Dota 2 Patch 7.38b: Troll Warlord Guide – The Best Build & Tactics

Troll Warlord is tearing up Patch 7.38b, and the Blix team has the definitive guide to mastering him. From the game-changing Bad Influence facet to a killer item build and pro-level tactics, we’re breaking down everything you need to dominate as this relentless carry. Let’s dive in and take your Troll game to the next level.

Dota 2 hero: Troll Warlord

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Troll Warlord Abilities in Patch 7.38b

Dota 2: Troll Warlord Stats

Whirling Axes (Ranged)

Dota 2: Troll Warlord Whirling Axes (Ranged)

Troll hurls a fistful of five axes in a cone shape over 950 range, slowing and damaging enemy units.

Whirling Axes (Melee)

Dota 2: Troll Warlord Whirling Axes (Melee)

Troll hurls two axes around him in a close range area of effect, damaging enemy units and causing them to miss some attacks.

Fervor

Dota 2 Troll Warlord: Fervor

With each continuous blow on the same target, Troll gains increased attack speed.  If Troll changes targets, the stacks drop to zero.

Berserker’s Rage

Dota 2: Troll Warlord Berserker’s Rage

While in melee form, Troll Warlord’s attacks have a chance to ensnare, preventing the target from moving or using mobility spells, and has additional movement speed and armor.

When in ranged form, Troll Warlord’s attacks have a chance to Maim the target, dealing bonus damage, and slowing the target’s movement and attack speed.

Battle Trance

Dota 2: Troll Warlord Battle Trance

Troll unleashes a powerful battle trance, that forces you to continuously attack the closest enemy unit within 900 range, prioritizing heroes. Damage does not kill you during this mode. Grants you bonus lifesteal, attack speed and movement speed. Applies a Basic Dispel.

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Aghanim’s Shard and Aghanim’s Scepter

Aghanim’s Shard

Fervor

Dota 2: Troll Warlord Fervor

Aghanim’s Scepter

Whirling Axes (Ranged)

Dota 2: Troll Warlord Whirling Axes (Ranged)

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Best Skill Build for Troll Warlord

Dota 2 Troll Warlord: Most Popular Skill Build

Troll’s skill progression is straightforward but impactful. Here’s the Blix breakdown:

• Level 1: Whirling Axes – Start here. It’s your rune fight winner, lane harass tool, and last-hit securer. The miss chance also deters early aggression.
• Level 2: Berserker’s Rage – One point for the toggle, ensnare chance, and slight damage boost.
• Level 3: Fervor – Early attack speed stacks for farming and trading.
• Priority: Max Whirling Axes first (wave clear and damage), then Fervor (farming and tower pressure), and Berserker’s Rage last (the ensnare chance is static; armor and duration scale later). Grab Battle Trance at 6, 12, and 18—never skip it.

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Troll Warlord Talents

Dota 2 Troll Warlord: Talents

Troll’s talents amplify his carry potential. Our picks:

• Level 10: +Movespeed during Berserker’s Rage – Helps with positioning and chasing.
• Level 15: +Fervor Attack Speed – Synergizes with Bad Influence for insane output.
• Level 20: +1.5s Battle Trance Duration – More uptime, more carnage.
• Level 25: Battle Trance Strong Dispel – The game-changer. Use your ult while stunned to escape or counter-initiate.

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Troll Warlord Facet Choice

Dota 2: Troll Warlord Facet Details

Let’s start with the standout choice: the Bad Influence facet. This is undoubtedly the best option for Troll Warlord in Patch 7.38b, and we at Blix completely support the excitement surrounding it. Why? Because the unlimited attack speed granted during your ultimate, Battle Trance, is simply extraordinary. Imagine this: you activate your ultimate, and suddenly, you transform into a whirlwind of axes and fury, cutting through anything in your path. But the benefits don’t stop with you—Bad Influence also provides attack speed bonuses to your allies, making it an exceptional asset in team fights and tower sieges.

If you’ve been playing Dota long enough (and some of us at Blix have been around since the era of constant nerfs and buffs), you might recall Troll’s previous ultimate, which granted everyone on the map attack speed. Bad Influence feels like a tribute to that glorious time—it’s about 50% of the former chaos, yet still a significant advantage for pushing. When compared to the alternative facet, which offers extra armor and some lackluster stats, Bad Influence is the clear winner. The other option is frankly dull and underwhelming. In every game, you’ll be choosing Bad Influence—no exceptions.

