Playing Tank isn’t that fun for dedicated gamers, since meta updates revolve around damage dealers. With Gatotkaca however, he can transition between Fighter and Tank as a dual role hero which adds another dimension and versatility to his gameplay. He is an overstatement when it comes to durability and crowd control. Being easy to master is an oversell as well, that adds on to his specialty in burst that comprises HP Regen as well.

The underlying factors behind understanding and utilizing Gatotkaca to his fullest potential is timing his ultimate skill and his HP Regen abilities. These are the core ingredients to mastering this Indonesian Warrior. Let's review his key strengths and weaknesses.

Strengths

• Team Fights - Leading team fights is part of Gatotkaca’s role through his crowd control specialty. Added to this is his HP Regen abilities and Ultimate Skill that allows him to pave the way for team fights.
• Durability - As a Tank, Gatotkaca is overvalued and superior. His ability to regenerate HP adds value to this as an initiator. He is remarkably strong and hard to kill.
• Versatility - Depending on meta updates, various roles may be filled by Gatotkaca. He can even be utilized as a core in the jungle with an advantage in ganking lanes through his Ultimate Skill while remaining out of sight on the map. 
• Crowd Control - Through the use of his Ultimate Skill and stack in successive damage, Gatotkaca is able to take on multiple heroes at the same time. His first and second skill disarms opponents and renders them vulnerable as well.
• Life Steal - Gatotkaca relies on successive damage to regenerate HP. This is the reason for his extreme durability and should be capitalized on in an effort to master him.

Weaknesses

• Easy to Counter  - Gatotkaca’s Ultimate Skill can be countered by buffed skills or spells. Aside from this, he is quite slow and relies on damage dealt to maintain his oversold durability.
• Team Dependent - He doesn’t deal high damage and is vulnerable to other life steal and high damage heroes who are blessed with range. Gatotkaca depends on team support as an initiator who has a high survival rate in team fights.
• Mobility - Aside from his dash through the use of his second skill, Gatotkaca is quite slow and is an easy target for mobile marksmen and assassins when he is on the retreat. 
• Complex Gameplay - Gatotkaca is a situational hero where his value is seen through circumstances where he is utilized to an advantage. Though easy to learn, he is very team dependent and relies heavily on a keen eye for strategy and team collaboration.
• Low Damage - Gatotkaca deals low damage for such a hero required to take on battle fronts. Understanding that HP Regen is his advantage in battle situations minimizes this weakness but through patience and timing.

Gatotkaca is best built with defense and magic items that complement his Crowd Control and Burst Specialties. Let's dive straight into his Top 3 Builds that win games.

3. Durable

This is a Tank build. It eyes strength in the battle fronts by pushing and poking opponents. It is a team reliant build but very effective in taking on enemy lines and leading team fights. This is a kamikaze like build, no retreat, no surrender.

This is a build that is bound to test your patience, including that of your team mates, as Gatotkaca’s in-game impact relies on teammates to complete their objectives. It is not really a versatile build but one that fulfills a need in the front lines of battle. It is a flexible support build, especially in team confrontations.

Use this build if.

• You’re playing Tank - Gatotkaca is better played as a Tank if you’re taking on mobile heroes with range and burst. This is the build to use as it enhances his tanking abilities through durability.
• You’re supporting Team Damage Dealers -  High chances of survival in poking and initiating team fights are top pro’s of this build. This build may pave the way for damage dealers to come within range and engage in battle while opponents are preoccupied.
• You’re Leading Battlefronts - This is a frontline build through its muscle and robust items. Gatotkaca can even sneak in support through his Ultimate Skill throughout battle in ganking team fights and lanes. 

This build is best utilized in a Tank Role, and is notably strong against Magic Damage Dealers and CC Heroes.

Skills

Level Up Second Skill (Unbreakable) at Level One for added mobility. Follow up with the First Skill (Blast Iron Fist) at Level Two. Follow this sequence and level up the Ultimate Skill (Avatar of the Guardian) when it becomes available.

• Level One - Second Skill: (Unbreakable)
• Level Two - First Skill: (Blast Iron Fist)
• Level Three - Second Skill: (Unbreakable)
• Level Four - Ultimate Skill: (Avatar of the Guardian)

