Ability
Crystal Nova
A burst of damaging frost slows enemy movement in the targeted area.
↻ 11 / 10 / 9 / 8 sec.Mana 115 / 135 / 155 / 175
Crystal Maiden
Abilities, roles and builds with an explanation for every purchase.
HERO GAME PLANWhat I want to do in the game
We provide mana for the team, hold targets with Frostbite and choose a safe window for the ultimate.
Able to keep her allies supplied with mana as she slows down enemies to ensure a kill, Crystal Maiden is a helpful addition to any team. And, when the opportunity arises, she can unleash her massive ultimate ability to devastate her foes.
Abilities at hand
01 / ROLE IN THE TEAM
A pick is not a plan yet.
My recommendation is a starting point. We choose another position together with the team and for its needs.
05
Hard support · position 5
Initial recommendationHelp the lane, provide vision and keep the ally alive first; expensive upgrades follow the necessary team purchases.
04
Support · position 4
I contribute through laning, control and movement. I adapt the expensive core route to my budget.
02 / ITEMS FOR A PURPOSE
What I buy and why.
I compare my starting point with current high-MMR builds. I name the source beside the build path and choose my own variations for the match’s needs.
Hard support · position 5
My starting plan
The core from the current Dota2ProTracker sample is Tranquil Boots, Shard and Blink. I add Glimmer as a situational save; I choose BKB and Aghanim for the specific fight.
Dota2ProTracker · 7.41f · checked 06.10.2026 ↗
01 / Core from the current sampleTranquil BootsProvide speed and regeneration between engagements, fitting a support’s budget.
02 / Core from the current sampleAghanim's ShardUnlocks or upgrades Crystal Clone. The exact effects are shown below in the abilities section.
03 / Core from the current sampleBlink DaggerChanges the entry angle and lets me reach a target quickly. Damage taken can prevent its use.
04 / Save for this matchGlimmer CapeAdds a protective tool and hides the chosen ally; invisibility does not replace escaping detection.
What I change for the situation 4 options
Black King Bar ↗Provides a window for my actions against eligible magical damage and disables. I check effects that pierce the protection.
Aghanim's Scepter ↗Unlocks or upgrades Freezing Field. The exact effects are shown below in the abilities section.
Force Staff ↗Moves me or an ally out of danger; direction depends on the target's facing.
Aeon Disk ↗Protects against sudden focus fire. I account for the cooldown and the fact that my damage is limited while it triggers.
I see the minute on the clock. And the situation too.
I do not assign one ‘correct’ minute to every purchase. I look at my gold, the next fight and the problem: am I missing mana, target access, control or protection? If an expensive slot will arrive too late, I get a useful answer earlier.
03 / HERO ABILITIES
Abilities. As in the game.
Original Valve icons and descriptions. Cooldowns and mana are shown by level from the data snapshot; talents and upgrades can change the values.
Ability
Frostbite
Encases an enemy in ice, dealing damage over time and preventing movement and attacks. Deals 4 times as much damage to all creeps except ancients.
↻ 9 / 8 / 7 / 6 sec.Mana 125 / 135 / 145 / 155
Ability
Arcane Aura
Increases mana regeneration for all allies on the map. Has a stronger effect on the caster and allies within 1200.
Details
Gives mana regeneration to all friendly units on the map. Allies within a 1200 radius of Crystal Maiden receive more mana regeneration. Crystal Maiden passively gains mana regen amplification.
Ability
Freezing Field
CHANNELED - Surrounds Crystal Maiden with 100 random icy explosions that slow enemies and deal massive damage. Lasts 10 seconds.
↻ 100 / 95 / 90 sec.Mana 200 / 400 / 600
Details and upgrades
CHANNELED - Surrounds Crystal Maiden with 100 random icy explosions that slow enemies and deal massive damage. Lasts 10 seconds.
Aghanim’s Scepter
Allows movement, attacks and spellcasting while the ability is active. Enemies can still interrupt it. The hero moves 75% slower. Increases the number of explosions by 20%. Units affected by the ultimate for more than 3 sec. receive Frostbite.
Innates, upgrades and other forms2 abilities +
These abilities are not necessarily available at the same time. I check the condition beside the name: innate ability, another form or an Aghanim purchase.
From Aghanim’s Shard
Crystal Clone
The hero slides in the chosen direction, disjointing incoming projectiles and leaving a crystal clone at the previous position.
Full description
The hero slides in the chosen direction, disjointing incoming projectiles and leaving a crystal clone at the starting point. When the clone expires or is destroyed, Frostbite affects all enemies within a 450 radius. The owner's other abilities also damage the clone.
Innate
Glacial Guard
A portion of the mana Crystal Maiden spends on her abilities is converted into a physical barrier.
Full description
A portion of the mana Crystal Maiden spends on her abilities is converted into a physical barrier.
Valve base stats +
- Health · base
- 494
- Mana · base
- 315
- Damage · Valve field
- 48–54
- Armour · Valve field
- 2.67
- Movement speed
- 280
- Attack range
- 600
- Strength · base / gain
- 17 / 2.2
- Agility · base / gain
- 16 / 1.8
- Intelligence · base / gain
- 20 / 3.3
These are fields from the official source. The hero's final values in the client account for attributes and other active mechanics.
04 / REAL MATCH
My Crystal Maiden match
Published episode: watch actual decisions and compare them with the plan above.
Watch the episode and breakdown ↗KEEP EXPLORING
One hero. Many decisions.
Items, slang and real episodes help connect abilities with what happens in a match.