Dota 2: Troll Warlord Facets Stats

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Top Item Build for Troll Warlord in Patch 7.38b

Starting Items: The Classic Carry Foundation

Dota 2: Troll Warlord Starting Items

Your laning phase is crucial for establishing Troll’s dominance, and our Blix-approved starting build keeps things simple yet effective: Quelling Blade, one set of Tangoes, a Magic Stick, and three Iron Branches. This is the gold standard for most carries, and Troll is no exception. The Quelling Blade helps you secure last hits with ease, the Tangoes keep you healthy against harassment, and the Magic Stick can be a lifesaver when facing spell-spamming opponents. The three Iron Branches provide a small stat boost and give you the flexibility to build into a Magic Wand later.

Here’s the key point: we’re avoiding Wraith Band or Bracer. A look at Dota 2 Pro Tracker shows that professional players often skip these items on many carries—not just Troll. They can be a waste of 500 gold each, delaying your power spike. Instead, stick with the basics. If you’re facing heavy harassment, consider grabbing an extra set of Tangoes or finishing your Magic Wand early. Troll benefits from frequently using Whirling Axes, so those Wand charges are essential for mana regeneration and burst sustain.

Early Game Boots: Phase vs. Treads – The Big Debate

Next up, boots. Troll has two viable options: Phase Boots and Power Treads. Both are fantastic, and neither is relegated to situational status—they’re game-dependent picks.

Dota 2: Troll Warlord Early Game Items

• Phase Boots: The default choice for boots is essential for ensuring you don’t get kited. In the lane, these boots assist you in chasing down kills. Later, when you activate Battle Trance, Phase Boots help you stay connected to your target. Opt for Phase Boots in 60-70% of your games, especially if the enemy has evasive heroes or you’re concerned about your ability to stick to targets.
• Power Treads: The greedier option. Thanks to their attack speed and efficient mana usage when switching Treads, they are excellent for farming with Whirling Axes. If your team has plenty of stuns or crowd control (such as Lion, Shadow Shaman, or Earthshaker), then kiting might not be a concern, allowing Treads to help you accelerate your farming. Choose Treads in 30-40% of your games when you can afford to prioritize greed.

The Blix team’s perspective? Assess your lineup and the opponent’s. If kiting is a concern, Phase Boots are essential. Treads are your choice if you have lockdown and want to achieve Battle Fury faster.

Core Item Progression: Farming and Fighting Like a Beast

After boots, it’s time to build Troll into a farming machine and teamfight terror. Here’s the Blix-approved core build:

1. Battle Fury: Your first big item, no questions asked. Troll needs a farming accelerator, and Battle Fury is the king of this patch. Forget Maelstrom or Radiance—they don’t hold a candle to Battle Fury’s wave-clear and regen. (Aghanim’s Scepter used to be a thing, but it’s not your farming item anymore—save it for later.) With Bad Influence and Battle Fury, you’re a tower-pushing monster.
2. Sange and Yasha: This is your every-game follow-up. The stats, movement speed, and status resistance make Troll tankier and harder to kite. Plus, the slow on attacks synergizes with your kit. Sange and Yasha is a no-brainer for mid-game dominance.
3. Black King Bar (BKB): When the enemy starts throwing stuns and silences your way, BKB keeps you in the fight. With Bad Influence amplifying your ultimate, you can’t afford to be locked down. This is a must-have in 95% of games.
4. Basher: Rounding out your core, Basher adds control and scales into Abyssal Blade later. It’s perfect for locking down targets during Battle Trance, ensuring they can’t escape your onslaught.

Inventory Tip: Since you’re skipping Wraith Band, you’ve got extra slots early. Grab a Wind Lace for mobility (it’s cheap and helps with farming and escapes) and Infused Raindrops to shrug off magical burst. Troll’s already tanky with his miss chance and ultimate, but these small items make ganks a non-issue.

This core—Battle Fury, Sange and Yasha, BKB, Basher—is your bread-and-butter inventory in nearly every game. It’s reliable, straightforward, and devastating.

Dota 2: Troll Warlord Mid Game Items

Late Game Powerhouse: Options to Seal the Deal

Once you’ve got your core, it’s time to flex Troll’s late-game potential. Here’s the Blix team’s default late-game build and situational swaps:

• Default Late Game: Upgrade Basher to Abyssal Blade and add Satanic. Ditch your Magic Wand at this point—sell it for slot space. Abyssal’s stun locks down key targets, while Satanic’s lifesteal makes you unkillable during Battle Trance. This duo works in 90% of games.
• Anti-Evasion Option: Facing a Phantom Assassin or Butterfly buyer? Swap Satanic for Monkey King Bar (MKB). True strike ensures your damage lands, and the raw attack power keeps you relevant.
• Anti-Kiting Option: If kiting’s still a problem (even with Abyssal), sell Battle Fury or Sange And Yasha for a Swift Blink. The extra mobility and attack speed let you stick to targets like glue. Pair it with Abyssal, and no one’s running away.
• Aghanim’s Scepter and Shard: These are late-game luxuries. Aghanim’s Scepter dispels debuffs on cast (think slows, Ghost Scepters, or Glimmer Capes), making it a clutch anti-kite tool. Pick it up earlier (post-Basher) if the enemy’s loaded with disables; otherwise, save it for 50-60 minutes. Aghanim’s Shard boosts your Whirling Axes, but it’s more of a “nice-to-have” for ultra-late scenarios.

