Bristleback

From Liquipedia Dota 2 Wiki
Bristleback
22 + 2.8
17 + 1.8
14 + 2.8
Grants the following bonuses per level:
+61.6HP and +0.28HP regeneration
+2.8 Main Attack Damage
+0.3 armor and 1.8 attack speed
+33.6MP and +0.14MP regeneration
+0.1% base magic resistance
Show/Hide Tooltips
3.83
Armor
(742.8 EHP)
26.4%
Magic Resist
(820.65 EHP)
Instant
Projectile Speed
Melee Melee units have their projectile speed set to 900, if they should ever need it.
100 (117)
(1.8 BAT)
Base Attack Time Attacks per Second is defined as
ΣAS / BAT / 100
0.3 + 0.3
Turn Rate This unit takes 0.116s to turn 180°.
This ability component has a different effect during daytime. 1800 / This ability component has a different effect during nighttime. 800
Goo
Gib Type
2013-03-28
Released
2005-05-04
Competitive Span
2013-05-02 — Present
Version Control
This article is mostly accurate for 7.40b, the last version this hero was changed in.

New interactions that emerged in following patches may have not yet been accounted for.
Show/Hide Tooltips
Takes reduced damage when facing away from enemies.
The enforcer at a local pub, Rigwarl's never failed to collect a tab. That is, until he met one tough customer from the north. For the first time in his life, Rigwarl felt the need to train. His Thorny Back deters attacks while peppering foes with constant barrages of Quill Sprays. From his nose he blows Thick Gobs of Snot, slowing and covering opponents in goo. When it comes to a fight, he really puts his back into it. With every volley and every Sneeze, Rigwarl works himself into a fury, adding rage to each blow as he goes on the Warpath in search of a rematch.
Viscous Nasal Goo
Viscous Nasal Goo
Quill Spray
Bristleback
Bristleback
Hairball
Hairball
Warpath
Roles:Carry Carry Durable Durable Initiator Initiator Nuker Nuker
AdjectivesNicePecs, Nose
Legs ( 2 )
Snot Rocket
Viscous Nasal Goo
Viscous Nasal Goo has a higher stack limit.
Bristleback
If Bristleback takes up to a certain amount of damage from the rear, he releases a Viscous Nasal Goo of its corresponding level within the radius.
+2 Max Stacks
Seeing Red
Warpath
Adds an active component to Warpath.

Reduces self vision to an angled-cone while active, and applies an attack damage factor and movement speed factor to the current stacks.

Upgrades

[edit]

Aghanim's

[edit]
Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter.
Aghanim's Scepter Upgrade:
Bristleback
Rotates towards the targeted direction. After a short delay, Rigwarl forcefully release a number of Quill Sprays in a tight conical pattern out of his back between intervals.
Upgradable by Aghanim's Shard.
Aghanim's Shard Upgrade:
Hairball
Grants the Hairball ability.

Coughs a quill-packed hairball toward and erupts at the point-targeted location.

Talents

[edit]
+18 Warpath Attack Damage Bonus per Stack2512% Spell Lifesteal
+20 Quill Stack Damage20+25 Health Regen
+8% Bristleback Back Damage Reduction
+4% Bristleback Side Damage Reduction
15+250 Viscous Nasal Goo Cast Range
+1.5 Mana Regen10+25 Attack Speed
▃ ▃ ▃ ▃ ▃ ▃ ▃
+2 All / / Attributes

Bio

[edit]
It was a barkeep that got me into this mess. Yeah, I think I'll pay em a visit when this is done.
▶️  Rigwarl, the Bristleback
Aliases:
Rigwarl, BB
Never one to turn his back on a fight, Rigwarl was known for battling the biggest, meanest scrappers he could get his hands on. Christened Bristleback by the drunken crowds, he waded into backroom brawls in every road tavern between Slom and Elze, until his exploits finally caught the eye of a barkeep in need of an enforcer. For a bit of brew, Bristleback was hired to collect tabs, keep the peace, and break the occasional leg or two (or five, in the case of one unfortunate web-hund).

