Penthos Guide Please

[taznkid]

In my quest to learn every hero in the game....I have now chosen Penthos!

[nocturneb]

Penthos rocks! DPS/escapes/Utility. So many ways to go with him. I've started playing him almost exclusively, so I'll post to help get you started as well as have a chance to get input from more seasoned pent players.

 

I generally have the same opening to help stay on the battlefield as long as possible.

2-3-1 Might, fury, health, armor, resist, swiftness - provides boosts to all aspects.

QWQEQRQ(EEE)RWWWYRYY - I've started maxing E second so it will be worth a damn if a get stuck defending a node with low health

 

I start with em mox to build into goggles > Lost treasure > SHM > Stun knife > pulse hammer - This will give you some offense + survivability.

Then I finish timesplitter unless their team comp requires some earlier spell resist.

 

Everything else is situational but here's what I find myself doing most often:

FOE, Timesplitter, Sliptyde, Darksteel, Shadowmourne/Explosive(if we are creeped back in base and I can afford less tanky), Phantom/Galactic

 

I've dropped throwing in Ihan the juice didn't seem to be worth the squeeze. I usually finish with 3500hp and 300 dmg with about 80%/45% with pots.

 

Playstyle really comes down to situations with the ult. Shields can help you 1v1 or tower dive. Blink provides another excellent escape(+2 extra) and gravitate can help pull them back close to your team or tower.

Doing the pull behind seems to be hit or miss for me (most likely a l2p issue ;P), but get to know when you're actually tethered to them as opposed to pressing Q too soon and losing the ult completely.

 

This is just my way, and I've played against ChoJo twice now when we're both penthos and his lethal barb build has trumped mine so I might need a little revamping. Always up for input!

 

GLHF

Polaris

[iatebambi]

@post above that is similar to my play style but with a few differences.

Firstly, I find it is usually better to get a Culling Sabre instead of the Lost Treasure. From this you can build (I think this is the name) Eye of Duran, the item which combines Culling Sabre and Hunters Hatchet. Great for farming, scouting (with active) and is relatively cheap. Also from this you can get a Lethal Barb (like mentioned above) after your SHM. Gives great attspd which is something Penthos needs.

 

Grabbing a Duran's Machete along the way early will also greatly help with sustain.

 

End build is pretty similar: FOE, TimeSplitter, Sliptyde, DST and Shadowmourne are the same. Can swap out something for a Yamato, as it is a great item on him. HOWEVER I find that a Parallax is GREAT item on Penthos, as getting silenced or stunned after jumping someone is a real killer for him.

 

EDIT: Also with his R+Q, I believe that when you have already used Q on a target then try to R+Q him, it will have no effect, as there is already a Q debuff on him. *I think* anyways haha.

[GENLORDZ]

I use this item build lol: Cerebro, Nitrogen Retrofit, Force of Entropy, Superheated Mantle, Pyre and Eternity. I doubt it works cause Im a noob:D

[atomheartman]

I think there are too many ways to build him. He can be dps and great tank aswell. He can hold 4 enemy heroes if build full str/health.

[Spooky]

http://www.aeonofstorms.com/index.php?/topic/4581-penthos-help/

[Lios]

People should search to see if there is a guide already written before making a new post like this...

[taznkid]

People should search to see if there is a guide already written before making a new post like this...

I DID search for guides, and the reason why I posted is because they were not extensive enough for me; plus there seemed to be a lot of argument about how to build him. Currently I am leaning towards Spooky's opening build, since I do agree with Parallax being extremely important on Penthos and I don't understand why so many people want Superheated Mantle on him...then I would probably get Stun Knife, Force of Entropy, and Isomorphic Pyre, depending on circumstances. The problem I seem to find is that I can't tell whether it is more important to build him to DEAL damage or to TAKE damage first. I haven't yet played him yet, so I guess I'll find out in about 8 hours, which is when I'll log on to BattleNet to play Aeon on Storms.

