Riki
A master of stealth and assassination, Riki moves unseen through the battlefield, striking from the shadows with deadly precision.
At a Glance
Core Principles
“Invisibility is not just an ability, it's a state of mind. Become the fear that haunts their every step.”
Patience is Power
The greatest strength is not striking first, but striking when the moment is perfect. Wait for the isolation, the mistake, the vulnerability.
Own the Shadows
Every patch of darkness is your territory. Use it to travel, to wait, to strike. The battlefield is yours when you decide to reveal yourself.
Disruption over Destruction
Sometimes the best move isn't a kill, but a Smoke Screen that prevents a Black Hole. Sometimes it's a Blink Strike to safety. Think beyond damage.
The Mind Game
Your presence alone changes enemy behavior. Use this. Make them paranoid, force mistakes, capitalize on their fear of the unseen.
Strike from Behind
Always position for maximum effect. That extra Backstab damage often means the difference between a kill and an escape.
Disappear at Will
Never fight when you don't have advantage. Use Smoke Screen to disengage, Blink Strike to reposition, invisibility to reset the engagement on your terms.
Hero Overview
Riki is the quintessential stealth assassin who thrives on picking off isolated targets and disrupting team formations through permanent invisibility. His ability to remain unseen while dealing massive backstab damage makes him a nightmare for squishy supports and carries alike.
Riki's gameplay revolves around positioning behind enemies to maximize Backstab damage while using Smoke Screen to cripple enemy defenses. Blink Strike provides both mobility and damage amplification through its slow, while Tricks of the Trade offers brief invulnerability and sustained AoE damage. The key is patience - wait for the perfect moment to strike.
Pros
- Permanent invisibility with Cloak and Dagger
- Excellent single-target burst damage
- Strong anti-initiation with Smoke Screen
- High mobility with Blink Strike
- Tricks of the Trade provides invulnerability frames
Cons
- Vulnerable to area-of-effect abilities
- Struggles against heroes with true sight
- Weak in teamfights without proper positioning
- Relies heavily on surprise attacks
- Damage falls off late game against tanky heroes
Ability Analysis
Smoke Screen
Target GroundRiki throws a smoke bomb that silences and slows enemies while reducing their attack chance.
Notes: Anti-initiation tool that prevents enemy Blink Dagger usage. Can be cast during Tricks of the Trade. Aghanim's Shard upgrade makes enemies untargetable by teammates, which can break enemy coordination completely.
Blink Strike
Target UnitRiki teleports to a target unit, dealing damage and applying a slow to enemies.
Notes: Works on both enemies and allies for mobility. The slow pierces debuff immunity, making it effective against BKB'd enemies. Perfect for gap-closing and escaping dangerous situations.
Cloak and Dagger
PassiveRiki becomes invisible when not attacking, with backstab damage based on agility.
Notes: Permanent invisibility that only breaks on attacks, not spells or items. Backstab damage can lifesteal, crit, and cleave. You still have collision while invisible, so avoid bumping into enemies.
Tricks of the Trade
ActiveRiki phases out and attacks all nearby enemies repeatedly.
Notes: Provides invulnerability and can be used to disjoint projectiles. Works when disarmed but attacks don't have true strike. Can hit couriers and allows Smoke Screen casting during duration.
Developer's Notes
Developer Insights
Riki is the ultimate stealth assassin, designed to create chaos through invisibility and precision strikes. His Cloak and Dagger provides permanent invisibility, making him a constant psychological threat.
Key Insights:
- Smoke Screen is your lockdown tool - use it to prevent counter-initiation
- Blink Strike works on allies too, perfect for escapes
- Backstab damage scales with agility, making you stronger late-game
Riki rewards patient, calculated play. Positioning is everything - one mistake and your advantage disappears!
Game Strategy
Early Game
Timeframe: 0-15 minutes Objective: Survive laning phase and build towards core items Key: Play defensively until Cloak and Dagger is leveled; Use courier vision for efficient jungle farming; Harass with Blink Strike when safe; Avoid detection by being aware of sentry ward patterns Items: Diffusal Blade components (Priority #1); Power Treads for stat switching; Basic sustainability items Tips: Train creep aggro to test for sentries; Use Smoke Screen defensively to escape ganks; Farm jungle camps efficiently with courier vision; Focus on getting levels before aggressive play
Mid Game
Timeframe: 15-30 minutes Objective: Pick off isolated targets and create map pressure Key: Gank vulnerable supports and carries; Use Smoke Screen to prevent counter-initiation; Coordinate with team for effective ganks; Control vision through intelligent positioning Items: Diffusal Blade (Core item); Manta Style for mobility and dispels; Basic damage amplification Tips: Always approach from behind for Backstab damage; Use Blink Strike on allies for tactical escapes; Smoke Screen during sieges to prevent aggressive initiations; Maintain map awareness to avoid counter-ganks
Late Game
Timeframe: 30+ minutes Objective: Assassinate key targets and provide strategic value Key: Focus elimination on enemy carries or supports; Use Tricks of the Trade for survivability; Disrupt enemy positioning with well-timed Smoke Screens; Adapt itemization based on enemy team composition Items: Silver Edge for break effect; Butterfly for damage and evasion; Situational defensive items Tips: Position carefully to avoid AoE abilities; Use Tricks of the Trade to disjoint crucial spells; Rotate with team for coordinated assaults; 考虑使用Aghanim's Shard升级Smoke Screen的战略价值
Tips & Strategies
Advanced Invisibility Management
- Force creep aggro while invisible to detect sentry wards - if creeps attack you, there's detection nearby.
