Heroes of the Storm Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Franchise-diablo This is from the Diablo universe.


Fresh meat!

Damage (9/10) Utility (4/10) Survivability (6/10) Complexity (5/10)

The Butcher is a Melee Assassin Hero from the Diablo universe.

A grotesque shape lumbers across the Nexus, a cleaver and a blood-encrusted meat hook in his massive hands. His hunger, insatiable, insistent, drives him ever on to carve up his enemies and consume their fresh meat. Even those fighting alongside him shrink away in fear when he draws near. He is violence incarnate; he is brutality given shape. He is the Butcher.

Background[]

Butchers are a type of demon of the Overlord class. Many of them exist within the Burning Hells, and they were once under Diablo's command. The Butchers are stitched together from the parts of other demons to combine their strengths, then given life through magic. As such, Butcher Demons see all living and unliving things as mere parts. The Butchers that serve Duriel, the Lord of Pain, bolt plates of burning iron to their flesh.

Gameplay Summary[]

The Butcher is a brutal Melee Assassin who specializes in ganking. He fuels his high sustain damage by consuming the remains of his ruined victims. His trait, Fresh Meat, is unique as it is also a quest, that allows him to increase his basic attack damage by collecting meat that drops from minions and enemy Heroes. Once completed, The Butcher will gain a huge bonus to Basic Attack Damage and Attack Speed, providing a massive power spike that can turn the tide of the game. He also has an incredible self-sustain that allows him to even solo Bosses, and two very powerful Heroic Abilities.

Overall, The Butcher is best used in hard engage teams with high damage and crowd control, where he can follow up with his Ruthless Onslaught and eliminate priority targets.

Strengths[]

  • Outstanding sustained Basic Attack Damage once the Fresh Meat trait-talent is completed, turning him into one of the strongest duelists and gankers in the game.
    • Can continuously increase his damage even after completing the main portion of his quest-trait.
  • One of the strongest self-sustains in the game with Butcher's Brand.
  • Ruthless Onslaught makes him Unstoppable (meaning only Silence can negate it), being a powerful engaging and ganking tool.
  • Excels at taking down priority targets with Lamb to the Slaughter, particularly Supports and fragile Assassins.
  • High area of effect burst damage with Furnace Blast, which, when properly timed with other Heroes abilities, can decimate the enemy team.

Weaknesses[]

  • Vulnerable to focus fire, burst damage and crowd control.
    • Blinds negate the majority of his damage potential and self-sustain.
  • Both his Heroic Abilities can be avoided and/or negated easily by some Heroes.
  • Requires to be played defensively in the early game, as losing Fresh Meat upon dying will greatly delay his late game power spike.
  • Very relying on specific team compositions, which often need to be built around him in order for The Butcher be truly effective.

Abilities[]

IconHamstring
Hamstring (Q) [Area of Effect]
Mana: 40
Cooldown: 4 seconds

Deal 115 (+4% per level) damage and slow enemies by 49.92% fading over 2 seconds. Your next Basic Attack will strike immediately.

IconButchersBrand
Butcher's Brand (W) [Targeted]
Mana: 65
Cooldown: 14 seconds

Deal 39 (+4% per level) damage to an enemy and cause your Basic Attacks against them to heal you for 75% of the damage done. Healing is doubled versus Heroes. Lasts 4 seconds. Your Basic Attacks against a branded Hero increase the duration by 0.5 seconds.

IconRuthlessOnslaught
Ruthless Onslaught (E) [Targeted]
Mana: 55
Cooldown: 15 seconds

Charge at an enemy, becoming Unstoppable and gaining Movement Speed. If you reach the target, they are stunned for 1 second and take 124 (+4% per level) damage.

Traits[]

IconFreshMeat
Fresh Meat [Passive]

Upon dying, nearby enemy Minions drop 1 Fresh Meat and enemy Heroes drop 20 Fresh Meat. Fresh Meat can be picked up to gain 0.5 Attack Damage per Meat. The Butcher loses 15 Fresh Meat upon dying.
IconQuestTalent Quest: Collect 200 Fresh Meat.
IconQuestTalent Reward: Gain an additional 25% increased Attack Speed. Heroes continue to drop 10 Fresh Meat, Minions no longer drop Fresh Meat, and Fresh Meat is no longer lost on death.

