Dota 2 Primal Beast guide - All abilities, talents and ultimate

Dota 2 patch 7.31 is a mammoth update, boasting a long list of gameplay, hero and item changes that will undoubtedly alter the current meta. Arriving with it, however, is an ageless hunger known as the Primal Beast.

While perhaps an unsurprising addition to Dota 2 after players had to battle the Beast in Aghanim's Labyrinth, it seems only fitting that the Primal Beast's arrival is concomitant with a rumbling shake-up to Valve's beloved game.

Here's everything you need to know about the Primal Beast, from its abilities to the best item build to secure your victory in your matches.

What are Primal Beast's abilities in Dota 2?

Primal Beast is a melee strength hero currently classed as a Complexity 1 hero, best used in Initiator, Tank or Disabler roles. The hero has 720/267 base HP/Mana with decent base Attack Damage of 62-64.

Despite appearing as a clunky mass, the Primal Beast has solid mobility of 305 Movement Speed. We've indicated each of the Beast's abilities below, per the official Dota 2 patch 7.31 hero notes at release.

Ability 1 - Onslaught

Primal Beast charges up and then runs in the chosen direction, knocking back enemies and allies alike. Enemy units are damaged and stunned on impact. The longer the charge duration, the farther Primal Beast's momentum will carry him. 

• Ability: Point Target
• Affects: Enemy Units
• Damage Type: Physical
• Run Speed: 1150.0
• Maximum Damage: 2000.0
• Damage: 110.0 / 200.0 / 290.0 / 380.0
• Time To Max Charge: 2.0
• Stun Duration: 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.4 / 1.6

The ability does not pierce spell immunity and is dispellable. CD: 25.0 / 22.0 / 19.0 / 16.0. Mana Cost: 120. Players can cancel onslaught at any time with the Stop command.

Ability 2 - Trample

Primal Beast stomps over everything. For every 140.0 units travelled, all enemies around the Beast receive damage. Deals base damage plus a multiplier of Primal Beast's attack damage. Primal Beast is disarmed for the duration of the ability.

• Ability: No Target
• Damage Type: Magical
• Damage AOE: 1230.0
• Base Damage: 20.0 / 30.0 / 40.0 / 50.0
• Duration: 5.5
• Attack Damage Multiplier: 40.0%

The ability does not pierce spell immunity and is only dispellable with Strong Dispels. CD: 30.0 / 28.0 / 26.0 / 24.0. Mana Cost: 90 / 95 / 100 / 105.

Ability 3 - Uproar

The Beast's temper passively provides base bonus damage. Additionally, for every instance of 35.0 damage or more Primal Beast takes from enemy heroes, he accumulates stacks of Uproar.

When activated, Primal Beast releases a roar that slows surrounding enemies and grants the Beast additional attack damage and armour for 7.0 seconds based on his current stacks of Uproar. This ability is not dispellable.

• Ability: No Target
• Base Bonus Damage: 10.0 / 15.0 / 20.0 / 25.0
• Bonus Damage Per Stack: 15.0 / 25.0 / 35.0 / 45.0 (Max Stacks: 5)
• Slow Per Stack: 10.0%
• Slow Duration: 3.0
• Roar Radius: 900.0
• Roar Armour Bonus Per Stack: 1.0 / 2.0 / 3.0 / 4.0

Ultimate Ability - Pulverize

Primal Beast channels his rage, grabbing the target enemy and slamming them into the ground repeatedly, damaging and mini-stunning any enemies caught in the AoE.

• Ability: Unit Target
• Affects: Enemy Units
• Damage Type: Magical
• Damage: 150 / 210 / 270
• AOE Range: 600.0
• Hit Interval: 0.8
• Stun Duration: 0.3

The ability lasts for 2.3 seconds and cannot pierce spell immunity. CD: 32.0 / 28.0 / 24.0. Mana Cost: 100 / 115 / 130.

Shard Ability - Rock Throw

Primal Beast throws a rock at the target location that stuns and damages enemies. The rock cannot be thrown within a minimum range of Primal Beast.

• Ability: Point Target
• Affects: Heroes
• Damage Type: Physical
• Damage: 275.0
• Impact Radius: 225.0
• Minimum Range: 550.0
• Travel Time: 0.4 - 1.7
• Stun Duration: 1.8

The ability cannot pierce spell immunity. CD: 25.0. Mana Cost: 85.

Dota 2 Primal Beast - Best item build

High-ranking Dota 2 players will know that their item builds will almost depend on unique game circumstances. This includes reacting to the draft of heroes and game pace to the itemisation of enemy players.

However, if you're looking for a base item build, we've got you covered. Notably, it is still early in the meta, so many players are still figuring out the best item build for Primal Beast.

The following item build was used by Ana in a ranked match played on 24th February. Match ID: 6447057222.

In the pre-game phase, start off by purchasing a set of Tango, an Iron Branch and 2 Gauntlets of Strength. During the landing phase, you will build this into two Bracers. Keep the Bracers into the mid-game to benefit from the double attribute bonuses after minute 25.

Next, build a Soul Ring to ensure you have sufficient Mana to cast your spells. This is critical for most Strength heroes with a low Mana Pool and Intelligence gain. Next, you can build a Magic Wand and purchase Boots of Speed.

By minute 20, Ana had upgraded his Boots to Phase Boots and bought a Blink Dagger. As an Initiator hero, this item is critical. Next, pick up a Black King Bar to protect yourself from counter-initiations. By minute 34, Ana had won the game.

Other late game items that you can purchase include Heart of Tarrasque, Assault Cuirass, Overwhelming Blink, Shiva's Guard, Radiance, Wraith Pact, and Lotus Orb.

You can watch Ana's gameplay with Primal Beast in the video below.

• Read more: How does Valve's new controller support work in Dota 2?

All featured images are courtesy of Valve.