Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- +Explosive burst damage with Plague mark detonation (10% max HP magic damage) enables quick eliminations
- +Skill 2 provides sustain during fights while dealing AoE damage, making him durable in extended skirmishes
- +Ultimate offers 6-second mobility window with repositioning power, enabling escape or aggressive engagement
Weaknesses
- −Heavily reliant on landing Skill 1 marks before burst—missing reduces damage output significantly
- −Long cooldowns on key abilities leave him vulnerable if combo fails or ultimate is on cooldown
- −Lacks hard CC, making him susceptible to kiting and crowd control from enemies with better peel
Abilities
PBite
When Kriknak hits an enemy with a skill attack, his next auto attack deals physical damage.
1Terrifying Plague
Kriknak commands his minion to attack an enemy, dealing physical damage and applying a mark to the target. If Kriknak attacks the marked target again, the mark detonates, dealing magic damage equal to 10% of the target's max HP. This also reduces this skill's cooldown by 3 seconds and restores 35 mana to Kriknak.
2Evil Tentacles
Kriknak dashes in a direction, dealing physical damage to all enemies in his path. Additionally, he restores HP to himself for each enemy hero hit by this skill.
RFury of Flying Locusts
Kriknak takes flight for 6 seconds, gaining a movement speed boost for a short duration. If this skill is used again while airborne, he dashes to the target location, dealing physical damage in an area and slowing nearby enemies.
Skill Order
Priority: R > Q > W| Skill | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1Terrifying Plague | 1 | · | 3 | · | 5 | · | 7 | · | 9 | · | · | · | 13 | · | · |
2Evil Tentacles | · | 2 | · | 4 | · | · | · | 8 | · | 10 | · | 12 | · | 14 | · |
RFury of Flying Locusts | · | · | · | · | · | 6 | · | · | · | · | 11 | · | · | · | 15 |
Loadout
Onslaught
Assassinate
Dragon's ClawStandard Build
1
2
3
4
5
6Core Combos
Mark & Burst
12Land Plague mark with Skill 1, auto-attack to trigger mark detonation, then chain Skill 2 for AoE cleanup. Use against isolated targets or grouped enemies.
Chase & Reposition
R21Activate ultimate for mobility, dash through enemies with Skill 2 for sustain, mark with Skill 1, and reset position. Ideal for diving priority targets or escaping unfavorable trades.
Gameplan
Early Game
Levels 1–6- →Farm jungle/side lanes safely—avoid extended fights without cooldowns
- →Use Skill 2's sustain to trade favorably in early skirmishes, but respect enemy burst damage
Mid Game
Post Broken Spear- →Rotate to grouped team fights where Skill 2 AoE and mark detonation maximize damage on multiple targets
- →Play around cooldown windows; use ultimate defensively if caught without escape routes
Late Game
Teamfight phase- →Position to dive backline with ultimate, mark carries with Skill 1, and detonate for burst before enemies react
- →Use Skill 2 to weave through team fights for sustain while maintaining threat on priority targets
Matchups
Kriknak gets countered by
AliceHer CC chain and healing reduce Kriknak's burst window; her tanky build mitigates mark detonation damage
GrakkHook prevents ultimate repositioning and hard CC chains disable Kriknak's combo flow
SupermanHis CC and shield block Skill 2 sustain; superior dueling and tankiness overwhelm Kriknak's burst
Kriknak synergizes with
VeeraHer CC setup enables guaranteed Skill 1 marks and burst from Kriknak; combined AoE damage secures teamfight wins
MinaDamage amplification buff increases mark detonation and Skill 2 burst significantly; sustain pairs with Kriknak's teamfight durability
Pro Tips
- →Prioritize landing Skill 1 marks on grouped enemies before committing ultimate—the 10% max HP detonation scales harder against tankier targets
- →Use ultimate's 6-second window strategically: engage for burst, then reposition out if counterengaged, rather than committing fully upfront
- →Stack attack speed items (Claws of Quetz, Frosty's Revenge) to proc Bite passive faster and chain mark detonations in rapid succession
Kriknak is a mid-game skirmish assassin with explosive burst potential through mark detonation. Pick him into grouped, immobile team compositions where Skill 2 sustain and AoE mark damage shine. His A-tier rating reflects high win rate in skilled hands, but low pick rate suggests meta viability limitations—he struggles against coordinated CC and heroes with superior teamfight presence.