Arcane Pantheon

Mage 6 + God 4: shred magic resistance, then cast twice as often.

Gods cut every ally's cooldowns by up to 80% while 6 Mages remove 65% of enemy magic resistance. Zeus, Jakiro, Lina and Keeper of the Light delete boards before the enemy frontline even reaches your casters. Crystal Maiden's Arcane Aura keeps the mana flowing.

Final board

• Mars (1)
• Dragon Knight (4)
• Ogre Magi (3)
• Rubick (3)
• Zeus (5)
• Jakiro (5)
• Lina (2)
• Crystal Maiden (1)
• Oracle (2)
• Keeper of the Light (4)

Core items

• Aghanims Scepter
• Kaya
• Refresher Orb
• Null Talisman
• Black King Bar

How to play

1. Open with cheap Mages (Crystal Maiden, Skywrath Mage, Lina) and Mars for 3 Mage early.
2. Pick up Oracle and Rubick for God 2 (with Mars) by level 6-7; this alone roughly halves your cooldowns.
3. Level aggressively at 7-8 to find Keeper of the Light and Ogre Magi, and the 5-cost Zeus and Jakiro.
4. Finish with Dragon Knight up front: he is Human #3 (free XP) and a knight-shield tank.
5. Give Zeus Aghanim's Scepter; stand him on the colour square that matches most enemies.

Strengths

• Massive AoE burst, scales into any late game.

Weaknesses

• Naga 4 / Hood of Defiance / BKB stacks and fast Assassin dives.