Attack Speed

From Liquipedia Dota 2 Wiki

Attack Speed is the frequency with which units attack is measured. A unit's attack speed can be modified by items, per point of agility, abilities providing flat bonuses and auras.

Mechanics[edit]

IAS vs BAT: attacks per second

Most heroes have a base attack speed and base attack time of 100 and 1.7 respectively.

Total attack speed is defined as

Σ Attack Speed = (Base Attack Speed + Σ Agility Current + Σ Flat Attack Speed Bonuses) × (1 + Attack Speed Multiplier), & 20 ≤ Σ Attack Speed ≤ 700

Attack speed bonuses and reductions stack additively by a flat value and/or percentages. By default, the total attack speed value has a minimum of 20 and an maximum value of 700 and most unit's attack speeds cannot be reduced or increased beyond the values above.

The attack rate is the amount of attacks a unit can launch within a second, and is defined as

r = (Σ Attack Speed) / (100 × BAT)

Therefore, the time needed per attack a hero launches is defined as

T = 1 / r

Base Attack Time[edit]

Every unit has a base attack time (BAT), which refers to the default interval between attacks for a unit without considering agility and attack speed bonus.

For example, a File:File:Melee Creep Radiant icon.png Melee Creep has a BAT of 1, and thus attacks once per second by default. Similarly, if a hero with 1.7 BAT with no agility and no bonus attack speed, they would attack once every 1.7 seconds. While nearly every unit can have their attack speed modified, only a few heroes can actively change their BAT.

Examples[edit]

With a base attack time of 1.7, 100 base attack speed and 20 agility at level 1. What is Marci's current attack rate?
AttackRate = (100 + 20) / (100 x 1.7) = 0.706
Attack s^-1 = 1/r = 1.416
Marci attacks about 0.706 times per second in this example, and takes 1.416 seconds between attacks.

Benchmark[edit]

Most heroes' attack rate is 0.588 attacks per second. Attack speed is expressed in percent of base attack speed. The base is therefore expressed as 100. Each point of increased attack speed (IAS) sources add 1 point to it, and attack speed works together with base attack time to determine how often a unit can attack.

When hovering over the hero's attributes in the HUD, the first field shows the attack speed and the time required per attack in parenthesis. The attack speed field is defaulted to 100 and adds the attack speed bonuses or reductions afterwards, leading to a minimum of 20 and a maximum value of 700.

Even though the HUD may show a unit to exceed these boundaries, the actual attack speed used for calculations will still obey the minimum and maximum values.

For units that do not have 1.7 BAT, the attack speed values in the HUD will be displayed as if they have 1.7 BAT. For example, a unit with 0.85 BAT and no other attack speed bonus sources will display itself as having an attack speed of 1.445, because 0.85 seconds is how long a unit with 1.7 BAT and 1.445 attack speed would take in between attacks.

This strange quirk makes it harder to figure out if a hero without the standard 1.7 BAT is nearing maximum attack speed, but it does allow players to compare this uniform metric across all heroes easier.

The following table shows the attack speed benchmarks and their effect on attacks per second:

AS Vs BAT Benchmarks
Default AS
(100)
BAT Normal Speed
20 5x 1/5x
25 4x 1/4x
33 3x 1/3x
50 2x 1/2x
100 1x 1x
200 1/2x 2x
300 1/3x 3x
400 1/4x 4x
500 1/5x 5x
600 1/6x 6x
700 1/7x 7x

Exceptions[edit]

Most heroes have a BAT of 1.7 except for the following:

