Latest version of Dota released last 2010 with 2 new heroes, Tuskar and Icarus, and 3 new items, Ancient Janggo of Endurance , Medallion of Courage and Smoke of Deceit. On this blog, I want to discuss about the 2 new heroes:
Tuskar, primary attribute is strength, is a good ganker and a good clash setter. Why good ganker?His strength-based armor and vitality can withstand any skill giving him an advantage in any lane position he is put into. His skills, when executed perfectly, can become a combo for sure kills to heroes with poor HP and armor like Rylai, Lion, Techies, etc. I can also say that Tuskar is a good clash setter mainly because of his snowball skill, which gives him invulnerability and faster movement speed. He can also take with him in the snowball his allied heroes and/or take back with him an enemy hero who is escaping. His other skills, the ice shards, frozen sigil and walrus punch also are very useful in a clash. The ice shards, not only deals high damage but also makes a barrier upon impact of its target. The frozen sigil, decreases movement speed of enemy heroes, useful in chasing down fleeing enemy heroes and/or escaping death. The walrus punch, which I really did not understand at first because you can activate it in advance, strikes the enemy hero and launches it in the air, the enemy will be struck twice( the second strike will deal critical damage). Another advantage is that his skills do not require a huge amount of sp thus you can maximize its usage. I can say that Tuskar is a good pick in CM mode because he can dominate in the early game but can also dish out heavy damage even in the late part of the game. Good items for Tuskar in 5 vs 5, for me, are Battlefury, MoM or HoD, BKB, BoT, MKB and Buriza. This items will balance his vitality and his damage in battle. 
Icarus, another strength-attribute hero, is a versatile killer and great in avoiding close range combat. Icarus' most useful skill, in my opinion, is the sun ray. The skill can dish out high damage and at the same time can slow the target. This skill can be useful against short-ranged enemies that can deal huge amounts of damage, like naix, barathrum, lycanthrope, etc. by preventing them in getting close to Icarus. Another skill Icarus has that is very useful in clash is the fire spirit, which contains 5 charges per use. You can use it to damage nearby enemies and/or you can use it to heal your allies. The Icarus dive is a good skill as well, it provides a quick escape and can also be used to damage and disarm enemies. Icarus' last skill, the Supernova, is a tricky skill, although others think that it is a very powerful skill, in my opinion it is all in the execution of the skill. The Supernova gives you invulnerability to all hero skills yet you can still be hit with normal attack. And from what I have observed, when the phoenix is in Supernova, its armor is very weak. The cast time of Supernova is 6 seconds, so if you have enemies like traxex or kardel, which are known for their exceptional normal damage, then you would be teared like paper. If you are able to find a good spot to cast Supernova during a clash, the advantage is in your team. Supernova has AoE effect with not only a stun effect but will also inflict damage to nearby enemies and will also fully restore the hp of Icarus. A really good skill if used properly. Now for me, I would recommend putting items like linken sphere, vanguard, phase boots( for sun ray) and any item that will increase his sp so that you will be able to use the sun ray continuously. I don't know yet if the Supernova can be partnered with dagger of escape like in the combo of sandking( epicenter then dagger) or if ghost scepter can be activated while in Supernova. If it works then it will give the hero a greater advantage in a clash. Hopefully Icefrog can think of more heroes to add in the next version of Dota. GG ^.^
