Zephyr
By: Newti


Skill Build
1 - Cyclones
2 - Gust
3 - Cyclones
4 - Gust
5 - Cyclones
6 - Typhoon
7 - Cyclones
8 - Gust
9 - Gust
10 - Wind Shield
11 - Typhoon
12 - Wind Shield
13 - Wind Shield
14 - Wind Shield
15 - Stats
16 - Typhoon
17 - Stats+

Justification / Modifications:
One level of wind shield can be taken early as it is passive and the first level provides significantly more than the following levels. Get this if you get early marchers and need to chase.
Then Max cyclones and Gust first. Generally i max Gust first if I am with a stunner. Cyclones otherwise. Typhoon is now good and taken whenever you can.

Starting Items:
1x Healing Potion, 1x Logger's Hatchet, 1x Iron Buckler

Core:
(Iron Shield >>) Life Tube >> Helm of the Black Legion >> Ghost Marchers >> Mock of Brilliance

Zephyr, being a very strong tank, is a good choice for Mock. Unlike other chars you can't rush it naked however. You will need at least Hotbl and some Boots first. Due to your excellent farming abilities you will still have your Mock pretty early tho (Min 25 Ghost Marchers, Hotbl and Mock is easy possible, check the Replays for examples). You can get Plated Greaves instead of Ghost Marchers if they feauture a lot of physical damage or armor reduction.

After Core:
(Tablet of Command >>) Barrier Idol >> Behemoth's Heart >> Frostwolf Skull

I encourage you to try Tablet of Command. It is an awesome item on Zephyr, giving him his former Leap back and another possibility to push enemies into your Typhoon (only if they face the right direction though). I tried it and liked it very much on this hero!
The rest is standard tank/carry build.

Information
Roles: Hard-Carry, Tank, Pusher
Prefered Lane: Any (Can solo mid and can also jungel from level 1)
Difficulty: 2 - Easy (Requires last hitting skills and Gust is a bit tricky to use)
Farming capabilities: 5 - Excellent (Probably the best amongst melee carries)
Item dependancy: 5 - Very Heavy
Power:
- Early Game / Lane Control: 4 - Strong (good lane staying power with cyclones, easy to farm early on, decent jungler from level 1 on)
- Mid Game / Ganks: 3 - Medium (Needs farm to become effective)
- Late Game / Team Fights: 5 - Very Strong (Carries hard if properly farmed)

Noteable +/- and synergies:
+ excellent pusher

30-Seconds-Guide:
- When you have cyclones up, you can use pathblocking to prevent an enemy from reaching his tower, doing more damage than just rightclicking.
- If you use a homecoming stone you will lose all cyclones, keep that in mind.
- Gust has a lot of different uses. Always think about all the possibilities before using it.
- When cyclones expire, the oldest will expire first (thats a good thing)
- If you are at max cyclones always consume one before you do a last hit. The oldest cyclone will be consumed.

Replays:
Match 27855966
Match 27910477