Vlads is not the best starting item in the world, why do you insist on getting it?

Too many games have I played that I see players get Vladimir's Offering on carry heroes before getting damage items. This is extremely frustrating to deal with. Here is the break down of Vladimir's Offering :

Vladimir's Offering
-Recipe Item
"An eerie mask haunted with the malice of fallen vampire."

Total : 2075 Gold
Gives +16% Lifesteal Aura (MEELE ONLY)
+0.80% Brilliance Aura
+5 Devotion Aura
+15% damage Aura

Components of Vladimir's Offering:

Ring of Basilius
-Recipe Item



"Ring given as a reward to the greatest Mages of the Alliance during the Second Great War."

Total : 500 Gold

Gives +0.65 Brilliance Aura
+3 Devotion Aura
+6 Damage
*Can be clicked to make aura only work for Heroes* (Note : Even though it says Heroes only, your necromancer/druid will still get the Aura.)

-Components of Ring of Basilius

Sobi Mask

"A common mask used by Mages and Warlocks for various Rituals."

325 Gold

Gives +50% Mana Regeneration

Ring of Protection

"Due to its small size, many have trouble putting it on."



175 Gold
Gives +2 Armor

Continuation of Components for Vladimir's Offering

Mask of Death



"The phattest lewt, definetly."



900 Gold
Gives +10% Lifesteal - Orb Effect


Ring of Reneration



"The ring is considered a good luck charm among the Gnomes."



375 Gold
Gives +2 Hp Regen per second

Vladimir's Offering Recipe







300 Gold

Vladmir's Offering is not that bad of an item. It grants: good armor, decent mana regeneration, a damage aura, and a Lifesteal aura. One of the reasons why this item is so popular is that it gives Lifesteal in the form of an aura, which means that it is not an orb effect. All the more reason why many heroes get Vlads when they already have an orb effect.

But the problem lies in the fact that many players playing carry heroes opt to get Vladimir's Offering as their first item, which I think is a pretty bad choice. First off, you're getting an item that gives you lifesteal, but lifesteal requires damage to be effective. You may argue that Vlads gives you a +15% damage aura. I would have to counter argue that even with the +15% damage aura, you wouldn't be dishing out enough damage to maximize the Lifesteal given.

My point is that you should get some damage items before investing in Vlads. Stop getting vlads as your first item on Bounty Hunter, which I see A LOT. Spectre, Juggernaut, Terrorblade, and countless more, all fall in this category.

Now, here's something that you see from time to time. Ranged heroes getting vlads. That is one of the most STUPID decisions you can make in Dota. Maybe they think it gives them lifesteal. Maybe they get it for the minor damage boosting aura. Whatever the reason is, they're pretty dumb. Don't follow in their footsteps, you'll just find yourself flamed at by your whole team. If you think you have a good argument for getting Vlads on a ranged hero, please share. I'll be more than happy to destroy your argument. Kidding of course, all opinions are welcome.

My advice to you : Stop getting Vlads before damage in most cases. Stop getting Vlads just for the damage aura. DON'T get Vlads on a ranged hero, unless you really want to get flamed to death.