sources only. Paired with the cheap, cheap Broken Myth, she can get some serious damage off at a low cost! Praise the lord!
A cheap and always helpful friend, Crucible becomes a sweet pick for the dauntless. It doesn't offer much in terms of Shields and Armor, but the bonus health makes your Imperial Sigil a team-friendly ability when in need. Plus, double Reflex Blocks.
Why don't I counter-build?
I see no value in counter-building (I know I'd be getting hate or something, sorry). However, you can always sub and item into the build to better fit the situation.
Update 2.11 welcomes a newcomer to the Fold, Varya!!!
She looks like a fun hero to play, and I can't wait to unlock her once she's available.
Did anyone notice Reim's fingers? Hope you did. They're a beautiful display of fingers.
(A picture is coming along with the memes soon!)
Lyra's power has taken a huge hit. While it's already expected, the nerf to her healing was extremely harsh, if I'd say.
It'll take some time to get used to reduced healing on Imperial Sigil, but I'll try to remain positive about Lyra's performance!
Just to remind everyone, be sure to catch Vainglory Worlds from 14-17 December! Watch Live as we champion the victor on 17 December for at least 30 minutes and get the Championship Catherine skin for free!
I am Doctor Sausage from Site F01D. Site F01D has been compromised. I repeat. Site F01D has been compromised. Should this message relay to HQ, please notify Director Ploffard of a Code R3D.
I have compiled the necessary information from our tests before the Churn Storm erupted. We may be defeated, but you must continue fighting the war for the Halcyon.
Classified Information. Input Credentials
Access Granted. Welcome, Agent.
Here are the gathered documents on advantageous locations for Scout Trap placement.
I hope I've imparted some knowledge for those seeking to unravel Lyra's mysteries.
This guide took me a long time to complete, what with all the painstaking coding and editing.
With that said, do leave an upvote to let players new and old alike a higher chance on spotting it!
Also, leave your comments on how I can improve this guide further as you wish. I'll be editing this guide when 2.12/3.0 hits and I'll try to incorporate your suggestions into it as necessary!
I apologize for the confusing formats! I'm still experimenting with styles to find the right fit. I hope you'll bear it with me!!!
|| 26-11-2017 || Guide Released 2.10!!! || (It's also my birthday!)
Notes: I've edited this section a little and added the missing rainbow rule to chapter "Strengths And Weaknesses"
|| 10-12-2017 || Revision 1, 2.11
Notes: A tiny overhaul.
Removed Synergy and Counters
Honestly, I don't think I'd say stuff in logic as it's been kind of subconscious.
This'll be long.
SYNERGY
COUNTER
Mobility is more than made up by Lyra, while Adagio can assist the team with additional damage. We'll call this symbiosis.
He lacks necessary mobility to pin Lyra down and the has to get close to be effective.
While Lyra can help sustain Alpha as the latter deals the pain, that's kind of where their synergy ends. Alphas are just not fans of sitting around to heal and they're as good as gone when rebooting.
She has the ability to really stick to her targets, and Lyra is easy prey once her Bright Bulwark expires.
Added sustain is always welcome when it comes to Ardan. Paired together, this duo can both initiate and disengage at their own desire.
Easily miffed by a single button, he's not much of a threat. Alone...
Baptiste wants to get into people's faces eve if he's squishy as heck. Lyra can assist him with Slows, Snares and a big poof! of speed.
Definitely an enemy worth noting. Get a little to addicted to moving and you'd find yourself splashed with deathly acid!
Baron can mix with Lyra well, often with explosive effects. He can make use of her zone control and pen enemies in for culling.
Built either way, he can be quite a notorious foe. His damage can easily reach and abuse Lyra's inherent squishiness.
A monstrous ally, Blackfeather can always appreciate your healing as he stabs enemies into oblivion.
Ugh, he's a bad one. I don't know how, but Blackfeather will always find an entry and proceed to rape your entire team. Bless you.
She brings in lots of tankiness, CC and a slick dab. That's exactly what Lyra needs.
She can synergize with Lyra pretty well due to her all-round combat kit. Damage reduction, CC and an extra heal. What more could you ask for?
The Paladin of Light will be a ***** if she's on the other end. Eugh.
You are what you eat. HP +1! Win +1!
You eat what you are. HP -1! Win -???
Ace! Gwen enjoys protection, making Lyra a great friend.
Aced! Gwen enjoys squishies, making Lyra easy picking.