Heroic Abilities[]

IconFunaceBlast
Furnace Blast
Tier 4 (Hero Level 10)
Mana: 75
Cooldown: 60 seconds

After a 3 second delay, fire explodes around you dealing 500 (+4% per level) damage to enemies. Can be cast while using Ruthless Onslaught.

IconLambtotheSlaughter
Lamb to the Slaughter
Tier 4 (Hero Level 10)
Mana: 75
Cooldown: 90 seconds

Throw a hitching post that attaches to the nearest enemy Hero after a 1 second delay. This deals 178 (+4% per level) damage and causes the enemy to be chained to the post and Silenced for 3 seconds.

Talents[]

Tier 1, Hero Level 1[]

IconHamstring
Invigoration
Tier 1 (Hero Level 1)

Reduces Hamstring mana cost, and reduces cooldown when used on enemy heroes.

IconBlock
Block
Tier 1 (Hero Level 1)

Every 5 seconds, gain 75 Physical Armor against the next enemy Hero Basic Attack, reducing the damage taken by 75%. Stores up to 2 charges.

IconHamstring2
Chop Meat
Tier 1 (Hero Level 1)

Increases Hamstring damage by 100% to Minions and Mercenaries.

Tier 2, Hero Level 4[]

IconHamstring
Flail Axe
Tier 2 (Hero Level 4)

Increases the length of Hamstring by 40%.

IconRuthlessOnslaught
Unrelenting Pursuit
Tier 2 (Hero Level 4)

Reduces the cooldown of Ruthless Onslaught by 33% upon impact.

IconHamstring2
Cheap Shot
Tier 2 (Hero Level 4)

Hamstring does 100% more damage to targets affected by a slow, root, or stun.

Tier 3, Hero Level 7[]

IconButchersBrand
Insatiable Blade
Tier 3 (Hero Level 7)

While facing the branded enemy, The Butcher's Movement Speed is increased by 25%.

IconFreshMeat
Victuals
Tier 3 (Hero Level 7)

Every time a nearby Minion dies, regain 5% of maximum Health.

IconRuthlessOnslaught
Meat Shield
Tier 3 (Hero Level 7)

When Ruthless Onslaught impacts an enemy Hero, The Butcher gains 50 Spell Armor for 2.5 seconds, reducing Ability Damage taken by 50%.

Tier 4, Hero Level 10[]

IconFunaceBlast
Furnace Blast
Tier 4 (Hero Level 10)
Mana: 75
Cooldown: 60 seconds

After a 3 second delay, fire explodes around you dealing 500 (+4% per level) damage to enemies. Can be cast while using Ruthless Onslaught.

IconLambtotheSlaughter
Lamb to the Slaughter
Tier 4 (Hero Level 10)
Mana: 75
Cooldown: 90 seconds

Throw a hitching post that attaches to the nearest enemy Hero after a 1 second delay. This deals 178 (+4% per level) damage and causes the enemy to be chained to the post and Silenced for 3 seconds.

Tier 5, Hero Level 13[]

IconRuthlessOnslaught
Savage Charge
Tier 5 (Hero Level 13)

Ruthless Onslaught deals bonus damage to Heroes equal to 10% of their maximum Health.

IconRicochet
Cleaver
Tier 5 (Hero Level 13)

Basic Attacks deal 35% of your Basic Attack damage to nearby enemies.

IconHamstring
Brutal Strike
Tier 5 (Hero Level 13)

After using Hamstring, your next 3 Basic Attacks within 5 seconds deal an additional 15% bonus damage.

Tier 6, Hero Level 16[]

IconHamstring
Crippling Slam
Tier 6 (Hero Level 16)

Hamstring's slow no longer fades out, and the duration is increased by 30%.

