Maiev Shadowsong
Maiev is the first of the legendary wardens, the special night elf police force of Kalimdor. The wardens are best known as the jailers and marshals of the society, and Maiev is exemplary in the role. In fact, too much so, as her dedication to hunting down Illidan the Betrayor takes over her life, becoming an obsession.
Before the obsession began, Maiev started out as a priestess of the moon, alongside Tyrande. This seems impossible at this point, as she is soley focused on her quarry, with no thought to anything else, least of all Elune.
My introduction to Maiev was in the Frozen Throne expansion for Warcraft III, where Maiev was playable in the Night Elf storyline. The Warden became my favorite class for the game, and I especially loved her Blink ability.
As a side note, it is so interesting to trace the ubiquitousness of that ability, Blink, from her kit in Warcraft III, through DOTA and League, to the greater collective consciousness of all games. There are references to Blink as a phase ability in early DnD editions, but it seems like Maiev's was one of the first short-range teleportation abilities. If nothing else, it's inclusion in DOTA popularized the ability. Kind of cool.
Keys to the Character
Not A Hula Hoop
The Umbra Crescent is the signature weapon of night elf Watchers. It is a circular blade, deadly from many different angles. Unlike typical chakrams, the heavier weight of the Umbra Cresent doesn't lend itself to great throwing potential.
Made You Blink
When you're chasing down a target, it sure helps if you can teleport short distances. Actually, being able to do that helps in countless ways... including chasing down a target.
Do Not Pass Go
As a Warden, Maiev is one of Kalimdor's jailers. And unfortunately for her, a high profile prisoner escaped. Maybe the highest profile. Oops.
A Little Too Focused
Maiev's dedication to bringing Illidan to justice is all-encompassing, even proving fatal for some of Maiev's allies. She's a bit of a workaholic.
Maiev is singularly focused on her mission: hunting down and apprehending her target. She will stop at nothing to complete this, even to her own detriment and that of her (former) friends and allies.
To capture that mix of hunting prey and tracking down a quarry, the build starts as a Ranger with an Investigator dedication. The Ranger class also allows for a big part of Maeiv's flavor – blinking. The Terrain Transposition focus spell will fill that spot at level ten. Meanwhile, the dedication benefits from Maiev's elf heritage, allowing her to choose Ancient Elf to grab the dedication from level one.
On the tabletop, Maiev fits the Assassin role. The role benefits immensely from her ability to improve her combat prowess against a focus target – both through Prey and Lead – combined with the ability to "blink" across the battlefield to a specific place. Maiev can choose a weaker target, like a Nuker or Healer, set them as her prey, and teleport to the back line to delete them with her chakram. Not too shabby.
Build OVERVIEW
Ancestry
Ancient Elf
The Night Elf race lives for 1000s of years, which is plenty of time to pick up a few different vocations. Maiev, for instance, has been a priestess, warden, bounty hunter, jailer and bad-ass.
To be fair, it is a character with the least amount of hoop-jumping we have to do to make Ancient Elf fit.
Background
Bounty Hunter
As a Warden, Maiev is responsible for her quarry. When one happens to escape, it is up to her to hunt them down.
This background gives the Experienced Tracker skill, and a Dexterity boost. Both great Warden things.
Class
Ranger
She's not the bow-firing Ranger we first think of, but Maiev's Warden specialization is Ranger through and through. The Hunt Prey and Flurry Hunter's Edge especially fit her style: She ruthlessly pursues her charge, and then enacts swift justice.
The Investigator dedication boosts her already potent tracking ability, giving some extra options to pursue her lead and find where they've gone next.
Skills & General Feats
Maiev's training as a Warden has made her somewhat acrobatic, fairly athletic, and incredibly intimidating.
Legendary: Intimidation
Master: Athletics, Religion
Expert: Acrobatics
Attribute Increases
Equipment
Suggested Starting Equipment
Chakram - This is the realization of the Umbra Crescent. Usually used melee, it can be thrown when needed.
Key Spells
Changelog
Related Builds