With Lyra's added sustain, this seeker of wisdom will find the final pages of Ambrosius enlightening as he slices enemies into bits with that lightsaber.
If not shut down early, he'll start to grow into a massive threat in the late game. You know what he does to his enemies.
Lyra's kit is to thank for successful landing of her abilities, all the while having her health bar go up, up, up.
The damage she deals is disgusting. Play to the buttons.
She'll rend you into ribbons if she gets to snowball early.
MEDICCCCCCCC!
Pray he doesn't find you. Make a salt circle and cower in fear. He'll enjoy shredding you...
Impales can be really deadly when enemies can't dodge it. Bonus tankiness to the team too!
Impales can be really deadly when you can't dodge it. Bonus tankiness for his team too!
???
???
Vainception anyone?
Depends on individual skill. Key note: just wait until they use the B+Ult combo offensively.
He gets bonus healing. I don't see why not.
While easily embarrassed with a Bright Bulwark, he'll be having the last laugh when he nosedives into you.
Not much of a synergy aside from being well protected here. Carry on kids.
Oh hell, she'll enjoy every bit of this. Her Munions are just too hard to deal with unless team effort is put into destroying those rabid onions.
Wham! Bam! Slam! This polite river troll will appreciate the bonus move speed as he gives enemies a traumatic ride on his anchor.
Phinn shouldn't be much of a threat unless he's in melee range. In that case, RUN.
Nearly identical to Baptiste, Krul and Phinn, his weakness is covered by Lyra, while his strengths are boosted into godlike levels.
You don't want this grumpy old man right up your doorstep. He'll terrorize your entire team with a good blast of damage.
Like the star-crossed lovers they are, Reza can invest on more offense as Lyra's there to keep him hearty. If all else fails, there'll be an Arcane Passage somewhere.
He needs to stack up on his effects before he gets to dive and burst heroes down. Lyra can heal those wouds and discourage prospective Rezas from diving a little too deep for comfort...
He's squishy. Go figure.
His damage output will surprise you as he riddles his hapless victims with bullet holes.
Read any tanks above.
If she's given a ticket into the party, she will spin and spin everyone into collapse. Disengage briefly should she close in.
He needs a tanky frontline, but he can still benefit from his adoptive mother's care.
Don't worry about him, we're just friendzzzz.
I'm sure you've heard of the much-despised duo right?
He'll show you what Gracie can do if you want to.
S.Q.U.I.S.H.Y. What's that called? SWAG.
His perk makes you extra crispy. Other than that, meh.
Zone enemies out of their chairs with this new combinatination. Bask in the magnificence of the blue sky as you hear the graceful tunes of a lyre.
Wanna know what's trybophobia? (Don't google it if you've a weak heart, please. I'm not responsible for any deaths this cause.)
Now you see me, now you don't. Taka is like Alpha, in that they never stay put. While a difficulty to heal, he can still be sheltered by Lyra's protection. After all, that's what the Class President does.
Mortal Wounds added with immense burst and stealth. That's a vile mixture you got there. Anticipate his engagements or disengage whenever possible to avoid unwanted casualties.
VaingloryFire is the place to find the perfect build guide to take your game to the next level. Learn how to play a new hero, or fine tune your favorite VG hero’s build and strategy.
Lyra. Maybe you want to know why you're losing matches with her. Oh, I know! You're on a quest to learn how to execute the perfect combos!
How To Navigate My Guide.
Baron's ultimate, just in case you didn't care to read the ability descriptions.
Swift Shooter and
Blazing Salvo will alter her perk in a crazy way. Two ways, actually. In what ways, you ask?
Atlas Pauldron. This is the bane of almost every Weapon carry. How, though, is it relevant as a topic for
Ardan's nightmare.
Blackfeather and
Grumpjaw are affected by the snare on
Adagio or
Catherine. She just can't put a pause in fights.
Reflex Block on vigilant enemies, it can also punish Captains by Silencing them temporarily, allowing for easier engagements.
Varya!!!
Reim's fingers? Hope you did. They're a beautiful display of fingers.
Gauntlet
Jump Jets
Feint of Heart
Rose Offensive
Trespass
Truth of the Tooth
Shroudstep
Shimmer Strike
Dead Man's Rush
Impale
Combat Roll
Bangarang
Trampoline!
Troublemaker
Netherform Detonator
Into the Fray
Kaiten
X-Retsu
Poisoned Shiv
Foesplitter
Law of the Claw
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