Passive: Symbiosis
Selena can switch between two forms, each with different sets of skills: Elven form and Abyssal form. Elven form skills place Abyssal Marks on her targets, while basic attacks and skills in Abyssal form consume those marks to deal magic damage. Her ultimate is also automatically unlocked at level 1.
A basic passive. Skills in Elven form give marks, and basic attacks and skills in Abyssal form consume them. Easy as pie.
However, be careful of how you use your marks. If you waste them, then your chances of escape will be slim. Properly analyze the situation before consuming all her Abyssal marks willy-nilly.
By the way, her basic attacks in Abyssal Form are melee, which means short-ranged. So, be careful when using her in this form. Switching between forms also completely resets the cooldowns of her new form, so if the cooldown for one skill is longer than that of the ultimate's, transform in and out quickly to reduce the time for waiting.
Elven Form Skills
Skill 1: Abyssal Trap
Selena puts a trap down on a location, giving vision and lasts forever. She can put up to 3 traps at any given time. When enemies step on the traps, a demon will lurk inside them and give them 1 Abyssal Mark, and after a brief moment, the demon will jump out and deal magic damage, slowing them down and giving another Abyssal Mark. The damage decays when multiple traps deal damage to the same enemy.
Selena's core skill. It is the only way for her to get two abyssal marks in a short time. Since this skill can be placed on the ground as a trap, one should maximize its potential and use up to two traps as vision wards. The last trap will be of use when executing your combo. This is so because when there are more than 3 traps in the same time and another is placed down, the first trap will disappear, leaving behind no vision. Thus, to avoid unnecessary planning, 2 traps as vision wards should suffice.
As to where they should be placed, it will depend on your playstyle. But, to get the gist of it, I will list down key locations. These include the middle lane bushes, the lord and turtle pit, the bush next to the gold crab's location, the enemy's blue buff, the bushes on the far end of the side lanes, as well as the bush opposite of the gold crab's pit.
Since only two locations can be seen at any given time, you should use them according to what style of playing you are using and what phase of the game you are currently at.
Skill 2: Abyssal Arrow
Selena shoots out a demon in a long straight line, colliding with the first enemy hero or jungle monster hit. It will deal magic damage to them and stun them for 0.5s to 3s (stun length and damage will be higher the further the arrow travels), giving them 1 abyssal mark. When successfully hitting a target, her movement speed will be briefly boosted. Furthermore, if this skill collides with an Abyssal Trap on its path, it will consume it and bring it along, giving the same effects as it originally was on the ground.
It is not mentioned here, but the traps do give vision. It is a very useful scouting tool for checking bushes to avoid ganks, but this skill is mostly used for the 3 second stun. This skill, which is the make-or-break skill in her kit, will determine the outcome for your performance. Thus, you must master how to aim it properly and how to predict your enemies' movements.
As the summarized description says, the arrow can literally pick up an abyssal trap and carry it on its journey. When it hits an enemy, it will apply the same effects as if they were stepped on while on the ground. Thus, this makes the S1 + S2 combo the very essential to her combo. If you miss her S2, then you're useless for another few seconds.
Again, I cannot mention it enough, but practise aiming this skill as much as possible. By the time you reach around 50 matches, you should be able to more accurately predict your target's movements. Just like Franco's hooks, it requires lots of skill and prediction, along with a bit of luck.
Lastly, the arrow can go invisible when shot through a bush. Although it will become visible again once it's not in the bush anymore, try to catch your enemies off-guard by shooting your arrows in bushes or through them. It will increase your chances of hitting them greatly.
Ultimate: Primal Darkness
Selena transforms into a demon, gaining movement speed for a short while. She will gain a completely new set of skills, resetting the cooldowns of S1 and S2 in Abyssal form. Her basic attacks in Abyssal form deal magic damage equal to a quarter of her total magic damage.
Simple skill, and it really is. Transform into Abyssal form, get movement speed boost, and get a new set of skills. Not much I can say about this, other than to try and utilize the movement speed boost as much as possible.
Remember that this skill resets the cooldowns of Abyssal Form's skills. Use this to your advantage by constantly spitting out damage.
Abyssal Form Skills
Skill 1: Soul Eater
Upon activation, Selena's next basic attack in a period of time will be empowered. She will slightly jump towards her target, dealing magic damage and receiving a shield. If the target has an Abyssal Mark, it will consume it and deal additional magic damage.
This skill looks simple, but it can be used for several other things other than damage. The fast activation of this skill is an advantage here - it refreshes Selena's basic attack animation. To maximize its potential, try activating it 2 to 3 seconds before you intend on basic attacking. This will cause her cooldown to be shorter and need not to wait for the skill to cool down. The same thing applies to Aldous' first skill - you prepare it beforehand while charging at your enemy so you can do 2 instant punches instead of just 1.
This skill is also great for pushing. I recommend you all to switch into Abyssal Form when pushing, and keep activating this skill while doing so. Since it is considered a basic attack, the magic damage applies to the turret, speeding up your turret pushing.
