When to get stuff that lowers armor?

[cc\\Nox]

In general, is it more cost effective to get items that lower armor against high or low hp heroes? Or are there other factors to consider?

[ᵗᵗᵛpudnpop]

Say you are up against a Sven who has a high natural base armor. You'll either want to pick a hero that will lower his armor (SF, ET, Slardar, Dazzle) or have a carry/semi support build an AC- so long as it's benefitial for the hero/team.

You only need to worry about armor reduciton on heroes that actually have armor in most cases. If a guy has high/low hp but next-to-no armor then it really doesnt matter, take advantage of his vulnerabilities and get dmg output to exploit his lack of armor.

[BipedalBob]

You want to get armor reduction items if their core is an agility hero or high armor hero, or if you want to get early roshan.

[Chebs]

Getting armor reducing items will never really hurt, since units can have negative armor in this game. In these cases, armor reduction will just boost your damage even further. Unless the enemy has a lot of armor though, you're probably better off building regular damage.

[ChewMyFudge]

Originally posted by cc\\Nox:

In general, is it more cost effective to get items that lower armor against high or low hp heroes? Or are there other factors to consider?

I'd say it's little tricky.. depends on your team set up.. nukers are very good vs armor, fat or agi hero's.. but once they get BKB and teamfights start, that's pretty much where nukers can't supress that target no more..

Normally let's say, bounty hunter or Lycan core item is Medallion of Courage.. which for lycan good to solo rosh, and kill off same as for bounty, an agility hero or someone with armor.. but if the enemy has 4 squishy, and only 1 armory hero, it would be pointless to get something like Medallion of Courage..

vs Sven for example, that has an armor buff, it would be better to get Diffusal Blade.. it slows him and takes away the buff once he activates it.. the item will give you agi hero both your core stats, slow and that purge buffs or clear negative buffs off yourself.. rendering Medallion of Courage useless

Then again can get someone like Slark, and get a deso on him.. or a hero that uses Desolator.. as long as the team targets the same hero you do, that -7 armor will benefit the whole teamfight

[Skaliton]

ok..whatever people are going on about

armor is most effective from 0 to 1 (by %)

the valor item (I think thast what its called the cheap one that self lowers) makes sense on anyone who can lower someone's (assuming a 2v2 lane) well think shaman, chicken 1, shackle the other

desolator..underrated on someone like ember spirit (keep in mind he applies it to EVERY opponent during his W..and for a midgame carry that means the late game carry has it easier)

[Skaliton]

but sorry for double..I am pretty sure there is a maximum negative armor value so getting it on someone who will already have enemies near the -25 is silly

[SynC[+]]

If your team is going for a late game physical damage lineup, getting heroes with -amour abilities (Dazzle,Sladar,Siren,VS,SF,Alchemist) and -amour items (Medallion, Curiass, Deso etc) are usually gotten as cores.

As for casual "solo pub" teams, you will probably be getting -amour items if you are planning to go for an early roshan or early game ganking setup...