Introduction to lina - the slayer of fire
Af Simon - 12 Sep 2025
In the world of Dota 2, few heroes command as much power and respect as Lina, the fiery mage who turns battlefields into blazing infernos. Lina is a ranged intelligence hero renowned for her burst damage, spell-casting precision, and team-fight presence. If you are seeking a high-damage spellcaster with the potential to change the course of a game, then the Lina Dota 2 Hero may be your ideal pick.
Background Lore
Lina, also known as the Slayer, hails from a volatile region where she and her younger sister Rylai (Crystal Maiden) were continually at odds due to their contrasting elemental alignments. While Rylai embraced the cold, Lina flourished in heat. Her temperament is as explosive as her abilities, and her mastery over fire magic makes her one of the most dangerous forces in the game’s lore. Her story is one of independence, power, and burning ambition.
Abilities and Skills
Lina’s skillset is centered around quick and devastating magic spells that can eliminate enemies in seconds. Understanding her abilities is essential to mastering her role in Dota 2 matches.
Dragon Slave
This is Lina’s bread-and-butter ability. Dragon Slave sends out a fiery wave in a straight line, damaging all enemies hit. Not only is it great for harassing enemies in lane, but it is also an efficient farming tool throughout the game.
Light Strike Array
Lina channels her magic to stun opponents in a targeted area. Timing and prediction are key, as this spell has a slight delay before activation. Landing this ability often leads to deadly combos with her other spells.
Fiery Soul
Lina’s passive ability grants her stacking attack speed and movement speed boosts every time she casts a spell. This allows her to turn from a pure caster into a surprisingly effective right-click damage dealer, especially when enhanced with items.
Laguna Blade
Lina’s ultimate is a terrifying single-target nuke. At higher levels and when upgraded with Aghanim’s Scepter, it deals pure damage, bypassing magic resistance. This ability is deadly against key enemy heroes and often secures kills in critical moments.
Role and Gameplay
Lina can be played in multiple roles, although she is most commonly seen as a mid-lane core or a high-damage support depending on team composition.
Mid-Lane Dominance
In the middle lane, Lina can assert dominance with her superior range and high magic damage output. She can quickly farm and rotate to other lanes with impactful ganks, often swinging early skirmishes in her team's favor.
Support Utility
When played as a support, Lina brings crowd control and damage to the table. Her Light Strike Array can turn the tide of fights, while Dragon Slave provides excellent lane harassment and wave clear. As a support, her burst combo is still deadly in the early game.
Itemization
Choosing the right items for Lina is critical to maximize her potential. Some core items include:
- Eul’s Scepter of Divinity - A popular item, used to set up Light Strike Array.
- Aghanim’s Scepter - Upgrades Laguna Blade to deal pure damage.
- Black King Bar - Provides magic immunity, allowing Lina to stay alive during fights.
- Shadow Blade or Blink Dagger - Helps with mobility and positioning in fights.
Tips for Playing Lina
- Use Eul’s to land guaranteed Light Strike Arrays.
- Keep an eye on Fiery Soul stacks - they can make or break a fight.
- Always carry a Town Portal Scroll - Lina is great at responding to fights across the map.
- Focus on managing mana early on, as Lina’s spells are costly.
Conclusion
Lina is a rewarding hero for players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward gameplay. Her ability to nuke down enemies, control the tempo, and scale into a semi-carry makes her a staple in both pub and professional matches. Whether dominating the mid lane or supporting with fiery precision, the Slayer continues to ignite the battlefield across every patch. If you're looking to master a powerful and versatile hero, Lina is a thrilling and dynamic choice.