Hero Base Attack Time Base Attack Speed Difference in Attacks/Sec Attack Speed Range
(in 1.7 BAT Representation)
Min Max
Juggernaut 1.4 110 +21.4% 36.4 850
Anti-Mage 1.4 100 +21.4% 24.3 850
Abaddon 1.5 95 +13.3% 17 793.3
Dark Willow 1.5 115 +13.3% 39.7 793.3
Morphling 1.5 100 +13.3% 22.7 793.3
Bounty Hunter 1.5 100 +13.3% 22.7 793.3
Nature's Prophet 1.5 100 +13.3% 22.7 793.3
Queen of Pain 1.5 100 +13.3% 22.7 793.3
Terrorblade 1.5 110 +13.3% 34 793.3
Windranger 1.5 90 +13.3% 11.3 793.3
Dragon Knight 1.6 100 +6.3% 21.3 743.8
Huskar 1.6 100 +6.3% 21.3 743.8
Lina 1.6 100 +6.3% 21.3 743.8
Lone Druid 1.6 100 +6.3% 21.3 743.8
Muerta 1.7 115 0% 35 700
Shadow Fiend 1.6 100 +6.3% 21.3 743.8
Silencer 1.6 110 +6.3% 31.9 743.8
Snapfire 1.8 100 -5.6% 18.9 661.1
Storm Spirit 1.6 115 +6.3% 37.2 743.8
Bristleback 1.8 100 -5.6% 18.9 661.1
Magnus 1.8 100 -5.6% 18.9 661.1
Mars 1.8 100 -5.6% 18.9 661.1
Primal Beast 1.8 100 -5.6% 18.9 661.1
Weaver 1.8 120 -5.6% 37.8 661.1
Sven 1.9 110 -10.5% 26.8 626.3
Outworld Destroyer 1.9 100 -10.5% 17.9 626.3
Treant Protector 1.9 100 -10.5% 17.9 626.3
Spirit Breaker 1.9 100 -10.5% 17.9 626.3
Doom 1.9 100 -10.5% 17.9 626.3
Hoodwink 2 100 -15% 17 595

Other Units[edit]

Summons
Unit Base Attack Time Base Attack Speed Difference in Attacks/Sec Attack Speed Range
(in 1.7 BAT Representation)
Min Max
Fountain 0.15 100 +1033.3% 226.7 7933.3
Death Ward 0.22 100 +672.7% 154.5 5409.1
File:Familiar icon.png Familiar 0.5 100 +240% 68 2380
Necronomicon Warrior 0.75/0.75/0.75 105 +86.9% 46.7 1308.4
Void (Level 3) 0.8 100 +112.5% 42.5 1487.5
Lycan Wolf (Level 4) 0.9 100 +88.9% 37.8 1322.2
Melee Creep 1 100 +70% 34 1190
Necronomicon Archer 1/1/1 105 +70% 42.5 1190
Lycan Wolf (Level 3) 1 100 +70% 34 1190
Void (Level 2) 1 100 +70% 34 1190
Lycan Wolf (Level 2) 1.1 100 +54.5% 30.9 1081.8
Warlock Golem 1.2 100 +41.7% 28.3 991.7
Lycan Wolf (Level 1) 1.2 100 +41.7% 28.3 991.7
Void (Level 1) 1.2 100 +41.7% 28.3 991.7
Wraith King Skeleton 1.2 100 +41.7% 28.3 991.7
Boar 1.25 100 +36% 27.2 952
Earth 1.25 100 +36% 27.2 952
Fire 1.35 100 +25.9% 25.2 881.5
Spiderite 1.35 100 +25.9% 25.2 881.5
Spiderling 1.2 100 +41.7% 28.3 991.7
Forged Spirit 1.35 100 +25.9% 25.2 881.5
Greater Treant 1.6 100 +6.3% 21.3 743.8
Plague Ward 1.4 100 +21.4% 24.3 850
Spirit Bear (Level 4) 1.45 100 +17.2% 23.4 820.7
Serpent Ward 1.5 100 +13.3% 22.7 793.3
Eidolon 1.5 100 +13.3% 22.7 793.3
Storm 1.5 100 +13.3% 22.7 793.3
Spirit Bear (Level 3) 1.55 100 +9.7% 21.9 767.7
Treant 1.6 100 +6.3% 21.3 743.8
Undying Zombie 1.6 100 +6.3% 21.3 743.8
Spirit Bear (Level 2) 1.65 100 +3% 20.6 721.2
Spirit Bear (Level 1) 1.75 100 -2.9% 19.4 680
Roshan 2 200 -15% 102 595
Siege Creep 3 100 -43.3% 11.3 396.7
Neutral Creeps
Unit Base Attack Time Base Attack Speed Difference in Attacks/Sec Attack Speed Range
(in 1.7 BAT Representation)
Min Max
File:Ghost icon.png Ghost 100 Expression error: Unexpected < operator.Expression error: Unexpected < operator.% Expression error: Unexpected < operator. Expression error: Unexpected < operator.
Centaur Courser 2 150 -15% 59.5 595
Ancient Granite Golem 2 150 -15% 59.5 595
Ancient Rock Golem 2 150 -15% 59.5 595
Alpha Wolf 2 150 -15% 59.5 595
Dark Troll Summoner 2 150 -15% 59.5 595
Hill Troll 2 150 -15% 59.5 595
Kobold 2 200 -15% 102 595
Kobold Foreman 2 200 -15% 102 595
Kobold Soldier 2 200 -15% 102 595
Mud Golem 2 150 -15% 59.5 595
Ogre Bruiser 2 150 -15% 59.5 595
Ogre Frostmage 2 150 -15% 59.5 595
Satyr Mindstealer 2 125 -15% 38.3 595
Satyr Tormenter 2 150 -15% 59.5 595
Shard Golem 2 150 -15% 59.5 595
Wildwing 2 150 -15% 59.5 595
Wildwing Ripper 2 150 -15% 59.5 595
Warpine Raider 2 150 -15% 59.5 595
Ancient Frostbitten Golem 2 150 -15% 59.5 595
Ancient Ice Shaman 2 135 -15% 46.8 595
Ancient Black Dragon 2 135 -15% 46.8 595
Centaur Conqueror 2 135 -15% 46.8 595
Fell Spirit 2 135 -15% 46.8 595
Hellbear 2 135 -15% 46.8 595
Giant Wolf 2 125 -15% 38.3 595
Hellbear Smasher 2 135 -15% 46.8 595
Harpy Scout 2 125 -15% 38.3 595
Harpy Stormcrafter 2 125 -15% 38.3 595
Hill Troll Berserker 2 125 -15% 38.3 595
Vhoul Assassin 2 125 -15% 38.3 595
Ancient Black Drake 2 120 -15% 34 595
Ancient Rumblehide 2 120 -15% 34 595
Ancient Thunderhide 2 120 -15% 34 595
Hill Troll Priest 2 125 -15% 38.3 595

