Talents

Patch 7.07b brought some changes:

Level 15 changed from Blink Uncontrollable Illusion to +15 Agility

Level 20 changed from +10 All Stats to Blink Uncontrollable Illusion

Now you can't have both the illusion and the +300 Blink range - honestly, I would pick the former most of the times. Instead, at level 15 you can opt for the -1s Blink cooldown, reducing it to only 4 seconds once maxed.

20 (Blink Uncontrollable Illusion)

This talent spawns an uncontrollable illusion when you blink. Of course, this illusion alone can’t replace the Manta Style, but is still very useful because it procs Mana Break.

Can’t be controlled

Target acquisition radius of 600

If no target is in the radius, the illusion will stand idle until an enemy enters in the radius

Attacks neutrals only when you are in their aggro range when blinking

Attacks the enemy unit closest to it

The illusion helps increasing your farming and pushing powers, and is annoying in ganks and teamfights.

20 (+300 Blink Cast Range)

With this talent you have a total of 1450 cast range once the ability is maxed. It empowers Anti-Mage’s survivability and fighting power.

Defensive. When split-pushing, it will be even harder to catch you as you can blink further away. Particularly strong near a jungle area.

Offensive. For casters and supports a correct positioning in teamfight is mandatory. With a 1450 Blink range AM can effectively jump over the front lines and reach any squishy mana user. At that point, their survival chances will be very poor if he has a Manta Style.

25 (+25% Spell Shield)

The talent stacks with Spell Shield, giving a total of 81% magic resistance! It won’t be fun for the enemy nukers.

Update: In 7.07b the talent gives +25% Spell Shield instead of 30%.

Top trending heroes

Looking at the top ten trending heroes of the week on Dotabuff - by increased win rate - we find the following ones: Beastmaster, Medusa, Anti-Mage, Meepo, Vengeful Spirit, Storm Spirit, Tinker, Bristleback, Outworld Devourer, Drow Ranger.

Anti-Mage is a perfect carry against most of them.

The new Medusa is indeed having a great success, but even the Gorgon can’t face AM, because her Mana Shield will be completely drained in no time.

Storm Spirit, Tinker, and Outworld Devourer are also heavily countered by his skills, and a well-landed Mana Void could destroy the entire enemy team. Also, the first two heroes essentially inflict magic damage, pointless against the boosted Spell Shield.

Drow Ranger and Vengeful Spirit must fight from a distance to not be overwhelmed, and now AM is better than ever at engaging, thanks to the improved Blink Range.

Note: the heroes listed above aren’t the most played ones, but those that increased their win rate the most with the new patch.