Lion

Lion the Demon Witch is a ranged intelligence Hero famous for his outstanding ability combos, making him a solid and versatile choice in many team compositions. His ability to constantly regain mana while in lane also makes him a great harasser, while his high burst damage output and multiple disables create an even greater ganker. While Lion can be an effective semi-carry, he is not very item-reliant and is most commonly played as an offensive support.

Tips

 * Earth Spike works as both a nuke and a stun, and can hit multiple enemies. Aiming it directly at your target ensures a hit at closer range.
 * Targeting Earth Spike on the ground can be less accurate, but is necessary to utilize the ability's max range.
 * As a purely disabling spell, Hex doesn't deal direct damage but lasts longer than Earth Spike. It also has an instant cast time, making it your standard opening spell when going on the offensive such as in a gank (rather than risking a swift enemy reaction to Earth Spike).
 * Use your disables one after the other (Earth Spike, and when the stun wears off, Hex) so you maximize potential disable time and ensure kills.
 * Using Mana Drain on enemy heroes is a very good form of harrassment, and it maximises killing potential for laning partners such as Anti-Mage.
 * Choose if you want to skill Mana Drain or not. If you skill Hex and Earth Spike, build Arcane Boots, and then take Attribute Bonus, you will be much harder to kill, and still have mana for all your spells. However, some enemy heroes will be badly maligned by having their mana stolen from them, and some allied ones will be facilitated. Let the hero lineup on both sides inform your decision. For example, if there is a Storm Spirit or Leshrac on the opposing team, skilling Mana Drain is wise as these heroes are crippled horribly by accelerated loss of mana. However, if the enemy team has an Outworld Destroyer or a Keeper of the Light, skilling Mana Drain is fairly pointless as these heroes have abilities which replenish mana for themselves and others.
 * Mana Drain is still useful if left for late-game, as it greatly reduces Lion's need to return to base.
 * Finger of Death is a very powerful nuke, especially considering Lion's largely supportive role. Use it to help damage enemy carries or to eliminate their supports; but try not to use it for a sure kill unless your carry/carries are unable to execute it themselves, as they require kills much more than Lion does.

Trivia

 * In the transition from DotA to Dota 2, the names of two of Lion's skills were changed. Impale was named Earth Spike and Voodoo was named Hex.