Orb Build
The invoker has three orbs to choose from.
Exort - adds 3 damage per level, per orb
Wex - adds 2%as and 1%as per level, per orb
Quas - adds +0.75hp regen per level per orb
Out of these, the best orbs to be using when laning are Exort and Quas. At this time, you must decide what role you are going to play, unless its an -em game, where you gain levels quickly.
Exort adds damage, making it easist to last hit. Wex attack speed bonus and ms bonus is almost useless. One level of Quas is a free RoR. Get one of each skill before level 5, no matter what, while putting two points into either Exort or Quas. The reason is for the invoke spells. They are utter lifesavers and killers. Wex is only needed for the spells that you invoke with it, as ghost walk and EMP (for mana drain) will save lives. If you are planning to go pusher, get levels of quas, otherwise get wex. Keep exort on at all times unless you need the regen. The damage makes it easy to harrass with.
Items
Due to his poor ass hp, my suggested core build is 3x bracers and boots asap. No excuses. Then, get items to fit your role on the team.
AoE build A
3x bracer
boots
bloodstone
Spells - max exort+wex asap
3x bracers are for hp, and the bloodstone is to make sure you have the mana for your spells. They are VERY high in mana cost, meteor being 2xx. A bloodstone ensures you will have the mana. Also, you are probally the first hero targeted in a team fight, so you need the charges.
AoE build B
3x bracer
boots
Shiva
Spells - max exort+wex asap
Difference is a shiva over bloodstone. This gives more AoE damage, but less overall HP, and a bit less mana. Also, the shiva armor is nice.
DPS'er build A
3x bracer
STR treads
deso
AC
Skills - Max wex, and maybe exort
3x bracers for hp, STR treads for even more hp, deso for damage+armor reduce, and AC for attack speed. Pretty much standard battle mage build. Maxing wex is so you can use alarchy, for a very large attack speed bonus. The levels of Wex should NOT be on. Use exort, as it gives better effects. Wex is only for the alarcy boosts
DPS'er build B
3x bracer
STR treads
Orchid
Deso/AC
Skills - Max Exort and wex
Main difference is the Orchid over deso. Soul burn and your spells will rip people to bits.
DPS'er build C
2x bracer
STR treads
Skaldi
Shiva/Orchid/Satanic
Skill build - Exort and wex
Another DPS idea, but with slow
Disable build
3x bracer
euls
boots
sheepstick if you can farm it
Skills - 1 level in exort, max quas and wex
3x bracers for hp. Euls for the disable, sheepstick for even more disable. Maxing quas and wex is for the almighty disable cyclone, and one level of exort for defaning blast.
Pusher Build
2x bracer
boots
mek
shiva
TP scrolls
Skills - 1 level in wex, max exort and quas, with favor to exort
Wow, only 2x bracers. The idea is that you shouldnt be taking that many hits. The mek is for making your summons stay alive, and shiva is for running away. While using this, keep ghost walk invoked at all times. You do not want to be caught off guard without it.
Ganker Build
2x bracer
boots
bottle?
arcane?
hammers?
dagon?
Skills - One level in quas for ghost walk, then max exort and wex
I dunno about this. I'm still looking for good ganking invoker builds. Do post your ideas. Idea is to run behind them, and unload with spells. What i'm unsure of is how to keep his mana decently high, while behing able to kill someone quickly. Ghost walk is VERY mana intensive, and having mana for all of your spells is going to be a problem thoughout the game.
Thermald style carry
3x bracer
str treads
maelstrom
AC
sell bracers, get a heart and linkens, then mjohnjr, then burza...if game isnt over, go standard range hero carry build (bfly, satanic, skaldi, travels, burza, heart/mkb)
This is just a build that i used when he was really imba. It might work in pubs, but hey. Anything does.
Early Game
Skill builds.
Here is the time to pick the role you want to play. Yes, this early. Your choices are:
Exort+Quas - Pusher
1.Exort
2.Quas
3.Exort
4.Wex
5.Invoke
6.Exort
7.Exort
Wex+Quas - Disabler
1.Exort
2.Quas
3.Exort
4.Wex
5.Invoke
6.Quas
7.Quas
Wex+Exort - Pusher
1.Exort
2.Quas
3.Exort
4.Wex
5.Invoke
6.Exort
7.Exort