Deathy's Fully Annotated Graves Build
Building spirit on Graves early mostly sucks. She is a debuff hero that scales. Don't try to be too active early, mostly focus on pressuring lanes and showing up to objectives. You are an AREA CONTROL HERO.
#Citadel_HeroBuilds_Lane
Left to right, can go 1 green item before Active Reload if lane is hard.
Restorative Shot
Active Reload
Extra Health
Extra Stamina
Toxic Bullets
Compress Cooldown
Duration ExtenderRestorative Shot
Try to always hit heroes off cooldown, can't miss it. By far the best laning item on Graves.
Active Reload
This allows you to take longer trades which is exactly what Graves wants to take advantage of her Essence Theft.
Extra Health
Allows you to take longer trades and not get bursted
Extra Stamina
2 stamina hero with low mobility, extra stam always mandatory
Toxic Bullets
By far the best damage item on this hero, main reason is it allows you to do damage while you're reloading. Don't forget melees refresh the duration.
Compress Cooldown
Your ultimate is one of your best abilities. Cooldown on it is mandatory.
Duration Extender
Duration also good, works with active reload, all of your abilities, as well as toxic/inhib/etc.
SituationalOptional
Rebuttal
Good if they melee your tombstone often
Healing Rite
buy if you are very hurt
Heroic Aura
This is great if they have a lot of gun damage and also if you want to amplify your skull's damage. Best if you go Echo Shard later.
Recharging Rush
only buy if you are consistently running out of charges on your 1
#Citadel_HeroBuilds_MidGame
Generally left to right, but prioritize what you need. Pick up some defensive items on the right earlier if needed.
Bullet Lifesteal
Allows you to take longer trades
Stamina Mastery
Best mobility item for Graves
Superior Cooldown
Works on all your abilities and cheap upgrade
Escalating Resilience
Skip this if they have no gun damage, but almost always great buy
Inhibitor
ALWAYS first 6.4k - reduces their damage significantly and makes you way tankier (35%+ more eHP)
Mid-Game DefenseOptional
Warp stone best if you can
Warp Stone
The preferred defensive option as it allows you to keep debuffing people easily and keep your movement unpredictable.
Dispel Magic
Great against debuffs or disarm
Counterspell
Good vs heavy burst predictable abilities (lash, yamato, pocket, etc.)
Spirit Resilience
Not always needed but sometimes nice, you get a lot of spirit resist from your Essence Theft but if they have a lot of spirit damage, might be needed.
Metal Skin
Usually not needed, but if getting melted by a weapon damage hero, good buy
Once you have inhibitor
Situational, pick what you need
Split Shot
You can buy this item WAY earlier if you are jungling a lot. Helps you clear T3 camps way easier.
Silencer
Great vs spell dependent heroes, if not an issue prioritize leech/ricochet
Ricochet
Sell Split Shot if you buy this, very good if you are super late or slot locked
Spellslinger
Good replacement for Active Reload once you are slot locked
Echo Shard
Better if you bought Heroic, usually not the best option but can give more damage
Transcendent Cooldown
Buy if you have nothing else to buy and are slot locked and have some active items
Late Defense
Spellbreaker
Incredibly strong item - would probably buy most games if it's 30+ mins. Can completely shut down certain heroes and give Debuff Resistance.
Unstoppable
Almost mandatory if game is 40+ mins. Incredibly good for mid boss fights.
Divine Barrier
Good if you're a bit weaker and more supportive or need to remove certain ultimates (i.e. Pocket Ult)
Plated Armor
Become unkillable against gun heroes
Super Mega Late Situational
Refresher
Only buy if this can win you the next fight which would win the game (ex: mid boss fight wins the game)