Kunkka Overview

Lore & Bio

"Step lively now, your Admiral is on board!"

Clad, a group of  islands surrounded by hazardous water, was a place that demons of the Cataract desired to invade. As a Claddish resident, Kunkka, the Leader of the Claddish Navy, was under a duty to protect his homeland from the hand of the demons. After conducting several raids for years but bringing them nothing except failure, the Cataract’s demon decided to push off their fleet of ships towards Trembling Isle. Sensing the imminent threat, Suicide-Mages of Cladd performed an ancient in order to protect their  Claddish Navy from the fleet of human-devouring ships by summoning ancestral spirits. 

As the Admiral, Kunkka was satisfied because the demon’s fleet of ships was lesson even in the expenses of his ships. However, when the battle reached the climax, there was a monstrous creature which was called  Maelrawn the Tentacular, summoned by Tidehunter emerging from the deep down of the ocean. The appearance of Maelrawn created giant waves crashing on the side of the remaining ships. This creature reached out its tendrils towards the ships of both sides, drawing them together. Furthermore, it also produced a huge amount of storms into this battle.

No one knew exactly what happened in that storm. When the storm ended, The Cataract, left out by its demon companion, growled off in the emptiness. Kunkka was still an Admiral after the battle but just one ghostly ship instead a fleet of it. The story whether Kunkka was dead or alive after this fight was still a mystery for everyone, even Tidehunter didn’t know for certain. 

In-game, Kunkka is described as: 

“Kunkka is always predicting where his enemies will go next. Able to attack a location with a geyser of water or a ghostly shipwreck, should his aim prove true, he and his allies will have no trouble cleaning up whatever is left.”

Attribute & Stats

• Strength: 24 + 3.8 each level;

• Agility: 14 + 1.6 each level;

• Intelligence: 18 + 1.8 each level;

• Health: 680;

• Health regeneration: + 3.15 each second;

• Mana: 291;

• Mana regeneration: + 0.9 each second;

• Damage: 50 - 60;

• Amor: 4.33;

• Magic Resistance: 25%;

• Turn Rate: 0.6;

• Attack Range: 150;

• Projectile speed: Instant;

• Attack Animation: 0.4+0.3;

• Movement: 315;

• Sight Range: 1800/800;

• Base Attack time: 1.7 seconds per attack;

• Damage Block: 16;

• Collision size: 24.

Abilities & Talents

Notes:

• The attack damage granted by talents is raw attack damage.

  • Illusions don't get this bonus damage. Furthermore, most percentage-based damage increasing or reducing effects don’t affect bonus damage from talents.

• The strength talent provides Kunkka exactly 320 health, 1.6 health regeneration, and 16 attack damage.

Skills building guide

Kunkka can be played as an offlaner, mid laner or a supporter. But in this build I will focus on guiding you how to play Kunkka as a Supporter. Then the first ability I recommend you max out is Tidebringer as it increases the damage dealt by Kunkka. Besides,It can be useful to help your carry last hit the creeps quicker and easier by lowering the health of the creeps. Also, in the laning phase, you can easily harass the enemy heroes by cleave damage if they get close to the creeps to farm them.

The second ability to max out is X Marks The Spot. The reason why I recommend you to max out this spell is because you can use it to either save the allies or prevent enemies from escaping. Torrent is the last priority. Although this ability is great and can stun the enemies, it is really easy to dodge and get out so you should place only one point on this skill in the early game.

Abilities

Torrent

Torrent (Area Target, Magical)

Effect: Kunkka creates a water spring beneath the target area which hovers the enemies up in the sky, stuns them, deals damage as well as reduces their movement speed.

Mana cost: 90/100/110/120

Cooldown: 16/14/12/10

Cast Animation: 0.4+0

Cast Range: 1300

Effect Radius: 225 (Talent 305)

Effect Delay: 1.6

Total Damage: 75/150/225/300 (Talent 175/250/325/400)

Move Speed Slow: 25%/30%/35%/40%

Slow Duration: 1/2/3/4

Stun Duration: 1.6 (Talent 2)

Knock-up Duration: 1.53 (Talent 1.93)

Notes:

At all levels, the suspension of the cast time and effect in combination can be up to 2 seconds.

