Nyx Now Rivals Anti-Mage: Better Mana Burn Even with Battle Fury

Patch 7.36 brings significant changes to Dota 2, introducing new aspects and innate abilities that add layers of complexity and give rise to various quirky mechanics. Today, let's dive into one particular aspect and its surprising, possibly broken, implications.

Nyx Assassin’s left aspect replaces the traditional mana burn from his ultimate, which used to burn mana from his second ability. Now, with this aspect, Nyx burns a portion of the current mana with all his abilities. This might seem more balanced... but he can burn mana using item abilities as well. Check this out:

1. Don't Touch the Bug!

Imagine you're an empowered Invoker, you catch Nyx in your Tornado, and he reflexively uses Spiked Carapace. You think you have him trapped, so you throw a Meteor and...

You lose all your mana. Why? Because Nyx activated Blade Mail under your Meteor. After that, he uses Eul’s Scepter, slips away, and you’re left as a core caster with zero mana. Amazing, right?

Medusa fares even worse – she can lose all her mana in just six hits (with only 170 damage per strike)!

2. Don't Let the Bug Touch You!

What if the enemy isn't hitting you? They might not touch you under Blade Mail or even lift you with Eul’s right after activation to save some mana. But you still want to burn everyone’s mana – what can you do?

Equip Mjollnir and start attacking. Here’s the result of just one lightning proc:

And after just 10 seconds: How do you fight a hero that drains mana whether you hit them, they hit you, or they cast abilities? That’s a tough question, and it seems Anti-Mage might need to reconsider if his name still fits him.

3. Don't Stand Near the Bug's Victim!

An even bigger revelation – this works with the splash damage from Battle Fury. Yes, that's right, five hits and any enemy caught in the splash will be almost out of mana. And you know what? You don’t need to land six hits to burn everyone's mana. You can stack six Battle Furies – the splash from each one is counted separately. Look at this – just one hit does this:

You might argue that Nyx with Battle Fury is a strange idea. But what about giving him Empower? It works just like with Battle Fury – just look at this:

4. Don't Even Stand Close to the Bug!

Most active items also work with Nyx – Gleipnir, Ethereal Blade, Shiva’s Guard, Blink Dagger (strength), Phylactery/Khanda, Dagon, all of Parasme’s damage or Witch Blade, Bloodthorn’s final effect, the first tick of Meteor Hammer’s damage, even Havoc Hammer, Ogre Seal Totem, and the often overlooked Stormcrafter. After such a Nyx’s engagement, your mana will be gone, especially if he also uses his abilities.

However, some items don't trigger this effect – Urn/Vessel, Orb of Venom, Radiance, Cloak of Flames, Dragon Scale, Enchanted Quiver, Mind Breaker, Eul’s Scepter, Wind Waker, Shadow Blade and Silver Edge, Basher and Diffusal Blade, Monkey King Bar and Javelin.

5. Facing Nyx Carry? You Might Want to Leave the Game!

Did you notice which item is dealing with damage? Not just dealing damage, but transforming that damage. That’s right – the Brooch wasn’t mentioned. And guess what? Every hit under Brooch is considered an ability for Nyx’s aspect.

Below is the result of five hits from Nyx without using items or abilities, not even additional items. The outcome is both terrifying and startling. Nyx might not deal a ton of damage, but his enemies will definitely lack mana. He's the best hero for burning mana in the current meta, potentially outclassing Anti-Mage in this role.