Jason Hidalgo

jhidalgo@rgj.com

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Fans of Heroes of the Storm will literally dig the 50th hero for the game.

Dehaka is set to burrow his way into the Nexus as Blizzard officially unveiled the primal zerg Wednesday as the latest fighter to join its hero brawler.

Blizzard fueled much speculation about the new character after teasing the hero on Twitter with the image of a burrow hole. Several sharp-eyed fans speculated that the new character was none other than the essence collector from Starcraft, which the developer officially confirmed this morning.

After sitting in a corner and giggling to myself during the embargo period, I've put together some of the key characteristics for Dehaka as well as some tips, concept art and gameplay images straight from Blizzard.

That, I can certainly dig.

Following the release of ranged assassin Li-Ming and specialist Xul, we get a melee warrior this time around. A quick glance at Dehaka’s abilities reveals a sneaky fighter with escape, status infliction, sustain, baiting, near-global presence and a latching ability for literally dragging foes toward your teammates. To quote Mr. Burns, “ehhhxellent…” (insert hand or pincer rubbing here). Here’s a rundown of Dehaka’s base kit. For folks who prefer a straight-up description, I have included Blizzard's unedited ability list at the end of the article.

Mount

Dehaka’s kit starts with an interesting mechanic that eschews the traditional mount for Brushstalker [Z]. When pressing Z, Dehaka can burrow to any bush or vent on the battlefield. I repeat, ANY bush or vent on the battlefield. Talk about every face checker’s nightmare. One downside is that the move has a 40-second cooldown, which is pretty much necessary to prevent the move from being abused. Like John Turturro in Mr. Deeds, he’s a-very, very sneaky. This move obviously has good use for movement and escape but can also be used aggressively by moving into the enemy backline during team fights, allowing you to either exert additional pressure or cut off escaping foes.

Trait

Dehaka’s trait is called Essence Collection [D], allowing him to collect “Essence” from fallen foes. Essentially — pun oh-so totally intended — one hero takedown nets Dehaka 10 essence while minion kills near him grant two essence. Dehaka can collect up to a maximum of 50 essence. So what does this essence do? Well, by pressing D, Dehaka can restore health for each stack consumed over the next five seconds. In addition, the essence can be used during Drag or Burrow, both of which are detailed below.

Basic abilities

Drag [Q]: Drag lets Dehaka stick out his tongue like a little kid. Instead of getting admonished by mommy, however, the ability allows Dehaka to not only deal light damage to the first enemy hit by his tongue but also drag said hapless foe with him for 1.75 seconds. Blizzard says effective use of Drag is what separates good Dehaka players from the wannabes. It’s especially effective against squishy characters, allowing you to drag them into your team’s warm, killing embrace. I wonder what a Dehaka-Stiches combination would look like, hm?

Dark Swarm [W]: This ability allows Dehaka to move through units while dealing damage around him for three seconds. For added effect, the ability also can be cast during Drag and Burrow. Oh yeah, it also deals double damage against enemy heroes.

Burrow [E]: So what’s this burrow we keep hearing about? As its name implies, Burrow lets Dehaka dig into the ground. What’s more, the move also puts him in Stasis for two seconds, gaining Invulnerability during this time. Remember, this can also be used together with the damaging Dark Swarm and the health-recovering portion of Essence Collection for additional options in a pinch. Blizzard describes this move as Dehaka’s trump card. In addition to buying you time to survive, it also can be used to bait foes eager for a kill to overextend until your team arrives.

Heroic abilities

Isolation [R]: The preferred heroic for folks who live under a bridge. This move launches a a biomass attack that damages, silences and also slows the first enemy hero it hits by 30 percent for 3 seconds. Three seconds is a long time in a team fight so this can be potentially troublesome for foes. In addition, the targeted enemy also loses sight of allied heroes and suffers from greatly reduced vision for six seconds. Ouch. As someone who mains supports, this ability actually has me worried. Anyway, this is the heroic to pick if you’re having no problems surviving and want to push the offensive.

Adaptation [R]: Are those mean, terrible enemies ganging up on you and focusing your zerg carcass to oblivion all game long? Then this just might be what the Witch Doctor ordered. Adaptation triggers after a five-second delay, letting you recover 60 percent of the damage you received during that time. That could keep you alive long enough during an engagement to survive or turn around a team fight, provided you time it right, of course.

Anyway, there you have it, the latest new hero for Heroes of the Storm, Dehaka. What do you guys think of him so far? By the way, for folks eager to see him in motion, I have it on good authority that Blizzard is set to drop a video very, very, very soon.

Straight ability list

MOUNT: Brushstalker [Z]

You cannot use Mounts. Instead, you may burrow to any bush or vent on the Battleground. 40 second cooldown

TRAIT: Essence Collection [D]

You collect 10 Essence per Hero Takedown, and 2 per enemy Minion killed nearby, storing up to a maximum of 50 Essence.

Activate to consume all stored Essence and regenerate Health over the next 5 seconds for each stack consumed.

Can be cast during Drag and Burrow.

BASIC ABILITY: Drag [Q]

Lash out with your tongue, dealing light damage to the first enemy hit, and dragging them with you for 1.75 seconds.

BASIC ABILITY: Dark Swarm [W]

Over the next three seconds, you gain the ability to move through units and deal damage in an area around yourself. Deals double damage to Heroes.

Can be cast during Drag and Burrow.

BASIC ABILITY: Burrow [E]

Burrow into the ground, entering Stasis and becoming Invulnerable for 2 seconds.

HEROIC ABILITY: Isolation [R]

Launch biomass that deals damage, silences, and slows the first enemy Hero it hits by 30% for 3 seconds. For the next 6 seconds, the affected enemy loses sight of allied Heroes, and has greatly reduced vision

HEROIC ABILITY: Adaptation [R]

After a 5 second delay, 60% of all damage taken during this time will be returned to you as Health.

Blizzard gameplay tips

Brushstalker can be used for a daring escape, or a way to pin down enemies in the backline after a team fight has been won.

The Drag ability and how it is used will be the mark of a great Dehaka player. Do your best to grab Squishy Assassins or Healers for your team to pick off.

Burrow is your trump card. Bait an enemy into thinking they have secured a takedown, then burrow allowing your teammates time to show up and provide you support.

If you find that your opponents have been focusing on you more than the average game, Adaptation might be for you. Soak up all the damage thrown your way and heal up in exchange.

Note: Viewing this article on mobile? Click on full site view for an interactive graphic with in-game images as well as the Dehaka mecha skin