Facing towards the targeted area is not required when casting Torrent.

The units are stunned but not disarmed while being hurled up in the sky.

Other units can go through below the affected units.

The units are affected by slow and stun debuff simultaneously which means the movement reduction will last for 2.6/3.6/4.6/5.6 (Talent 3/4/5/6) seconds.

The stun debuff still affects the targeted units for 0.07 seconds after landing on the ground.

When the spell is cast, the visual effect is applied first then the sound effect.

• Every allied hero can see and hear these effects.

Every 0.2 seconds, Torrent deals 9.38/18.75/28.13/37.5 (Talent 21.88/31.25/40.63/50) damage, starting 0.2 seconds right after the delay which means the total occurrences are 8 (talent 10).

• In combination with the stun duration increase granted by talents, the damage dealt by Torrent is up to 93.75/187.5/281.25/375 (Talent 218.75/312.5/406.25/500) total damage.

For 3.13 seconds, the targeted area will share 350 radius ground vision.

Tidebringer

Tidebringer (Unit Target, Physical)

Effect: Kunkka empowers his fabled sword with a lost Claddish soul which increases the damage output and causes cleave effect in the area in front of him for one attack.

Cooldown:  13/10/7/4 (Talent 11/8/5/2)

Cast Range: 150

Starting Radius: 150

Distance: 650/800/950/1100

End Radius: 500/550/600/650

Cleave Damage: 150% (Talent 220%)

Attack Damage Bonus: 30/60/90/120

Notes:

Undispellable

When Tidebringer is leveled up for the first time, it is set to Autocast defaultly.

Neither outgoing spell damage amplification nor spell lifesteal can be amplified with the cleave damage from Tidebringer.

• Can synergize with incoming spell damage amplification.

Damage Block makes the cleave damage less effective.

The shape of the active is isosceles trapezoid which is in front of Kunkka.

It can stack with other sources of cleave granted by allies and items. However, each source of cleave is self-reliant.

The cleave can not be applied on wards, buildings or allied units and does not affect wards and buildings.

Enemies which are visible, invisible or in the Fog of War still be affected and dealt damage by cleave effect.

Only the player can hear the sound effect when going off the cooldown.

All heroes, both ally and enemy can see the visual effect on the sword whenever it is ready.

X Marks the Spot

X Marks the Spot (Unit Target)

Effect: Kunkka marks the current location of an amicable or rival hero with a big red X symbol under his feet. The marked target can move freely for a while but will return to the X position after a few seconds. The return can be activated by Kunkka whenever he wants. The wandering duration will last longer on the allied heroes.

Cooldown: 24/20/16/12

Mana cost: 50

Cast Animation: 0.4+0

Cast Range: 400/600/800/1000

Enemy Duration: 4

Ally Duration: 8

Notes:

Undispellable.

Can be used on Kunkka automatically by ↓↓ Double-tapping.

The target will be ordered to stop for a short period which means the channeling abilities will be canceled.

When the target returns to the X spot, the projectiles which were cast before will follow.

The current location will be spotted with the red X. Enemies can see this X only if they have a view of the unit or the X itself.

When moving, the targeted unit will leave the red spot behind to indicate its direction.

• When the target is out of the vision, the red spot will be stopped drawing but the remaining lines are still visible.

• When the unit becomes visible again, a dashed red line is created in the direction of its last known position. 

• No matter how winding the target has moved, these red lines just draw from its latest to the earlier visible location.

When casting many X Marks the Spot on the same target, they do not stack, just refresh the duration visually.

• The timer won’t be affected and will stick to the first cast.

• Each cast will mark separate X under the target feet but the target returns to the X of the first cast when the duration expires.

• If any casters use Return, the target will be teleported back to the X which is marked by the caster.

• When the target has already returned to a specific X mark, other X Marks the Spot will be dispelled regardless of the visuality.

Regardless of the visual effect, the target will stay at its location after dying or respawning instead of returning to the X during the spell duration.