After indulging in a night of merriment during which bodily harm was meted out in equal parts upon both delinquent patrons and his own liver, Bristleback finally met his match. "Your tusks offend me, sir," he was heard to drunkenly slur to one particularly large fellow from the northern wastes whose bill had come due. What followed was a fight for the ages. A dozen fighters jumped in. No stool was left unbroken, and in the end, the impossible happened: the tab went unpaid. Over the weeks that followed, Bristleback's wounds healed, and his quills grew back; but an enforcer's honor can be a prickly thing. He paid the tab from his own coin, vowing to track down this northerner and extract redemption. And then he did something he'd never done before: he actually trained, and in so doing made a startling discovery about himself. A smile peeled back from his teeth as he flexed his quills. Turning his back to a fight might be just the thing.
Voice:

Prickly

[edit]
Prickly
This ability can be bestowed by Illusions. Neither affected nor disabled by Break.
Passive
Affects
Self / Enemy Units
Grants both outgoing damage amplification and debuff duration amplification against enemy units behind Bristleback.
Rear Angle: 110°
Damage Amp: Affects the outgoing ability value positively of the affected unit. 1.1
Debuff Duration Factor: 1.1

Hero Model

[edit]
Hero Model
Passive / Channeling
Affects
Self
Rigwarl's hero model has the following hidden Innate. innate abilities.

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

Abilities

[edit]

Viscous Nasal Goo

[edit]
Q
G
Viscous Nasal Goo
Affects
Enemy Units
Covers a target in snot, causing it to have reduced armor and movement speed. Multiple casts stack and refresh the duration.
Cast RangeAffected by Cast Range increasing sources. 650 (With level 15 Right Talent.With level 15 Right Talent. 900)
Projectile Speed: 1000
Max Stacks: 4
Base Armor Reduction: 1.5/2/2.5/3
Armor Reduction per Stack: 2/2.5/3/3.5
Base Move Speed Slow: 12%
Move Speed Slow per Stack: 3%/6%/9%/12%
Duration: 5
Viscous Nasal Goo's duration is more effective on creeps.
Creep Duration: 10
1.75
Mana Cost
12/16/20/24
Having caught a cold while stuck in the snow, Bristleback turns it to his advantage.

Quill Spray

[edit]
W
R
Quill Spray
Autocast-off / No
Affects
Enemy Units
Spell / Physical
Sprays enemy units with quills dealing damage in an area of effect around Rigwarl.

Deals additional bonus damage per current stack on the debuff-affected enemy unit.
Radius: Affected by AoE Radius increasing sources. 700
Projectile Speed: 2400
Max Damage: 500
Base Damage: 25/45/65/85
Stack Damage: 30 (With level 20 Left Talent.With level 20 Left Talent. 50)
Duration: 14
Now automatically spray quills whenever possible when activated.
3
Mana Cost
35
An enforcer's honor can be a prickly thing. So can his quills.

Bristleback

[edit]
E
K
Bristleback
Passive / Point
Affects
Self / Enemy Units
Reflected / Spell / Physical
Rigwarl takes less damage if he is hit on the sides or rear.
Rear Angle: 70°
Side Angle: 110°
Rear Damage Reduction: Affects the incoming ability value positively of the affected unit. 16%/24%/32%/40% (With level 15 Left Talent.With level 15 Left Talent. 24%/32%/40%/48%)
Side Damage Reduction: Affects the incoming ability value positively of the affected unit. 8%/12%/16%/20% (With level 15 Left Talent.With level 15 Left Talent. 12%/16%/20%/24%)
If Rigwarl takes up to a certain amount of damage from the rear, he releases a Quill Spray of its corresponding level.
Damage Threshold: 275/250/225/200
Min Release Interval: 0.1
Counter Duration: IndefiniteIndefinite
Aghanim's Scepter Upgrade
Aghanim's Scepter Upgrade
Rotates towards the targeted direction. After a short delay, Rigwarl forcefully release a number of Quill Sprays in a tight conical pattern out of his back between intervals.
Effect Delay: (Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter. 0.5)
Number of Quill Spray Instances: (Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter. 5)
Spray Interval: (Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter. 0.4)
Spray Angle: (Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter. 45°)
Aghanim's Scepter Upgrade
Aghanim's Scepter Upgrade
While active, he is disarmed, applies a self movement speed slow, with his facing angle locked, and cannot turn.
Move Speed Slow: (Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter. 40%)
Set Turn Rate: (Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter. 500°)
Max Disarm Duration: (Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter. 2.9)
(Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter. 24)
Mana Cost
(Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter. 125)
Turning his back to a fight might be just the thing.

Hairball

[edit]
Affects
Enemy Units
Spell / Physical
Coughs a quill-packed hairball toward and erupts at the point-targeted location.
Cast Animation: 0.1 + 0.6
Cast RangeAffected by Cast Range increasing sources. 750
Radius: Affected by AoE Radius increasing sources. 700
Quill Spray travels faster than Viscous Nasal Goo, the quills always hit enemy units before the goo does.
Quill Spray Stacks: 1
Projectile Speed: 2400
Applies Viscous Nasal Goo stacks of its corresponding level.
Goo Stacks: 2
Projectile Speed: 1000
13
Mana Cost
60
Every part of Bristleback's body is a weapon -- even the parts he accidentally swallowed.

