Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- +Bloodlust passive enables self-healing during prolonged teamfights when HP drops below 50%, making him exceptionally durable
- +Skill 2 (Rend) into ultimate (Cull) combo provides reliable CC chain with stun and knockup for initiating or peeling
- +Undying Protector grants scaling shield and damage output simultaneously, creating offensive sustain rather than pure defense
Weaknesses
- −Bloodlust has 60-second cooldown, leaving him vulnerable between procs in early skirmishes before cooldown reduction items
- −Lacks mobility tools for kiting or engaging at range, making him susceptible to kite-heavy compositions
- −Skill 3 shield effectiveness diminishes against burst damage and coordinated focus fire from multiple sources
Abilities
PBloodlust
When Arduin's HP drops below 50%, he enters Bloodlust mode for 8s. During this mode, each auto attack or ability cast restores 2% of max HP (60s cooldown). He re-enters Bloodlust mode immediately after cooldown ends if his HP remains below 90%.
1Rend
Slash a wave of energy forward with his axe, dealing physical damage and slowing enemies by 2% for 2s.
2Rend
If the attack skill hits an enemy hero, Arduin can slam his axe to the ground, dealing physical damage and knocking enemies airborne for 1s.
RUndying Protector
Arduin unleashes power, dealing magic damage to nearby enemies and gaining a shield equal to 10% of max HP for 5s. After the shield is active for 8s, Arduin's next 3 auto attacks deal true damage. Each auto attack that hits a target reduces Cull's cooldown by 1s.
1Cull
Arduin throws his axe in a direction, dealing physical damage and stunning the first enemy hit for 1.5s. He then pulls himself to the axe's location, dealing physical damage to all enemies in range (Arduin is immune to crowd control while using this ability).
Skill Order
Priority: R > Q > W| Skill | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1Rend | 1 | · | 3 | · | 5 | · | 7 | · | 9 | · | · | · | 13 | · | · |
2Rend | · | 2 | · | 4 | · | · | · | 8 | · | 10 | · | 12 | · | 14 | · |
RUndying Protector | · | · | · | · | · | 6 | · | · | · | · | 11 | · | · | · | 15 |
Loadout
Golden Body
Protect
ProwessStandard Build
1
2
3
4
5
6Core Combos
Initiation Chain
R21Open with Cull to stun priority target, follow with Skill 2 for knockup, trigger Undying Protector shield with autos, then Rend to chase. Use when enemy team is grouped.
Sustained Teamfight
12Lead with Rend to initiate and slow, weave autos to proc Bloodlust healing once HP drops, use Skill 2 for CC when needed. Flicker away to reset positioning if low.
Gameplan
Early Game
Levels 1–6- →Play safe until level 4; Bloodlust is your only sustain and it has a long cooldown in early levels
- →Use Skill 1 (Rend) to harass and maintain zoning pressure without overcommitting
- →Avoid all-ins with enemies until you stack tankiness items
Mid Game
Post Broken Spear- →Position as second-line initiator; let squishy initiators draw cooldowns before Cull engage
- →Spam Skill 1 on grouped targets to trigger Bloodlust healing more frequently as fights extend
- →Undying Protector shield timing is critical—activate before expected burst windows to maximize damage reduction value
Late Game
Teamfight phase- →In 5v5 teamfights, your goal is to stay in combat as long as possible to maximize Bloodlust procs and healing cycles
- →Use Cull stun on high-priority threats (ADC, mage) to create pick opportunities, then let shield duration sustain your frontline presence
- →Chain Skill 2 knockups with teammates' follow-up CC to lock down targets attempting to reposition
Matchups
Arduin gets countered by
ZillHigh burst mobility and aerial evasion prevent Arduin from landing consecutive autos to trigger Bloodlust healing efficiently
PaineBurst damage and shield manipulation counter Arduin's scaling shield, while freeze effects prevent Bloodlust proc cycles
LaurielLong-range magic burst and invulnerability frames make Undying Protector's armor value irrelevant during engages
Arduin synergizes with
ThaneDual primary initiation allows Thane to absorb initial focus while Arduin's Bloodlust sustains the frontline—creates unkillable frontline duo
YornYorn's CC chain (stun into freeze) extends Arduin's window to land autos and proc Bloodlust while enemies are immobilized
ArumArum's shields stack with Arduin's Undying Protector, and her CC-to-damage conversion amplifies value when Arduin triggers Bloodlust healing cycles
Pro Tips
- →Track Bloodlust cooldown timings in teamfights; if it's on cooldown and you're below 50% HP, back off until it resets to avoid unnecessary burst deaths
- →Skill 3 shield lasts 5 seconds but requires 3 autos within 8 seconds to extend damage—plan your positioning to guarantee these autos land on enemies
- →Cull's range is deceptive; practice the range indicator in practice tool to land stuns on escaping targets at max distance, then immediately Flicker toward them for the pull
Arduin is a durable warrior best into sustained teamfight compositions where his Bloodlust healing and CC chain shine. However, his 0% win rate suggests poor matchups in the current meta, likely due to prevalence of burst damage and kite-heavy heroes that negate his sustain advantage. Pick into prolonged brawl-heavy team compositions with support that can enable his extended engage patterns.