The world of Dota 2 is filled with powerful heroes, each with unique abilities and playstyles. One of the most iconic and fearsome carries in the game is the Phantom Assassin Dota 2 Hero. Known for her unmatched critical strikes and evasive gameplay, Phantom Assassin is a staple pick in both casual and professional play.

Overview of Phantom Assassin

Phantom Assassin, also known as Mortred, is an Agility-based melee carry known for her exceptional burst damage and item-dependent scaling. She excels in the late game, slicing down enemies with devastating critical hits. Her gameplay revolves around timing, positioning, and picking off key targets quickly during team fights.

Key Attributes

1. Primary Attribute: Agility
2. Role: Carry, Escape
3. Attack Type: Melee
4. Complexity: Medium

Strengths

1. High burst damage
2. Great mobility with Blink Strike
3. Natural evasion with Blur
4. Scales well into the late game

Weaknesses

1. Reliant on farm and core items
2. Vulnerable to disables and silences
3. Weak early-game presence

Abilities Breakdown

Stifling Dagger

This ability allows Phantom Assassin to harass enemies from a distance while applying a slow. It deals a portion of her attack damage, making it powerful for chasing or last-hitting when farm is contested.

Blink Strike

Blink Strike teleports her behind a target enemy and deals bonus damage. It is a great initiation and chasing tool, especially when combined with other abilities and items like Abyssal Blade.

Blur

Blur provides two important effects - passive evasion and active invisibility. When activated, Phantom Assassin can disappear from the minimap and the battlefield, making her hard to track and target by opponents. Blur also disjoints incoming projectiles upon activation.

Coup de Grace (Ultimate)

Coup de Grace is what makes Phantom Assassin so deadly. It gives her a chance to deal massive critical damage with her attacks. As the game progresses and she acquires damage-oriented items, this ability allows her to swiftly eliminate enemy heroes in one or two hits.

Optimal Item Build

Like many carry heroes, item choices greatly impact Phantom Assassin's performance. Here are common core and situational items:

Core Items

1. Battle Fury - Enhances farming potential and splash damage for quick wave clears.
2. Black King Bar - Grants spell immunity, crucial in team fights against disables.
3. Desolator - Offers armor reduction and substantial raw damage.

Situational Items

1. Abyssal Blade - Delivers a reliable stun, enabling lockdown on critical targets.
2. Satanic - Provides lifesteal and survivability for sustained engagements.
3. Monkey King Bar - Useful against heroes with evasion or butterfly.

Tips for Playing Phantom Assassin

Success with Phantom Assassin requires smart positioning and decision-making. Here are strategic tips:

1. Prioritize farming early game to reach core items quickly.
2. Avoid unnecessary fights until you secure at least one or two key damage items.
3. Use Blur to scout safely and pressure isolated lanes.
4. In team fights, focus on squishier targets like enemy supports.

Conclusion

Phantom Assassin remains one of the most explosive and rewarding carries in Dota 2. While she demands a certain proficiency in timing and itemization, the payoff is immense for players who master her. With game-breaking crits and the ability to carry teams single-handedly, Phantom Assassin is a favorite for players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward gameplay.