Warpath

[edit]
R
W
Warpath
This ability can be bestowed by Illusions. Fully disabled by Break.
Passive / No
Affects
Self
Grants self flat bonus attack damage and bonus movement speed every time Rigwarl casts a spell.
Max Stacks: 8/10/12
Stack per Ability Cast: 1
Attack Damage Bonus per Stack: 15/20/25 (With level 25 Left Talent.With level 25 Left Talent. 33/38/43)
Move Speed Bonus per Stack: 2%/2.5%/3%
Stack Duration: 16/18/20
'Temper, temper,' his mum always chided. But in a fight, a temper can come in handy.

Recent Matches

[edit]
Main Article: Bristleback/Matches
DateTierTournamentPicksScorevs. Picks
February 11, 2026 - 20:00 CETTier 2DreamLeague D2 S3 - PlayoffsDreamLeague D2 S3 - PlayoffsDreamLeague D2 S3 - PlayoffsRazor Dazzle Nyx Assassin Void Spirit Bristleback
0 : 1
Mars Warlock Dark Willow Puck Faceless Void
February 11, 2026 - 17:10 CETTier 3EPL Season 34 - February 11EPL Season 34 - February 11EPL Season 34 - February 11Shadow Fiend Tiny Slardar Bristleback Lion
0 : 1
Shadow Demon Brewmaster Terrorblade Disruptor Beastmaster
February 11, 2026 - 16:25 CETTier 2DreamLeague D2 S3 - PlayoffsDreamLeague D2 S3 - PlayoffsDreamLeague D2 S3 - PlayoffsStorm Spirit Jakiro Beastmaster Chen Bristleback
0 : 1
Largo Dark Willow Disruptor Gyrocopter Leshrac
February 9, 2026 - 20:10 BRTTier 4LDA: Season 1 - Round 12LDA: Season 1 - Round 12Shadow Fiend Jakiro Tiny Morphling Bristleback
1 : 0
Warlock Shadow Shaman Brewmaster Gyrocopter Queen of Pain
February 8, 2026 - 15:25 CETTier 4Get Good League - Division OneGet Good League - Division OneIo Tiny Bristleback Puck Enigma
1 : 0
Dazzle Techies Invoker Axe Windranger

Recent Changes

[edit]
Main Articles: Changelogs, Old Abilities and Hero Lore
Description
7.40b
(2025-12-23)
7.40
(2025-12-15)
  • Increased Strength strength gain from 2.7 to 2.8.
  • Viscous Nasal Goo
    • Increased armor reduction per stack from 1.5/2/2.5/3 to 2/2.5/3/3.5.
    • Snot Rocket no longer increase armor reduction per stack by 0.5.
7.39c
(2025-06-24)
  • Viscous Nasal Goo
    • Reduced duration from 6 to 5.
    • Reduced Snot Rocket armor reduction per stack increase from 1 to 0.5.

Dota Plus Progress

[edit]
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.

Bristleback's Relics Voice Lines

Three Hero Hairballs

Kills With Four Quill Spray Stacks

Bristleback Triggered Damage

Max Warpath Stack Duration

Quill Spray Stack Damage

Blade Mail Damage

Radiance Damage

Slows Leading To Kills

Crimson Guard Damage Blocked

Pipe of Insight Damage Blocked

Triple Kills

Mega Kill Streaks

Kill Assists

Kills

Bronze

Silver

Gold

Platinum

Master
  • ▶️ Who's squealing now, eh? Ha, aha ha heh.

Grandmaster
  • ▶️ Oy, oy, oy, save some of that keg for me, will ya, lads?

Equipment

[edit]

Trivia

[edit]
  • According to an unused voice response, Bristleback was originally designed with tusks.[1]
    • According to Lycan's response ▶️ "A boar is a wolf's natural prey", one of Bristleback's early designs resembled a boar.
  • A silhouette of what appears to be Skywrath Mage can be seen in Bristleback's splash artwork, seemingly still having a beta model/texture.
  • Warcraft 3 similarities:
    • Bristleback is based on the Quillboars, and uses the Razormane Brute model.
      • Quilboars are boar-like humanoids within the Warcraft universe.
      • Bristleback's title is a reference to the Bristleback tribe, a tribe of the Quilboars.
      • Despite this, Bristleback's title was not changed, though some leaks during beta revealed "Bristlebog" as a new title for him.
      • The boar-like features were dropped in Dota 2, likely to distinguish Bristleback from the Quilbaors for copyright reasons.
[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. Bristleback response: ▶️ "My tusks just got sharper."