Lina
The younger, more impetuous of the two Inverse sisters, Lina was born with an affinity for fire. While her sister Crystal Maiden sought to temper the elements, Lina embraced their raw, destructive power. Now, she unleashes her incendiary wrath upon any who dare stand in her way, a living conduit of apocalyptic flame.
At a Glance
Core Principles
“Every spell is a spark. Chain them together, and you will create an inferno. Master the flame, and you will master the battlefield.”
Maintain Your Engine
Fiery Soul is your engine. Never let it run cold. A Lina without stacks is a Lina without power.
Strike from the Shadows
Your power is amplified by surprise. Use ground-targeting, fog, and Blink Dagger to appear where you are least expected.
The Surgical Strike
Laguna Blade is your scalpel. Identify the most critical target and remove them with precision. Do not waste it on a tank.
Chain for Chaos
Your true strength lies in the combination. A single spell is an annoyance; a full combo is a death sentence.
Position is Power
You are made of glass. Your position is your only shield. Stay on the edge, strike, and reposition before they can react.
Hero Overview
Lina is a potent intelligence nuker who specializes in eliminating single targets with overwhelming burst damage. Her entire kit is designed to chain spells together, with Fiery Soul providing the speed and attack speed needed to finish off survivors with right-clicks. Her combination of reliable poke, area control, and a devastating ultimate makes her a constant threat throughout the game.
Lina's gameplay revolves around aggressive spellcasting. She uses Dragon Slave to harass and clear waves, Light Strike Array to set up kills or interrupt channels, and Fiery Soul to empower her movements and attacks. In teamfights, her goal is to quickly unload her full combo onto a high-value target, leveraging her speed to reposition and continue dealing damage. Laguna Blade serves as the final, decisive blow to secure a kill.
Pros
- Extremely high single-target burst damage
- Fiery Soul provides significant mobility and attack speed
- Reliable wave clear and poke with Dragon Slave
- Area-of-effect stun with Light Strike Array
- Strong execute ability with Laguna Blade
Cons
- Very squishy and vulnerable to physical damage
- Mana-intensive abilities require careful management
- Reliant on spells; struggles against magic immunity
- Poor base armor and slow attack animation
- Requires good positioning to avoid being focused
Ability Analysis
Dragon Slave
Point Target / Unit TargetLina releases a wave of fire that travels in a line, damaging enemies in its path.
Notes: Use ground targeting to hit enemies at maximum range without revealing yourself. This is crucial for scouting and harassing from fog of war. The wave travels slightly further than its indicated cast range.
Light Strike Array
Point TargetSummons a pillar of flame after a short delay, damaging and stunning enemies in an area.
Notes: Requires excellent prediction. Use it to interrupt channeling spells like Black Hole or Death Ward. The ability also destroys trees, which can be used to create new paths or remove enemy cover.
Fiery Soul
PassiveGrants bonus movement and attack speed for each spell cast. Stacks up to 3 times.
Notes: Your core ability. Maintain stacks between fights by casting spells on creeps or neutrals. You can scout for hidden enemies by casting spells and checking if you gain a stack.
Laguna Blade
Target UnitStrikes a target with a massive blast of magical energy, dealing immense Pure damage.
Notes: Your ultimate execute. There is a brief delay between cast and damage, allowing enemies with perfect timing to dodge it with invulnerability frames. Use it after they have used their defensive abilities.
Pyroclasm (Shard Upgrade)
Point TargetLaunches multiple fireballs at enemies in a target area, dealing magical damage to each.
Notes: A fantastic addition for teamfight presence. The fireballs prioritize heroes, making it excellent for finishing off multiple low-health enemies and synergizing with Fiery Soul.
Laguna Blade (Scepter Upgrade)
Target UnitLaguna Blade now pierces spell immunity and has its cooldown significantly reduced.
Notes: Transforms your ultimate into a tool against BKB-piercing carries. The low cooldown allows you to use it much more freely in fights, making you a constant threat to even the tankiest heroes.
