[Insert Demigod ASCII Art here (preferably with 'Torch' a fire graphic and
'bearer' an ice graphic)]
Torchbearer Guide
by arcnine9angel
5-6-09
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[a9a1.0] Introduction
[a9a1.1] Changelog
[a9a2.0] General Information
[a9a3.0] Skill Sets
[a9a3.1] Holocaustor
[a9a3.2] Hailbreaker
[a9a3.3] Frostburner
[a9a4.0] Items
[a9a4.1] Good Early Game Items
[a9a4.2] Bad Early Game Items
[a9a4.3] Good Solid Items
[a9a4.4] Bad Solid Items
[a9a4.5] Luxury Items
[a9a4.6] Favor Items
[a9a5.0] Strategy
[a9a5.1] Basic Strategies & Tactics
[a9a5.2] Torchbearer Builds Strategy
[a9a5.21] Holocaustor
[a9a5.22] Hailbreaker
[a9a5.23] Frostburner
[a9a5.3] Game Phases
[a9a5.0] Early Game (1-6)
[a9a5.0] Mid Game (7-14)
[a9a5.0] Late Game (15-20)
[a9a6.0] Credits
Progress:
ASCII Art: 0%
Introduction: 100%
General Information: 40%
Skill Sets: 90%
Items: 70%
Strategy: 8%
Credits: 50%
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[a9a0.0] Copyright and Stuff
This may be not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal,
private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed
publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other
website or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a
violation of copyright. This guide is Copyright 2009, AJ Chilton, aka
arcnine9angel. The ability descriptions are property of their respective
creators.
This guide has my permission to be hosted on the following sites (more to be
added later):
www.neoseeker.com
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[a9a1.0] Introduction
Hi there, my username is arcnine9angel (pronounced arc-nine-angel, no extra nine
sound) and this is my first guide submission to a game site, EVER, so please
don't be too critical of this guide. If you have any comments,
criticism(constructive please), questions, politely phrased complaints, or even
just some tips on how to make a better guide, you can message me at
chivalric-ritsuka@hotmail.com. I always appreciate constructivism ^_^. Btw, any
hate mail will be deleted on sight unless you give me a logical reason why you
hate my guide or me and type it in English, not textspeak.
I've been playing Torchbearer since the second week of release (right after I
got the game =P) and after going online to fight Pantheon matches, I found
several good tactics and strategies I enjoyed using with the TB. After realizing
the incredibly few numbers of Torchbearer players, and the rare number of
skilled TB players (I only encountered two people so far who played TB, and they
were the underdogs of the match, thank goodness I was there to help them =P), I
started thinking about creating a guide to the TB. I know i might be seeing more
skilled TB players online after I post this, which would mean it would be harder
for my ranking to increase when fighting tougher players, but I'm the type of
person that would rather win through honest gameplay, and not midnight AI
spamming like the people in the top 100 do (not that everyone does, but you tell
me how some people can win only 2 matches and get thousands of experience and
favor points without either AI spamming or hacking). If you know why that
happens, please tell me. I'm always happy to become less uneducated. =P
Well, despite the crappy week i've been having, something kicked in my head to
just start writing what i think, and before I knew it i had pages of stats,
skill sets, and item builds. So, evidently my heart decided before my mind could
stop hesitating in excuses to actually post a guide of something I know so that
I can help other people and not just myself. And now that i've bored you
thoroughly with my intro, let's get to the guide, shall we?
[a9a1.1] Changelog
v0.90 (unofficially)
Basic Set-up for the guide
Holes to Fix:
Organizing the different sections
Finishing the Items section
Make the Strategy section
Cleaning up the guide
Getting ASCII art (I suck at it, if anyone wants to help please?)
