Lich (Warcraft III)

During his mortal life as the Warchief of the Orcish Horde of Draenor; Ner'zhul commanded a number of Orcish Warlocks and spell-wielding death knights. Yet, when these wicked sorcerers were captured by Kil'jaeden and the Legion after the destruction of Draenor, they were transformed into twisted aberrations of their former selves. These Liches possessed tremendous magical powers, yet their immortal, undead bodies were bound to the iron will of Ner'zhul. Since the Liches showed unswerving loyalty to their master, Ner'zhul granted them control over the furious elements of the cold north. Now, Liches wield frost magic along with their own considerable necromantic spells.

Ordin Frostbane, Ras Splinterspine, Morbent Fell, Rage Winterchill, Araj the Summoner, Kali'naj Dethknell, Rak Coldskull, Din Frostfire, Calis Wraithson, Venim Iceblade, Naze the Eternal, Ras Frostwhisper, Coldreaver, Cho'Nammoth, Kryptikk Soulslayer, Alandil Lieng.

The Lich is the Undead's only ranged Hero and is powerful in both offense and support. Generally professional Undead players will use him as their second Hero, because a Death Knight provides better versatility early game compared to a Lich.

Frost Nova is a powerful spell that also serves as the Lich's killing spell. It deals two hits; a single spell hit, followed by splash damage to nearby units. Liches should always use this spell when possible, as it deals a significant amount of damage at level 3. All struck units also suffer from a temporary frost effect. This skill should take first priority. Professional Undead players often combine Frost Nova with Death Coil, making a deadly combo against living units.

Frost Armor is one of the strongest support skills in game, as it provides the targeted unit with a massive amount of armor. Frost Armor's bonuses stack with others like Inner Fire, meaning that units can become incredibly resistant to attacks. In addition to this, Frost Armor weakens melee units - any that attack a unit benefiting from Frost Armor are given a temporary frost effect. It should take second priority.

Dark Ritual is a fairly insignificant skill, but experienced players may prioritize it over Frost Armor because it allows the Lich to cast Frost Nova more often on enemies.

Death and Decay is a powerful spell which a targeted area-of-effect channeled spell. All units and buildings in the area will lose 4% of their health every second. If not interrupted, the spell essentially destroys anything in the targeted area. Liches should be well protected before casting this spell, as they become sitting ducks.

• Blasts enemy units around a target enemy unit with a wave of damaging frost that slows movement by 50% and attack rate by 25%.

People pick the Lich just for the Frost Nova ability. It is a very powerful ability that is up there with Chain Lightning. Frost Nova can take a chunk out of enemy units and destroy low hit point units such as ranged units and spell casters. The second benefit of Frost Nova is that it causes a frost effect so it's great to use when they are trying to run away.

Use Mana Potions to cast Frost Nova more often. Use Dark Ritual so you can get more Mana to cast Frost Nova.

• Creates a shield of frost around a target friendly unit. The shield adds armor and slows melee units that attack it.
• The slow is 50% movement and 25% attack.

Frost Armor is useful for protecting allied Heroes and the Lich Itself. You can also cast Frost Armor on powerful units such as Abominations, Frost Wyrms, Knights, Tauren, and Bears to allow them to last longer. Focus Frost Armor on high-priority units to increase their chances of survival.

Frost reduces movement by 50% and attack speed by 25%, making it particularly useful against melee users.

Dispel.

• Counters

• Sacrifices a target friendly Undead unit to convert its hit points into mana for the Lich.

Dark Ritual is rarely used but very powerful because it can make the Lich have almost unlimited Mana for Frost Nova. It's best to use Dark Ritual on Skeletons, since they can be easily replaced. If the enemy tries targeting your units and you can't save them, you can use Dark Ritual on them to deny them the experience.

• Damages everything in its area of effect by 4% of its base hit points per second.

Notes: Trees are not affected by the damaging effect of Death and Decay, but instead killed instantly.

Death and Decay is extremely useful in any situation. It deals damage based on the health of struck units, not a static numerical value. It is also capable of damaging units with Spell Immunity or otherwise protected by them such as Anti-Magic Shell. Like Blizzard however, Death and Decay will damage your units so make sure none of your units are over the area it is cast on.

It is particularly useful against players attempting to play defensively, as it has enough range to avoid retaliation from their towers.

Death and Decay can be used to clear away trees.

This spell must be maintained to get the full effect. If the spell is interrupted, it will not reach its full power. The caster must not move while casting. Attack the Lich and force him to move which will cancel Death and Decay.

• Counters

• See Warcraft III Lich quotes