Lion

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Lion
18 + 2.4
15 + 1.7
19 + 3.5
Grants the following bonuses per level:
+52.8HP and +0.24HP regeneration
+0.28 armor and 1.7 attack speed
+42MP and +0.175MP regeneration
+0.1% base magic resistance
+3.5 Main Attack Damage
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2.5
Armor
(593.4 EHP)
26.9%
Magic Resist
(705.88 EHP)
900
Projectile Speed
Melee Melee units have their projectile speed set to 900, if they should ever need it.
115 (130)
(1.7 BAT)
Base Attack Time Attacks per Second is defined as
ΣAS / BAT / 100
0.43 + 0.74
Turn Rate This unit takes 0.131s to turn 180°.
This ability component has a different effect during daytime. 1800 / This ability component has a different effect during nighttime. 800
Default
Gib Type
2010-11-01
Released
2004-02-03
Competitive Span
2010-10-01 — Present
Version Control
This article is mostly accurate for 7.40, the last version this hero was changed in.

New interactions that emerged in following patches may have not yet been accounted for.
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Steals enemy mana to fuel his own abilities.
Betrayed by his demon partner, Lion went to Hell and back for his vengeance, retrieving the demon's hand and grafting it onto his own body. Lion gives enemies little chance to retaliate. Stunning targets with a damaging row of Earth Spikes, or temporarily transforming them into a harmless critter using a simple Hex, allowing him to Mana Drain them without interruption. Satisfied, the Demon Witch raises his disfigured hand, and points the Finger of Death to exterminate foes with a torrent of Infernal energy.
Earth Spike
Hex
Mana Drain
Mana Drain
Finger of Death
Finger of Death
Roles:Support Support Disabler Disabler Nuker Nuker Initiator Initiator
AdjectivesCape, Demon, Nose
Legs ( 2 )

Affected by selecting the corresponding Facet.Affected by selecting the corresponding Facet. Facets

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Essence Eater
Mana Drain
Deals damage as the Demon Witch Mana Drain through arcane essence of the affected enemy units.
Fist of Death
Finger of Death
The Finger of Death's infernal energy turns Lion into a melee unit upon cast, with attacks having melee behavior and cleaves briefly.

Enemy heroes killed within the kill grace duration still grant permanent stacks.

Upgrades

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Aghanim's

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Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter.
Aghanim's Scepter Upgrade:
Finger of Death
The Finger of Death now hits all enemy units within the radius.

Increases damage and reduces cooldown.
Upgradable by Aghanim's Shard.
Aghanim's Shard Upgrade:
Mana Drain
Mana Drain now affects additional enemies as Lion becomes debuff immune while channeling.

Talents

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+250 Hex Radius25+600 Earth Spike Cast Range/Travel Distance
+2 Earth Spike Multishot20+20 Finger of Death Damage per Kill
+15% To Hell and Back Debuff/Spell Damage Amp15-2.5s Hex Cooldown
+20 Move Speed10+10% Mana Drain Slow
▃ ▃ ▃ ▃ ▃ ▃ ▃
+2 All / / Attributes

Bio

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All hells broken loose, and I hold the pieces.
▶️  Lion, the Demon Witch
Alias:
Demon Witch
Once a Grandmaster of the Demon Witch tradition of sorcery, Lion earned fame among his brethren for fighting on the side of light and righteousness. But adulation corrupts. With powers surpassed only by his ambition, the mage was seduced by a demon and turned to evil, trading his soul for prestige. After committing horrible crimes that marred his soul, he was abandoned. The demon betrayed him, striking better deals with his enemies. Such was Lion’s rage that he followed the demon back to Hell and slew it, ripping it limb from limb, taking its demonic hand for his own. However, such demonoplasty comes at a cost. Lion was transfigured by the process, his body transformed into something unrecognizable. He rose from Hell, rage incarnate, slaying even those who had once called him master, and laying waste to the lands where he had once been so adored. He survives now as the sole practitioner of the Demon Witch tradition, and those who present themselves as acolytes or students are soon relieved of their mana and carried off by the faintest gust of wind.