IconEnraged
Enraged
Tier 6 (Hero Level 16)

Receiving damage that reduces The Butcher below 50% of his maximum Health causes him to become Enraged for 10 seconds, gaining 40% Attack Speed and 15 Armor, reducing damage taken by 25%.

IconFreshMeat
Blood Frenzy
Tier 6 (Hero Level 16)

Basic Attacks against enemy heroes increase your Basic Attack and Movement Speed by 5% for 3 seconds. Stacks up to 5 times.

Tier 7, Hero Level 20[]

IconFunaceBlast
Fires of Hell
Tier 7 (Hero Level 20)

Furnace Blast explodes a second time 3 seconds after the initial explosion.

IconLambtotheSlaughter
Slaughterhouse
Tier 7 (Hero Level 20)

Lamb to the Slaughter now chains all enemy Heroes in range.

Nexus Blades Icon New
Nexus Blades
Tier 7 (Hero Level 20)

Basic Attacks deal 20% more damage and slow enemy Movement Speed by 20% for 1 second.

Bolt of the Storm Icon New
Bolt of the Storm [Active]
Tier 7 (Hero Level 20)
Cooldown: 70 seconds

Activate to teleport to a nearby location.

Talent Builds[]

Tips[]

  • In the early game, The Butcher should focus on trying to complete the Fresh Meat quest as soon as possible. Roaming the map is very useful to get meat from all lanes.
    • Because of that, avoid direct engaging opponents and remain defensive, to avoid dying prematurely and losing precious stacks. Do not solo lane if the opposing team has Heroes with diving and/or ganking potential.
    • While it is important to get stacks of meat when possible, avoid ignoring team fights and map objectives in expense of it.
  • Hamstring resets The Butcher Basic Attack animation. So, ideally, try to use immediately after a Basic Attack. Doing so will maximize his damage per second.
  • Butcher's Brand should be used only for self-sustain, and not as a source of damage.
    • Make sure to be able to stick with the target marked; if it is a Hero with high mobility, it might ending up being a waste.
      • Try to use this ability when accompained by a Hero with decent crowd control to make the max of it.
  • Ruthless Onslaught should be used carefuly, and primarily as a gap-closer. Never engage directly if there will be no follow up from the rest of the team; doing so may put The Butcher at great risk.
    • This ability can be cancelled once cast, by pressing the keybind again. This is useful when the player commits to the charge but will be put in a tight situation. However, this will still trigger its cooldown.
      • Additionally, use it to fake a charge and make opponents retreat.
    • Use Ruthless Onslaught to flee from enemies by targeting distant minions.
  • Time well Furnace Blast by casting it early, to ensure it explodes just as The Butcher reaches his target(s), giving the enemy team less time to react.
  • Do not use Lamb to the Slaughter when there are Heroes with abilities that can negate the chain (such as Cleanse), or against Heroes with high mobility that can escape before the chain pins them.

Matchups[]

Pairings[]

The Butcher is best paired with Heroes that can complement his playstyle: opening opportunities for ganking, following up his Ruthless Onslaught, helping with waveclear so he can gather meat faster, and add more survivability. As he poses a huge threat to the enemy team, he will often become a priority target and victim of focus fire. For these reasons, having a dedicated healer greatly secures that The Butcher will be able to successfully assault his targets.

Abathurplate
Abathur's Symbiote can provide constant shielding to The Butcher, as well extra damage and waveclear. The talent Adrenal Overload provides an earlier powerspike for The Butcher, and it stacks with other attack speed buffs, making him even more deadly when Fresh Meat is completed.


Kel'Thuzadplate
Both The Butcher and Kel'Thuzad are Heroes that can build up their power over the match and result in massive snowballing that gives opponents no chance to withstand their power; if both Heroes complete their quest-traits (Fresh Meat and Master of the Cold Dark), the team obtains two massive powerspikes. The Butcher's ganking playstyle has great synergy with Kel'Thuzad combo-oriented skillshots: both Ruthless Onslaught and Lamb to the Slaughter can and will give Kel'Thuzad enough time to unleash his barrage of abilities. Similarly, Kel'Thuzad's spike damage is more than enough for The Butcher to secure the kills and obtain more Fresh Meat.


