Dota 2 Faceoff: Slark V/S Faceless Void

Who will win in a faceoff between Slark and Faceless Void? This is a question many Dota 2 fans have raised over the years. Although Dota 2 is a 5V5 team game, individual rivalries can be interesting as well. While the game mostly revolves around strategic team fights and the element of surprise, post-game chats are known to get even more competitive. Many players would show their urge to fight 1V1 to prove supremacy over others.

Slark and Faceless Void are two of the most sought-after hard carries in the game. Each has its own strength and weakness. During the heat of a team fight, it can be difficult to explore a hero’s true potential as a carry due to many other obstructions. But in a comparative study, one can explore the depth of their powers.

Slark, the Nightcrawler

Slark is known for spending half his lifetime in the Sunken prison world of the Dark Reef. It is little known why he was sent there in the first place. But according to Dota 2 lore, Slark is the only known-slithereen to escape out of the dark reef. This is major because he developed a gift of stealth and ruthlessness. In the game itself, Slark is a fearsome melee carry with agility attributes. Capable of feeding on other’s powers, Slark can turn vicious as and when required. Best Slark players are known to win fights just by playing a game of hide-and-seek with their enemies. They strike when their foes expect the least. Slark has the power to slip into darkness rendering himself untouchable. As the game prolongs with the right farm and build, Slark only gets stronger.

Darkterror, the Faceless Void:

Faceless Void or Darkterror as he is known to many is a mysterious visitor to the physical realm. He is said to have come from Claszureme, a realm outside of time. According to Dota 2 lore, there was an apparent upset in the balance of power which led Faceless Void to travel to this plane. Darkterror has complete mastery over time and he can use that ability in battles. His time manipulative skills can cancel out any damage done to him. With his big maze, he can freeze his foes in the bondage of time and gain supremacy in fights. In the game of Dota 2, Faceless Void is a melee agility core with substantial damage-dealing capabilities.

Round 1: Level 1 Slark v/s Level 1 Faceless Void

Both Slark and Faceless Void being carry-heroes, are not at their strongest during the beginning of the match. In Level 1 each hero is allowed to select a particular ability. With no level of ability selected, Faceless Void is assured to win. This is simply because of higher attack damage and armor at the start of the game on Faceless Void. Now based on ability selection the fight can go either way. By selecting Time Walk [Q], Void can negate any damage done to him in the past two seconds. The only way Slark can think of winning this fight is to take the third ability Essence Shift [E]. In that scenario, Void can best hope to counter it with his own time lock. In the end, the chances of Faceless Void’s success are more.

Verdict– Faceless Void wins. Faceless Void 1- Slark 0.

Round 2: Level 25 Slark v/s Level 25 Faceless Void (No items):

Now both Faceless Void and Slark being agility core, their powers will rise as they progress to maximum level. At level 25, both have almost unlocked their full powers and ready to jump into the fights. The thing that is exciting here is the exclusion of any items. That means both these heroes will have to depend on their pure talents and fighting abilities to decide the fate of the match.

Faceless Void will hope to have the upper hand in terms of his fearsome ultimate- Chronosphere [R]. Then again, Slark is probably one of the few heroes who can counter that with his own ultimate- Shadow Dance [R]. Shadow Dance allows Slark to attack from behind a cloud of Shadows, becoming invincible and dealing damage at the same time. If both Faceless Void and Slark decide to trigger their ultimate at the same time what will happen? Slark will be protected under his clouds but frozen in time. The Faceless Void will be free to move but unable to attack Slark. After their ultimates have worn off, it will be a straight-out brawl, which Slark will easily win with the help of his maxed-out Essence Shift.

Verdict – Slark Wins. Faceless Void 1 – Slark 1

Round 3: Level 30 Slark v/s Level 30 Faceless Void (Item included) 

With the inclusion of items, the fight can go either way. If faceless Void carries Bloodthorn that can silence Slark, he can use Chrono to trap and kill him. Likewise, If Slark can silence Void, he can kill him easily. But again, if both of their ultimate is triggered, the results will be similar. Considering both carries have similar items, Slark again is tipped to have the upper hand in the fight. Essence shift will steal away Void’s attributes with each hit, rendering him powerless. This is again a hypothetical situation that is unlikely to arise in a real battle.

Verdict – Slark wins. Faceless Void 1 – Slark 2.

Slark wins the face-off 

In this hypothetical simulation, Slark wins. But in real matches, such a situation may never arise as it also depends heavily upon individual skill level. The players in the game, in real-time, can change the course of the fight with their interpretation and quick thinking. Watch the picks of your opponent, visualize, and pick the hero you think is easier to execute. If you can visualize your course of action, chances are, you will do better in the game.

Read: Top 10 DOTA 2 Heroes for Beginners; A Complete Guide