Innate. Innate

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To Hell and Back

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To Hell and Back
Neither affected nor disabled by Break.
Ability
Passive
Affects
Self
Grants self bonus spell amplification and debuff duration amplification upon respawn.
Spell Damage Amp: Affects the outgoing ability value positively of the affected unit. 20% (With level 15 Left Talent.With level 15 Left Talent. 35%)
Debuff Duration Factor: 1.2
Duration: 90
  • Details
  • Status Effects
  • Misc.
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  • Considers the following sources as respawning:
Buff modifier_lion_to_hell_and_backDispellable by any Dispel sources.
  • The ability's visual effects.
    • Lion's left arm has visible particles while the Innate. innate ability is active.

Hero Model

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Hero Model
Ability
Passive / Channeling
Affects
Self
Lion's hero model has the following hidden Innate. innate abilities.

He may only perform or utilize the ability's functions upon a successful channeling.
Details
Hidden Innate Abilities
Watch Tower
Warp
Warp
Lantern of Sight
Tap on the Innate. innate abilities for more details.

Abilities

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Earth Spike

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Q
E
Earth Spike
Ability
Point / Unit
Affects
Enemy Units
Damage
Spell / Magical
Rock spikes burst from the earth along a straight path.

Enemy units are hurled into the air, then are stunned and take damage when they fall.
Cast Animation: 0.3 + 0
Cast Range: Affected by Cast Range increasing sources. 650 (With level 25 Right Talent.With level 25 Right Talent. 1250)
Travel Distance: Affected by Cast Range increasing sources. 925 (With level 25 Right Talent.With level 25 Right Talent. 1525)
Spikes Radius: 140
Number of Spikes: 1 (With level 20 Left Talent.With level 20 Left Talent. 3)
Damage: 105/170/235/300
Stun Duration: 1.3/1.6/1.9/2.2
Talent Upgrade
Multiple instances of angled spikes are simutaneously created toward the point-targeted location upon cast.
Earth Spike Angle: 30°
14/13/12/11
Mana Cost
90/110/130/150
The Demon Witch exercises his demonic covenant, opening a fissure from hell.
  • Details
  • Interactions
  • Status Effects
  • Misc.
  • Show All
  • Has the following ability targeting functionalities:
    • The ability's unit-targeted properties.
      • When unit-targeted, the spikes homes toward the targeted enemy unit.
    • The ability's point-targeted properties. The ability's ground-targeted properties.
      • When point-targeted, the ability releases spikes toward the current location upon cast.
      • Does not home and can be evaded by the enemy units.
  • When interrupted, Earth Spike prematurely applies the landing effects at the affected enemy unit's current location.
  • The affected enemy unit(s).
    • Affect units up to Affected by Cast Range increasing sources. 1065 (With level 25 Right Talent.With level 25 Right Talent. 1665) range away with the travel distance and spike radius.
    • Applies the following ability effects to affected units:
    • The ability's spike projectile is visually larger upon hitting invisible units.
      • The spikes travel at 2000-speed, reaching max distance in Affected by Cast Range increasing sources. 0.46 (With level 25 Right Talent.With level 25 Right Talent. 0.76) seconds.
      • The ability's visual effects.
        • The spike that hit enemy units is visually larger and elevated. This also visually applies on the following units:
  • The multishot cone With level 20 Left Talent.With level 20 Left Talent. talent launches 2 additional spikes, 30° angled to the left and right of the primary cast.
    • Although all spikes overlap in front of Lion, they do not hit the same target.
    • Each spike can only can affect the same enemy units once.
Debuff modifier_lion_impaleDispellable by Strong Dispel sources.
Spike: Stunned.
MODIFIER_STATE_STUNNED
MODIFIER_PROPERTY_OVERRIDE_ANIMATION