Items

• Tough Boots - Encourage ($700) -  These kicks offer added Movement Speed and Magic Defense. They are equipped with Roaming Equipment for this build and blessed by Encourage which Passive grants close allies extra Physical Attack and Magic Power. It also enhances Movement Speed and is a terrific support item. 
• Athena’s Shield ($2150) - This shield replenishes HP and provides Magic Defense. It is a suitable item for taking on Magic Damage and leading team fights, as this is a team dependent build where damage dealers can capitalize on Gatotkaca’s durability. 
• Radiant Armor ($1880) - This is a valuable and vital armor that perfectly complements its preceding items. It offers additional HP, Magic Defense and HP Regen. These are core elements of Gatotkaca as well. It consists of a Passive (Holy Blessing) that grants magic damage reduction that stacks up to 6 times. 
• Cursed Helmet ($1760) - This head gear is great for taking on sustained damage. Gatotkaca is prone to sustained damage from CC heroes and Fighters. It extends HP and Magic Defense while its Unique Passive (Burning Soul) deals magic damage that is increased against Minions, making this a suitable build for mid-game laning.
• Dominance Ice ($2010) - This is a life sustaining item that generously supports the items before it. It basically assigns healing reduction through its two Unique Passives. Arctic Cold reduces opponent mobility while Life Drain reduces Physical Defense.
• Guardian Helmet ($2200) - This helmet outright offers constant HP Regen and works perfectly in line with Gatotkaca’s skills, abilities and gameplay through this build. It supports him in the front lines of battle over prolonged periods and is a dominant item in the late push stages of battle. Its Unique Passive (Recovery) generates 2.5% HP per second. This is a vital finishing touch that perfectly ends this build.

Emblem

A Tank Emblem is recommended for this build since it blends with the durable items and includes Magic Defense. It also has the passive ability that deals extra magic damage on basic attacks. This amplifies Gatotkaca’s HP Regen abilities. Talent Points may be assigned to the following.

• Tenacity - Increases Physical  and Magic Defense when HP is below 40%.
• Brave Smite - Control effects on opponents restores 7% HP.
• Purity - Additional 2.5% Magic Defense.
• Fortress - Extra 2.5% Physical Defense.
• Inspire - 8% Cooldown Reduction on skills.
• Shield - Additional Magic Defense.
• Firmness - Extra Physical Defense.
• Vitality - 65% HP enhancement.

Battle Spell

Vengeance is perfect for this build since it reflects damage taken. It decreases damage taken by 50% and adds onto damage dealt by 25%. It thoroughly supplements the items in this build.

2. Team Buff

Now this is a versatile support build that may offer assistance to team mates depending on the needs of the team in battle. Whether its backing up damage dealers, ganking lanes, roaming as a Tank or pushing the Express Lane as a Fighter, this is a versatile and durable build that can take on a wide selection of battle objectives.

This is a durable build with an added burst. It should be considered an endurance build through crowd control, which is the main component that Gatotkaca provides to team mates. This build is best recognized as a support build that complements other heroes and what they bring to the game, especially when combined with Gatotkaca’s skills and abilities

Use this build if.

• You’re Roaming - This is an optimal build for free roam where you can slot in to assist team mates at any given moment. It gives you an opportunity to play as an all round support.
• You’re Pushing Lanes - The early items in this build are tanky and fitting for supporting damage dealers such as marksmen and mages in laning objectives. Additionally, the early items are suitable for clearing minion waves.
• You’re Playing Off-lane - This involves guarding a lane (usually top lane) that is your weakest but prone to ganks and enemy invasion. It allows your team to get ahead with other objectives and keeps your opponents busy. 

Skills

For better mobility, level up Second Skill (Unbreakable) at Level One. Follow up with the First Skill (Blast Iron Fist) at Level Two. Follow this procedure then level up the Ultimate Skill (Avatar of the Guardian) when it becomes accessible.

• Level One - Second Skill: (Unbreakable)
• Level Two - First Skill: (Blast Iron Fist)
• Level Three - Second Skill: (Unbreakable)
• Level Four - Ultimate Skill: (Avatar of the Guardian)

Items

• Tough Boots ($720) - Movement Speed and Magic Defense. These boots are suitable for finding your role in the early game.
• Cursed Helmet ($1760) - Through its Unique Passive (Burning Soul), this is the perfect item to roam and clear lanes while poking, harassing and disrupting opponent farm and gameplay in lanes.
• Blade Armor ($1910) - This armor is a reflection of damage that offers Physical Defense through its Unique Passive (Bladed Armor). It reflects basic attack and returns 15% of damage dealt to the attacker that slows them down by 15% for 1 second. Its perfect for free mode gameplay in support.
• Concentrated Energy ($2020) - This magical gem is known for Life Steal and supports Gatotkaca’s HP Regen abilities. It’s Unique Passive (Recharge) replenishes 10% HP upon hero kills.
• Athena’s Shield ($2150) - This shield is an optimal item for taking on Mages and High Powered Marksmen. It has the capacity to resist Burst and Magic Damage.
• Immortality ($2120) - This sacred relic is an invaluable end to this build. It revives on the spot and also replenishes HP and generates a shield that lasts up to 3 seconds. 

Emblem

A Tank Emblem is appropriate for this build given the durable equipment that it is composed of. Utilizing this in tandem with Gatotkaca’s HP Regen ability is essential. Talent Points may be added to the following.