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[a9a2.0] General Information
Terminology
TB - Torchbearer, our personal apocalypse incarnate
UB - Unclean beast, the poisoned bear/tiger/
dmg - Damage
M(dmg/ias/ims/hlth)- Minion (damage/attack speed/move speed/health)
H/S - Health per second
M/S - Mana per second
IAS - Increased Attack Speed
IMS - Increased Movement Speed
synergy - mutiple of something (skills, auras, items) that is worth more than
the sum of its parts (Ex: Rain of Ice and Deep Freeze)
stun - an ability that prevents a demigod from taking any action, inculding
move, use an ability, or use an item.
disable - an ability that makes a demigod unable to use an ability or item,
although they can still move.
nuke - an ability that inflicts straight damage, normally several hundreds of
points
gank - a tactic used by two or more demigods to kill an enemy demigod with
surprise stuns or disables/an ambush of overwhelming power. Typically very
quick, if done     right, it only takes three seconds to kill or cripple an enemy.
dodge - an effect that gives you a chance upon being hit by a weapon that you
won't take any damage from the hit.
aura - an effect that affects either you and your allies or your enemies for a
beneficial or detrimental effect, respectively.
leech/drain/steal - an effect that allows you to deplete health or mana from an
enemy and gain the same amount to your health or mana.
No matter the build, the TB is centered around his spells. Period. In order to
suse those spells, you first need tons of mana, then you need to find ways to
decrease cooldown. You're not built for DPS, or survivability, but you might
consider boosting that range attack of yours because you'll be using it in
between your spells. That's why we there's life steal and mana steal. =)
I have considered enhancing your health and armor, to decrease how much damage
you take so you can stay in the fight longer, but the TB isn't meant to stay in
a battle, he's meant to backfire it in an enemies face, or freeze their
progression solid. You can buy breastplates as a luxury item if you want, but
get your solids first.
As for certain abilites, you may notice I use every skill except Flame Circle.
Although the ability sounds good on paper with its 600-1500 total damage and its
special mana regen upgrade, it isn't a very practical skill. In order for your
enemy to take any damage from Flame Circle, you have to be close to them when
you cast (Bad idea). Also, they can move out of the range of the circle, and
maybe only take 200 damage. For 400-800 mana, you can choose any other skill to
inflict over twice as much damage. Even you're ice skills can't help, because by
the time you switch modes to stun/circle them, they've already realized what you
are doing and moved out of the way. It's just not worth it to use the circle as
a six second warding spell. Although I have seen one use of FC that merits
mentioning; an ally in one of my games (he was a TB like me) used it on two
towers next to each other and almost killed them. I would have reconsidered FC's
use, if it wasn't for him dying as he tried to escape the constant tower
onslaught.
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[a9a3.0] Skill Sets
[a9a3.1] Holocaustor
My personal favorite, strong throughout the game, and even stronger late game.
I've used this one in every game so far, and I haven't lost yet. Of course, I
wasn't fighting strong opponents, so this is more of a n00bkiller build. I'll
try to improve this for competitive play against actual skilled oppponents.
Damage is fast and cheaper than the 'ice chain', and a better early game build,
although effectiveness will start to plataeu in the late game. Best to get
faster cooldown since you don't have to support as much mana, so those fireballs
can incinerate someone that much faster.
4 in Fireball
3 in Fire Aura
3 in Fire Nova
4 in Deep Freeze
1 in Fire and Ice
4+ in Enhanced Attributes
1 - Fireball I
2 - Fire Aura I
3 - Enhanced Attributes/Deep Freeze I
4 - Fireball II
5 - Fire Aura II
6 - Fire Nova I
7 - Enhanced Attributes II/Deep Freeze II
8 - Fireball III
9 - Fire Aura II
10 - Fire Nova II
11 - Enhanced Attributes III/Deep Freeze III
12 - Fireball IV
13 - Fire Aura III
14 - Enhanced Attributes IV/Deep Freeze IV
15 - Fire Nova III/Fire and Ice
16 - Enhanced Attributes/Fire Nova III
17 - Enhanced Attributes
18 - Enhanced Attributes
19 - Enhanced Attributes
20 - Enhanced Attributes
HailBreaker
A harder build, this one only truly benefits late game. Don't be a Hailbreaker
when it's 1v1 or maybe even 2v2, because unless you think you can avoid dying
excessively. If you take your abilites too early on, you'll waste all your mana
with little to show for it once your enemies thaw. Then you'll realize just how
they thawed: their newly directed anger at you. Then you try to run, but it's
too late, you already lost 90% of your health and they take the last 10% all
under 2.6 seconds.
