Sven Guide for DotA Allstars 6.83: Skills, Item Build and Fighting Tips

Sven is a strength carry who combines a ranged stun, strong area damage and a short burst of extra power. He is easy to learn, tanky and strong in fights, which makes him a good hero for new players. This guide covers his skills, a simple skill order, an item path and how to use each skill at the right time.

Note: exact numbers change between map versions. Check the in-game tooltips for values; the principles below hold across 6.8x versions.

Skill overview infographic (original illustration)

Sven's four skills

• Storm Bolt: Throws a hammer that stuns the target and nearby enemies and deals damage. It is your main way to start a fight or stop a hero from escaping.
• Great Cleave: A passive that makes his attacks hit enemies next to the target. It is very strong against groups of creeps and lets him farm quickly.
• Warcry: Gives Sven and nearby allies extra movement speed and armor for a short time. Use it to chase, to run away or to survive burst damage.
• God's Strength (ultimate): Greatly increases his damage for a short time. Use it when you can attack for the full duration, not when the enemy can still run or stun you.

Recommended skill order

1. Level 1: Storm Bolt, so you can stun enemies and win early trades.
2. Next points: Great Cleave for farming, then Warcry, with extra Storm Bolt points when you need more control.
3. Levels 6, 11 and 16: God's Strength.

Item path

Start with boots and items that give strength and damage so you can farm the lane and the jungle. Sven wants to be in melee range, so buy an item that helps you reach enemies and one that keeps you alive while you fight. Add damage items once you can survive for a few seconds in the middle of the enemy team. Against teams with many disables, buy an item that protects you before adding more damage.

How to play him

• Farm the lane with Great Cleave until you can win the first fights.
• Open with Storm Bolt on the most dangerous hero, then move in with Warcry active.
• Press God's Strength when you are about to attack, so none of its time is wasted while you walk.
• Group with your team and look for fights near your own side of the map, where you can retreat if the fight goes wrong.

Common mistakes

• Using Storm Bolt on a creep or a hero who is not part of the fight.
• Pressing God's Strength too early and running out of time before you reach the enemy.
• Walking into the enemy team alone without checking where their disables are.

Where to try him

Sven is a good first hero to practise against the AI in a custom game. Our 6.83 AI map guide explains how to set up that game.