Hello! I'm Xayj. This is my first guide and probably my last. Honestly I crafted this guide more so out of a selfish desire than one of wanting it to become popular. But, i'm not that kind of person to half *** something. So i'll be updating it to be more "helpful" over the span of the heroes existence. Enjoy!


The "Lonely Tank" Build

The Lonely Tank build is suggested for use when you're going in solo. Or if your team comp has no dedicated healing. This build will help you survive as long as possible on the front lines with the ability to get away to fight another day.


Level 1: Tissue Regeneration


By collecting 50 Essence you permanently increase your Health Regeneration by 5, up to 50.

Level 4: Numbing Eruption
Alternate: Lurker Strain


Emerging from Burrow knocks nearby enemies back and slows them by 30.00% for 2 seconds.


Burrow grants Stealth for 5 seconds.

Level 4 in this build has an option for 2 routes in my opinion. The first one being numbing eruption lets you knock back and slow enemy heroes which is great if you're in a 3-5 man squad and can call out when this is going to happen. Or if you just want to buy your team just a fraction of time and breathing room. But lurker strain is a great get away skill in any situation if you find yourself all of the sudden overwhelmed and you're still early in the game and don't have the ability to quickly regenerate and keep fighting.


Level 7: Symbiosis


Every time Dark Swarm damages an enemy Hero, reduce its cooldown by 0.50 seconds.




Level 10: Isolation
Alternate: Adaptation


Launch biomass that hits the first enemy Hero dealing 208.00 (+4% per level) damage, silencing and slowing them 30.00% for 3 seconds. Only allows them to see a very short distance for 6 seconds.


After 5 seconds, heal for 60% of the damage you took over this period.

Level 10 will once again provide a forked road to you. While you'd think most players feel Isolation is the only way to go at level 10. I feel Adaptation has its merits. Yes isolation give you a good dmg hit, silences and slows your enemy hero. But, if you find yourself in a situation without heals or a general support at all and you're your teams only tank. This may be the better way to go so you have just that much more breathing room on the front lines.




Level 13: Whirling Dervish


Reduces the duration of silences, stuns, slows, and roots against your Hero while Dark Storm is active by 50%.

Level 16: Rapid Regeneration


Burrow heals you for 316.16 (+4% per level) Health over 2 seconds.

Level 20: Apex Predator


Reduces Brushstalker's cooldown by 30 seconds and the cast time by 0.50 seconds.



The "Tank with Benefits" Build

This Build is meant for a player who is going into a match with a team that is built around stunning/rooting etc.. It helps if you have a dedicated support healer. e.g. Lt.Morales, Rehgar etc..


Level 1: Primal Aggression
Alternate: Enhanced Agility / Tissue Regeneration


Dark Swarm deals 100.00% bonus damage to Minions and Mercenaries.

Level 4: One-Who-Collects
Alternate: Hero Stalker


Increases Essence collected from Minions by 50%.


Increases Essence gained from Takedowns by 150%.

Level 4 in this build has an option for 2 routes one being whether you want to focus on minion soak with One-Who-Collects will help keep your essence count up. Depending on what skill you pick for level 1 this is either going to help you max out your health/speed or nothing but give you a keep health re-gen if you chose my suggested talent Primal Aggression which will help you gather essence quickly by soaking creeps and merc camps.


Level 7: Symbiosis
Alternate Feeding Frenzy


Every time Dark Swarm damages an enemy Hero, reduce its cooldown by 0.50 seconds.



Basic Attacks reduce Drag's cooldown by 1.50 seconds.

At level 7 depending on how you spec at level 4 feeding frenzy may be the better choice over symbiosis. With feeding frenzy you can still soak in a lane and keep your drag up for when you need to snatch a hero.

Level 10: Isolation
Alternate: Adaptation


Launch biomass that hits the first enemy Hero dealing 208.00 (+4% per level) damage, silencing and slowing them 30.00% for 3 seconds. Only allows them to see a very short distance for 6 seconds.


After 5 seconds, heal for 60% of the damage you took over this period.

Level 10 will once again provide a forked road to you. While you'd think most players feel Isolation is the only way to go at level 10. I feel Adaptation has its merits. Yes isolation give you a good dmg hit, silences and slows your enemy hero. But, if you find yourself in a situation without heals or a general support at all and you're your teams only tank. This may be the better way to go so you have just that much more breathing room on the front lines.


Level 13: Ferocious Stalker


Brushstalker increases your Movement Speed by 60.00% decaying over 3 seconds.

Level 16: Elongated Tongue


Increase Drag range by 20%.

Level 20: Contagion


Isolation hits all Heroes near the first target.