The trick is to space out your abilites to the ones you'll need to control the
game throughout the phases. Deep Freeze is late game only, as it requires your
other spells to become truly effective. Frost Nova stuns and damages, so it is a
great support move when your with allies, but it costs a lot of mana, so you
have to wait until you can get the mana items to support it. Rain of Ice will be
the Hailbreaker's Fireball (It's even the namesake of this build) as it can be
used(although to a lesser extent) to last hit the enemy Demigods. Mostly, its
used as an AoE spell, despite it's low damage, it cooldowns relatively fast. We
also may need Fireball, because Fire and Ice will nearly double damage output
with Deep Freeze.
5 in Rain of Ice
3 in Permafrost
3 in Frost Nova
4 in Deep Freeze
5 in Enhanced Attributes OR 5 in Fireball+Fire and Ice
1 - Rain of Ice I
2 - Permafrost I
3 - Enhanced Attributes I/Fireball I
4 - Enhanced Attributes II/Fireball II
5 - Rain of Ice II
6 - Permafrost II
7 - Frost Nova I
8 - Permafrost III
9 - Enhanced Attributes III/Fireball III
10 - Enhanced Attributes IV/Fireball IV
11 - Frost Nova II
12 - Deep Freeze I
13 - Deep Freeze II
14 - Rain of Ice III
15 - Frost Nova III
16 - Rain of Ice IV
17 - Biting Chill
18 - Deep Freeze III
19 - Deep Freeze IV
20 - Enhanced Attributes
Frostburner
A delicate build, this requires masterful use of switching abilites. There are
several forms to make here, auras or no auras, ice combos with fire, fire impact
with ice, fire or ice nova, etc.
However, I will make what I believe will be the most effective skill set for
overall domination. In regards to the ideas below, it seems we'll be making a
tweaked Hailbreaker
If we start with fire, we get better mana per second from the start, and can
dominate early on. Then later with ice, we can chain combos for better support.
We'll get Frost Nova, so our points can go for that. We'll definetely need Fire
and Ice, for it benefits us more than before since we're using both modes. As
for auras, if we get them we'll be forced to reduce our effectiveness in our
spells, and their usefulness will depend on the mode we're in. The enhancements,
however, would benefit us no matter our mode and give us more bonuses then the
auras. So we'll go for some early domination with Fireball, then midgame on up
we'll focus heavily on ice.
An alteration of this would be to replace Rain of Ice with Deep Freeze so Fire
and Ice can be acquired earlier on, but it is not recommended unless you're team
is better than the enemy, or you're allies are good supporters/gankers.
4 in Fireball
4 in Deep Freeze
1 in Fire and Ice
3 in Frost Nova
5 in Rain of Ice
3 in Enhanced Attributes
1 - Fireball
2 - Enhanced Attributes
3 - Enhanced Attributes
4 - Fireball
5 - Enhanced Attributes
6 - Rain of Ice
7 - Frost Nova
8 - Rain of Ice
9 - Fireball
10 - Rain of Ice
11 - Fireball
12 - Rain of Ice
13 - Frost Nova
14 - Rain of Ice
15 - Deep Freeze
16 - Frost Nova
17 - Deep Freeze
18 - Deep Freeze
19 - Deep Freeze
20 - Fire and Ice
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Early Items - 1000g to start with
1. Fortified Structure I(1000g) - Everyone gets this so your defense can last
against early pushes. If you don't have a team, or your team doesn't buy it
(like newbies) or even if you think your team would benefit from keeping their
gold, buy this yourself. If its a small game (2v2 or 3v3), then you'll gain your
gold back in no time. If a 1v1, 4v4, or 5v5, save your money for the solid
items.
2. Health/Mana potions (275g/200g) - Necessary for when you know you're going to
get focused down. Gives you that boost in mana to squeeze out that extra spell,
or to give you just enough health to escape that gank.