Also, the activation of this skill is already considered as a 'skill usage', so during the empowered basic attack, you can immediately proc the passive of items such as Calamity Reaper and Endless Battle. Use this to your advantage when preparing your build.
Last but not least, do not forget that this skill gives a shield upon performing an empowered basic attack. Although you don't immediately receive a shield upon activation, you will receive one when you execute a basic attack. This shield can come in handy in SO many situations. For example, if you're up close with an enemy and about to die under your turret due to a turret dive, activate this skill and perform a basic attack. The damage along with the turret damage will surely kill them, and you'll survive because of the shield protecting you.
Tip: This skill can be activated while under CC. You can prepare it, however you still can't get a shield by basic attacking since you're under CC. Wait for it to finish and immediately perform a basic attack - there's no telling whether it can save your life or not.
Skill 2: Garotte
Selena dashes in the specified direction, dealing magic damage to enemies along the way. If she dashes through a target with the Abyssal Mark, she will deal additional magic damage and this skill's cooldown will be reset.
Selena's main mobility skill. Try to dash through as much marked targets as possible, and dont waste it just by randomly dashing (unless you are not pressured or returning back to lane). Similar to Lancelot where he needs to dash through targets without a mark, do your best to dash through targets that have a mark. Since it resets the cooldown and deals decently high damage, it can be used as both a mobility and damage skill.
Example: Let's say you're being chased by an enemy through your top lane jungle where the spear-throwing lizard is. You are currently in Elven form. To make the most out of this situation, first place an Abyssal Trap (S1) on the lizard monster. Immediately transform into Abyssal form and dash towards the lizard. Since the trap you placed imemdiately gives the lizard a mark, it will reset your dash's cooldown when touching it. Then, walk as close to the wall behind the lizard as you possibly can, then dash through it into your turret range. The enemies will be cut off by a thick, long wall and you'll have insurance under your turret.
Ultimate: Blessing of the Moon God
Selena transforms back into Elven form, giving back all her Elven form skills. She also increases her movement speed for a short period of time and S1 and S2 in Elven form have their cooldowns immediately reset.
This is the exact same thing as the Elven form counterpart, Primal Darkness. I don't really have anything else to say since it's similar to her other ultimate skill.
Reminder: Keep track of which form you are currently in. If you have forgotten that you are still in Elven form and dash away from your enemies, check your skills first, or else you'll end up stalling yourself by shooting an unnecessary arrow, turning you into dead meat to your enemies.
I also forgot to mention this in the other ultimate's description but both Primal Darkness and Blessing of th Moon God do not enjoy cooldown reduction. Their cooldowns are fixed at 4.5s/4s/3.5s/3s, starting at level 0. So don't think you can go buy 40% cooldown reduction thinking that it will make her change forms faster.
Skills / Level | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
Abyssal Trap / Soul Eater | + | | + | | | + | | | + | + | + | | | | |
Abyssal Arrow / Garotte | | + | | | + | | + | | | | | | + | + | + |
Primal Darkness / Blessing of the Moon God | | | | + | | | | + | | | | + | | | |
Since Abyssal Trap / Soul Eater is Selena's main damage source, prioritizing that skill first is key. As per usual, you should upgrade her ultimate whenever available since it can reduce the time to change between forms. Keep in mind that Selena's ultimate is automatically unlocked at level 0 and you can unlock another skill at level 1.
Skill Combos
Before we get into combos, I have to show you something. While using the Abyssal Trap & Abyssal Arrow combo (S1+S2), there are two ways of doing it. The slower way would be S1 first before S2. You place down a trap and then shoot out an arrow. Though, it is comparatively slower than the other combo. Plus, the enemy can see where and when you're going to shoot your arrow since the trap will be visible in the minimap to everyone for a short time when you put the trap down.
The other way would be immediately aiming S2, then quickly putting S1 at the very edge of the skill right in the path of the arrow. If you're fast and accurate enough, the arrow will bring the trap along without your position being revealed for too long. This is very hard to do towards newer players, but I highly recommend learning this. I learned this myself from watching RRQ Lemon play Selena back then.
By the time you've practised doing the S2+S1 style for around 15 matches, it'll be a piece of cake to do. Adding with the aiming requirements and prediction skills, thiis short but hard combo will become a habit to do. Now, onto the real combo.
Selena's Main Combo
S2-S1-Ult-S1-S2-BA-S2-S2-Ult-BA
First, by using the S2+S1 combo I mentioned earlier, aim and stun your target. The arrow plus the trap already puts 2 marks on your target, which is the maximum amount at any given time. When you successfully hit your target, you should hear a sound effect and receive a movement speed increase. Combine that with the Ult skill to get even more movement speed, at the same time switching into Abyssal form for the next part of the combo.
Using the movement speed boost, prepare your S1 and approach your target from afar. To quickly close the gap before the stun is finished, dash towards your target using S2, and make sure the dash hits your target in order to reset its cooldown. Then, use a basic attack to consume the mark and deal massive damage. Wait for a little after that so that the demon from S1 pops out. Using the last mark, dash back to where you went from using S2, resetting the cooldown once more. Using the already reset S2, dash towards them one last time.