- You can remove Dust of Appearance effects with basic dispels like Eul's, Manta Style, or Disperser after leaving the AoE.
- Remember you still have collision while invisible - avoid bumping into enemies you're stalking.
- Use right-clicks on distant enemies to draw creep aggro without revealing yourself.
Smoke Screen Mastery
- Cast Smoke Screen on your team during tower sieges to prevent enemies from Blink-initiating into the area.
- With Aghanim's Shard, enemies in Smoke Screen cannot be targeted by teammates, preventing saves like Shallow Grave.
- Enemies can still self-cast spells on themselves even with Shard Smoke Screen.
- Smoke Screen can be cast during Tricks of the Trade for maximum disruption.
Blink Strike & Positioning
- Use Blink Strike on allies as well as enemies for tactical repositioning and escapes.
- The slow from Blink Strike pierces debuff immunity, making it effective against BKB'd enemies.
- When farming jungle, use courier vision for efficient Blink Strike between camps instead of walking.
- Blink Strike provides damage amplification against the target you strike.
Tricks of the Trade Usage
- Tricks of the Trade can hit couriers and provides invulnerability frames.
- It works even when you're disarmed, but the attacks don't have true strike.
- Use it to disjoint enemy projectiles during teamfights.
- The ability can be used offensively for damage or defensively for survivability.
Backstab Optimization
- Backstab damage can life steal, crit, and cleave - synergize with appropriate items.
- You can constantly Backstab Roshan with proper teammate positioning and aggro management.
- The Tormentor cannot be Backstabbed - it's immune due to being a cube structure.
- Always approach from behind to maximize your damage output.
Item Guide
Starting Items
Maximize early game damage and sustainability. Agility items boost Backstab damage from the start.
Slippers of Agility, Tangos, Faerie Fire
Core Items
Diffusal provides mana burn and purge, Manta gives mobility and dispels, Treads offer stat switching for maximum effectiveness.
Diffusal Blade, Power Treads, Manta Style
Situational Items
Break with Silver Edge against layered defenses, evasion from Butterfly, lockdown with Abyssal, or defensive options with Linken's.
Silver Edge, Butterfly, Abyssal Blade, Linken's Sphere
Counter Guide
Good With
Riki excels with heroes who provide crowd control and set up perfect assassination opportunities. Crystal Maiden and Shadow Shaman offer reliable disables that let Riki position for maximum Backstab damage. Earthshaker can initiate fights and provide AoE control, allowing Riki to clean up with minimal risk. Venomancer and Viper apply damage over time effects that soften targets, making Riki's burst more lethal. Bane and Lion can single out priority targets, creating isolated victims for Riki to eliminate. The key synergy comes from heroes who can either isolate targets or provide the lockdown needed for Riki to maneuver behind enemies unseen. Teammates who buy and place sentry wards also provide crucial information about enemy vision, allowing Riki to operate safely while maintaining his stealth advantage.
Bad Against
Riki struggles against heroes with true sight, area-of-effect abilities, and strong initiators. Slardar and Bloodseeker provide permanent vision through their abilities, completely negating Riki's invisibility advantage. Nyx Assassin with his Spiked Carapace and Vendetta can counter-initiate and reveal Riki with true sight. Axe with Berserker's Call forces Riki to reveal himself and fight disadvantageously. Earthshaker, Kunkka, and Tiny deal massive AoE damage that can catch Riki even when invisible. Spirit Breaker can charge and reveal Riki across the map. Heroes with Blink Dagger and strong initiation like Magnus and Enigma can catch Riki off-guard. Oracle can prevent Riki's burst with False Promise and dispel his effects. The pattern is clear: heroes who can reveal invisibility, deal AoE damage, or initiate before Riki can react all pose significant threats.
Good Against
Riki dominates heroes who lack mobility, survival, or detection capabilities. Sniper and Drow Ranger are prime targets - they're squishy, immobile, and rely on positioning which Riki can completely negate. Crystal Maiden, Witch Doctor, and Shadow Shaman are vulnerable supports who die quickly to Riki's burst when caught alone. Enchantress and Nature's Prophet struggle against Riki's sustained damage and inability to effectively counter his invisibility. Techies find his mines easily avoided by Riki's permanent stealth. Anti-Mage before Blink Dagger acquisition is extremely vulnerable to Riki's constant pressure. Templar Assassin without Refraction is easy prey. Riki excels at hunting heroes who need to channel spells, maintain specific positioning, or rely on avoiding damage altogether. His ability to appear from nowhere and eliminate key targets makes him the perfect counter to immobile supports and carries who depend on safe positioning to contribute effectively.