Introduction to tusk in dota 2

Tusk Dota 2 Hero is one of the game's most iconic strength-based characters, known for his high-impact ganking abilities and crowd control. First introduced in the 6.60 update, Tusk, also known as Ymir, fills the role of a melee support or initiator, bringing utility and playmaking potential to any lineup.

Hero Overview

Tusk is a strength hero featuring a diverse set of abilities that revolve around crowd control, mobility, and team coordination. Capable of initiating fights, saving allies, or isolating enemies, Tusk thrives in the early to mid-game. He performs exceptionally well in roaming and offlane roles, although he can even be played as a position 4 or 5 support depending on team composition.

Base Attributes

Primary Attribute: Strength
Base Health: 640
Base Mana: 291
Armor: 3.6
Movement Speed: 310

Abilities

Ice Shards

This first ability hurls a fragment of ice at a location, creating a barrier of impassable shards that last for several seconds. The shards can block enemies, trap them, or even seal off escape routes. Ice Shards also deal damage on impact, making them an offensive and defensive tool.

Snowball

Snowball is Tusk's signature ability, allowing him to roll into a ball and gather allies in the process. Tusk can then crash into enemies, dealing damage and stunning them. Snowball is a versatile spell - it can serve as both an initiation tool and a way to dodge spells or close distance rapidly during fights.

Tag Team

Tag Team is a team-centric ability that boosts Tusk's utility in brawls. When activated, nearby enemies take additional physical damage with a slow effect when struck by allied heroes. This makes Tusk especially dangerous in close-combat situations and synergizes well with melee-heavy lineups.

Walrus Punch (Ultimate)

Tusk's ultimate is a powerful critical strike that launches targets into the air, dealing bonus damage and briefly stunning them. Walrus Punch is best used as a finishing move or initiation tool and can combo effectively with other disables or nukes. It’s one of Dota 2’s most iconic and visually satisfying ultimates.

Gameplay Strategy

Early Game

Tusk excels in early rotations and ganks, using Ice Shards to isolate targets and Snowball to initiate or escape danger. In the laning phase, his durability and crowd control can create space and secure kills. Building items like Orb of Corrosion, Boots, and Magic Wand can elevate his early game impact.

Mid Game

As the game transitions, Tusk should focus on setting up picks and skirmishes. Tag Team boosts teamfight potential, and Snowball can save allies or bait enemy spells. Blink Dagger or Aghanim's Scepter are common core items that help him control the battlefield and extend his initiation range.

Late Game

While Tusk’s damage may fall off in the late game, his crowd control and utility remain vital. With proper itemization - such as Lotus Orb, Force Staff, or Abyssal Blade - Tusk stays relevant by enabling teammates and disrupting enemy cores. Timing your Walrus Punch correctly can still turn fights even in extended games.

Countering Tusk

To counter Tusk, heroes with strong escapes or disables work well. Mobility heroes like Queen of Pain or Puck can avoid his Snowball and Ice Shards combo. Long-range stuns and silences also hinder his initiation capability. Proper warding to detect early rotations can disrupt his snowballing momentum and neutralize his early aggression.

Conclusion

Tusk is a highly impactful hero with versatile roles and endless outplay potential. Whether it’s landing the perfect Ice Shards or coordinating a well-timed Snowball save, Tusk embodies Dota 2’s strategic depth and mechanical skill. With the right execution, he can be the playmaker that defines your team’s success across all stages of the game.