[ginosaji]

I DID search for guides, and the reason why I posted is because they were not extensive enough for me; plus there seemed to be a lot of argument about how to build him. Currently I am leaning towards Spooky's opening build, since I do agree with Parallax being extremely important on Penthos and I don't understand why so many people want Superheated Mantle on him...then I would probably get Stun Knife, Force of Entropy, and Isomorphic Pyre, depending on circumstances. The problem I seem to find is that I can't tell whether it is more important to build him to DEAL damage or to TAKE damage first. I haven't yet played him yet, so I guess I'll find out in about 8 hours, which is when I'll log on to BattleNet to play Aeon on Storms.

 

You can do well with only 1-2 damage items and the rest tank items, his abilities are very strong, especially 1v1.

 

Edit: also, there will always be disagreement in how to build a character. Especially because builds should vary depending in each individual scenario.

[Grantypoo]

I DID search for guides, and the reason why I posted is because they were not extensive enough for me; plus there seemed to be a lot of argument about how to build him. Currently I am leaning towards Spooky's opening build, since I do agree with Parallax being extremely important on Penthos and I don't understand why so many people want Superheated Mantle on him...then I would probably get Stun Knife, Force of Entropy, and Isomorphic Pyre, depending on circumstances. The problem I seem to find is that I can't tell whether it is more important to build him to DEAL damage or to TAKE damage first. I haven't yet played him yet, so I guess I'll find out in about 8 hours, which is when I'll log on to BattleNet to play Aeon on Storms.

From what I recall, you're horrible, almost as bad as Taimat, so it wont really matter what you build, you'll lose.

 

I kid, I kid.

 

Really, there is no good answer to the question of DEALING damage or TAKING damage. You need to look at their team comp, your team comp, and then decide. You cant decide before the game.

 

If there is no tanks on your team, you're probably going to want to make yourself be a tank. Penthos is versatile enough you can pull it off and still do very respectable damage. If you've got one or two tanks on your team already, then just go flat out DPS mode. I agree with everyone above who said max Q first, I used to play Penthos quite often and I almost always maxed W, then E, then Q. I thought Q was useless. Wow, I couldnt be more wrong. Q is great, especially in a 1v1. And yep, it slows towers as well, so it's very nice if you are pushing a lane. I get one W and then dont spend another point in W again until I have only W and Y to train.

 

I had two builds, I cant remember the exacts of it now, but one centered around rushing lethal barb (as you probably know, more attacks = more orbs with Penthos) and the other one rushed pyre. Both were to increase attack speed. I went Pyre if there were decent tanks on the other team and Lethal for more easy farming creep.

 

I think a big key to getting ahead with Penthos is to roam and jungle nonstop. Push your lane and then back off and jungle. Be aggressive, because you've got your blink (W) to get away with.

 

I liked going Lethal Barb, Stun Knife, Cerebro as my int item, then rest tanky items. Upgrade stun knife to time splitter sometime in there when its convenient. You can end up having 4000+ hps easily, good solid steady DPS and a blink plus a slow. FOE was nice, sometimes I got it sometimes I didnt, it just depended how the game went. I dont consider it essential on him.

 

One item I really liked was the Arcbound Ravager (I cant remember off the top of my head if it's called that now) but it increases attack speed and movement speed on crit, both of which are huge on Penthos. It was hilarious to be slowing someone trying to run with Q, slowing with FOE and getting a speed boost with my Arcbound, I would be moving like 3 times the speed of the enemy trying to get away.

[barwick]

Yeah there's been like 4 guides for penthos in the last 6 months. Mine *might* be slightly older than that I don't know.

 

There's a ton of ways to play him, there's really no standard way, but I think in general, he relies on orbs, so he needs attack speed. He's not bursty, but typically will slug it out in a fight for a while, even 1v2, and come out on top if you set him up right.