Developer's Notes
Developer Insights
Lina is the embodiment of pure magical aggression. Her gameplay is a high-tempo dance of casting, repositioning, and executing. The key to mastering her lies in understanding that Fiery Soul is not just a passive; it's her engine. Every spell cast should be a deliberate step towards building up to a devastating burst.
Key Insights:
- Fiery Soul stacks are your most valuable resource. Maintain them constantly.
- Master Dragon Slave's ground-targeting to stay hidden and extend your reach.
- Laguna Blade is a scalpel, not a hammer. Use it to surgically remove the most critical threat.
Lina rewards players who can chain spells flawlessly and position with purpose. She is not just a spellcaster; she is a force of nature on the battlefield.
Game Strategy
Early Game (Laning)
Timeframe: 0-10 minutes Objective: Harass the enemy and secure farm Key: Use Dragon Slave to harass and secure last hits from a safe distance.; Maintain Fiery Soul stacks by casting spells on creeps.; Use your high attack range to trade hits despite the poor animation.; Look for opportunities to kill with a full combo at level 6. Items: Bottle; Power Treads; Magic Wand Tips: Ground-target Dragon Slave from fog to avoid revealing yourself.; Be mindful of your mana pool; don't spam spells excessively.
Mid Game (Rotations)
Timeframe: 10-25 minutes Objective: Gank sidelanes and control objectives Key: Rotate to sidelanes to gank with your full spell combo.; Use Blink Dagger to initiate on unsuspecting enemies.; Push lanes with Dragon Slave and create map pressure.; Prioritize killing fragile supports and mages. Items: Blink Dagger; Witch Blade; Kaya Tips: Light Strike Array is key to setting up ganks with your team.; Maintain Fiery Soul stacks while rotating to be ready for a fight.
Late Game (Teamfights)
Timeframe: 25+ minutes Objective: Eliminate key targets in teamfights Key: Position safely on the edge of fights.; Use Blink Dagger to get in range for your combo on the enemy carry or support.; Save Laguna Blade for the most critical target.; With Aghanim's Scepter, you can now threaten BKB-piercing kills. Items: Aghanim's Scepter; Scythe of Vyse; Refresher Orb Tips: Be patient. A single well-placed combo can win the game.; Your survivability is paramount; don't be the first to die.
Tips & Strategies
Spell Targeting & Positioning
- Always ground-target Dragon Slave when harassing from fog to avoid revealing your position.
- Light Strike Array destroys trees. Use this to create unexpected paths or remove enemy cover.
- You can check Roshan's pit with a spell to see if you gain a Fiery Soul stack.
Fiery Soul Management
- Burn a spell on creeps or neutrals between fights to keep your Fiery Soul stacks at maximum.
- The movement speed from Fiery Soul is crucial for chasing and escaping.
- With full stacks, your right-click damage becomes a significant threat.
Laguna Blade Execution
- There is a 0.25s delay before Laguna Blade deals damage. Be wary of enemies with banishes or instant invulnerability.
- With Aghanim's Scepter, use Laguna Blade to threaten BKB-piercing damage.
- Refresher Orb allows for two Laguna Blades, potentially killing two targets or ensuring one dies.
Item Guide
Counter Guide
Good With
Lina excels with heroes who can set up her combos or amplify her damage. Earthshaker or Magnus can group enemies for a devastating Light Strike Array and Pyroclasm. Heroes with long disables like Lion or Shadow Shaman guarantee her spells will hit. Ancient Apparition's Ice Blast makes her Laguna Blade execution much more reliable by preventing healing.
Bad Against
Lina struggles against heroes who can either survive her burst or prevent her from casting. Pudge with Aghanim's Scepter can instantly delete her. Anti-Mage burns her mana, rendering her useless. Nyx Assassin can burst her down with Vendetta and Mana Burn. Heroes with spell immunity like Juggernaut or Lifestealer are natural counters to her magic damage.
Good Against
Lina dominates squishy, low-mobility heroes who rely on spells. She can quickly eliminate supports like Crystal Maiden, Witch Doctor, and Shadow Shaman before they can use their abilities. Heroes who need to channel, like Enigma or Crystal Maiden, are vulnerable to her instant stun. Her pure damage ultimate also threatens heroes who typically build magic resistance.