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Morphling

From Liquipedia Dota 2 Wiki
Morphling
16 + 2.6
33 + 3.9
19 + 1.8
Grants the following bonuses per level:
+57.2HP and +0.26HP regeneration
+0.65 armor and 3.9 attack speed
+3.9 Main Attack Damage
+21.6MP and +0.09MP regeneration
+0.1% base magic resistance
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4.5
Armor
(599.44 EHP)
26.9%
Magic Resist
(645.69 EHP)
1300
Projectile Speed
Melee Melee units have their projectile speed set to 900, if they should ever need it.
100 (133)
(1.5 BAT)
Base Attack Time Attacks per Second is defined as
ΣAS / BAT / 100
0.5 + 0.5
Turn Rate This unit takes 0.15s to turn 180°.
This ability component has a different effect during daytime. 1800 / This ability component has a different effect during nighttime. 800
Ethereal
Gib Type
2010-11-01
Released
2004-04-23
Competitive Span
2010-10-01 — Present
Version Control
This article has been updated to the latest version (7.41d) and is mostly accurate.
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Rides the waves to flank enemies.
After eons of travel in the darkness of space, the icy comet plunged to earth, and from there rose an elemental being of sentient liquid. Unbound by any permanent shape, the Morphling Alters Attributes to match his needs and Morphs into a replication of his foes, mimicking their capabilities, making them fight against a copy of themselves. Shifting between potent attacker, and resilient survivor, Morphling can be as elusive as he is deadly. Assuming the form of a Wave to flank an enemy, he surges forward before performing Adaptive Strikes of water that either sting or bludgeon the victims depending on his composition.
Ebb and Flow
Ebb and Flow
Waveform
Adaptive Strike
Attribute Shift (Agility Gain)
Attribute Shift (Agility Gain)
Attribute Shift (Strength Gain)
Attribute Shift (Strength Gain)
Morph
Morph
Roles:Carry Carry Escape Escape Durable Durable Nuker Nuker Disabler Disabler
AdjectivesAquatic, Blue
Legs ( 0 )

Bio

[edit]
You only miss the water when the well runs dry.
▶️  Morphling
For dark eons the comet circled. Held in thrall to a distant sun, bound by gravity’s inexorable pull, the massive ball of ice careened through the blackness between worlds, made strange by its dark journey. On the eve of the ancient war of the Vloy, it punched down through the sky and lit a glowing trail across the night, a sign both armies took for an omen. The frozen ball melted in a flash of boiling heat, as below two forces enjoined in battle across the border of a narrow river. Thus freed from its icy stasis, the Morphling was born into conflict, an elemental power at one with the tides of the ocean, capricious and unconstrained. He entered the fight, instinctively taking the form of the first general who dared set foot across the water, and then struck him dead. As the motley warriors clashed, he shifted from form to form throughout the battle, instantly absorbing the ways of these strange creatures—now a footsoldier, now an archer, now the cavalryman—until, by the time the last soldier fell, Morphling had played every part. The battle's end was his beginning.

Upgrades

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Aghanim's

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Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter.
Aghanim's Scepter Upgrade:
Morph (Alt-Cast)
Creates a strong illusion of the targeted enemy hero that can cast all of the affected enemy's basic abilities with Alt-Cast toggled on.
Morph Replicate
Upon the Morph Replicate sub-ability cast, Morphling takes the place of the illusion, instantly destroying it with Alt-Cast toggled on.
Morph
Grants the corresponding abilites acquired via Morph its ability upgrades.
Upgradable by Aghanim's Shard.
Aghanim's Shard Upgrade:
Attribute Shift
Enables Attribute Shift casting while being affected by most disable sources.

Reduces mana cost.
Morph
Grants the corresponding abilites acquired via Morph its ability upgrades.