Hex

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W
D
Hex
Ability
Unit / Area
Affects
Enemy Units
Damage
Instant Kill
Transforms an enemy unit into a harmless beast, with all special abilities disabled.
Cast Animation: 0 + 0.53
Cast Range: Affected by Cast Range increasing sources. 575/600/625/650
Set Move Speed: 120
Duration: 2/2.4/2.8/3.2
Instantly destroys illusions.
Current Health as Damage: 100%
Talent Upgrade
Hex is now an area-targeted ability and applies the debuff to all enemy units within the radius.
Radius: Affected by AoE Radius increasing sources. 250
24/20/16/12 (With level 15 Right Talent.With level 15 Right Talent. 21.5/17.5/13.5/9.5)
Mana Cost
110/140/170/200
Lion is compelled to share his transfiguration, twisting the essence of those who oppose him.
  • Details
  • Interactions
  • Status Effects
  • Misc.
  • Show All
Ability interactions with Spell Block sources.
With level 25 Left Talent.With level 25 Left Talent. Does not proc Spell Block sources on secondary affected targets.
Ability interactions with Spell Reflection sources.
With level 25 Left Talent.With level 25 Left Talent. Does not proc Spell Reflection sources on secondary affected targets.
Ability interactions with Spell Duplication sources.
With level 25 Left Talent.With level 25 Left Talent. Apply all ability effects to enemy units within the radius around both The ability's unit-targeted properties. unit-targeted enemies.
Debuff modifier_lion_voodooDispellable by Strong Dispel sources.
Hexed: You are a frog. You cannot attack or cast spells.
MODIFIER_STATE_MUTED
MODIFIER_STATE_SILENCED
MODIFIER_STATE_DISARMED
MODIFIER_STATE_HEXED
MODIFIER_PASSIVES_DISABLED
MODIFIER_PROPERTY_MOVESPEED_BASE_OVERRIDE
MODIFIER_PROPERTY_MOVESPEED_BONUS_PERCENTAGE
MODIFIER_PROPERTY_MODEL_CHANGE
Visually transforms the affected enemy unit into a Frog.