• Tenacity - Increases Physical  and Magic Defense when HP is below 40%.
• Brave Smite - Control effects on opponents restores 7% HP.
• Purity - Additional 2.5% Magic Defense.
• Fortress - Extra 2.5% Physical Defense.
• Inspire - 8% Cooldown Reduction on skills.

Battle Spell

• Flicker - Can be used for added mobility and surprise attack or retreat during gameplay due to this builds versatility in support.
• Execute - May be appropriate for extra shield penetrating damage, especially in split second decisions during team fights or when backing up.
• Vengeance - Offers extra damage protection. This is suitable for supporting team damage dealers.

1. Burst

This is a magic damage build that emphasizes Gatotkaca’s specialty in bursts. Remember that he is a low but sustained and continuous damage hero so capitalizing on his burst requires timing and precision. This build requires a high gold count to bring out the true extent of his potential.

This may also be a versatile build but Gatotkaca’s strength in durable items are diminished. It is also a pro build that should only be employed by well learned users. It is a fun build for those who are well learned and often leads to outstanding teamwork and assists. Though lacking damage, Gatotkaca can deliver prolonged damage that may stack and increase his ferocity.

Use this build if.

• You’re playing a Fighter Role in dealing damage - This isn’t a durable build though Gatotkaca is durable. If not well played, this could be self destructive. With its focus on damage, Gatotkaca loses most of his known durable features.
• You’re Pushing the Express Lane - This is the best build to push and harass opponents in the express lane. It may eventually slow down the opponent 's farm and cause rotations.
• You’re targeting opponent damage dealers - This is the optimal build for targeting and taking out squishy high damage dealers through the use of Gatotkaca’s Ultimate Skill.

This builld is best utilized against high damage heroes in the early phases of battle then can take on a wide range of heroes based on factors affecting the mid-late game.

Skills

For better mobility, level up Second Skill (Unbreakable) at Level One. Follow up with the First Skill (Blast Iron Fist) at Level Two. Follow this procedure then level up the Ultimate Skill (Avatar of the Guardian) when it becomes accessible.

• Level One - Second Skill: (Unbreakable)
• Level Two - First Skill: (Blast Iron Fist)
• Level Three - Second Skill: (Unbreakable)
• Level Four - Ultimate Skill: (Avatar of the Guardian)

Items

• Arcane Boots ($690) - Perfect for Burst, these boots generate Movement Speed and Magic Penetration. Nice start for an early game Burst Build.
• Feather of Heaven ($2030) - This magic feather enhances basic attack. It also boosts attack speed and adds 5% cooldown reduction on skills. It has two Unique Passives. Affliction adds extra magic damage to basic attacks while Impulse grants extra attack speed. How else would you define burst?
• Concentrated Energy ($2020) - Known for Magic Lifesteal, this gem executes perfectly in combination with Gatotkaca’s HP Regen abilities. It increases chances of survival when taking on front lines. 
• Genius Wand ($2000) - This wand reduces opponent magic defense while increasing movement speed. Perfect for taking on mages and other heroes who depend on magic items.
• Holy Crystal ($2180) - Magic Power Bonus. This sacred crystal complements all the items preceding it by adding magic power.
• Divine Glaive ($1970) - This is a Spell breaker. It gains magic damage for each point of the enemy’s magic defense and caps off at 20%. It is best utilized against heroes who have high defensive abilities in the late game. It is a glorious end to this build, especially after its preceding item.

Emblem

A Mage Emblem is recommended for this build since it is filled with Magic Items. These items would seem blunt or not sharp with a Tank Emblem. The Mage Emblem has a unique ability that deals an extra 7% of damage on opponents that inflicts 3 times of burn on them. Talent Points may be assigned to the following.

• Flow - Additional Magic Power.
• Mastery - 1.5% Cooldown Reduction.
• Agility - 2% added Mobility.
• Observation - 6% Magic Penetration.
• Catastrophe - 1.5% Magic Power.
• Contract - 1.5% Magic Life Steal.
• Mystery Shop - 10% price cut on items.
• Impure Rage - Extra Magic Damage.

Battle Spell

• Flicker - Due to this build's versatility in support, it can be used throughout gaming for increased mobility, surprise assault, or escape.
• Execute - May be useful for increased shield-piercing damage, particularly when backing up or making split-second decisions during team fights.

Gatotkaca is strong against High Damage Dealers who lack mobility and Sustained Damage Heroes due to his Crowd Control and Burst Specialties. Here are a few.

• Layla
• Miya
• Sun
• Alpha
• Badang

Gatotkaca is weak against High Damage Dealers with mobility. Here are a few.

• Aurora
• Zilong
• Hanabi
• Eudora
• Nana

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