Talents

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+35 Strength25-40% Waveform Cooldown
+15 Agility20-3s Adaptive Strike Cooldown
+75 Attack Range15+250 Waveform Cast Range/Distance
+12s Morph Duration10+15% Magic Resist
▃ ▃ ▃ ▃ ▃ ▃ ▃
+2 All / / Attributes

Innate. Innate

[edit]

Ebb and Flow

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Ebb and Flow
This ability can be bestowed by Illusions. Neither affected nor disabled by Break.
Ability
Passive
Affects
Self
The following attributes provides Morphling with additional bonuses, even while Morph Replicate is active.
Grants bonus attack range and bonus movement speed per Agility agility.
Agi to Attack Range Bonus: 0.25
Agi to Move Speed Bonus: 0.15
Grants bonus cast range and bonus slow resistance per Strength strength.
Str to Cast Range Bonus: 0.25
Str to Slow Resist Bonus: 0.25
Status Effects
Buff modifier_morphling_ebb_and_flowUndispellable.
MODIFIER_PROPERTY_

Hero Model

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

It may only perform or utilize the ability's functions upon a successful channeling.
Morphling's hero model size now scales correspondingly to its Agility agility to Strength strength ratio.
Details
Hidden Innate Abilities
Watch Tower
Warp
Warp
Lantern of Sight
Tap on the Innate. innate abilities for more details.
    • 1.4

Abilities

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Waveform

[edit]
Q
W
Waveform
Ability
Point
Affects
Enemy Units / Self
Damage
Spell / Magical / Attack Damage / Physical
Surges forward, damaging enemy units in Morphling's path. Morphling is invulnerable during Waveform.
Max Travel Distance: Affected by Cast Range increasing sources. 700/775/850/925 (With level 15 Right Talent.With level 15 Right Talent. 950/1025/1100/1175)
Effect Radius: Affected by AoE Radius increasing sources. 200
Damage: 75/150/225/300
21/18/15/12 (With level 25 Right Talent.With level 25 Right Talent. 12.6/10.8/9/7.2)
Mana Cost
115
A torrential flood takes enemies by force.
  • Details
  • Status Effects
  • Show All
  • to
    • Can affect enemy units at max Affected by Cast Range increasing sources. Affected by AoE Radius increasing sources. 900/975/1050/1125 (With level 15 Right Talent.With level 15 Right Talent. 1150/1225/1300/1375)-distance away with the travel distance from Morphling's current cast position, point O and effect radius P .
Buff modifier_morphling_waveformOnly dispellable by Death.Only dispellable by Death.
Hidden Modifier
MODIFIER_STATE_INVULNERABLE

Adaptive Strike

[edit]

W
E
Adaptive Strike
Affects
Enemy Units
Damage
Spell / Magical
Launches a surge of water at an enemy unit, dealing damage and knocking them back.
Cast Animation: 0.25 + 0.67
Cast Range: Affected by Cast Range increasing sources. 600/675/750/825
Base Damage: 50/70/90/110
The damage component is based on Morphling's Agility agility.

If Morphling's agility is much higher than strength, the max agility damage factor is used.
Agi to Str Ratio: 1.5
Min Damage Factor: 0.5
Max Damage Factor: 1/1.5/2/2.5
The knockback and stun component is based on Morphling's Strength strength.

If Morphling's strength is much higher than agility, the max knockback distance is used.
Str to Agi Ratio: 1.5
Min Knock Distance: 50
Max Knock Distance: 350
Min Stun Duration: 0.5
Max Stun Duration: 1.2/1.6/2/2.4
17/14/11/8 (With level 20 Right Talent.With level 20 Right Talent. 14/11/8/5)
Mana Cost
40/50/60/70
The Morphling calls upon his elements to crush his opponents with waves.
  • Details
  • Interactions
  • Status Effects
  • Misc.
  • Show All
  • The ability effects are applied as follows upon The ability's projectile properties.The ability's projectile properties. projectile impact:
    1. Checks Morphling's current Universal attributes upon projectile impact, d and k adapts linearly correspondingly to the Morphling's current total Agility agility to Strength strength ratio.
    2. The Magical Damage Type magical Spell DamageSpell Damage spell damage is defined as:
      • EXPR
        SpellDmg = 50/70/90/110 + ΣAgi × d
        • The damage factor (d) has two main ability formulas:
          • When ΣAgi × 1.5 < ΣStr , d = 0.5
          • When ΣAgi × 1.5 > ΣStr , d = 1/1.5/2/2.5
    3. The unit is forcefully moved in the x-axis accordingly to its facing direction.
  • EXPR
    • The unit is forcefully moved in the x-axis accordingly to its facing direction.
      • The knockback distance (k) has two main ability formulas:
        • When ΣStr < ΣAgi × 1.5 , k = 50
        • When ΣStr > ΣAgi × 1.5 , k = 350
      • Applies a stun (s) on the debuff-affected enemy unit, and is defined as:
        • When ΣStr > ΣAgi × 1.5 , s = 1.2/1.6/2/2.4
Ability interactions with Spell Block sources.
Blocks the ability cast completely upon The ability's projectile properties.The ability's projectile properties. projectile impact.
Ability interactions with Disjoint sources.
Reflects the ability cast upon The ability's projectile properties.The ability's projectile properties. projectile impact.
This ability functions differently or requires certain conditions in Ability DraftThis ability functions differently or requires certain conditions in Ability Draft
Both Adaptive Strikes are independent and draftable abilities.
Debuff modifier_stunnedDispellable by Strong Dispel sources.
Stunned
MODIFIER_STATE_STUNNED
MODIFIER_PROPERTY_OVERRIDE_ANIMATION