This last part, which as you can see is greyed out, is optional. It's only useful when you have the item Calamity Reaper. After using your ultimate to switch back into Elven form, use a basic attack to trigger the true damage on your target. This is not normally applied but you can use it if you aren't in any particular danger.
Alternative Combo
S2-S1-Ult-S1-S2-BA-S2-S1-BA-Ult-BA
Everything in this combo is exactly the same as the last one exept for the last part (before the greyed out section). Instead of dashing twice, you dash once and activate your S1 again, then use a basic attack to consume the last mark, which deals even more damage. Either combo works, it just depends on what type of situation you're in.
If you are diving under a turret, then the first combo is more recommended. If it's a one-on-one however, you should use the second combo since it has a higher damage output.
To truly execute this combo perfectly, you must constanty practise it. Without getting used to the flow, your combo will feel choppy and slow. You might even miss your chance of killing them if you wait for too long. So all in all, keep doing these combos and maybe make new ones yourself to master each and every technique. Now, onwards to the pre-battle preperations!
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Preperations
Item Builds
I have prepared three builds, however I'm going to explain only the first one since it is the main one I use. Of course, you don't have to stick to them if it doesn't suit your playstyle. Make sure to affix your items according to your team's and opponent's lineup for the best possible outcome.
1. Lightning Truncheon + Crit Burst Build
This is the main build I use. From left to right, the items are Demon Shoes, Lightning Truncheon, Clock of Destiny, Calamity Reaper, Berserker's Fury, Divine Glaive.
In total, the main stats that this build gives are:
• +323 magic damage
• +20% cd reduction
• +1300 mana
• +40% magic penetration
• +25% crit chance
• High amount of burst when LT and Crit happens
The biggest cons to this build are that when Selena does not crit and LT is on cooldown, her damage is quite low. Additionally, with the absence of any magical lifesteal items, she can be very vulnerable while using this build.
However, this is my main build for a reason. The crit damage when in full build can reach up to 2300 magic damage when paired with her S1 in Abyssal form. Adding on to that, more magic damage will be received when she consumes an Abyssal Mark, plus the extra damage from Lightning Truncheon and Calamity Reaper. In total, the damage can pretty much almost one hit kill any squishy mage or marksman.
Demon Shoes
I prioritize building Demon Shoes first since Selena's mana consumption in the early to mid game is mind-bogglingly high. Even if you have the buff, her mana still goes down faster than the speed of light. Especially if you're laning alone, where no one else can help you clear the wave. So, use Demon Shoes to avoid going to base constantly.
Lightning Truncheon
You might think this is a bit weird considering most people would opt for getting Clock of Destiny or Calamity Reaper beforehand. I have a reason to this. Selena will be requiring more burst in the early game, so I'd figure getting LT would be the best choice. CoD will need time to charge up and the extra stats that Calamity Reaper give pales in comparison with LT. Aside from that, since Calamity Reaper's passive is dependant on your magic damage, its damage won't be very high until you get another item.
Clock of Destiny
Obviously, if you have LT, you'd need this item. When fully charged up, CoD can give up to 900 mana, and paired with LT's 300 extra mana, you get 1200 mana in total. This amount of mana is necessary for LT's passive, which deals around 26.5% of your total mana as magic damage every 6s (I found this calculation myself :v).
Calamity Reaper
After building up some magic damage, it should suffice for Calamity Reaper to be more useful now. The true damage can come in helpful in many ways, especially when against tanky heroes. Calamity Reaper also provides 100 points of mana, so it is also useful towards LT in a sense.
Berserker's Fury
Now, you may think, 'Why is a physical item here when Selena is a mage?' Well, that's mainly for her S1 in Abyssal form. See, since her S1 is considered a basic attack, it can do critical strikes. When fully built, her critical strikes can deal up to 2300 magic damage on squishy enemies. I've even 2-hit killed a squishy marksman using S1 twice without needing the use of Abyssal Marks. That is, only if you're snowballing the game.
Divine Glaive
Last item is Divine Glaive. This is mainly for the 40% magic penetration (up to 70% penetration when enemy's HP is higher than 70%). If there aren't many tanks in the enemy team, then you can switch this item for Holy Crystal, Bloodwings or Necklace of Durance. Holy Crystal and Bloodwings should only be used when the enemy is not very tanky, and Necklace of Durance should be used when against high lifestealing heroes (Alucard, Ruby, Esmeralda).
2. Aggressive Jungling + Crit Build
Build: Beast Killer, Demon Shoes, Calamity Reaper, Berserker's Fury, Holy Crystal, Bloodwings.
I won't explain this build much further, but all I can say is that it is mainly used for jungling. There is no LT + CoD combo here, it focuses mostly on Selena's S1 in Abyssal form. The jungling item, Beast Killer, can be useful since it provides magic resistance.
I would mainly use this build for when I'm going really aggressive as a Selena in a trio or full squad line up. I would invade the jungle along with my teammates and use retribution as my main battle spell. If I'm not going very aggressive, I would use the two other builds.
3. Full Magic Damage Build