Crixalis, Sand King

I. Introduction

Long time ago, Sand King was my favorite hero until the time i found his weakness in some game playing. Moreover in 6.56, Icefrog nerfe him. Decrease armor to 0. But behind all of that, he is a strong ganker, AoE killer, even such a harasser early game with sand storm and caustic finale. So, this is SK guide presented by me. Hope you all know SK better.

II. Stats

	Crixalis – The Sand King Range: 128 | | Move Speed: 300 | Primary: STR Str: 18 + 2.3 | Agi: 19 + 2.1 | Int: 16 + 1.8 Damage: 43 – 59 | HP: 492 | Mana: 208 HP Regen: 0.79 | Mana Regen: 0.65 Attack Speed: 1.38 (+ 19% IAS) | Armor: 0.7 View Complete Stat
	Burrowstrike (E) The Sand King burrows into the ground, tunnels forward impaling everything above him, then surfaces. Level 1 – 100 damage, 400 maximum range. Level 2 – 160 damage, 500 maximum range. Level 3 – 220 damage, 600 maximum range. Level 4 – 280 damage, 700 maximum range. Mana Cost: 140 Cooldown: 11 Explanation : AoE stun. Must be used very well since last version the area is nerfed to become smaller. Taken : 1, 3, 5, 7
	Sand Storm (R) Sand King creates a fearsome Sand Storm. The storm blinds his enemies and he becomes invisible to them. In the same time his opponents take damage. Level 1- 20 damage per second, 300 AOE, invisibility lasts 20 seconds, 0.6 second delay before revealed Level 2- 40 damage per second, 350 AOE, invisibility lasts 40 seconds, 0.9 second delay before revealed Level 3- 60 damage per second, 400 AOE, invisibility lasts 60 seconds, 1.2 second delay before revealed Level 4- 80 damage per second, 550 AOE, invisibility lasts 80 seconds, 1.5 seconds delay before revealed Channeling Mana Cost: 60/ 50/ 40/ 30 Cooldown: 40/35/30/25 Explanation : For saving yourself only and harass (bonus) Taken : 4, 12, 13, 14
	Caustic Finale (L) Each of the Sand King’s attack injects a deadly venom that causes the target to explode violently on death, dealing damage in an area. Level 1 – 90 damage. Level 2 – 130 damage. Level 3 – 170 damage. Level 4 – 220 damage. Orb effect. Buff Placer. Mana Cost: N/A Cooldown: N/A Explanation : Nice orb effect, can be deadly if you can last hit very well in early game. Taken : 2, 8, 9, 10
	Epicenter (C) Sends a disturbance into the earth, causing it to shudder violently. All caught within range will take damage, attack speed slowed by 10% and movespeed slowed by 30%. Level 1 – 2.0 second casting time, 6 pulses of 110 damage. Level 2 – 2.0 second casting time, 8 pulses of 110 damage. Level 3 – 2.0 second casting time, 10 pulses of 110 damage. The casting time is actually channeling time. The pulses have the following AoE: 300/350/400/450/500/550/600/650/675/700 Mana Cost: 175/ 250/ 325 Cooldown: 140/ 120/ 100 Explanation : Very good AoE, can’t be dodged if successfully casted. Taken : 6, 11, 16

III. Strategy

Sand King is a simple hero. Early game just last hit well, and do some stun to scare your enemy. In some cases, SK is a good ganker since Burrowstrike range has 550 range. Caustic finale synergize well with this skill if the stunned enemy died after that. For me, there is nothing special in SK. But something you must learn from day by day is, when you should use your epicenter then use dagger. That’s the hardest thing to learn if you don’t know when and how with SK.

Early Game

x3

We need some stats and regen only in early game. So much tango since we need to last hit to activate casutic finale addded damage.

Middle Game

Those 2 item is your target item. Dagger for successful Epicenter and BoT for your safety and farming.

Remember to train your Epicenter + dagger. Good positioning can guarantee your kill and the winning of your team.

Late Game

Maybe those 2 items just some additional if game goes on. You need to be a killer in 1v1 now. Epicenter deals a smaller damage now since everyone has high health and armor. So, magic resistance, HP boost, and AoE + high attack needed.

IV. Worst Enemy + Best Friend

AoE Stunner + Silencer

Even though you have done a very good Epicenter, but if Leviathan cast ravage on you, your epicenter just goes on in that place. It means, you epicenter isn’t effective. Silencer can stop you from casting if he can see you channeling epicenter. Watch out. Statements above will also works well if they are your friend.

V. Conclusion

- Epicenter + Dagger is the most important skill you must have to play SK.

- Avoid buy Battlefury and any other orb effects. You have caustic finale to farm fast.