Attack Speed

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 Current + Σ Flat Attack Speed Bonuses) × (1 + Attack Speed Multiplier)

with

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 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, with 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 200, because 0.85 seconds is how long a unit with 1.7 BAT and 200 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)}
Hero		Base Attack Time	Base Attack Speed	Difference in Attacks/_Sec	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
	Shadow Fiend	1.6	100	+6.3%	21.3	743.8
	Silencer	1.6	110	+6.3%	31.9	743.8
	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
	Snapfire	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
	Kez	2	110	-15%	25.5	595

Other Units[edit]

Summons

Unit		Base Attack Time	Base Attack Speed	Difference in Attacks/_Sec	Attack Speed Range _{(in 1.7 BAT Representation)}
Unit		Base Attack Time	Base Attack Speed	Difference in Attacks/_Sec	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	105	+126.7%	56.7	1586.7
	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
File:Melee Creep Radiant icon.png	Melee Creep	1	100	+70%	34	1190
	Necronomicon Archer	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
File:Siege Creep Radiant icon.png	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)}
Unit		Base Attack Time	Base Attack Speed	Difference in Attacks/_Sec	Min	Max
File:Ghost icon.png	Ghost	2	165	-15%	72.3	595
	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.

Base Attack Speed Manipulation Sources

¹ Requires

talent.

^2a Requires

Aghanim's Scepter.

^2b Requires

Aghanim's Shard.

Base Attack Speed[edit]

Hero	Attack Speed
	90
	95
	100
	110
	115
	120
	125

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

Marci – Unleash
Troll Warlord – Battle Trance³

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

Clinkz - Burning Army

Archers Attack Interval:
Gyrocopter - Flak Cannon

Side Gunner Range:
Side Gunner Interval:
Prioritizes furthest unit away within its range.
Io - Tether

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.
Juggernaut - Blade Fury

Instant Attack Interval:
Duration: 2
The instant attack targets are chosen randomly, there are no priorities.
Lifestealer - Infest

Enemy Hero Attack Interval:
Enemy Hero Duration:
Ability can be now cast on enemy heroes or creep-heroes.
Mars - Bulwark

Soldiers Attack Range:
Soldiers Attack Interval:
Creates invulnerable soldiers around Mars' front while ability is active.
Monkey King - Wukong's Command

Soldiers Attack Interval:
Puck - Dream Coil

Instant Attack Radius:
Instant Attack Interval:
Perform instant attacks on all leashed enemies, as long as Puck stays within the instant attack radius of the targeted area.
Riki - Tricks of the Trade

Radius: 2
Attack Count: 55/70/85/100 ( )
Instant Attack Interval: -1 ( -1)
Max Channel Time: 1
Tiny - Tree Volley

Tree Throw Interval: 25%
Max Channel Time: 1
Weaver - Geminate Attack

Instant Attack Interval: 1
Number of Extra Attacks: 20/35/50/65 ( 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

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	113.41
Power Treads (Agility)	35	1400	40
Sange and Yasha	36	4200	116.67
Wraith Band	10	505	50.5
Yasha	31	2100	67.74
Yasha and Kaya	36	4200	116.67
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
Alert Enchantment	0	N/A	N/A
Armlet of Mordiggian	25	2500	100
Assault Cuirass	30	5125	170.83
Audacious Enchantment	100	N/A	N/A
Blitz Knuckles	35	1000	28.57
Bloodthorn	95	6625	69.74
Gloves of Haste	20	450	22.5
Hand of Midas	35	2200	62.86
Hyperstone	60	2000	33.33
Maelstrom	25	2950	118
Mage Slayer	30	2800	93.33
Mjollnir	90	5500	61.11
Monkey King Bar	45	4700	104.44
Moon Shard	140	4000	28.57
Oblivion Staff	35	1625	46.43
Orchid Malevolence	35	3275	93.57
Parasma	40	5975	149.38
Power Treads (Intelligence)	25	1400	56
Power Treads (Strength)	25	1400	56
Shadow Blade	35	3350	95.71
Silver Edge	35	5800	165.71
Witch Blade	40	2775	69.38
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	420
Band of Elvenskin	6	450	75
Blade of Alacrity	10	1000	100
Bracer	2	505	252.5
Butterfly	35	5450	155.71
Circlet	2	155	77.5
Crown	4	450	112.5
Diadem	6	1000	166.67
Diffusal Blade	15	2500	166.67
Disperser	40	6100	152.5
Dragon Lance	15	1900	126.67
Eaglesong	25	2800	112
Ethereal Blade	8	5375	671.88
Eye of Skadi	35	5900	168.57
Ghost Scepter	5	1500	300
Harpoon	10	4700	470
Heaven's Halberd	5	2600	520
Helm of the Dominator	6	2550	425
Helm of the Overlord	21	5650	269.05
Holy Locket	9	2250	250
Hurricane Pike	20	4450	222.5
Iron Branch	1	50	50
Khanda	8	5700	712.5
Linken's Sphere	16	4800	300
Magic Wand	3	450	150
Meteor Hammer	6	2850	475
Null Talisman	2	505	252.5
Orb of Corrosion	7	1050	150
Phylactery	7	2600	371.43
Shiva's Guard	5	5175	1035
Slippers of Agility	3	140	46.67
Solar Crest	4	2575	643.75
Spirit Vessel	10	2725	272.5
Swift Blink	25	6800	272
Ultimate Orb	15	2800	186.67
Urn of Shadows	2	825	412.5
Veil of Discord	4	1725	431.25
Values do not include portions from actives or auras.

Talents[edit]

Attack Speed

Ability

Passive

Affects

Self

Attack Speed Bonus: Varies

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

Bonus	Level 10		Level 15		Level 20		Level 25
Bonus	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right	Left	Right
Attack Speed	+25 +20	+25 +40			+110 +35	+60 +225

Flat Reductions[edit]

Flat Attack Speed Reduction Sources

Ancient Apparition – Ice Vortex^2b
Ancient Thunderhide – Slam
Boar – Poison
Beastmaster – Primal Roar
Brewmaster – Thunder Clap
Crystal Maiden – Crystal Nova
Crystal Maiden – Freezing Field
Disruptor – Thunder Strike
Dragon Knight – Elder Dragon Form (Frost Breath)
Enchantress – Untouchable
Eye of Skadi – Cold Attack
Ghost – Frost Attack
Hellbear Smasher – Thunder Clap
Io – Tether
Jakiro – Dual Breath
Jakiro – Liquid Fire
Lich – Frost Blast
Lich – Chain Frost
Lycan Wolf – Cripple
Lycan Lane Wolf – Cripple
Magnus – Skewer
Magnus – Horn Toss
Marci – Unleash
Medusa – Stone Gaze
Morphling – Morph^2a
Night Stalker – Void
Phoenix – Fire Spirits
Roshan – Slam
Sand King – Epicenter
Shiva's Guard – Freezing Aura
Slardar – Slithereen Crush
Snapfire – Scatterblast
Sniper – Headshot
Solar Crest – Shine
Storm Spirit – Overload
Tiny – Tree Throw
Tiny – Tree Volley
Tiny – Grow
Wildwing – Tornado
Venomancer – Poison Nova¹
Viper – Corrosive Skin
Viper – Viper Strike
Visage – Grave Chill
Wraith King – Reincarnation
Zeus – Heavenly Jump

¹ Requires

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

Tiny - Grow

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.