3. Teleport Scroll(   g) - Ah, the teleport scroll. So useful for escapes and
ambushes. I'm going to experiment more with this nifty item, then I'll write my
experience here.
4. Scaled Helm/Plate Visor(550g/600g) - If you need an added boost, this might
be a good idea even though you're going to sell it back later (probably). I
personally say the Plate Visor is more helpful throughout the game as it scales
your mana regen instead of just giving a small boost, and only for +50 gold!
5. Scale Mail (400g) - This is the only other item I can recommend as a possible
choice. It gives you a small boost of armor to reduce the damage you take
6. Experience Upgrade (1200g) - If you can wait a bit to get the extra gold,
this will help not only you but your team as well to get the jump on levels,
which can turn the tide to your favor late game. You see, if you gain more lvls
than your opponent, theoretically you become stronger than him, and by
probability's law you will kill him more than he kills you. This means plenty
more gold for you, which then means you get your solid items faster and will
kick his ass harder. Keep killing your enemy until his hope for survival reaches
the fraction stage, where he'll either give up, or continue fighting the
hopeless battle and give you more points.
Counters against this tactic will be covered later. =P
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Bad Items
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Solid Items (6000g+)
1. Hungarling's Crown(6000g) - The best item for TB, that's a definite.
Additional mana/mana regen, but most importantly, reduced cost of spells! This
is a must. This will mark your rise to power. You should be able to get it once
your Lv 6, otherwise you might encounter difficulty in killing your enemy. For
TB to become a major player in a match, you will need this item. And only 6000g!
=P
2. Stormbringer(17000g) - There are plenty of Artifacts that give great bonuses
that could help you, but this one is made for the TB. Super amounts of Mana/Mana
regen, the ability to steal Mana from your opponent, AND -15% cooldown. If you
can manage to get the other cooldown bonuses (flag + favor item) then this will
be your penultimate item to complete the set.
3. Boots of Speed(1000g) - Yes, this is an item to get for anyone and everyone,
BUT NOT IN THE EARLY GAME! Spending your first gold on a speed item only means
you will be running back to the health crystal faster
4. Vinling Helmet(3300g) - A temporary replacement for the Crown, it gives you
great mana, and if you're being focused down after using your spells, it gives
you a chance to regain that Mana and turn the tide.
5. Theurgist Cap(3000g) - Although it seems like a primary Generals item, it
gives you a lot of what you need, plus the effect gives trouble to those who
dare attack you(and they will).
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Luxury Items
1. Groffling Warplate(5200g) - The only breastplate I think is good for the TB.
Tons of armor, some health, and a possible shield. The other breastplates either
aren't worth it, or give benefits to minions. The Armor of Vengeance would be
good, except that the return damage would be small because you're not a tank
who's meant to take damage. You're the guy who sneaks in unknown, dominates the
field, then returns to the fog before being surrounded. But every now and then
you need that survivability, so i'll test this out to see if it would be better
as a solid item
4. Bulwark of the Ages(16000g) BotA - This, actually isn't a bad item for the
TB. It gives him the survivability to stay in the battle and not worry too much
about getting ganked. However, you could save your gold for the AFR. It's up to
you, if you're starting to have trouble and don't think you can make it to AFR.
5. Mage Slayer(8000g) - Life steal, increased damage, and increased attack
damage. A very synergistic weapon, you can get this if you're aiming for
Ashkandor, then can sell this back later.
7. Ashkandor(20000g) - The enhanced health and life steal is a great help for
the TB. Like a triple version of Mage Slayer, and with that 4x critical! When
you're killing demigods like crazy, why not kill them faster and increase your
health at the same time?
8. All Father's Ring(25000g) AFR - This is a duh. It benefits ANYONE, A LOT. A
hell of a lot. Three hells of a lot. Do I have to list all the bonuses? Alright
fine: +1800 health, +30 h/s, +2600 mana, +25 m/s(mana per second), +1500 armor,
+50 dmg, +30% attack speed, +15% move speed, +10% dodge, and various minion
bonuses (minions don't matter to TB). Oh yeah, three hells of a lot.