Mana Drain

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E
R
Mana Drain
Ability
Unit / Channeled
Affects
Units
Damage
Spell / Magical
Channels magical energy, drawing mana for himself and slowing the affected enemy unit.
Cast Animation: 0.3 + 0
Cast Range: Affected by Cast Range increasing sources. 850
Max Targets: 1
Link Break Distance: Affected by Cast Range increasing sources. 1000 (Upgradable by Aghanim's Shard. 1500)
Max Channel Time: 5
Mana Transfer: Affected by Mana Restore Manipulation sources. 20/40/60/120
Move Speed Slow: 15%/20%/25%/30% (With level 10 Right Talent.With level 10 Right Talent. 25%/30%/35%/40%)
Applies additional movement speed slow when the affected enemy units has no mana left to be drained.
Current Mana Threshold: 0
Move Speed Slow Increase: 15%
Can target allied units with mana to transfer mana to them and grants bonus movement speed at a lower rate.
Ally Mana Restored: Affected by Mana Restore Manipulation sources. 10/20/30/60
Ally Move Speed Bonus: 7.5%/10%/12.5%/15% (With level 10 Right Talent.With level 10 Right Talent. 17.5%/20%/22.5%/25%)
Self Mana Loss: Mana Loss as Cost per Interval 10/20/30/60
Self Magic Resist Bonus: (Upgradable by Aghanim's Shard. 80%)
Aghanim's Shard Upgrade
Aghanim's Shard Upgrade
Mana Drain now affects additional enemies as Lion becomes debuff immune while channeling.
Max Enemy Targets: (Upgradable by Aghanim's Shard. 2)
Secondary Target Range Buffer: Affected by Cast Range increasing sources. (Upgradable by Aghanim's Shard. 400)
Max Debuff Immune Duration: (Upgradable by Aghanim's Shard. 5)
15/12/9/6
Lesser magi are nothing more than a source of magical restoration for the Demon Witch.
  • Details
  • Interactions
  • Status Effects
  • Misc.
  • Show All
Essence Eater
Mana Drains
Deals damage as the Demon Witch Mana Drains through arcane essence of the affected enemy units.
Mana Loss to Spell Damage Factor: 1
  • The ability's link properties. to The affected enemy unit(s). or The affected ally unit(s).The affected ally unit(s).
    • Can only be cast on units that have mana.
    • The primary link does not break in the following conditions:
      • When the affected enemy unit runs out of mana.
      • The link still affects the unit if they are This unit is not targetable by unit-targeted and point-targeted abilities. untargetable after being affected by Mana Drain.
      • Visually draws to where the affected enemy unit was under vision previously.
    • Applies all ability effects in 0.1-second intervals, starting 0.1 seconds after cast, over a max 50 instances.
    • The affected enemy unit(s).
      • Applies the following ability effects on the affected enemy unit(s):
        • Grants Render invisible sources null. True Sight over the unit.
          • Hence, the link still affects the unit if it becomes invisible after being affected by Mana Drain.
        • Movement Speed Movement speed slow.
        • Removes 2/4/6/12 mana per interval.
        • Essence Eater deals Magical Damage Type magical Spell DamageSpell Damage spell damage correspondingly to the mana loss value within the same intervals.
          • EXPR
            ΣSpellDmg = ManaLoss × 1
          • Requires unit to stand still for certain ability effects to occur.Requires unit to stand still for certain ability effects to occur.
            • Deals damage for the channeling duration regardless of the mana loss value, or Lion's Affected by Mana Restore Manipulation sources. mana restore value.
            • The facet no longer deals damage if the affected enemy unit has no more mana.
      • Now affects 2 additional random enemy units, prioritizing heroes, within Affected by Cast Range increasing sources. 1250 radius, centered around Lion.
        • Mana Drain Secondary Targets with O to The ability's unit-targeted properties. The affected ally unit(s).The affected ally unit(s). Q
          • If the primary unit-targeted unit is an ally Q, Mana Drain searches for 2 secondary enemy units within the search radius.
        • Mana Drain Secondary Targets with O to The ability's unit-targeted properties. The affected enemy unit(s). F
          • If the primary unit-targeted unit is an enemy, allied units will not be valid secondary targets within the search radius.
  • The projectile's link properties.
    • The link breaks in the following conditions:
      • Upon affected unit's The unit is dead and is ressurected after its respawn time. Certain abilities are dispellable upon death only.The unit is dead and is ressurected after its respawn time. Certain abilities are dispellable upon death only. death.
      • When no longer visible after entering the Units under the Fog of War are not visible. Fog of War.
      • When the unit exceeds the Affected by Cast Range increasing sources. link break distance.
        • The effective area for the link break distance is a half-sphere Area-of-effect visualized. and not a flat circle. Hence, the link can be broken with The unit is forcefully moved in the z-axis accordingly. upward movement sources as well.
      • When target affected by the following sources:
        • The link breaks for secondary units upon the Requires unit to stand still for certain ability effects to occur.Requires unit to stand still for certain ability effects to occur. channeling on the primary unit being interrupted in any way, except when the primary unit exceeding the link break distance.
  • This ability component affects the caster themselves.This ability component affects the caster themselves.
    • The Affected by Mana Restore Manipulation sources. mana restore value corresponds to the total mana removed from the affected enemy unit(s).
    • Hence, if the affected unit has no mana left, the ability does not continue replenishing Lion's mana.
    • to The affected ally unit(s).The affected ally unit(s).
      • Grants affected allied unit(s) the following ability effects:
        • Bonus Movement Speed movement speed.
        • Restores 1/2/3/6 mana per interval.
          • The Affected by Mana Restore Manipulation sources. mana restore component on allied units works with reversed effects.
          • The allied mana restored value corresponds to Lion's mana loss value, with other ability notes apply.
    • Grants debuff immunity per Requires unit to stand still for certain ability effects to occur.Requires unit to stand still for certain ability effects to occur. channeling interval.
Ability interactions with Spell Duplication sources.
Upgradable by Aghanim's Shard. Requires a minimum of 4 valid targets to work. Casting ability on either the primary or the secondary target without the minimum required targets is considered as cancelling the channeling.
Buff modifier_lion_mana_drainOnly dispellable by Death.Only dispellable by Death.
Drain: Being drained x mana per second.
Buff modifier_lion_mana_drain_immunityOnly dispellable by Death.Only dispellable by Death.
Debuff immune.
Debuff modifier_lion_mana_drainOnly dispellable by Death.Only dispellable by Death.
Drain: Being drained x mana per second.
  • Grants the following bonuses while Requires unit to stand still for certain ability effects to occur.Requires unit to stand still for certain ability effects to occur. channeling:
    • Has 85% Magic Resistance magic resistance.
    • Mana Drain increases the total Magic Resistance magic resistance by 0.2% per 10 Intelligence intelligence points.