Base Attack Time Manipulation[edit]

Most base attack time manipulation abilities sets the caster's base attack time to a certain value, unless stated otherwise by the ability descriptions.

1 Requires TalentsTalents talent.
2a Requires Aghanim's Scepter.
2b Requires Aghanim's Shard.

Base Attack Speed[edit]

HeroAttack Speed
TinySpectreWindrangerRikiWarlockWinter WyvernSkywrath MageTechiesCentaur Warrunner90
Abaddon95
Shadow FiendDrow RangerPugnaClockwerkEarthshakerAncient ApparitionLinaTidehunterMorphlingAxeDoomBloodseekerLichRazorLeshracSlardarMiranaChenNature's ProphetPuckBeastmasterNight StalkerNecrophosRingmasterDragon KnightLunaPudgeUndyingEarth SpiritQueen of PainUrsaMagnusElder TitanAnti-MageMarciEmber SpiritRubickMarsVoid SpiritArc WardenMedusaEnchantressBaneShadow DemonMeepoEnigmaShadow ShamanWitch DoctorFaceless VoidBatriderMonkey KingWraith KingBounty HunterGrimstrokeBrewmasterZeusNyx AssassinHoodwinkSnapfireHuskarOgre MagiBristlebackSniperInvokerOmniknightSpirit BreakerOracleOutworld DestroyerChaos KnightTemplar AssassinPangolierIoClinkzJakiroCrystal MaidenTimbersawPhoenixDark SeerTinkerKeeper of the LightTreant ProtectorPrimal BeastDawnbreakerDazzleKunkkaTroll WarlordDeath ProphetLegion CommanderDisruptorTuskLifestealerUnderlordLone DruidKez100
SvenVengeful SpiritSand KingLycanAlchemistVisageSilencerNaga SirenPhantom AssassinTerrorbladePhantom LancerJuggernaut110
LionVenomancerStorm SpiritMuertaDark Willow115
WeaverViperSlark120
GyrocopterBroodmother125

Attack Speed Limits[edit]

Heroes with a unique base attack speed will also have a unique minimum attack speed equal to the difference between the hero's base attack speed and the default 100 base attack speed.