The X Marks the Spot can not affect the invulnerable unit which means the targeted unit won’t be teleported back to the X.

This spell will grant the 300 radius ground vision around the X for 5.94 seconds.

Return (No Target)

Effect: The marked unit will be brought back to the X position.

Cooldown: 1.0

Cast Animation: 0.4+0

Upgradable by Aghanim’s Shard:

• Move Speed Slow: 12%
• Slow Duration: 0.67

Notes:

This ability appears in the ability box while X Marks the Spot is active and disappears while it is used or the X vanishes on the target.

Although it is a sub-ability, Return, like any other ability, procs all on-cast effects.

Torrent Storm

Torrent Storm (No Target, Magical)

Effect: Kunkka summons a ton of water springs within a large area around him arbitrarily. Water springs will be created consecutively every 0.3 seconds for 5 seconds.

Cooldown:70

Mana Cost: 250

Cast Animation: 0.4+0.53

Min Spawn Radius: 300

Max Spawn Radius: 1100

Spawn Interval: 0.25

Storm Duration: 5

Notes:

Only unlocked when having Aghanim’s Scepter.

• This ability can not be chosen in the Ability Draft mode due to the non-ultimate ability one slot restriction.

The water springs will be created surrounding Kunkka and follow him.

 The summoned Torrent is cast spontaneously every 0.25 seconds which means the total Torrent can be up to 21.

The summoned Torrents rely on the present level of Kunkka’s Torrent, If this ability hasn't been learned yet, no Torrent is created.

Each Torrent will be created randomly within the range from 300 to 1100 around Kunkka.

The places where Torrents can appear are divided into 4 90 degree segments ((0°–90°, 90°–180°, 180°–270°, 270°–360°).

The location of the first Torrent is within the north-east part of the circle, the other Torrents will be summoned counterclockwise. 

The heroes from both sides can see and hear the particle effect and the sound of the Torrent’s delay.

Torrent Storm spells completely stack, with each cast producing its own separate instance.

The death of Kunkka does not stop the torrents from being released.

Tidal Wave

Tidal Wave (Point Target, Magical)

Effect: Kunkka summons a Tidal Wave from behind his back which moves toward, causes damage and brings the enemies along for a specific distance. The enemy will be unable to attack while being affected by the Tidal Wave.

Cooldown: 12

Mana Cost: 75

Cast Animation: 0.2+1

Cast Range: 1400

Travel Distance: 2300

Radius: 750

Damage: 250

Knockback Distance: 600

Knockback Duration: 1.25

Notes:

Need Aghanim’s Shard to attain this ability

• In the Ability Draft, Picking Ghostship can unlock Tidal Wave.

The speed of the wave is 700 which takes it about 3.29 to reach the end of the active range.

The wave is summoned in the range of 900 behind Kunkka.

The maximum range the Wave can travel is up to 2150.

The enemies are forced to move along with the wave when they are hit.

• The enemies are disarmed while being knocked back which means they can cast spells, use items and turn except attack.

The disarmed will be applied first, followed by the damage.

Ghostship

Ghostship (Point Target, Magical)

Effect: A ghostly ship emerging from behind Kunkka, sails slowly towards and falls into small pieces when hitting the enemy units. The crash deals damage and stuns the enemy units standing in the active area. Allied heroes receive the boost in the movement speed and take a part of damage now and the rest later.

Cooldown: 80/70/60

Mana Cost: 125/175/225

Cast Animation: 0.3+0

Cast Range: 1000

Ship Radius: 425

Travel Distance: 2000

Number of Ships: 1 (Talent 3)

Ship Spawn Interval: 3.5

Impact Damage: 400/500/600

Rum Move Speed Bonus: 12%

Rum Damage Reduction: 40%

Rum Duration: 10

Rum Hangover Duration: 10

Stun Duration: 1.4

Notes:

The speed of the ship while traveling is 650 which takes it precisely 3.08 seconds to reach the crash site.

The ship is summoned behind Kunkka’s back and 2000 range away from the targeted spot.

The damage will be caused first, followed by the debuff.

There is a sign that can be seen by the allied heroes about the spot where the ship will crash.