Dota 2: Troll Warlord Late Game Items

Situational Items: Flexibility Is Key

Troll’s core is rock-solid, but some games demand adaptability. Here’s our situational arsenal:

• Blink Dagger: Risky, but viable in 1-3% of games. If your team’s stacked with initiators (e.g., four Blink heroes) and you’re always late to fights, a late-game Blink can work. Avoid it before your fifth or sixth item—it’s a statless luxury.
• Butterfly: Against heavy physical damage, Butterfly’s evasion and attack speed are gold. Skip MKB if true strike isn’t needed.
• Silver Edge: For breaking specific passives (e.g., Bristleback, Spectre).
• Manta Style: A rare Sange and Yasha substitute. Good for purging silences early if Aghs or Satanic isn’t an option yet.
• Linken’s Sphere: Anti-Doom insurance.
• Skadi: Anti-regen or stat-stacking against tanky lineups.
• Refresher Orb: Double BKB and Battle Trance for ultra-late insanity.
• Nullifier: A niche Aghs alternative for continuous debuff purging.

Note: Items like Revenant’s Brooch, Maelstrom/Mjolnir, and Daedalus are fringe picks. Battle Fury’s dominance and Troll’s kit make these less appealing, but they’re not off the table in specific scenarios.

Neutral Items

Dota 2: Troll Warlord Most common Neutral Item choices

Game Tactics: How to Play Troll Warlord

Dota 2 hero: Troll Warlord

Mastering Troll Warlord requires more than just items and skills; it demands smart gameplay from the start until the final push. Here’s the Blix team’s strategy for bringing Troll from the safe lane to the enemy throne:

Laning Phase (0-10 Minutes)

Focus on last-hitting with your Quelling Blade and harassing the enemy with Whirling Axes. The slow effect and miss chance from Whirling Axes can deter aggression, so use it when the offlaner steps forward. Remember to toggle Berserker’s Rage to secure ranged creeps or to set up a potential kill with your support using ensnare. 

In matchups against spell-heavy heroes like Skywrath Mage, rely on your Magic Stick charges and consider grabbing extra Tangoes if necessary. Your primary goals are to survive, farm effectively, and aim to complete your Battle Fury within 15 to 18 minutes.

Early Mid-Game (10-20 Minutes)

With boots and Battle Fury, move between lane and jungle. Use Whirling Axes to clear waves, then stack and farm jungle camps. Take advantage of Bad Influence to become a pushing threat, and apply pressure to towers if the enemy heroes leave their lane. If your team is engaged in a fight, activate Battle Trance to help secure kills or objectives, such as the enemy Tier 1 tower. Next, prioritize obtaining Sange and Yasha for enhanced survivability and better chase potential.

Mid-Game Power Spike (20-30 Minutes)

This is Troll’s prime time to shine. With Black King Bar and Sange and Yasha, you’ll be a formidable force in fights. Coordinate with your team—let heroes with initiation capabilities like Earthshaker or Tidehunter take the lead. After they engage, jump in with your BKB and activate Battle Trance. Target the squishy supports or carries, as your Basher can lock them down effectively. After achieving victory in skirmishes, push forward—your Bad Influence ability buff will enhance your allies, allowing you to either siege the high ground or secure Roshan, as your attack speed will quickly dismantle the Aegis.

Late Game (30+ Minutes)

You are now a six-slotted monster—Abyssal Blade, Satanic, and situational items like Monkey King Bar or Swift Blink define your playstyle. Avoid overextending alone; Troll Warlord excels in team fights. Use Black King Bar and Battle Trance to survive enemy burst damage, then use Abyssal Blade on a key target, such as their carry or a troublesome Shadow Demon. If you are having issues with kiting, Swift Blink can help you close the gaps. After a fight, take advantage of your team’s increased attack speed to push for Rax or the Ancient. At level 25, the Strong Dispel talent makes stuns a non-issue—activate your ultimate and keep fighting.