For example, Tiny has a base attack speed of 90, which is 10 less attack speed than the default 100. Therefore, his minimum attack speed will be 10, which is 10 less attack speed than the default 20 minimum attack speed.

This means despite Tiny and Drow Ranger both having the same 1.7 BAT, their slowest attack rates are 17 and 8.5 seconds respectively. This works in reverse for higher base attack speeds — Mirana, whose base attack speed is 100, will have a minimum attack speed of 20.

However, this minimum attack speed mechanic does not appear to apply to non-hero units. For example, Roshan and Hoodwink, who both have 2 BAT, both have a minimum attack rate of 10 seconds, despite Roshan having a base attack speed of 200.

The maximum attack speed of all heroes is 700. This value does not change based on the heroes' base attack speed. This means that heroes like Tiny have a greater attack speed range (10 – 700) , and heroes like Mirana have a lesser attack speed range (20 – 700) than the average hero (20 – 700).

Maximum Attack Speed[edit]

The following abilities are able to change a unit's maximum attack speed (of 700), allowing it to reach even higher values. If a unit is affected by multiple abilities that change the maximum value, the higher value takes priority.

Maximum Attack Speed Changing Abilities
  • Proc Chance: 25% (TalentsTalents 33%)
    Buff Attack Speed Bonus: 1000
    Duration: 1
    Upon proccing, Legion Commander receives a buff, which grants her 1000 attack speed that lasts for 1 second, or until she lands an attack on an enemy, whichever is shorter. Missed attacks do not count.
  • Flurry Attack Speed Bonus: 16
    Duration:
    While active, the ability removes the attack speed limit for the hero.

Fixed Attack Interval[edit]

The following abilities perform instant attacks or attacks based on fixed intervals and they completely ignore the base attack time, attack speed and attack rate of the unit.

Abilities with Fixed Attack Intervals
  • Archers Attack Interval:
  • Aghanim's Scepter Upgrade
    Side Gunner Range: Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter.
    Side Gunner Interval: Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter.
    Prioritizes furthest unit away within its range.
  • Talent Upgrade
    The attacks are performed as soon as the ally launches their attack (including instant attacks from the ally). It does not matter whether the attack actually hits or not.
  • Aghanim's Shard Upgrade
    Instant Attack Interval: Upgradable by Aghanim's Shard.
    Duration: 2
    The instant attack targets are chosen randomly, there are no priorities.
  • Aghanim's Scepter Upgrade
    Enemy Hero Attack Interval: Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter.
    Enemy Hero Duration: Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter.
    Ability can be now cast on enemy heroes or creep-heroes.
  • Aghanim's Scepter Upgrade
    Soldiers Attack Range: Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter.
    Soldiers Attack Interval: Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter.
    Creates invulnerable soldiers around Mars' front while ability is active.
  • Soldiers Attack Interval:
  • Talent Upgrade
    Instant Attack Radius: TalentsTalents
    Instant Attack Interval: TalentsTalents
    Perform instant attacks on all leashed enemies, as long as Puck stays within the instant attack radius of the targeted area.
  • Radius: 2
    Attack Count: 55/70/85/100 (Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter. )
    Instant Attack Interval: -1 (Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter. -1)
    Max Channel Time: 1
  • Tree Throw Interval: 25%
    Max Channel Time: 100%
  • Instant Attack Interval: 1
    Number of Extra Attacks: 20/35/50/65 (TalentsTalents 90/105/120/135)

Modifying Attack Speed[edit]

These abilities increase or decrease a unit's attack speed by a constant value. These bonuses and reductions can not exceed the minimum and maximum attack speed limits.