Attribute Shift

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Attribute Shift
Affects
Self
Morphling converts Strength strength to Agility agility, and vice versa. The process is reversible.
Shift Interval: 0.25/0.12/0.08/0.06
Gains as much agility as strength attribute loss.
Agi Gain per Second: 4/8/12/16
Gains as much strength as agility attribute loss.
Str Gain per Second: 4/8/12/16
Aghanim's Shard Upgrade
Aghanim's Shard Upgrade
Enables Attribute Shift casting while being affected by most disable sources.

Reduces mana cost.
0
The fixed current mana loss per second is not affected by mana loss manipulation sources.
Mana Loss as Cost per Interval 4/8/13/17 (Upgradable by Aghanim's Shard. 2/4/6/8) s-1
Shifting water makes it difficult to discern the nature of Morphling.
  • Details
  • Interactions
  • Status Effects
  • Misc.
  • Show All
Attribute Shift Strength Strength Calculations
Morphling
Attribute Shift
Morphling Attribute Shifts to gain Strength strength.

Grants 22HP current health and max health per shifted Agility agility.
Current Health Gain (Definition)
The current health gain per Strength strength instance is affected by health freeze sources, and consists of three components:
  • a1 is affected by Utilizes Health Regeneration. Affected by Health Restore sources. health regeneration manipulation sources.
  • a2 is NOT affected by health regeneration manipulation sources.
  • r is the CurrentHP to MaxHP Ratio.
Current Health Gain (Formula)
The health gain per Strength strength instance is defined as:

a1 + a2
= 22 × ( 1 - r ) × ( 1 + ∏(HealthRegenFactor) + 22 × r

Hence, in most situations, Attribute Shift increases/reduces 22 health per Strength strength to/from Morphling's current health, and does not keep the health percentages.
Example
Cold Attack
Morphling
Attribute Shift
300 / 1000
Morphling has the aforementioned current health values, and Attribute Shifts to gain Strength strength while being affected by Cold Attack.