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Troll Warlord Counters and Tips

Dota 2 hero: Troll Warlord

• Every attribute is harder, better, faster, and stronger in melee form. Typically the only reasons you should be in ranged form after the laning phase is to cast the ranged Whirling Axes, get hits on an enemy if you’re blocked out by something like Earthshaker’s Fissure or Clockwerk’s Cogs, or to get one very last hit on an enemy before they escape. If you’re trying to stay safe during a push, it can also be worthwhile to siege in ranged form.
• You can toggle Berserker’s Rage forms while channeling a TP.
• If you’re toggled into melee Berserker’s Rage when your ranged attack projectile connects, it will land as a ‘melee’ attack. Toggled attacks can’t get the melee Berserker’s Rage root, but they can cleave in front of your hero, apply the melee version of attack modifiers, and they will never miss uphill, which can be relevant in the mid lane.
• Whirling Axes are great wave clearing spells, but Troll runs out of magic juice fast with his terrible INT gain. Keep eyes on your mana pool.
• Fervor attack speed persists through death. This is important to know after you respawn (including from Aegis) or buyback. If you go back to hitting the same hero you were attacking before you died, you’ll keep the speed and resume adding Fervor stacks accordingly.
• Mechanically, activating Battle Trance is like having a Dazzle Shallow Grave cast on Troll. So whatever interactions work against Shallow Grave (like dying through Axe’s Culling Blade, but not instantly shattering to Ancient Apparition’s Ice Blast) are true with Battle Trance as well.

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Counters

• Troll’s no Ursa, but be aware that he can still solo Rosh fairly early in the game.
• The blind on Whirling Axes (Melee) is obnoxious and usually worth getting one of the King Bars (MKB or BKB) for. It also means that you need to be very careful when ganking him if you rely heavily on right clicks for damage.
• Troll’s entire kit revolves around making chop suey out of a single target. If he has to switch focus before killing a target, you’re doing a good job dealing with him. Force Staffs, Ghost Scepter, Eulses, and banishes are all ideal counters.
• Monkey King can instantly lose a Battle Tranced Troll’s aggro by going into Mischief.
• The lifesteal Troll Warlord gains from Battle Trance can be reduced by heal manipulation debuffs: Items that can reduce all heals: Spirit Vessel, Orb of Frost/Corrosion, Skadi, Shiva’s Guard, and the “Crippling Crossbow” neutral item artifact.

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FAQ: Troll Warlord in Patch 7.38b

Dota 2 hero: Troll Warlord

Q: Why should I choose Bad Influence over the other facet?

A: Bad Influence provides unlimited attack speed during Battle Trance and enhances allies, making it a powerful asset for pushing and fighting. The alternative facet’s armor and stats are not as impactful, which makes Bad Influence the better choice.

Q: Should I ever skip Battle Fury?

A: Rarely. Battle Fury is the key farming item for Troll in patch 7.38b. While Maelstrom and other alternatives may work in specific situations, they are not as reliable. Stick with Battle Fury for consistent performance.

Q: How do I decide between Phase Boots or Power Treads?

A: Choose Phase Boots if you need to kite, especially against mobile heroes like Weaver or Storm Spirit. Opt for Treads if your team has lockdown abilities and you want to farm faster—this is ideal for greedier games with stunners like Lion or Shadow Demon.

Q: When should I consider grabbing Aghanim’s Scepter early?

A: Rush Aghanim’s Scepter after acquiring Basher if the enemy team is using a lot of slows, debuffs, or defensive items like Ghost Scepter. It serves as your anti-kite solution when damage isn’t your main concern.

Q: Is Troll still viable against heavy magic damage?

A: Yes, especially with items like BKB and Infused Raindrops early on, followed by Satanic or Aghanim’s Scepter later. His ability to avoid attacks and tankiness from his ultimate make him resilient, but prioritizing BKB timing is crucial against burst-heavy lineups.

Q: What’s the situation with Wraith Band?

A: Professional players are moving away from it, and you should too. Spending 500 gold on boots or components for Battle Fury is a better investment. The stats from Wraith Band do not justify the delay in this patch.

Q: How should I play Troll in the late game with this build?

A: Activate BKB and Battle Trance, lock onto a target with Abyssal Blade, and use Satanic to sustain your health. Switch to MKB or Swift Blink if necessary, but focus on staying on priority targets and utilizing Bad Influence to benefit the team as a whole.

Ready to master Troll Warlord in Patch 7.38b? Share your best plays in the comments, or explore more Dota 2 tips on Blix.gg.

We suggest reading the Mastery Guide for Carry, Midlaner, Offlaner, Support, and Hard Support. This guide includes all the information you need about the best heroes in the current meta. Additionally, we recommend visiting the Reddit thread for more Dota 2 content.