Bonuses[edit]

Flat Attack Speed Bonus Sources
1 Requires TalentsTalents talent.
2a Requires Aghanim's Scepter.
2b Requires Aghanim's Shard.

Items[edit]

Many items grant their owners an attack speed bonus, increasing their attack speed when equipped, either by increasing their agility, or by just giving them a flat bonus.

The following items increase a unit's attack speed. The effects are limited to the item's owner, which must have the item equipped.

Items that provide attack speed bonus by flat amount and agility:

Flat-Rate & Agility Attack Speed
Item Value Item Cost Cost/Value Point
Manta Style 41 4650 Gold 113.41 Gold
Power Treads (Agility) 35 1400 Gold 40 Gold
Sange and Yasha 36 4200 Gold 116.67 Gold
Wraith Band 1 10 505 Gold 50.5 Gold
Yasha 31 2100 Gold 67.74 Gold
Yasha and Kaya 36 4200 Gold 116.67 Gold
Values do not include portions from actives or auras.

These items have a flat attack speed bonus to the hero who has them equipped.

Flat-Rate Attack Speed
Item Value Item Cost Cost/Value Point
Armlet of Mordiggian 25 2500 Gold 100 Gold
Assault Cuirass 30 5125 Gold 170.83 Gold
Blitz Knuckles 35 1000 Gold 28.57 Gold
Bloodthorn 100 6625 Gold 66.25 Gold
Elven Tunic 26 N/A N/A
Gleipnir 25 5750 Gold 230 Gold
Gloves of Haste 20 450 Gold 22.5 Gold
Grove Bow 20 N/A N/A
Hand of Midas 35 2200 Gold 62.86 Gold
Hyperstone 60 2000 Gold 33.33 Gold
Maelstrom 25 2950 Gold 118 Gold
Mage Slayer 45 2825 Gold 62.78 Gold
Mind Breaker 30 N/A N/A
Mjollnir 90 5500 Gold 61.11 Gold
Monkey King Bar 45 4700 Gold 104.44 Gold
Moon Shard 140 4000 Gold 28.57 Gold
Oblivion Staff 35 1625 Gold 46.43 Gold
Orb of Corrosion 25 875 Gold 35 Gold
Orchid Malevolence 40 3275 Gold 81.88 Gold
Parasma 40 5975 Gold 149.38 Gold
Pirate Hat 150 N/A N/A
Power Treads 25 1400 Gold 56 Gold
Power Treads (Intelligence) 25 1400 Gold 56 Gold
Power Treads (Strength) 25 1400 Gold 56 Gold
Shadow Blade 35 3000 Gold 85.71 Gold
Silver Edge 35 5450 Gold 155.71 Gold
Vindicator's Axe 35 N/A N/A
Witch Blade 40 2775 Gold 69.38 Gold
Values do not include portions from actives or auras.

These items increase the hero's attack speed through the agility they provide.

Agility Attack Speed
Item Value Item Cost Cost/Value Point
Aghanim's Scepter 10 4200 Gold 420 Gold
Band of Elvenskin 6 450 Gold 75 Gold
Blade of Alacrity 10 1000 Gold 100 Gold
Book of Shadows 13 N/A N/A
Bracer 1 2 505 Gold 252.5 Gold
Butterfly 35 5450 Gold 155.71 Gold
Circlet 2 155 Gold 77.5 Gold
Crown 4 450 Gold 112.5 Gold
Defiant Shell 7 N/A N/A
Diadem 6 1000 Gold 166.67 Gold
Diffusal Blade 15 2500 Gold 166.67 Gold
Disperser 40 6100 Gold 152.5 Gold
Dragon Lance 15 1900 Gold 126.67 Gold
Eaglesong 25 2800 Gold 112 Gold
Ethereal Blade 8 5375 Gold 671.88 Gold
Eye of Skadi 22 5300 Gold 240.91 Gold
Ghost Scepter 5 1500 Gold 300 Gold
Harpoon 10 4700 Gold 470 Gold
Helm of the Dominator 6 2625 Gold 437.5 Gold
Helm of the Overlord 21 5725 Gold 272.62 Gold
Holy Locket 9 2250 Gold 250 Gold
Hurricane Pike 20 4450 Gold 222.5 Gold
Iron Branch 1 50 Gold 50 Gold
Khanda 8 5100 Gold 637.5 Gold
Linken's Sphere 16 4800 Gold 300 Gold
Magic Wand 3 450 Gold 150 Gold
Meteor Hammer 6 2850 Gold 475 Gold
Mirror Shield 10 N/A N/A
Ninja Gear 20 N/A N/A
Null Talisman 1 2 505 Gold 252.5 Gold
Occult Bracelet 3 N/A N/A
Phylactery 7 2600 Gold 371.43 Gold
Pig Pole 5 N/A N/A
Shiva's Guard 5 5175 Gold 1035 Gold
Slippers of Agility 3 140 Gold 46.67 Gold
Solar Crest 4 2600 Gold 650 Gold
Specialist's Array 6 N/A N/A
Swift Blink 25 6800 Gold 272 Gold
Ultimate Orb 15 2800 Gold 186.67 Gold
Vambrace (Agility) 8 N/A N/A
Vambrace (Intelligence) 2 N/A N/A
Vambrace (Strength) 2 N/A N/A
Veil of Discord 4 1725 Gold 431.25 Gold
Values do not include portions from actives or auras.

