Esmeralda is one of the mage heroes that can be effectively played as an offlane. That is why even if the mage carry META is not used more often currently, Esmeralda is still a top pick. She is also very good for solo queue players because even as an offlane, she can still help the whole team in many ways. She can carry the game due to her damage and tankiness. She can initiate fights and be the key factor in winning games.
Current Adjustments from Patch Note 1.5.08
Passive: STARMOON CASKET
Esmeralda manipulates Stardust and Frostmoon. Each of her Basic Attack and skills deals damages twice - Stardust Deals Physical Damage and Frostmoon deals Magic Damage and gives the target a shield equal to 135% of Frostmoon's damage dealt. The damage dealt by Esmeralda ignores all shield effects and transforms her Shield into her HP at the same time.
Skill 1: FROSTMOON SHIELD
Skill 2: STARDUST DANCE
Ultimate Skill: FALLING STARMOON
Preparation
Recommended Spell: Flicker/Retribution
Recommended Emblem:
For sidelane Talisman build (no purple buff)
Sidelane Talisman Build
You may also use the Beast Killer Jungle Item if you noticed that you have been last hitting a lot of jungle monsters.
Gameplay Tips
Esmeralda needs to get at least 30% CDR to be efficient (almost similar to Harith's mechanics). It is because of her skill 1 and skill 2 combo. You would want to reduce the cooldown of skill 1 as much as possible to spam it in team fights. This would be achieved by having a purple buff, 10% CDR from Mage Emblem, and another 10% CDR from Calamity Reaper. You may also use Magic Shoes for the early 10% CDR. Buying Enchanted Talisman is also a good option since it has 20% CDR.
About her skill combo, the first thing to do is use skill 1 to close the gap with the enemy then use skill 2. Hitting the target with skill 2 will reduce the cooldown of skill 1 so it is better if you use skill 1 first.
When combined with her ultimate skill, you will still use skill 1 first after her ult.
In the early game when your ultimate skill has still less damage, you may want to use it when the enemy's HP drops below half of its max HP so that another skill 1 plus skill 2 combo can kill it. While in mid to late game as long as you have an equal farm or even ahead in items, you can initiate using ultimate skill then use skill 1 and skill 2.
It is important not to overcommit early games that is why the ultimate skill is being conserved.
Esmeralda might really be one of the all-time best mage heroes. Unlike other mage heroes, she doesn't much affect by the shift of META.
Hope this guide helps you. Stay tuned for more.
Current Adjustments from Patch Note 1.5.08
- Fixed the shield limit issue and strengthened the shield provided by her Skill 1.
- Skill 1 Shield: 350-700 → 400-750
- Fixed the issue where her shield gain can surpass 50% of her Max HP
Passive: STARMOON CASKET
Esmeralda manipulates Stardust and Frostmoon. Each of her Basic Attack and skills deals damages twice - Stardust Deals Physical Damage and Frostmoon deals Magic Damage and gives the target a shield equal to 135% of Frostmoon's damage dealt. The damage dealt by Esmeralda ignores all shield effects and transforms her Shield into her HP at the same time.
Skill 1: FROSTMOON SHIELD
- [Shield] [Buff]
- CD: 8.5s
Skill 2: STARDUST DANCE
- [AoE]
- CD:5.5 to 3.5
Ultimate Skill: FALLING STARMOON
- [Burst] [Blink]
- CD: 32s to 24s
Preparation
Recommended Spell: Flicker/Retribution
Recommended Emblem:
For sidelane Talisman build (no purple buff)
- Use Mage Mystery Shop Talent. Put 3 pts for CDR and Magic Pen.
- For Burst Build, just change the talent to Impure Rage. With Impure Rage, you need not use Enchanted Talisman. You may go for the usual Calamity Reaper plus Holy Crystal.
Sidelane Talisman Build
- Warrior Boots
- Enchanted Talisman
- Calamity Reaper
- Holy Crystal
- Feather of Heaven
- Oracle
- Magic Shoes
- Calamity Reaper
- Holy Crystal
- Feather of Heaven
- Ice Queen Wand
- Bloodwings
You may also use the Beast Killer Jungle Item if you noticed that you have been last hitting a lot of jungle monsters.
Gameplay Tips
Esmeralda needs to get at least 30% CDR to be efficient (almost similar to Harith's mechanics). It is because of her skill 1 and skill 2 combo. You would want to reduce the cooldown of skill 1 as much as possible to spam it in team fights. This would be achieved by having a purple buff, 10% CDR from Mage Emblem, and another 10% CDR from Calamity Reaper. You may also use Magic Shoes for the early 10% CDR. Buying Enchanted Talisman is also a good option since it has 20% CDR.
About her skill combo, the first thing to do is use skill 1 to close the gap with the enemy then use skill 2. Hitting the target with skill 2 will reduce the cooldown of skill 1 so it is better if you use skill 1 first.
When combined with her ultimate skill, you will still use skill 1 first after her ult.
In the early game when your ultimate skill has still less damage, you may want to use it when the enemy's HP drops below half of its max HP so that another skill 1 plus skill 2 combo can kill it. While in mid to late game as long as you have an equal farm or even ahead in items, you can initiate using ultimate skill then use skill 1 and skill 2.
It is important not to overcommit early games that is why the ultimate skill is being conserved.
Esmeralda might really be one of the all-time best mage heroes. Unlike other mage heroes, she doesn't much affect by the shift of META.
Hope this guide helps you. Stay tuned for more.