Lt. Moralesplate
Boasting from the highest single target healing in the game, Lt. Morales Healing Beam and Safeguard are perfect to keep The Butcher alive while he charges into the enemy team. Additionally, her Stim Drone makes The Butcher drastically stronger. Her entire kit fits The Butcher with perfection.


Malfurionplate
A well timed Entangling Roots from Malfurion after a Ruthless Onslaught allows The Butcher to secure many kills.


Rehgarplate
Being a more aggressive Support, Rehgar can reliably keep The Butcher alive and provide additional damage to his targets. Lightning Shield is good for extra bits of damage, and also aids in waveclear, which is important when The Butcher is gathering Fresh Meat, while Earthbind Totem is useful to prevent opponents from fleeing, especially when they have been marked with Butcher's Brand. Lastly, Bloodlust greatly boosts The Butcher performance.


Tassadarplate
Tassadar's Plasma Shield (especially if Khala's Embrace is taken) can be combined with Butcher's Brand to greatly increase The Butcher's sustain while shielding him.


Tyraelplate
Tyrael's abilities are great at both engaging and disengaging, which is useful to make The Butcher more slippery and less susceptible to focus fire. El'Druin's Might and Judgment are particularly powerful to lock on opponents and both open opportunities as well as follow up for Ruthless Onslaught.


Tyrandeplate
Tyrande is one of the best Heroes to be paired with The Butcher, due to the huge utility and damage she brings to the match. Her Lunar Flare, Hunter's Mark, Starfall and Trueshot Aura (if taken) are great tools to secure kills when The Butcher hits the victim with Ruthless Onslaught.


Utherplate
Uther's high single target heals and survivability from Eternal Devotion (especially if Guardian of Ancient Kings and Divine Protection are taken) provides The Butcher with a massive batch of survivability. This combined with two reliable stuns (Hammer of Justice) and Divine Storm allows for deadly follow ups.


Effective against[]

The Butcher is the bane of frail characters with low mobility, such as many Supports and most Ranged Assassins. With his Ruthless Onslaught and Lamb to the Slaughter, he can completely shut down most Heroes.

Alarakplate
While Alarak can punish Ruthless Onslaught with a well timed Discord Strike, a good The Butcher player will wait for the right time to strike, and capitalize on its cooldown. Once The Butcher gets personal and pins Alarak down with Lamb to the Slaughter, highlord will quickly fall.


Aurielplate
Similarly to Lt. Morales, Auriel lack the movement options to escape The Butcher's Lamb to the Slaughter, although she can deny his Ruthless Onslaught with Crystal Aegis (since she becomes untargetable).


Li Liplate
Despite being a Basic Attacker, The Butcher can easily focus on Li Li and shut her down with Lamb to the Slaughter, negating any chances for her to react. His Ruthless Onslaught can also interrupt both her Heroic Abilities, as they are channeled.


Lost Vikingsplate
Similarly to Murky, The Butcher can easily take down and farm The Lost Vikings, allowing him to gain even more stacks of Fresh Meat.


Lt. Moralesplate
While Lt. Morales is a powerful healer, she lacks the proper self-sustain and movement options to defend against aggressive gankers like The Butcher, who can easily isolate her from the rest of the team and pin her down with Lamb to the Slaughter.


Lúcioplate
The Butcher excels at taking down squishy targets like Lúcio. Ruthless Onslaught can and will often force Lúcio to retreat to the backlines if targeted. Lamb to the Slaughter is capable of completely shutting down Lúcio's mobility and healing if he is caught within the fray. If Furnace Blast is chosen instead, it remains capable of quickly bursting down Lúcio and can force him to use Sound Barrier earlier in order to avoid a certain death.


Malfurionplate
Ruthless Onslaught and Lamb to the Slaughter allows The Butcher to completely shutdown Malfurion before he has any time to react (altough a well timed Twilight Dream can cancel Ruthless Onslaught.