Finger of Death

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R
F
Finger of Death
Ability
Unit / Area
Affects
Enemy Units / Self
Damage
Spell / Magical
Rips at an enemy unit, trying to turn it inside-out with its massive infernal energy.
Cast Animation: 0.3 + 0.5
Cast Range: Affected by Cast Range increasing sources. 900
Effect Delay: 0.25
Damage: 600/725/850 (Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter. 700/825/950)
Finger of Death grows stronger with each life it consumes.
Kill Grace Duration: 3
Damage Bonus per Kill: 40 (With level 20 Right Talent.With level 20 Right Talent. 60)
Aghanim's Scepter Upgrade
Aghanim's Scepter Upgrade
The Finger of Death now hits all enemy units within the radius.

Increases damage and reduces cooldown.
Effect Radius: Affected by AoE Radius increasing sources. (Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter. 325)
120/80/40 (Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter. 90/60/30)
Mana Cost
200/400/600
Lion's disfigured hand is also the source of his greatest power, capable of flooding victims with malefic force.
  • Details
  • Interactions
  • Status Effects
  • Misc.
  • Show All
Fist of Death
Finger of Death
The Finger of Death's infernal energy turns Lion into a melee unit upon cast, with attacks having melee behavior and cleaves briefly.

Enemy heroes killed within the kill grace duration still grant permanent stacks.
Set Attack Range: This bonus/reduction source only affect Melee heroes. 250
First Width: Affected by AoE Radius increasing sources. 150
Distance: Affected by AoE Radius increasing sources. 650
End Width: Affected by AoE Radius increasing sources. 360
Cleave Damage: This bonus/reduction source only affect Melee heroes. 50%
Buff Duration: 20
Finger of Death
Additionally grants base bonus attack damage bonus, and flat bonus attack damage correspondingly per Finger of Death stack.
Base Attack Damage Bonus: 40
Attack Damage Bonus per Stack: 30
  • Debuff to The affected enemy unit(s).
    • The ability effects are applied as follows:
      1. Applies a 0.25-second debuff on the affected enemy unit.
      2. The Magical Damage Type magical Spell DamageSpell Damage spell damage.
      3. The 3-second death_delay debuff.
    • Grants a stack as the affected enemy hero dies, including ReincarnationReincarnation reincarnation sources, while having the second death_delay debuff in any way.
    • Reapplying the debuff refreshes the duration.
  • The Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter. ability upgrade changes the ability targeting functionality from The ability's unit-targeted properties. unit-targeted to The ability's unit-targeted properties. The ability's area-of-effect properties. unit and area-targeted.
    • Applies the Debuff debuff to all enemy units within the radius centered around the unit-targeted enemy.
    • Affects the following units within the radius:
  • The following talents are retroactive and updates all acquired stacks immediately:
    • The max health bonus With level 15 Left Talent.With level 15 Left Talent. talent.
    • The damage bonus increasing With level 20 Right Talent.With level 20 Right Talent. talent.
Ability interactions with Spell Block sources.
The ability particles are still applied on the affected target.

Upgradable by Aghanim's Shard. Spell Block sources procs on the primary The ability's unit-targeted properties. unit-targeted enemy blocks the ability entirely.

