Rigwarl, the battle-hardened drunkard, christened as Bristleback by the drunken crowd he spends his time around. From his very name, you could probably guess, that while most heroes can’t turn their backs away from a fight, this is one hero that has to, because his back is his strongest asset.
    Bristleback can instill a tense environment into his opponents' minds from the moment he’s selected. Your opponents will most definitely focus on countering him early in the game with specific items and heroes (if given the chance) while also focusing on ending the game soon. Why? Because given the chance, Bristleback will terrorize any attack with his unkillable (literally) presence.
    Today, we’re going to tell you how to utilize his ‘unkillable’ presence in 5 different ways. Continue reading on to know what we’re talking about!

Here are the top 5 builds for Bristleback:

5) The ‘When in doubt, burn ‘em out’ Safe Build

He may be an easy hero, but you still need to know how to play him. 

    It’s okay to not be prepared. Even with a hero that’s known for his survival. Somedays you just won’t be prepared for what’s coming and that’s fine. However, it’s always good to have a ‘back-up plan’ and to help you out, we’re handing you this build to take on ‘almost’ anything that may come your way.
    Do note, however, that even though this may be a ‘safe build’, it will take patience, effort and a good amount of last-hits for you to get the items here. Rest assured though, once you’re loaded up with our list of items, you’ll be your team’s strongest hope.

What is this build good for:

•     Keeps you safe, whether you’re new to Bristleback or don’t know which build to follow for a match.
• You’re well-balanced to counter almost any unprepared circumstance.
• Designed to keep you both, alive and feared in team-fights.

Build Details:

Starting Items

• Tango
•  Mango x2
• Ring of Protection

Early Items

• Magic Wand
• Power Treads (Strength)
• Vanguard

Core Items

• Crimson Guard
• Shiva’s Guard
• Heart of Tarrasque
• Radiance
• Black King Bar

Skill Build:

• (Q) Viscous Nasal Goo: 5,13,14,17
• (W) Quill Spray: 2,4,8,12
• (E) Bristleback: 1,3,7,9
•  (R) Warpath: 6,11,16
   
• Talent Tree: 10,15,20,25. (All at 30)

Talent Tree:

• +20 Movement Speed
• +250 Health
• +25 Health Regen
• +15% Spell Lifesteal

4) The ‘Stronger Together’ Team-fight Build

   The best way to play Bristle is with backup. Play as a team and enjoy easier wins.

    It’s no secret. Fighting as 2,3,4 or even 5 is always greater than fighting as 1 and this build will help you achieve just that. Of course, most team-support items depend on enemy picks and the current situation. But during moments when you don’t know what to do or how to help, follow this build.
    Our ‘team’ build will make you a reliable core, worthy support and a dream-team player. For this to work, however, just make sure you’re around for when all those team-fights do take place.

What is this build good for:

• Supports your team whilst in team-fights.
• Great item choice for 5-man survival situations. 
• Guaranteed love and/or commends from your team.

Build Details:

Starting Items

• Tango
• Mango x2
• Ring of Protection

Early Items

• Magic Wand
• Power Treads (Strength)
• Vanguard

Core Items

• Pipe of Insight
• Crimson Guard
• Assault Cuirass
• Black King Bar
• Solar Crest or Vladmir’s Offering

Skill Build:

• (Q) Viscous Nasal Goo: 5,13,14,17
• (W) Quill Spray: 2,4,8,12
• (E) Bristleback: 1,3,7,9
• (R) Warpath: 6,11,16
   
• Talent Tree: 10,15,20,25. (All at 30)

Talent Tree:

• +20 Movement Speed
• +250 Health
• +25 Quill Stack Damage
•  +15% Spell Lifesteal

3) The ‘ Overquill’ Ganking Build

    His 'Quills' are his most potent trait. Use them to their max potential to destroy all opposition with ease.

    Even though Bristleback is known more for his survivability and not his ganking skills, who said he couldn’t be used to do just that? His Viscous Nasal Goo makes him capable of being very annoying at places where he isn’t expected to be.
    Add that fact with a great list of items, and you have a Bristle that’s going to own in his lane & others. So try out this list if you’re the kind that loves to help the team, but more aggressively as an attacker/initiator and not just as a support system.

What is this build good for:

• You’ll take on more than 1 at a time easily.
• Every team-fight will be dominated by your presence.
• Your opponents will hate you. So use this only against people you do not like. Like a sibling, an ex (or just regular strangers in match-making).

