Maelstrom – Dota 2 Guide, Stats & Hero Matchups [Patch 7.38c]

Upgraded Item | Armaments

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A hammer forged for the gods themselves, Maelstrom allows its user to harness the power of lightning.

An electrifying companion, a fantastic item that not only supercharges your hero's attacks with lightning but also showers enemies with stunning bolts in a dazzling fashion!

Base Combat Stats

+ 25 Damage

+ 25 Attack Speed

Recipe

Abilities

Passive: Chain Lightning

Grants a 25% chance on attack to release a bolt of electricity that leaps between 4 targets within a 650 radius, dealing 110 magical damage to each. Lightning proc pierces evasion. Deals 150% damage to illusions.

Additional Insights

Pierces Evasion on ProcDeals 150% damage to Illusions
The Maelstrom is perfect for heroes seeking increased attack speed, damage, and a chance to unleash electrifying mayhem in battles. It's an item that can turn your hero's attacks into dazzling displays of lightning and create thrilling moments of surprise in Dota 2!

Statistics

The statistics below shows the percentage of hero builds which contain Maelstrom as a core, common or situational item for each role. These statistics are based on our hero guides.

Itemization Strategy

Commonly built by carries who wanna accelerate their farming in the early game that can be used all througout the duration of their game. Most notable heroes that benefits from it on the current meta are Windranger and Hoodwink.

Heroes with Maelstrom as Core Item

A core item that benefits from the spell amplification and attack speed from Bloodrage for some high damage Chain Lightning procs.

A core item for fighting and farming by clearing creep waves and neutrals much faster. Great against high armor heroes and illusions. The Mjollnir upgrade is another massive increase in Omnislash damage output.

A core item that improves your fighting and farming with increased DPS in an area. The Chain Lightning procs frequently with your high attack speed and attacks during static link. Can be upgraded to Gleipnir or Mjollnir later in the game.

A core item that improves your fighting and farming with increased DPS in an area. The Chain Lightning procs frequently from your high attack speed through Fiery Soul stacks. Gets upgaded to Mjollnir later in the game.

A core item that improves your fighting and farming with increased DPS in an area. The Chain Lightning procs frequently with your high attack speed. Gets upgraded to Mjollnir later in the game.

A core item that improves your fighting and farming with increased DPS in an area. The Chain Lightning procs can help secure multiple kills in Chronosphere and can be proc'd by your time lock extra hit. Can be upgraded to Mjollnir later in the game.

A core item that improves your fighting and farming with increased DPS in an area. Lets you clear creep waves and move to towers quickly to do damage with Treants. Gets upgraded to Gleipnir later in the game.

A core item that improves your fighting and farming with increased DPS in an area. The Chain Lightning can also proc from the second hit with Geminate Attack. Gets upgrade to Mjollnir later in the game.

An early to mid game item that allows you to flash farm and deal a lot of damage in fights. Pairs really well with Sleight of Fist to hit multiple targets for higher chances of Chain Lightning procs.

A core item that improves your fighting and farming with increased DPS in an area. The Chain Lightning can also proc on attacks from your Wukong's Command soldiers. Gets upgraded to Mjollnir later in the game.

A core item that improves your fighting and farming with increased DPS in an area. The Chain Lightning can also proc on the second hit with Gunslinger. Gets upgraded to Mjollnir or Gleipnir later in the game.

Heroes countered by Maelstrom

Gives you AoE damage with Chain Lightning procs to kill Chaos Knight and his illusions much quicker.

Gives you bursts of magic damage on right clicks with Chain Lightning procs that do not get negated by Dragon Knight's high armor.

Gives you AoE damage with Chain Lightning procs to kill Naga Siren and her illusions much quicker.

Lets you do some right click damage through Guardian Angel with Chain Lightning procs as it is considered magical damage.

Gives you AoE damage with Chain Lightning procs to kill Phantom Lancer and his illusions much quicker.

Gives you AoE damage with Chain Lightning procs to kill Terrorblade and his illusions much quicker.

Trivia

The Maelstrom is based on Norse mythology, specifically inspired by the mythological weapon 'Mjölnir', which is the hammer wielded by Thor, the Norse god associated with thunder and lightning. In Dota, the Maelstrom reflects this connection by imbuing attacks with lightning-based damage and stunning capabilities, reminiscent of the thunderous power associated with Thor's hammer.