In the dynamic realm of Dota 2, where strategic paradigms are in constant flux, the pronouncements of seasoned professional players often serve as early indicators of emerging meta shifts. Recently, the highly respected Russian carry, Roman “RAMZES666” Kushnarev, ignited considerable discussion within the competitive community by unequivocally stating that Invoker, a hero traditionally revered for his intricate core gameplay, is now the most formidable, indeed “broken,” position four support in the current patch 7.39d.
A Resounding Endorsement from a Premier Player
During a recent live broadcast, RAMZES666, known for his acute understanding of game mechanics and meta trends, delivered his assessment without reservation. He characterized the support Invoker, particularly when oriented towards the Quas aspect and complemented by an early Aghanim`s Scepter, as an unparalleled force on the battlefield.
“Invoker `four` is just broken with Aghanim`s, no jokes. I think flex Invoker in pro games is completely broken right now.”
This statement, emanating from a player of his caliber, signifies more than a casual observation; it underscores the hero`s profound and unexpected efficacy when deployed in an unconventional support capacity.
The Vanguard of Innovation: Topson`s Strategic Blueprint
While RAMZES666`s endorsement brings this strategy to prominence, the pioneering spirit behind the “broken” support Invoker build is largely credited to the Finnish mid-laner, Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen. Renowned for his unconventional yet highly effective hero and item selections—earning him the moniker “Mad Genius”—Topson has consistently demonstrated the viability of support Invoker on his personal streams throughout patch 7.39d. His strategic framework typically incorporates the following elements:
- Scholar of Koryx (Quas Aspect): Prioritizing Quas significantly augments Invoker`s health regeneration and provides access to potent crowd control abilities such as Cold Snap and Ice Wall, thereby transforming him into a remarkably resilient and disruptive support.
- Spirit Vessel: An essential early-game item that delivers critical sustain, enhances damage output, and manipulates enemy health pools, making it ideal for an active, roaming support.
- Aghanim`s Scepter: The pivotal component of this build, enabling Invoker to invoke spells without the customary cooldown, drastically increasing his spell versatility and output. This item fundamentally reshapes him into a mobile, spell-slinging artillery platform.
- Aghanim`s Shard: Further bolsters Forge Spirits, providing additional utility and vision control, extending Invoker`s impact across the map.
- Boots of Travel: Crucial for global map presence, allowing Invoker to respond rapidly to engagements and apply pressure across all lanes, characteristic of a high-impact position four.
Dissecting the “Broken” Mechanism of Support Invoker
The formidable nature of this build lies in its deceptive simplicity and unparalleled versatility. While a traditional core Invoker demands substantial gold and experience, the Quas-focused support variant capitalizes on Invoker`s inherent utility and scales surprisingly effectively with minimal resource allocation:
- Unrivaled Utility and Crowd Control: Abilities such as Cold Snap`s persistent stun, Ice Wall`s area denial, Tornado`s initiation setup, and Ghost Walk`s evasion collectively provide an expansive toolkit for a support hero, capable of dictating the tempo of engagements.
- Unexpected Durability: The passive health regeneration offered by Quas renders Invoker remarkably robust for a hero often perceived as fragile. This allows him to sustain during skirmishes and withstand incoming damage effectively.
- Scalable Impact with Efficiency: With the acquisition of Aghanim`s Scepter, Invoker transcends the role of a mere spell-caster. He becomes a high-impact presence capable of executing intricate spell combinations, almost functioning as a secondary core without monopolizing essential farm. It represents a resource-efficient investment yielding substantial dividends in team fight control and damage output.
- Potent Lane Control and Roaming Prowess: Early Cold Snap and Forge Spirits can establish lane dominance, while Ghost Walk facilitates effective ganks and rapid rotations across the map.
- Strategic Counter to Meta Trends: In a meta frequently characterized by aggressive core heroes, a utility-centric Invoker can effectively disrupt enemy strategies, provide crucial sustain for allied heroes, and decisively alter the course of team fights with precisely timed spell applications.
It presents an intriguing paradox: a hero once defined by his demanding skill floor in the mid-lane now achieves immense success in a role where gold and experience are inherently scarce. The irony, perhaps, is that by stepping back from the central spotlight, Invoker has discovered a novel avenue to exert dominance, leveraging ingenuity and strategic foresight rather than raw economic superiority.
The Evolving Landscape of the Meta
RAMZES666`s unequivocal endorsement of support Invoker is not merely an anecdotal observation; it potentially heralds a significant shift in the competitive Dota 2 meta. When professional players of such high caliber validate a potent, albeit unconventional, strategy, it often precipitates a cascading effect throughout all tiers of play. We anticipate a surge in teams experimenting with this hero, compelling adversaries to adapt rapidly or face the consequences of an omnipresent, spell-casting position four.
Dota 2, at its core, is a perpetual cycle of reinvention. Strategies once considered niche, or even unconventional, can—given the right strategic minds and favorable patch dynamics—ascend to become “broken,” meta-defining forces. The support Invoker, championed by innovators like Topson and validated by the seasoned experience of RAMZES666, stands as a testament to this ceaseless evolution, unequivocally demonstrating that in the intricate world of Dota 2, strategic possibilities are boundless.