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[a9a4.5] Favor Items
Ah, favor items, our glitchy best friends. Until Stardock manages to completely
fix favor items so we can use them again, I'll make some guidelines about which
item would be best for our TB, just for the future.
1. Staff of Renewal (1100fp) - By stats only, I think this is the best item for
TB. It gives a pathetic amount of bonus mana and health, but the real benefit is
the -20% cooldown. Oh yeah, with this and our other bonuses, we can abuse our
spells to the point of making our opponents cry. Ooops, did I say that? I meant
until they slam the keyboard typing over and over," h4Xor, f*****g hacker" and
"you cheater!" and wtf's galore. Oh, darn it, I just can't say the right
non-insulting phrase. Oh well, it's not like they won't be doing that after you
kill them again and again. ;)
2. Magical Coin Pouch(325fp) - A very cheap option, but very, very handy. Since
you're so item dependent for your mana and survivability, saving your gold is
incredibly helpful. 10% off a Stormbringer (17500g) reduces cost to 15750, which
is 1750 gold saved. That can cover for your early game items and some extra
potions. plus the gold you save from every item you buy, you can get your solid
items that much faster.
3.
4. Amulet of Teleportation(1125fp) -
5. Poisoned Dagger (800fp) - This nifty little thing may reduce the need for
movement speed, because now you can slow down your opponent even more to prevent
them from running away. Recommended for Hailbreaker/Frostburner, as it
synergizes well with your ice stun and disable (Nova and Deep Freeze). 5% IAS
too, do you have a better chance to use the effect.
6. Swift Anklet(450fp) - +15% IMS! That's like a Journeyman's Treads without
spending 6750k! Gives good speed, but you won't be as effective on the
battefront. You're a great runner though!
7. Brilliant Bauble(250fp) - For a cheap item, it's usefulness can't be denied.
That experience boost gives you the same advantage of the citadel upgrade, but
only for you and it takes up your favor item slot for a bonus you could buy at
the Citadel. You know, this one's not the best choice. Still handy.
8. Poisoned Dagger (800fp) - This nifty little thing may reduce the need for
movement speed, because now you can slow down your opponent even more to prevent
them from running away. Recommended for Hailbreaker/Frostburner, as it
synergizes well with your ice stun and disable (Nova and Deep Freeze). 5% IAS
too, do you have a better chance to use the effect.
9. Essence of Magic (1375fp) - The little extra mana/mana regen is helpful, but
the ability can truly benefit the Hailbreaker/Frostburner for your ice combos.
If you can cast and select within the space of three seconds that is. And if
not, at least you can get one or two abilities free of cost, right?
10. Cape of Plentiful Mana (1475fp) - If you're really having problems with
mana, this might help, but personally I think there plenty of better items. The
400% mana per second aura for 10 seconds might help you, but it mainly is meant
to help your allies more. Let's say you have 20 m/s yourself. Use the cape, then
you get 80m/s for 10 seconds, which equals 800 mana regained. Not much gained
for every 45 seconds.
Don't get this, your allies should be able to fend for themselves. You're
strength is from killing/ganking, not supporting.
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[a9a6.0] Credits
Stardock+Gas Powered Games - For creating Demigod, along with their other games
Neoseeker.com - For allowing me to post this guide and having more than just
games on the site so it hasn't been blocked by my school =P
Players on Pantheon matches - They've taken so many fireballs from me without
losing their cool and cursing me out. You know who you are. Thanks guys!
DotA - Yes, I'm thanking DotA. If it wasn't for the practice of playing online
matches against other people, I wouldn't have performed as well on Demigod when
I started playing. Also, if it wasn't for DotA, inspiration for Demigod would
not have come when it did, so I thank that as well.
Aeon of Strife - Along with DotA, I'll thank the creators of the original Aeon
of Strife custom map for Starcraft, for that was the beginning of the DotA
genre. even though the credit of creators has changed hands several times, you
people know who you are, so I'm thanking you as well.
Finally, Me - For getting over the problems constantly erupting in my life and
becoming determined enough to write this guide.
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