Any allied heroes within 425 range of the ship while it is traveling will be granted The Admiral’s Rum buff.

The allies receive the buff which would reduce the incoming damage for a while but will take it later. This can stack with other sources of incoming damage manipulation.

• An unique incoming damage reduction that Ghostship applies on allies is not considered as HP removal.

When the Admiral’s Rum expires, the Rum Hangover buff will take place and last for 1.4 seconds.

• This buff takes 5% of the previously reduced damage and applies it on the allies every 1 second until the reduced damage affects the allies.

The delayed damage dealt when the Rum expires is considered as HP Removal. It is separate from the on-damage effects.

• The delayed damage is unavoidable but it is not deadly.

 The Rum is not flagged as the damage negating effect.

When many Rums are applied on the same unit, they do not stack but their duration will be refreshed.  Which means the Rum’s expiration will be delayed.

The Rum buff and Rum hangover work separately when having both at the same time.

While traveling, the ship grants 300 radius flying vision around it . This vision will fade when the ship goes through.

The number of ships summoned by Kunkka are 3 when this spell is granted by level 25 talent. These ships travel towards the same spot.

• The ship is summoned every 3-5 seconds which starts instantly after this spell is cast. Therefore, the last ship is summoned after the first ship 7 seconds.

• Ghostship's spawn location is fixed when the spell is cast and does not depend on the current location of Kunkka.

Effective items guides

Early game

Tango

Tango grants a small amount of health regeneration for a specific period of time which keeps Kunkka’s HP in the sustain state so he can stay in the lane longer.

Clarity

Clarity grants the mana regeneration for casting more spells.

Iron Branch

Iron Branch: a great combination with Tango in terms of healing.

Faerie Fire

Faerie Fire: a must have item for Kunkka as a midlaner. Damage granted by it helps him last hit the creep easier as well as increase the damage dealt by the Tidebringer. It also heals a great amount of health which is extremely useful when Kunkka’s health is at the alarm level.

Magic Stick

Magic Stick instantly restores mana and health which helps Kunkka to cast more spells.

Boots of Speed

 Boots of Speed increases mobility which allows Kunkka to cast X Marks the Spot on the rivals easier.

Bottle

Bottle: An important item for the mid Kunkka. By controlling the runes in the river, Kunkka can heal and restore mana later which allows him to stay in the lane longer and cast more spells.

Mid game

Magic Wand

Magic Wand restores mana and health with more charges.

Phase Boots

Phase Boots grants a decent amount of attack damage which helps him last hit better as well as deal more damage when casting Tidebringer. Besides, its activation allows him to cast X Marks the Spot on the escaping enemies easier.

Drum of Endurance

Drum of Endurance increases Kunkka’s movement speed and grants attributes.

Armlet of Mordiggian

Armlet of Mordiggian increases the damage output from Kunkka by granting Attack Speed and Attack damage. Besides, the health regen and Armor provided by this item allow Kunkka to survive longer. Furthermore, its activation can grant him a great burst of damage at the expense of Kunkka’s health.

Late game

Shadow Blade

Shadow Blade synergizes well with Tidebringer by granting a great amount of attack speed and attack damage. Its activation is also a great tool to escape by making Kunkka invisible for a while.

Blink Dagger

Blink Dagger can put Kunkka in a great position to cast X Marks the Spot in the combination with Tidebringer. Besides, After marking the X on himself, Kunkka can blink to the skirmish and get back safely.

Daedalus

Daedalus increases the damage output significantly by granting great attack damage and critical chance.

Situation items

Urn of Shadows

Urn of Shadow: Besides granting various bonus stats, its instant heal is extremely useful in combat or a teamfight.

Battle Fury

Battle Fury synergizes well with Tidebringer as its activation also triggers cleave damage. It also increases the damage output by providing high attack damage as well as the survivability and endurance.

Black King Bar

Black King Bar increases the survivability as well as damage output by granting dispel blockage and  attack damage respectively.

Heaven's Halberd

Heaven’s Halberd grants great bonuses as well as a hard counter for any physical damage heroes. Besides, Halberd can prevent a target from attacking for a certain amount of seconds.

