Anub'arak has mostly been a stable and good Tank, but being one of the oldest characters has its effects on mechanical depth, especially when talking about a character who is all about crowd control. He is currently very one dimensional.
The goal of this rework is to modernize the Traitor King and improve his variability.
Note
This concept has been significantly changed as of 10/10/2025.
Stats
Health increased from 2150 to 2208
Health Regen increased from 4.48 to 4.6
Attack Damage decreased from 81 to 80
Combat Trait
1
Scarab Host (Trait)
Using a Basic or Heroic Ability spawns a Beetle with 240 Health that lasts for 8 seconds and chases the nearest enemy, prioritizing the last target Anub'arak attacked, dealing 24 damage per attack.
Tooltip updated
Health decreased from 285 to 240
Damage increased from 20 to 24
Beetles now spawn in the direction of the mouse cursor instead of randomly chosen locations
Primary Abilities
1
Impale (Q)
Shoot spiked tendrils in a straight line, dealing 60 damage and Stunning all enemies in their wake for 1 second.
Tooltip updated
Mana reduced from 65 to 60
Damage decreased from 90 to 60
2
Spiked Carapace (New W)
Mana: 40 Cooldown: 8 seconds
Deal 80 damage to nearby enemies and gain a 320 point Shield for 4 seconds.
While active, this Shield grants 40 Spell Armor.
Damage Radius: 4
3
Burrow Charge (E)
Burrow to the target location, becoming Unstoppable and moving through terrain. Upon surfacing, deal 120 damage and Stun enemies in a small area for 0.5 seconds, then Slow them by 25% for 2.5 seconds. Can be reactivated to surface early.
Tooltip updated
Mana reduced from 65 to 40
Cooldown reduced from 14 to 12 seconds
Damage increased from 91 to 120
Impact area is now displayed around Anub'arak while traveling and is visible to all players
Heroic Abilities
1
Locust Swarm (Reworked R1)
Mana: 60 Charge Cooldown: 60 seconds
Unleash a locust on each nearby enemy. Each locust deals 90 damage on impact and then returns to heal Anub'arak for 60, increased to 120 if the target was a Hero. Stores up to 3 charges, with a 3 second cooldown between uses.
Radius: 6
Missile Speed: 18
Maximum Travel Distance: 12
Healing only occurs if the target was successfully hit.
Locusts return without healing if the target moves beyond the maximum travel distance.
2
Cocoon (R2)
Mana increased from 70 to 80
Cooldown reduced from 70 to 40 seconds
Duration decreased from 7 to 4 seconds
Health increased from 24 to 40
LEVEL 1
Nerubian Armor (Reworked)
Increase Spiked Carapace's Spell Armor to 65. Passive: Gain 10 Spell Armor that stacks with other sources of Armor.
Underking (Moved from Level 4)(Reworked)
Increase the range of Impale and Burrow Charge by 20% and their damage by 50%.
Legion of Beetles (Reworked)
Automatically spawn a Beetle every 12 seconds. Can be toggled on and off.
Basic Attacks reduce the cooldown of Legion of Beetles by 1 second.
LEVEL 4
Bed of Barbs (Adjusted)
Impale creates a bed of spikes along its path that deals 15 damage every 0.5 seconds and lasts for 2.5 seconds.
Enemies within the spikes are Slowed by 25%.
Subterranean Shield (Moved from Level 7)(Reworked)
Burrow Charge grants 240 Shields upon burrowing and 160 Shields upon surfacing.
These Shields last for 4 seconds and stack with each other.
Leeching Scarabs (Moved from Level 7)(Reworked)
Beetles gain 25% increased Health and heal Anub'arak and themselves for 50% of the damage they deal.
LEVEL 7
Chitinous Plating (Reworked)
Reduce the Mana cost of Spiked Carapace to 25, but increase its cooldown to 10 seconds.
If Spiked Carapace's Shield breaks from enemy damage, its cooldown is reduced for the Shield's remaining duration.
Debilitation (Moved from Level 16)(Reworked)
Heroes who are Stunned by Impale or Burrow Charge have their Spell Power reduced by 40% for 3 seconds.
Acid Drenched Mandibles (Moved from Level 13)(Reworked)
Basic Attacks and Beetles deal 50% more damage to enemies who are Stunned, Rooted, or Slowed.
LEVEL 13
Shed Exoskeleton (Moved from Level 4)(Reworked)
Increase Spiked Carapace's damage by 100%.
While Spiked Carapace is on cooldown, gain 20% Movement Speed.
Symbiotic Armor (New)
Increase Spiked Carapace's Shield amount by 25% and its duration by 1 second.
While Spiked Carapace is active, Beetles gain its Armor bonus.
Scarab Overlord (New)
Nearby Beetles last indefinitely and gain 20% Attack Speed and Movement Speed.
Radius: 4
LEVEL 16
Urticating Spines (Moved from Level 13)(Reworked)
Increase the radius of Spiked Carapace's damage by 50%.
Enemies hit by Spiked Carapace are Slowed by 25% decaying over 4 seconds.
Epicenter (Adjusted)
Increase the impact radius of Burrow Charge by 30% and reduce its cooldown by 2 seconds per Hero hit upon surfacing.
Beetle, Juiced (Reworked)
Spawning a Beetle restores 2% of Anub'arak's maximum Health and 1% of his maximum Mana. Passive: Every 4th Basic Attack spawns a Beetle. This counter is reset after 4 seconds of not attacking.
LEVEL 20
Hive Master
Damage increased from 165 to 180.
Healing increased from 80 to 120.
Search Radius decreased from 7 to 6.
Search Radius is now displayed to Anub'arak.
Now prioritizes the last target Anub'arak attacked.
Cryptweave (Reworked)
Increase Cocoon's Health by 50% and its duration by 4 seconds.
Cocoon's Health does not decay by itself while Anub'arak is nearby.
Radius: 8
The Traitor King (Reworked)
Spiked Carapace grants both Physical Armor and Spell Armor. Passive: Gain 10 Physical Armor that stacks with other sources of Armor.
Venom of Nerub (New)
Heroes damaged by Anub'arak or his Beetles have their Spell Power, damage dealt, and healing received reduced by 3%.
This effect lasts for 3 seconds and stacks up to 30%.
HeroesFire is the place to find the perfect build guide to take your game to the next level. Learn how to play a new hero, or fine tune your favorite HotS hero’s build and strategy.
Heroes of the Storm Build Guides
Underking (Moved from Level 4)(Reworked)
Acid Drenched Mandibles (Moved from Level 13)(Reworked)
Symbiotic Armor (New)
Venom of Nerub (New)
Regeneration Master
Burning Beetles
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