 

Don't bother building him int, it's pointless. I suggest agi build (NOT crit) to ensure high armor, with a decent amount of leech (glutton's bite used to be a key item for him, but it's now gone... *ahem*)

 

I personally like rushing a SHM on him, but now that I realize how absurdly OP durans machete is at the moment, I may get that first, followed by goggles for HP, then a SHM. But I haven't tried that, it may not be all that hot because early game the SHM not only gives you health, plus armor, it also helps you farm a TON. More than you realize.

 

Next time I decide to play him, I'll probably go:

Duran's

SHM

Agi components of Time Splitter, then complete it

From here, you probably want to get some HP (lotus is good for this).

 

Agi/leech from here

[Hitechgunner]

Welp, my build is quite similar to Barwick's - presumably because I started out from his guide, just customizing it for preference. I start of with a Duran's right now, due to the leech, then get SHM, for the same reasons above. After that, you really need more damage, so I get a Time Splitter, quickly followed by an Ihan. Sometimes, I swap Time Splitter and Ihan around, depending if I'm AAing or casting more. After that, I split - if I want INT, I go for Nitrogen, damage is Khali Blade, and max tank is Atom Smasher. After getting all of these, I sell my Duran's, Ihan and SHM, then get a few items out of a variety -

 

AA : Arcbound Ravanger, Lethal Barb

AA/Defense : Shadowmourne, Sliptyde

Defense: Organic Carapce, DST

Defense/Casting: Ancient Rune

Casting: Gravity Edge

AA/Casting: Cerebro, Yamato, Eternity

[Etd]

Lost treasure, Durand machette, super heated mantle, nitrogen, foe,prye, sliptide and finally Darwin's might. Solid build

[barwick]

Lost treasure, Durand machette, super heated mantle, nitrogen, foe,prye, sliptide and finally Darwin's might. Solid build

 

Why in the WORLD would you bother with a lost treasure on Penthos? HP regen meh

[GENLORDZ]

Why in the WORLD would you bother with a lost treasure on Penthos? HP regen meh

Cause it gives minerals and health regen?

[Adamantium]

In this current version, you can viably get lost treasure on any hero.

[Etd]

To answer your question the mineral bonus and up regen alongside Durand machette allow you to not be forced to skill your e until much later in the game. Not to mention you will get your 3rd and 4th items on penthos (which are pretty much required to keep you in the fight.

[Moo]

Lost treasure builds into parallax, which is a must-have on penthos, so starting with extra hp regen and income is great not just because of those two things, but it also builds into something you need.

[Soundwave]

I saw a guy useing a very good early/mid game build: u start with 3 durans machete and than buy pyre. Than I usually go for FOE and after that I buy galactic defender. If I need dps than just shadowmorune and khali blade. Max out Q and W first and upgrate your ulti as soon as you can. Talents: might, fury, demigod (very important) fitness, integrity and swiftness. You should farm like crazy but with this build you can attack heroes usually without problems. I would not recommend attacking heavy tanks with this guy. If ur team dont have tanks u can build him into tank too but that is a completely different build.

[Lios]

I saw a guy useing a very good early/mid game build: u start with 3 durans machete and than buy pyre. Than I usually go for FOE and after that I buy galactic defender. If I need dps than just shadowmorune and khali blade. Max out Q and W first and upgrate your ulti as soon as you can. Talents: might, fury, demigod (very important) fitness, integrity and swiftness. You should farm like crazy but with this build you can attack heroes usually without problems. I would not recommend attacking heavy tanks with this guy. If ur team dont have tanks u can build him into tank too but that is a completely different build.

 

Very good early/mid game because he have "3 Duran Machete", Duh ! It slow your build down, should only used when ur screw in lane and behind,your build have nothing that help him to survive the cc. Max w is not necessary, just max e so you can spam it and make you unstoppable mid game... He's not even last hit that good so demigod is a waste, not like someone gonna let a Penthos get a free lane to farm, plus if you started 3 duran just to farm then you are wasting it potential for early game and what is the reason for any AA attack tanks....