Assault Cuirass

Assault Cuirass: by reducing enemy armor and granting attack speed, Kunkka can deal more damage on the enemy units. It also helps him endure enemy damage better by providing armor. In the teamfight or combat, Assault Aura is a great buff for the allies which increases the damage output and the chance of survivability.

Heart of Tarrasque

Heart of Tarrasque: A total 1300 health and 14.5 health regeneration provided from Heart of Tarrasque help Kunkka recover from the fight immediately. It also saves his life when he is targeted by the enemy heroes in the teamfight.

Silver Edge

Silver Edge grants a huge boost to Kunkka’s damage. With the invisibility from Shadow Walk, Kunkka can use it to put him in the great position to cast his spells or escape from enemies.

Boots of Travel

Boots of Travel: Besides the movement speed it grants, Boots of Travel can free up a slot so Kunkka can buy other necessary items.

Aghanim's Scepter

Aghanim’s Scepter unlocks new abilities Torrent Storm.

Divine Rapier

Divine Rapier synergizes well with Tidebringer and Daedalus which can deal a great amount of cleave damage and have a high chance to wipe out the enemy team.

Enemies & Allies

Allies

Dark Seer

Dark Seer’s Vacuum and Wall or Replica can accumulate all enemies and slow the enemy respectively which synergize well with Kunkka’s Torrent and Ghostship. This combo can easily wipe out the whole enemy team.

Faceless Void

Faceless Void: Chronosphere confines enemies in an orb so Kunkka’s Ghostship can hit the enemy easily.

Huskar

Huskar: With the help from Ghostship, Huskar can deal more magic damage as well as survive better in the teamfight. Huskar can chase enemies easier with the help from X Marks the Spot.

Invoker

Invoker: with the help from X Marks the Spot, Sun Strike can hit the target easier if it is cast on time. Most of Invoker’s spells work well with Ghostship.

Lifestealer

Lifesteal: With Ghostship, Lifesteal can stay in front longer. Feast can nullify Rum damage applied on Lifesteal. Dealing with heroes who can create illusions is no longer a problem for Lifesteal with the help from Ghostship and Tidebringer. Lifesteal can catch mobility heroes with the assistance from X Marks the Spot.

Slark

Slark becomes more tanky and can steal more stats with the assistance from Ghostship. With Shadow Dance, Rum damage doesn’t bother Slark at all. Enemies will struggle to break Pounce leash with the help from X Marks the Spot.

Warlock

Warlock’s Fatal Bonds in combination with Kunkka’s abilities can easily wipe out the opponent team. Upheaval and Chaotic Offering can put enemies in the position which is ideal for Kunkka to cast Torrent and Ghostship.

Counters

Clinkz

Clinkz: When the game is dragged to the late, the damage and attack speed from Clinkz is an imminent threat towards Kunkka and his team. Ghostship’s buff can not save his allies from the Strafe and Searing Arrows’s damage.

Ursa

Ursa: Overpower increases Ursa’s attack speed so he can destroy Kunkka in the nick of time due to Kunkka's low health pool. Enrage dispels the debuff placed on him from Ghostship.

Silencer

Silencer: With Global Silence and Last Word, Silencer can stop Kunkka from casting spells and dealing damage.

Mirana

Mirana: Torrent and Ghostship can not leave a scratch on Mirana when she casts Leap.

Phoenix

Phoenix: Kunkka’s combo is neutralized completely when Phoenix in the form of the Sun Egg. Due to the delay and slow movement speed from Torrent and Ghostship , Phoenix can dodge it when casting Icarus Dive.

Omniknight

Omniknight :By casting Guardian Angel, Omniknight and his allies can be immune to physical damage from Tidebringer. Purification can save the life of his allies when receiving tons of damage from Kunkka.

Juggernaut

Juggernaut : Kunkka's X Marks the Spot has little to no effect on Juggernaut during Blade Fury. Dodging Omnislash is impossible for Kunkka. Damage caused by Ghostship and Tidebringer is minimized by Healing Ward.