Upgradable by Aghanim's Shard. Does not proc Spell Block sources on secondary affected targets.
Ability interactions with Spell Reflection sources.
Upgradable by Aghanim's Shard. Does not proc Spell Reflection sources on secondary affected targets.
Ability interactions with Spell Steal.
All ability bonuses per enemy hero death last for the acquired ability's buff duration and does not persist upon losing the ability.
Buff modifier_lion_finger_of_death_kill_counterUndispellable.
Finger of Death Kills: Finger of Death gaining +x bonus damage.
Debuff modifier_lion_finger_of_deathOnly dispellable by Death.Only dispellable by Death.
Missing tooltip
Debuff modifier_lion_finger_of_death_delayOnly dispellable by Death.Only dispellable by Death.
Finger of Death: If killed, the hero will permanently increase Finger of Death's power.
Debuff modifier_lion_arcana_kill_effectUndispellable.
Hidden modifier
  • Debuff
    • Grants 2 stacks if the last Spell DamageSpell Damage spell damage instance kills the affected enemy unit while the debuff is active.
  • Deal additional physical spell damage correspondingly to the attacker's attack damage value within an angle in front.Deal additional physical spell damage correspondingly to the attacker's attack damage value within an angle in front.
    • The damage is applied immediately to all valid enemy units within the area-of-effect regardless of the ability visual effects.
    • Does not proc cleave when attacking the following units:
      • The affected ally unit(s).The affected ally unit(s). Allied units.
    • Does not damage the following units:
    • Neither proc nor damage the following units:

Recent Matches

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Main Article: Lion/Matches
DateTierTournamentPicksScorevs. Picks
January 9, 2026 - 20:00 CETQualifierWEU CQ DreamLeague S28WEU CQ DreamLeague S28WEU CQ DreamLeague S28Razor Marci Lion Night Stalker Naga Siren
1 : 0
Shadow Demon Weaver Tusk Brewmaster Broodmother
+ Add details
January 9, 2026 - 20:00 SGTQualifierSEA CQ DreamLeague S28SEA CQ DreamLeague S28SEA CQ DreamLeague S28Timbersaw Tiny Ancient Apparition Sven Lion
0 : 1
Gyrocopter Keeper of the Light Mars Puck Treant Protector
+ Add details
January 9, 2026 - 12:00 CETQualifierWEU CQ DreamLeague S28WEU CQ DreamLeague S28WEU CQ DreamLeague S28Clinkz Warlock Lion Queen of Pain Primal Beast
0 : 1
Shadow Demon Mars Leshrac Chen Dragon Knight
+ Add details
January 9, 2026 - 12:00 CETQualifierWEU CQ DreamLeague S28WEU CQ DreamLeague S28WEU CQ DreamLeague S28Clockwerk Clinkz Lion Viper Underlord
1 : 0
Tiny Dark Willow Tidehunter Tinker Snapfire
+ Add details
January 9, 2026 - 12:00 EETQualifierEEU CQ DreamLeague S28EEU CQ DreamLeague S28EEU CQ DreamLeague S28Gyrocopter Timbersaw Lion Ogre Magi Queen of Pain
0 : 1
Tiny Bloodseeker Silencer Doom Windranger
+ Add details

Recent Changes

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Main Articles: Changelogs, Old Abilities and Hero Lore
Description
7.40
(2025-12-15)
  • Reduced Hex mana cost from 125/150/175/200 to 110/140/170/200.
  • Reduced Finger of Death cooldown from 130/85/40 to 120/80/40.
7.39
(2025-05-21)
7.38
(2025-02-19)

Dota Plus Progress

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Main Article: Hero Challenges

Relics track a hero's actions and statistics, and display in-game notifications when a milestone is reached. They are only available to Dota Plus subscribers.

Lion's Relics Voice Lines

Multi Hero Earth Spikes

Blink Hex Earth Spike Combos

Finger of Death Kills

Multi-Hero Finger of Death

Mana Drained

Stuns Leading to Kills

Blinks Leading to Kills

Channels Cancelled

Dominating Kill Streaks

Dust of Appearance Leading to Kills

Enemy Ward Kills

Wards Placed

Kill Assists

Kills
Bronze

Silver

Gold

Platinum

Master
  • ▶️ I've been to Hell and back, and back to Hell…and back.

Grandmaster
  • ▶️ When you get to Hell, tell them I sent you.

Equipment

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"Template:Navbox/old" is deprecated! Please use Template:NavBox instead.

Trivia

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