Overview Top
Glaive is a unique character that can prove to be an invaluable ally and a masterful combatant, or a useless, incompetent oaf. The trick is in the mindset of the player. Other characters have clear battle stategies and roles, Glaive (while usually prescribed to the Jungle) can serve as a versatile tool for any team. There are a number of ways the character can be played or built, but very few will yield lasting results. I have personally turned around games where all of our turrets have been taken out, my teammates were 3+ levels behind the rest, and the Kraken has almost executed our Vain. After the fourth or fifth final upgrade to an item, Glaive becomes a godless murderer that will make you want to hide your children and leave people asking how the hell you just took out their entire team by yourself.
If you want to kick some *** and leave the names next to the not-yet-respawned twisted corpses of the enemies you just executed Russian-Mafia style, follow these principles.
These are natural tenets with which to follow and build a strong character, if you find a better item or better sequence, by all means use it according to your play style.
A Warrior is Born Top
Each early game with is like a snowflake. They might be unique and stuff, but mostly they have tendency to really screw with you mentally if the environment is right. A successful or unsuccessful Early Game will be crucial in the progress of your overall game.
To start with, you will want a Weapon Blade, go into the Jungle and murder all the cute little woodland creatures. As soon as possible, upgrade to Six Sins. Follow along the recommended path, and when you hit a slump (probably early on) Pick up an Ironguard Contract, this will allow you to get money from your allies' kills; however, stay within a certain radius. If your health gets low, GO HOME. Unless you're trying to die so you can go make a sandwich, go home often when your health is near or below half. Glaive is not a stud until after he goes through mid-game puberty.
Pick up a Lucky Shot as soon as you can thereafter, following the recommended path. Usually it's around this time I decide I can't take it anymore and I buy some boots.
THIS IS IMPORTANT: When buying boots in the early to mid game, DO NOT BUY THE JOURNEY BOOTS. They are expensive, and are not worth it. They may seem easy and right there after the Travel Boots, but they contribute nothing significant toward your overall goals. Only max out your boots once all the other item slots are how you want them. These games will be unlikely to happen unless they occur during a play through of 20+ minutes. If you manage to max him out sooner, you're a god, fam.
"I Can Smell Them By Their Fear" Top
Once you have the Tyrants Monacle and the Travel Boots, things will take off pretty quickly. To establish a good baseline, you will want these by around minute 10. You'll be able to participate in person versus person combat and hopefully be able to destroy monsters faster and gain the money necessary to buy the further upgrades. Usually my sequence goes along the lines of next having the tornado trigger, and after that point it is unusual to max out another upgrade because you will be kicking *** too quickly. If your allies and your enemies are more advanced, there might be a slight snags along the way where they murder you (probably cheaply) and you will have to get moving more quickly to get upgrades. Going to the lane occasionally if you want to find massive amounts of gold and you know that you can either bloodsong or critical large amounts of minions in an effort to gain money quickly. Again if you lose too much health do not try to fight off any attackers unless you know for sure you can kill all of them. I usually do not Max out the afterburn skill, it is usually the latter two skills that I prefer to use. Oh yeah try, not to die because that's kind of a big one.
Lexicon of Buying Shit Top
Something you need to know about Glaive: he's no cheap *****. He demands the most expensive things to be truly useful.
The reasoning behind my choices in items are as follows:
Tyrant Monacle- An item that became a niche pick after its stat changes. The only people who can use it effectively are Ringo, Glaive, Joule, and maybe Taka or SAW. It just gives you a ****load of crit-chance, but fortunately for Glaive thats exactly what he scales with.
Tornado Trigger- This increases his attack speed by 75% making him pretty much lose his ****ing mind. This pairs best with the Tyrant Monacle. When ahead, build those two together for best results.
Bonesaw- You only need one attack speed item, but if you have an all-weapon team-comp or if the enemy team just has a ****-ton of armor, this usually is the best option.
Breaking Point- In terms of items, it is easily the best in the weapon tree. I would recommend buying this if you are behind or not yet comfortable with the game, then just buy one damage item and go full tank. Because of the nature of the item its best for longer fights. Think of Breaking Point like the uglier sister of Bonesaw and Tornado Trigger-- at first, she doesn't seem like much, but at the end of the night she puts out.
Sorrowblade- Hide your kids, hide your wife.
Serpent's Mask- Not really that great anymore-- but if you're getting blown to **** in every fight it's alright over a Sorrowblade. Or you could position better.
Aegis- The best items in terms of raw defensive stats. This, and Journey Boots is sometimes enough just because of the armor and health on both, in addition to Glaive having the highest max health in the game.
*Aftershock- Good supportive item to round out if you need hybrid damage or are going for a more supportive build.
*Journey Boots- Do you know what they call people who buy boots? Adults.
Below is a list of people who shouldn't buy boots:
-
Do not complete until after you have finished 3 items. The upgrade is expensive, and though compelling is not worth it over damage or defense.
*Warhorn- Yes, you don't have to go glass cannon-- and if you read the item you'll see it gives good defensive stats, non-hero damage, and a movespeed active.
*Shiversteel- Probably the best item in the game. 500 health, active slow, and it only costs 1450.
*Scout Traps- Yes! You too can contribute to your team!
*Potions- Don't buy after you have level 6. The passive gives lifesteal.
*Infusions- Good when you have an awkward amount of gold and you just reached level 12. Don't buy before that.
Combat Tactics Top
Afterburn- My reasoning behind taking Afterburn to begin with and waiting until later to upgrade Twisted Stroke is because originally, critical do very little for you. You can't use them very effectively until later. More importantly, you're weak as hell in the beginning, and you need Afterburn to escape people who try to kill you. One of my favorite things to do is to wait until someone is one the edge of my targeting circle, and walking towards them. I proceed to Afterburn through them, and blast them back to where my turret is, between an ally and I, or into a wall if I want to finish them myself. Most importantly, use this early on to escape, so only use it if you really have to. Blast another opponent back in the the direction you came from if there's another in your way. Always escape in the direction of Home. My personal favorite thing to do with Afterburn is when I beat an opponent (especially in self-defense) to the point where their health is low. Many will try to flee, lest they get a mouthful of rocket-axe. In pursuit, I run after them until they are in range and execute them for thinking they were hot ****. Playing Glaive is nothing if not vindicating.
Twisted Stroke- Put simply, use when you want to do a lot of damage, especially to a large group. Also use when trying to attack more rapidly. Because all it is is just a guaranteed critical, there really aren't any subtle nuances to it. It recharges fast, and works wonders. Apply generously and with strong language until the problem is resolved.
Bloodsong- Being the final move, it is obviously the most powerful. Once taken, stacks start appearing until they get to 20. This gives an added effect and power to Bloodsong, so only use when necessary and at 20 stacks for best results. Try to go to an area full of enemies. I once took down all three enemies, five minions, and a dying kraken with this move. Look at me now, Dad.
Conclusion Top
Glaive is a powerful warrior, and (one of) the only one(s) whose voice-overs I can tolerate. You will die with him, you will die a lot. It may get embarrassing at times, but he is a fun character that can even solo the Kraken when done right. He can be the most powerful character on the battlefield, or the most incompetent. Try not to break your device when you get sniped, because you will. You'll just have to take it and use it to fuel your rage like a man. Although the difficulty says medium, Glaive might be the most nuanced one there is.
Quick Comment (6) View Comments
You need to log in before commenting.