2 ratings
2 total votes
Overview
Balmond received a buff to his first skill in patch 2.1.30 where it can now reduce an enemy's physical defense by 40% with a duration of 3 seconds. This makes Balmond an above average hero to use in the EXP lane and a potential pro-scene return.
Strengths
Balmond can regenerate health by killing creeps, minions, or heroes allowing him to sustain and stay in team fights as a frontliner. His first skill physical defense drop also applies to his allies which helps Balmond synergize with physical damage junglers increasing their damage output. Balmond's ultimate also allows him to secure important kills since it deals more damage the lower the enemy's HP percentage.
Weaknesses
Balmond lacks crowd control to be an effective frontliner. (although this can be fixed with petrify, the trade back is that Balmond's sustain drops without vengeance.) Balmond also struggles with heroes with high mobility since his main damage output is his second skill that needs to be close to an enemy, and his ultimate can be dodged easily which can lead to frequent misplays if not timed correctly.
Standard
This build is Balmond's standard build and is one of the most effective. War Axe and Queen's Wings are Balmond's core items that gives additional spell vamp which increases Balmond's sustain. Queen's Wings passive also reduces incoming damage if Balmond's below 40% HP allowing him to stay in a fight longer. The 3 items are now situational so build accordingly, to what the team or what you need to counter a specific enemy hero. If you want to increase Balmond's passive heal by Oracle; if you want to reduce the enemy's lifesteal, spell vamp, or healing effects buy Dominance Ice. Buy Brutes Force Breastplate for physical defense and additional damage output; build Antique Cuirass against heroes with high physical damage output. Buy Athena's Shield against Burst Damage mages or magic damage dealers; buy Radiant Armor against continuous damage mages or magic damage dealers.
Sky Piercer
This build is used by Balmond if the enemies usually consists of squishy heroes that can be easily bursted. Sky Piercer synergizes well with Balmond's ultimate as it can increase the damage output and saves you time from calculating the possible damage of your ult and allows you to spam it frequently.
Full Tank
This build is used by Balmond in certain team compositions that relies on support roams and needs a proper frontliner or lacks one. Without War Axe, you can use Cursed Helmet, its passive deals damage against nearby enemies and synergizes well with Balmond's second skill. The last 3 items are situational, so build accordingly to your needs or a way to counter a specific hero.
Spell Vamp
The go to emblem set for Balmond, the fighter emblem gives him additional spell vamp which synergizes well with his second skill and is paired with Festival of Blood and Brave Smite. Thrill gives him additional physical attack. Thrill can be replaced with Vitality for extra health or rupture for an additional physical penetration.
Tank
An alternate emblem set that gives additional bulk with the trade back of low spell vamp capability.
Battle Spell
Vengeance is a go to battle spell for every sustain hero and Balmond is one of them. This allows Balmond to tank more damage and also returning half of it to the damage dealer. In some certain situations, you can use other battle spells for Balmond: Flicker - A good way to escape quickly after securing a kill or in a teamfight, this also allows you to do the Flicker + Ult combo which catches enemies off guard. Petrify - Fixes his lack of crowd control and allows you to lock an enemy close to him giving free hits for his second skill and landing his ultimate more accurately. Revitalize - In team compositions where a healer has strong healing effects or revitalize, Balmond can use revitalize and receive double heal effects allowing him to stay in a fight longer.
Early Game
Balmond can go toe-to-toe with some heroes at Level 1 and clear minion waves fast. Try to take the EXP Crab whenever possible if not, just clear your waves and play safely. Even if you have the upper hand, it's best not to overextend, your goal in the early game is to reach level 4 fast.
Middle Game
Balmond has access to his ultimate now, a really useful tool in the first turtle fight, with enough precision, you can pair this up with your jungler's retribution and secure the turtle almost every time. This is also the phase where Balmond shines and his durability usually peaks since he has built one of his core items.
Late Game
In the early stages of the Late Game, a Balmond with its core items can be scary like most sustain heroes due to his spell vamp, but as the game progresses longer, Balmond can be easily bursted down and his effectiveness dwindles over time. If the game had progressed in longer games, make sure to always stick by your team and protect your damage dealer by front lining.
Best With Angela
100% co-op win rate
Like every sustain hero, Balmond synergizes well with Angela as it increases his sustainability and tankiness that allows him to soak up even more damage while Angela keeps healing him.
Watch Out For Benedetta
40% counter win rate
Balmond struggles with heroes that have high mobility and can easily dodge his skills, Benedetta is one of them. Her kit involves dashing to enemies and it can be used to escape making it challenging to chase her.