Belial by Erethreal

Belial has the following bases statistics:

Health: 1320
Health Regen: 4.8
Attack Damage: 107
Attack Speed: 0.85
Attack Range: 500
Mana and Mana Regen: Standard
Base size: Tyrande/Standard

Belial is a fragile Support - Utility Hero who must remain behind Allies while in his true form. With above average Auto Attack Damage and a healthy range, Belial is able to contribute to skirmishes more meaningfully than many other Supports, but bare in mind that the majority of Belial's damage will almost always fade away due largely to his unique Illusory damage mechanic.

What makes Belial interesting is that he can largely ignore the base restrictions of his class at a numerical level by assuming the strengths or weaknesses of his Allies through Deceive. By mimicking a tankier Ally, Belial could position himself much closer to enemies in order to pull of a clutch Whispers, or a devastating Moment of Weakness. Alternatively, assuming the form and function of a more threatening Ally such as an Assassin might allow Belial to reposition the enemy team indirectly.

Belial's base statistics highlight his delicate yet deceptively powerful nature, taunting enemies to dive or commit to self-destructive tactics.

Belial's Talents allow him to develop as more of a traditional Support [healing, mitigation, some utility], as an optional Siege damage dealer [global presence, minion focus, cross map threat], or as a Sustained Damage/Ambush option [Illusory Damage mitigation, Auto Attacks, Summons].

Tier 1

Petty Illusions [A Thousand Schemes] - A Thousand Schemes only converts 50% of Belial

Specialists occupy a catch-all category that include Seige damage threats, unique Ally interactions, and Heroes that alter the normal pattern of a game. Belial satisfies all of these qualifications, but isn't as durable, potent, or threatening enough to warrant a Specialist classification. So much of Belial requires the presence and participation of Allies that he cannot win without directly interacting with them.

Belial's power is based around his ability to have the enemy question their imperfect knowledge through Deceive [which Raynor is the real one?] and A Thousand Schemes [should the Healer spend heals on damage that might just fade away?]. Dark Covenant is powerful if left to grow unchecked and Whispers is a purely supportive ability, benefiting Belial's teammates far more than Belial himself.

Belial's Heroics follow the same pattern of enabling others while still retaining a feeling of control or mastermind power. Perhaps Belial encourages his team to take out specific buildings with Ritual of the Moth. Or perhaps Belial feels he can remove the enemy front or back line presence with a well timed Moment of Weakness, both ultimates can turn the tide of a close game, but neither enable Belial by himself to push through objectives or fight through an enemy teamfight.

When playing Belial it is tempting to imagine yourself as a push enabling machine, but it's more effective to taunt enemies with well timed Illusory damage than it is to storm the gates of their more fortified positions. Forcing enemy Supports to waste resources on imaginary threats can be more destructive than outright destroying towers and gates, a lesson many Specialists have learned the hard way.

Ultimately, I feel Belial is a rare chance for HotS to explore the more "strategy" oriented Supports without having to dip their toes back into the increasingly crowded Specialist pool.

I'd love to hear your ideas on this concept, and I apologize for any formatting ugliness, I haven't quite adapted to HF yet. It also goes without saying that all of the images and characters I use are not of my design/origination and should be credited to their respective creators. Thank you!