Murkyplate
Murky's extremely low health, combined with faster revive timer, makes him easy food for The Butcher, allowing him to complete Fresh Meat much faster.


Effective foes[]

The Butcher will often become a priority target due how dangerous he is if kept alive. Because of this, his diving nature is easily countered by Heroes capable of shutting down his damage and self-sustain. Crowd controls, particularly stuns and blinds, will make The Butcher very vulnerable and easy to take down.

Brightwingplate
Altough Brightwing has poor movement options outside of Phase Shift, she has the right tools to keep The Butcher at bay and frustrate his advances, with Polymorph and Emerald Wind capable of negating Ruthless Onslaught.


Johannaplate
Johanna is sturdy and can get personal with The Butcher without much retaliation. Her Shield Glare, Condemn and Blessed Shield are all powerful tools to peel The Butcher away from his targets.


Tracerplate
Tracer's slippery nature and sustained damage can be more than a nuisance. She can easily kite The Butcher's Hamstring, and can prevent his Ruthless Onslaught and Lamb to the Slaughter with Recall.


Utherplate
Being a more resilient Support, Uther high burst healing and damage reduction from Eternal Devotion, combined with his crowd control skills, can frustrate The Butcher in key moments.


Varianplate
While all his Talent Builds can pose a threat to The Butcher, if specced as Protection, Varian's Taunt and Parry combined will force The Butcher into switching targets while protecting himself from The Butcher's high damage. In addition, Mortal Strike will also reduce The Butcher's self-sustain with Butcher's Brand.


Skins[]

Flesh Carver (base)
Butcher 0001 Butcher 0002 Butcher 0003 The Butcher - Petrified
Flesh Carver Reptilian Contaminated Petrified IconShard 100
Iron Butcher IconShard 100
There are many Butchers within the Burning Hells, but only those who serve Duriel, the Lord of Pain, bolt plates of burning iron to their flesh.
Iron Butcher 0001 Iron Butcher 0002 Iron Butcher 0003
Iron Butcher Fel Savage
Executioner IconShard 100
An executioner's hood hides their identity and discourages offended parties from seeking revenge. Of course, that won't be a problem for the Butcher.
Master Butcher 0001 Master Butcher 0002 Master Butcher 0003
Executioner Toxic Dark
The Butcherlisk IconShard 1600
Abathur's newest creation was inspired by the tenacity of the hellish abomination he encountered in the Nexus. Its instructions were simple: Acquire fresh essence. Evolve.
This skin is related to the StarCraft themed-skins. Features themed abilities.
The Butcher - Butcherlisk The Butcher - Butcherlisk - Festering The Butcher - Butcherlisk - Enraged The Butcher - Butcherlisk - Grendel
Butcherlisk Festering Enraged Grendel IconShard 2400

Patch changes[]

  • Patch (Patch April 24, 2018Note: Petrified Butcher added.
  • Patch (Patch December 20, 2017Note: Fixed an issue preventing The Butcher from using consumable items such as Healing Pulse or Turrets on Volskaya Foundry.
  • Patch (Patch September 20, 2017Note: Basic Attack damage increased from 125 to 130; Health scaling per level increased from 4 to 4.5%; Health Regeneration scaling per level increased from 4 to 4.5%.
  • Patch (Patch August 23, 2017Note: Basic Attack damage reduced from 130 to 125.
  • Patch (Patch August 8, 2017Note: Basic Attack damage lowered from 140 to 130.; Grendel Butcherlisk skin added.
  • Patch (Patch September 13, 2016Note: The Butcher has received updated visual effects to coincide with his Talent rework.; The Butcherlisk skin added.; Basic Attack damage reduced from 169 to 140.
  • Patch (Patch April 19, 2016Note: The Butcher’s prices have been reduced to $8.49 USD and 7,000 Gold.
  • Patch (Patch March 29, 2016Note: Fixed a bug affecting Stitches and The Butcher that could cause performance issues under certain circumstances.
  • Patch (Patch August 18, 2015Note: Received updated facial animations.
  • Patch (Patch July 21, 2015Note: Added.

External links[]

Advertisement