Lifestealer

Lifestealer: Kunkka's X Marks the Spot has little effect on Lifestealer during Rage. Kunkka can not stand a chance against Lifestealer when he uses Feast and Open Wounds.

Sniper

Sniper: With Take Aim, Sniper can harass and kill Kunkka from a long distance. Assassinate can finish low health allies when the Ghostship’s buff expires. Headshot prevents Kunkka from escaping and approaching to cast Tidebringer.

Outworld Destroyer

Outworld Destroyer: a full combo from Kunkka can not kill Outworld Destroyer and his allies when Astral Imprisonment is active. The damage caused by Sanity’s Eclipse relies on the difference between the mana pool which means this spell can deal a lot of damage on Kunkka due to his small mana pool. Ghostship’s buff can not save Kunkka and his allies from Arcane Orb’s damage.

Items Counter

Black King Bar

Black King Bar: most Kunkka’s abilities become useless.

Crimson Guard

Crimson Guard: damage from Kunkka has little to no effect on the owner and his allies when Guard is activated.

Eul's Scepter of Divinity

Eul’s Scepter of Divinity: If activating a cyclone on time, it will make X Marks the Spot a waste.

Favorable Matchups

Chaos Knight

Chaos Knight: An army which is created by Phantasm can be wiped out easily by Tidebringer, Torrent and Ghostship.

Broodmother

Broodmother: Tidebringer, Torrent and Ghostship can clear small spiders created from Broodmother quickly. X Marks the Spot can put Broodmother in the position which makes her vulnerable.

Lycan

Lycan’s summons can be destroyed quickly by the cleave damage from Tidebringer. The situation is even worse for Lycan if Kunkka purchases Heaven’s Halberd.

Meepo

Meepo: when being marked by X Marks the Spot, it would be hard for Meepo to escape. Meepo’s clones can be cleared out easily by Tidebringer, Torrent and Ghostship.

Phantom Lancer

Phantom Lancer: Phantom Lancer’s illusion army can be cleared out easily by Tidebringer, Torrent and Ghostship. Even when casting Doppelganger, Phantom Lancer can’t not get away from X Marks the Spot. However, casting Doppelganger can dodge it.

Queen of Pain

Queen of Pain: with Marks the Spot - Torrent combo, Queen of Pain has no chance to escape.

Spectre

Spectre: Even when casting Spectral Dagger, Spectre can’t not get away from X Marks the Spot. In laning time, Spectre is considered as an underdog as He can be harassed by the damage from Tidebringer. Ghostship helps Kunkka’s allies absorb damage from Haunt.

Sand King

Sand King: Damage from Epicenter has no to little effect on Kunkka and his allies thanks to the help from Ghostship. with Marks the Spot - Torrent combo, Sand King has no chance to escape even when casting Sand Storm.

Warlock

Warlock: Ghostship helps Kunkka’s allies absorb damage from Chaotic Offering. The summons are vulnerable against Tidebringer. All of Kunkka’s spells can disrupt Upheaval.

Game plan

Early game

As a supporter, farming is never its priority. Instead, Kunkka will try to help the teammate to farm and harass the enemy heroes or secure the kill if possible. Use Torrent to prevent the carry from being killed during the gank as well as harass enemies when they try to last hit the creep. It is also useful to prevent the enemies from running. Besides,the Tidebringer can be used to help the carry farms better or push the lane faster.

Mid game

With some items and might be some advantage at the lane, you can start roaming to support other lanes. With Torrent you can set up a great gank by stunning the target. With Ghostship you can save the life of allies when they are being chased or besieged by enemies. Always remember to go back to the bot lane right after finishing your job in other lanes as your carry always needs a help from yours to get his/her power to accelerate better.

Late game

In the late game, you and your team might play around the key objectives like Roshan and towers and try to demolish as many towers as possible. Your main purpose is to save the life of your carry so I recommend you to hold a great position and cast Ghostship. Besides, using Torrent to initiate a teamfight or catch the split push heroes is not a bad idea. In case your team needs more debuff and disabled effects to set up a team fight, you should consider purchasing Aghanim’s Scepter and Aghanim’s Shard to unlock new abilities.