The highest raw physical attack item in the game. Build it as your 3rd or 4th item once you have Boots and 1-2 core items for early-game utility. The execute-range passive makes one-shotting squishy targets trivial. Nearly universal on physical carries who want maximum burst.

Best on

Assassins, Marksmen — heroes who burst squishy targets.

Avoid when

Tanks, Supports; too expensive and provides no utility.

Consider instead

Malefic Roar

Hunter Strike

Heroes that build Blade of Despair

Core63 heroes

Fanny

Assassin · Jungle

Ling

Assassin · Jungle

Lesley

Marksman · Gold Lane

Benedetta

Assassin · EXP Lane

Arlott

Fighter · EXP Lane

Paquito

Fighter · EXP Lane

Melissa

Marksman · Gold Lane

Ixia

Marksman · Gold Lane

Wanwan

Marksman · Gold Lane

Hayabusa

Assassin · Jungle

Lancelot

Assassin · Jungle

Karrie

Marksman · Gold Lane

Beatrix

Marksman · Gold Lane

Freya

Fighter · EXP Lane

Natalia

Assassin · Jungle

Saber

Assassin · Jungle

Aldous

Fighter · EXP Lane

Bruno

Marksman · Gold Lane

Cici

Fighter · EXP Lane

Yi Sun-shin

Assassin · Jungle

Karina

Assassin · Jungle

Helcurt

Assassin · Jungle

Joy

Assassin · Jungle

Aamon

Assassin · Jungle

Nolan

Assassin · Jungle

Alucard

Fighter · EXP Lane

Lapu-Lapu

Fighter · EXP Lane

X.Borg

Fighter · EXP Lane

Leomord

Fighter · EXP Lane

Masha

Fighter · EXP Lane

Silvanna

Fighter · EXP Lane

Dyrroth

Fighter · EXP Lane

Roger

Fighter · EXP Lane

Terizla

Fighter · EXP Lane

Jawhead

Fighter · Roamer

Zilong

Fighter · EXP Lane

Argus

Fighter · EXP Lane

Guinevere

Fighter · EXP Lane

Julian

Fighter · EXP Lane

Yin

Fighter · EXP Lane

Ruby

Fighter · Roamer

Balmond

Fighter · EXP Lane

Minsitthar

Fighter · Roamer

Thamuz

Fighter · EXP Lane

Martis

Fighter · EXP Lane

Layla

Marksman · Gold Lane

Miya

Marksman · Gold Lane

Clint

Marksman · Gold Lane

Granger

Marksman · Gold Lane

Moskov

Marksman · Gold Lane

Brody

Marksman · Gold Lane

Claude

Marksman · Gold Lane

Hanabi

Marksman · Gold Lane

Natan

Marksman · Gold Lane

Popol and Kupa

Marksman · Gold Lane

Kimmy

Marksman · Gold Lane

Irithel

Marksman · Gold Lane

Hilda

Fighter · Jungle

Sun

Fighter · EXP Lane

Badang

Fighter · EXP Lane

Aulus

Fighter · EXP Lane

Bane

Fighter · EXP Lane

Khaleed

Fighter · EXP Lane