Build Details:

Starting Items

• Tango
• Mango
• Ring of Protection
• Iron Branch

Early Items

• Power Treads
• Vanguard
• Ring of Tarrasque

Core Items

• Abyssal Blade
• Octarine Core
• Aghanim’s Scepter
• Shiva’s Guard
• Heart of Tarrasque

Skill Build:

• (Q) Viscous Nasal Goo: 3,8,13,17
• (W) Quill Spray: 2,4,7,9
• (E) Bristleback: 1,5,12,14
• (R) Warpath: 6,11,16
   
• Talent Tree: 10,15,20,25. (All at 30)

Talent Tree:

• +20 Movement Speed
• +250 Health
• +25 Quill Stack Damage
• +30 Warpath Damage Per Stack

2) The ‘It’s Clobberin’ Time!’ Damage Build

    An ultimate that increase his right-click damage by over 100%, why miss out on that?

     Should’ve probably saved my build name for Tiny, but oh well. First come first serve! Getting back to the point of this build - If you’re looking to make Bristleback a potent Right-clicker apart from his constant ability-spams, this is the build you’re looking for.
    We know (or now you do) that Bristleback’s Viscous Nasal Goo and his Quill Spray are paramount to what makes Bristleback so feared when he chases someone down. However, more often than not, his Special Ability is ignored - Warpath. Take this into account during every fight and you’ve got yourself a Bristleback that’s doing well all around.
    He’ll be a great tank, a good chaser and will pummel anyone back to their temporary spot in Dota heaven with these items.

What is this build good for:
    - Hit harder when you’re steam-rolling lanes using your ‘Warpath’.
    - Good survival chances if you initiate as well.
    - You’ll be a nightmare to most support units that are slower than (or slowed by) you.

Build Details:

Starting Items

• Tango
• Mango
• Ring of Protection
• Iron Branch

Early Items

• Power Treads
• Vanguard
• Vladmir’s Offering
• Magic Wand

Core Items

• Shiva’s Guard
• Aghanim’s Scepter
• Heart of Tarrasque
•  Desolator or Eye of Skadi

Skill Build:

• (Q) Viscous Nasal Goo: 3,8,13,17
• (W) Quill Spray: 2,4,7,9
• (E) Bristleback: 1,5,12,14
• (R) Warpath: 6,11,16
   
• Talent Tree: 10,15,20,25. (All at 30)

Talent Tree:
    - +20 Movement Speed
    - +6 Max Goo Stacks
    - +25 Quill Stack Damage
    - +30 Warpath Damage Per Stack

1) The ‘Titanium’ Super-Tank Build

    If you're strong enough, you'll be able to take-on high damage without any problems.
   
       The secret behind keeping Bristleback alive isn’t just an abnormal amount of Tarrasque stacks alone but is also his armor. Making him harder to damage is what will keep Bristleback alive for longer.
    Having a higher HP count is great, sure, but taking damage faster while regenerating slower is a problem. This problem is eliminated with better Armor that allows Bristle to take even lesser damage all the while he’s regenerating his HP at a highly durable rate in the tense-filled midst of combat.
    Do note, that if you’re to kite the enemy, get a Blade Mail instead of 2 Heart of Tarrasques’ so that once you activate it, in most cases, the enemy will stop hitting you for a few seconds, those few seconds will be good enough to reactivate your HP regen with your Tarrasque. Keeping you in fights for longer.

What is this build good for:

• Brings you close to being unkillable.
• In most cases, you’ll be able to take on all 5 and their ‘buybacks’.
• Your opponents may lose hope and stop fighting you. They’ll ignore you and go for the Ancient and other heroes instead. So always fight with your team.

Build Details:

Starting Items

• Tango
• Mango
• Ring of Protection
• Iron Branch

Early Items

• Power Treads
• Magic Wand

Core Items

• Shiva’s Guard
• Assault Cuirass
• Heart of Tarrasque  x2 (or 1 Tarrasque & 1 Blade Mail)
• Octarine Core

Skill Build:

• (Q) Viscous Nasal Goo: 5,13,14,17
• (W) Quill Spray: 2,4,8,12
• (E) Bristleback: 1,3,7,9
• (R) Warpath: 6,11,16
   
• Talent Tree: 10,15,20,25. (All at 30)

Talent Tree:

• +20 Movement Speed
• +250 Health
• +25 Health Regen
• 15% Spell Lifesteal

You may also be interested in:

• Top 10 Mid Heroes of Dota 2
• Top 10 Carry Heroes of Dota 2
• Top 10 Support Heroes of Dota 2
• In-game Settings for an Advantage in Dota 2
• Top 10 Best Offlane Heroes in Dota 2