[Etd]

Getting 3 Durante machette use to be viable before the item remix changes.... Getting 3 now is a waste of money .. That's 1,500 you just wasted that doesn't build into anything. The uniques don't stack so is the 24 agility and 200 hp worth 1,500? God no.

[Lios]

Getting 3 Durante machette use to be viable before the item remix changes.... Getting 3 now is a waste of money .. That's 1,500 you just wasted that doesn't build into anything. The uniques don't stack so is the 24 agility and 200 hp worth 1,500? God no.

 

Jesus I have so much hates for those who get multip duran items...

[Soundwave]

 

 

Jesus I have so much hates for those who get multip duran items...

Lol. Last time I used this build I got 32 kills and 10 deaths and my pub team was feeding too. You get 300 health around 5 armor 27 damage and if I remember right 24 percent weapon speed. I assume that is quite good for 2250 minerals. Also u can spend your minerals immediately so u will get bonuses quicker unlike with other items. Because the earlier health increase and weapon speed and damage u can farm better and attack others much earlier which means confortable gameplay and higher income. U need demigod to farm more efficiently. Not useing demigod is a huge bonus thrown away. I am sure u didn't try out this build. Than I ask you: Why do you judge something when you did not even try it out? If it is not the way you would play the caracter, it does not mean that it is a wrong way to play him. At last you want to max Q and W first cause W helps to kill creeps much faster and again that is higher income. Q will be useful against heroes. Early E max is a tanky build which gives u a lot less money cause you kill crepps slower which slows down your development.

[Moo]

Lol. Last time I used this build I got 32 kills and 10 deaths and my pub team was feeding too. You get 300 health around 5 armor 27 damage and if I remember right 24 percent weapon speed. I assume that is quite good for 2250 minerals. Also u can spend your minerals immediately so u will get bonuses quicker unlike with other items. Because the earlier health increase and weapon speed and damage u can farm better and attack others much earlier which means confortable gameplay and higher income. U need demigod to farm more efficiently. Not useing demigod is a huge bonus thrown away. I am sure u didn't try out this build. Than I ask you: Why do you judge something when you did not even try it out? If it is not the way you would play the caracter, it does not mean that it is a wrong way to play him. At last you want to max Q and W first cause W helps to kill creeps much faster and again that is higher income. Q will be useful against heroes. Early E max is a tanky build which gives u a lot less money cause you kill crepps slower which slows down your development.

The w damage is so low you shouldn't put more than 1 point into it until after stats. Although you may be able to kill creeps a bit faster with higher level w, a higher level e allows you to be in lane longer to kill the creeps and gives you a ton of effective hp without building tank. Always max q first however, as it is your main damage source.

[Lios]

Lol. Last time I used this build I got 32 kills and 10 deaths and my pub team was feeding too. You get 300 health around 5 armor 27 damage and if I remember right 24 percent weapon speed. I assume that is quite good for 2250 minerals. Also u can spend your minerals immediately so u will get bonuses quicker unlike with other items. Because the earlier health increase and weapon speed and damage u can farm better and attack others much earlier which means confortable gameplay and higher income. U need demigod to farm more efficiently. Not useing demigod is a huge bonus thrown away. I am sure u didn't try out this build. Than I ask you: Why do you judge something when you did not even try it out? If it is not the way you would play the caracter, it does not mean that it is a wrong way to play him. At last you want to max Q and W first cause W helps to kill creeps much faster and again that is higher income. Q will be useful against heroes. Early E max is a tanky build which gives u a lot less money cause you kill crepps slower which slows down your development.

 

Clearly you sir don't know what stun knife is. You can go for a penthos 3 Duran machete and ill go 1 machete and stunknife, we can 1v1 to see who's gonna win. And you are talking about pubs while Penthos is best in 1v1, kills show nothing. You can play against a new guy that haven't ever tried to play the game before and get 100 kills, honestly I care to see if your team gonna win or lose not how a guy get fed