Talents[edit]

Attack Speed
Ability
Passive
Affects
Self
There is no description for this ability.
Attack Speed Bonus: Varies
NOTES
 
6118, 6119, 5906, 6016, 5907, 6196, 6210, 6224, 6020, 409, 5908, 6444, 6030, 1153, 6037, 478, 6650, 6555, 6605, 7893, 6622, 6623, 7020

special_bonus_attack_speed_10/15/20/25/30/35/40/45/50/55/60/70/80/90/100/110/120/140/160/175/200/225/250
  • Grants a flat attack speed bonus.
  • The following values exist:
    • 10/15/20/25/30/35/40/45/50/55/60/70/80/90/100/110/120/140/160/175/200/225/250


The following heroes have a TalentsTalents talent that grants them attack speed.

Bonus Level 10 Level 15 Level 20 Level 25
Left Right Left Right Left Right Left Right
Attack Speed
  • +20
  • +25
  • +20
  • +25
  • +40
  • +90
  • +30
  • +60
  • +90
  • +35
  • +225

Flat Reductions[edit]

1 Requires TalentsTalents talent.
2a Requires Aghanim's Scepter.
2b Requires Aghanim's Shard.

Percentage Reductions[edit]

Percentage Attack Speed Changes can not exceed the minimum and maximum movement attack limits and are applied after flat attack speed bonuses and reductions. There are no stacking restriction for items.

Percentage Attack Speed Reduction Sources
  • Attack Speed Loss:
    Reduces all sources of attack speed on Tiny.

Slow Resistance[edit]

Animations[edit]

Main Article: Hero Animations

Heroes with varying attack animations based on attack speed are tagged with AttackSpeedActivityModifiers in their hero attributes, and may have the following attack animations:

Base < Fast < Faster < Fastest < Super Fast < Mega Fast Animation
Heroes with varying Attack Animations based on Attack Speed Fast Faster Fastest Super Fast Mega Fast
180 300
170 275 375
170
200
150 190 220 300 420
200 300
140
180 250 350
150 240 330
150
170 275 350
( and ) 150 250
170 250 300
140 180 230 300
180 250
145 195 350
190 300
200 350
175 275 360
170 320
266 376 487
130 200
200 320 430
142 275 350
150 200
155 205 300
175 250 350
These values triggering attack animations are the actual attack speed, not the attack speed displayed on HUD assuming with the BAT of 1.7.
Not all heroes listed above have a unique animation present for different attack speeds.

Recent Changes[edit]

Description
7.22
(2019-05-24)
  • Heroes can now have non-standard initial attack speed values (previously 100 for all heroes).
7.21
(2019-01-29)
  • Agility heroes no longer gain 25% more main armor/attack speed/movement speed bonus per agility.
7.20
(2018-11-19)
  • Increased maximum attack speed cap from 600 to 700.