Trouble winning with Ice TB

Zomg help me get better.

from Demigod Forums

Yo. After playing most of my games with the Ice Torch Bearer build (the one DG and build I definitly enjoy the most out of all the demigods) I'm having trouble figuring out how to win versus other demigods, or at least hold them off.

I've read other guides on here, as well as specific TB guides and I still am having trouble surviving against the other demigods. Most of the demis seem to do much more considerable damage than I do with only one or two abilities, as opposed to my Demi having to rely on leveling to a milestone of level five or higher, then using all of my attacks (ROI+FN+Shatter) just to do decent damage, yet still have a problem finishing my opponent off.

The other problem I have encountered, is my surviviability and my character's ability, or more of a lack thereof of, attempting to escape other demigods. Even in just auto attack fights against other RANGED demigods, it seems I have to advance to a distance closer than other ranged DG do just to start attacking them (allowing them to get a few cheap shots off on me to begin with.) From there depending on the DG (Regulus usually just flat outdamages and burns me down faster) and (QoT outlasts me with her shield while dealing the same if not better Auto Attack damage) I lose the fight or am forced to retreat unless I jump them already at low health. The only real ranged DG I have a decent fight against are other TBs, fire or ice, which I can win against if I time my abilities right. If I try to run, I'm usually out paced from the longer distance, or running at the same speed, and then gunned down. (as myself and my opponent usually have journeyman treads on or movement increasing items.)

As for the melee DG (bastardized UB, Rook(more easily avoided), oak, sedna, and so on) I find it almost impossible to run away from their snaring abilities, and even if I start running before they've closed to melee, their faster speed always ensures they close the distance even with items equipped which increase my own speed. Its hard to even combat these demis, as I die so fast to them in melee or slightly ranged (stupid rook arrows), its hard to begin kiting them after using an ability. When I get in range of them to deal my combo damage (ROI+FN+Shatter - I am forced to ROI them while in FN range (short distance PBAOE) because the limited time I have on the debuff timer I need for shatter to proc) I can usually get RoI off first before they're already closed on me, followed by a Frost nova to stun them for three seconds (or less dependent on level) and then shatter them bringing them down to half health (maybe 75% if they've stocked heavily on HP gear.) At that point there is no escaping, and even while holding my ground (because running just means I choose to die ten feet in my choice of direction) I still can't seem to dps the second portion of their life down while they instead have a field day on my mage ass and I'm waiting thirty more seconds to respawn again.

 

What is the deal? What am I missing here to be competitive? Should I maybe look at just full +health Items and ignore everything else? Despite micro and attempts to stay alive and at range, I'm always guaranteed I'm dying as soon as other DG look at me.

 

Give me a little help here, I'd like to be good at a game I enjoy.

1,356 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from Demigod Forums Top

Don't use shatter for damage. Use it for interrupts only. Nothing more fun than interrupting a Rook's Hammer Slam or any DG trying to teleport out. Using shatter for damage is so much wasted potential.

Don't try to kill enemies on your own, Ice TB really shines with assists. Just harrass your enemy. Go to a lane, wait for creep wave, rain it down from max range, retreat a bit. Starting with level 4 that will completely kill the wave. Simply don't let enemy get near you.

Starting with level 10 you can get the 2 second ice nova which allows you to escape. You can quickly reach level 10 by always killing the creep wave on your lane.

If you must fight an enemy demidog and have few seconds to prepare, switch to fire and back to ice to temporarily increase your white damage.

 

Most of all, group up with your teammates. As Ice TB you have lots of skills to assist your ally. Rain of Ice to do some nice damage, killing distracting creep waves and minions so that your ally can focus on the enemy DG. Ice nova to freeze enemy dead in their tracks and most importantly shatter to interrupt.

Another thing, a well-played Ice TB does not need many items. You can focus on citatel upgrades mid and late game.

Reply #2 from Demigod Forums Top

Don't ever enter melee range. Melee characters will come to you, and you can harass them while THEY waste time walking. It is also useful to 'bait' enemies with delays on potions, nukes, etc. That is, if you combo someone at full health into the ground, they walk away. If you combo someone into the ground after having dealt a good portion of their health in damage, well, chances are they're dead. And yeah, TB does not rock the 1v1 game. Use him as support, and hide behind your rook.

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Reply #3 from Demigod Forums Top

Quoting pseudomelon, reply 2
Don't ever enter melee range. Melee characters will come to you, and you can harass them while THEY waste time walking. It is also useful to 'bait' enemies with delays on potions, nukes, etc. That is, if you combo someone at full health into the ground, they walk away. If you combo someone into the ground after having dealt a good portion of their health in damage, well, chances are they're dead. And yeah, TB does not rock the 1v1 game. Use him as support, and hide behind your rook.
End of pseudomelon's quote

He can be awesome in the 1 v 1  provided you are a) Hybrid and b) built like an assasin for pure damage. Gloves and Hats are his friend, with something to be said for boots of speed to help the get away from me ness...

 

 

Reply #4 from Demigod Forums Top

First, I'm going to have to suggest that you not play pure Ice TB.

Secondly, if you insist on doing so, I would suggest getting max rank Permafrost, Boots of Speed, Swift Anklet, and Wand of Speed. Most enemies will be unable to catch you with this combination. I usually find that activating Wand of Speed and running towards the base gets me in the clear in a few seconds. Only the fastest of Unclean Beasts can keep up with you if you have these items.

Since Torchbearer's HP and armor suck, you must rely on mobility to stay alive.

Reply #5 from Demigod Forums Top

Yeah, I've played a few pretty amazing Ice TBs in my time, I usually play Sedna, and the place where he really shines is his ability to kill creeps.  Especially when paired against Sedna, who already has trouble killing creeps quickly, when you have a TB who rains ice down on wave after wave of creeps, and just sits practically within range of the towers, there's nothing to be done but watch that TB gain levels like nobody's business.  Also, to echo muusbolla, fireball's awesome for harassing and for spike damage, it's something to think about.

Reply #6 from Demigod Forums Top

Play ice TB in 4v4 or bigger game in a map with tight lanes.

Reply #7 from Demigod Forums Top

Ice TB is pretty much pure support. Yes I know he can do a little bit of damage, but if you play it to support your other demigod's THAT is where he shines. Interrupts and stuns are your friend.

Reply #8 from Demigod Forums Top

I play Ice TB with the Staff of Teleportation favor item while holding an Observer Orb.  When I see an enemy with full health come, I'll teleport to an empty lane.

I focus on three things.  First, I watch my teammate's lanes.  If they're fighting a DG, I'll teleport over and lend my support.  Being able to wipe out a wave for them, damage a DG, and slow a DG's attack speed means he gets pushed out of the lane.

Second, I farm creeps and push lanes.

Finally, I'll also be the first to play a defensive role if I see many waves of enemy creeps piling up at our doorsteps.

By constantly teleporting to where you're needed, Ice TB allows his team to gain the momentum.  He also generates a ton of gold which translates into nice citadel upgrades.