r = 0.3

a1 + a2
= 22 × ( 1 - 0.3 ) × ( 1 - 0.5) + 22 × 0.3
= 7.7 + 6.6
= 14.3

In this example, not accounting for other Utilizes Health Regeneration. Affected by Health Restore sources. health regeneration sources, Attribute Shift grants Morphling 14.3 current health per Strength strength gain, with the following health values.
Morphling
Attribute Shift
314 / 1022
Attribute Shift's Custom Interface
The ability's custom HUD interface.
The custom HUD element for Attribute Shift, showing the current agility-strength ratio.
  • Both Attribute Shift (Agility Gain) or Attribute Shift (Strength Gain) abilities has the following properties:
    • If Attribute Shift cannot shift anymore attributes due to insufficient Universal attributes or mana, the toggled This component requires toggling on the ability. This ability is toggled off. status remains, the process pauses until it can continue.
    • Does not interrupt Morphling's Requires unit to stand still for certain ability effects to occur.Requires unit to stand still for certain ability effects to occur. channeling abilities upon toggling either abilities respectively.
    • Toggling one Attribute Shift This component requires toggling on the ability. toggles the other This ability is toggled off..
    • All shifted Universal attributes persists 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.
    • The abilities continue to shift attributes while its toggled This component requires toggling on the ability., even while being affected by This unit is affected by a disable. disable sources.
    • Can only convert Morphling's strength and agility from the following sources:
      • Base attributes.
      • Attribute gain from leveling up.
  • Grants bonus health utilizing the setting health mechanic.
    • Hence, Attribute Shift increases/reduces 22 health per Strength strength to/from current health, and does not keep the current health percentages.
    • Health freeze sources keeps the current health values, but do not stop max health from increasing.
Ability interactions with the caster's illusions.
The ability converts natural Universal attributes. Hence, Morphling illusions copy the shifted attribute values.
This ability functions differently or requires certain conditions in Ability DraftThis ability functions differently or requires certain conditions in Ability Draft
Unavailable.
Buff modifier_morphling_max_attribute_shift_trackerUndispellable.
Hidden Modifier
Buff modifier_morphling_morph_agiOnly dispellable by Death.Only dispellable by Death.
Attribute Shift (Agility): Gaining agility at the cost of strength
Buff modifier_morphling_morph_strOnly dispellable by Death.Only dispellable by Death.
Attribute Shift (Strength): Gaining strength at the cost of agility
  • The ability's sound effects.
    • The ability effects are audible to everyone upon cast.

Morph

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R
R
Morph
Affects
Enemy Heroes
Changes Morphling's form to match the targeted enemy, gaining their basic abilities.

Morph can be toggled between the Morph Replicate sub-ability for its duration.
Cast Animation: 0.25 + 0.1
Cast Range: Affected by Cast Range increasing sources. 700/850/1000
Base Attributes Conversion Factor: 1
Duration: 24 (With level 10 Left Talent.With level 10 Left Talent. 36)
Aghanim's Scepter Upgrade
Aghanim's Scepter Upgrade
With Alt-Cast Enabled
Creates a strong illusion of the targeted enemy hero that can cast all of the affected enemy's basic abilities with Alt-Cast toggled on.
The morphed illusion is a strong illusion that deals as much damage as Morphling and receives additional incoming damage.
Number of Illusions: (Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter. 1)
Damage Dealt: Affects the outgoing ability value positively of the affected unit. (Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter. 100%)
Damage Taken: Affects the incoming ability value negatively of the affected unit. (Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter. 200%)
Aghanim's Scepter Upgrade
Aghanim's Scepter Upgrade
Grants the corresponding abilites acquired via Morph its ability upgrades.
Aghanim's Shard Upgrade
Aghanim's Shard Upgrade
Grants the corresponding abilites acquired via Morph its ability upgrades.
140/100/60
Mana Cost
50
Staring into Morphling produces a reflection that mimics the beholder.
  • Details
  • Interactions
  • Status Effects
  • Misc.
  • Show All
  • This ability component affects the caster themselves.This ability component affects the caster themselves.
    • The combat log still registers the copied hero model as Morphling.
    • Copies the following attributes of the affected enemy hero upon cast:
    • Hero model traits.
    • The Affected by Attack Range increasing sources. attack range-type.
      • Items that use different values for the wielder's attack range-type now adapt to Morphling accordingly.
    • Innate. Innate abilities, except the following abilities:
    • Selection box.
    • The ability's visual effects.
      • Visually distinguishable from the enemy hero for the entire duration, for everyone.
      • Copies the the affected enemy hero's current equipped cosmetic items.
    • Does not copy the following stats:
  • Considers casting on enemy Clones are identical to the main hero, with certain exceptions. clones and Illusion Properties. illusions as heroes, and creep-heroes as creeps.
    • The ability's unit-targeted properties. to Illusion Properties.
      • Casting on enemy illusions is considered casting Morph on the enemy hero who owns the illusion, and does not copy the hero the illusion is based on.
      • This affects the following ability interactions:
        • Casting Morph on a 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. dead hero does nothing.
        • Cannot Morph into an Enchanted Morphling illusion.
  • This ability functionally supplements its parent ability.This ability functionally supplements its parent ability. This ability's value are affected by Morph. to This ability's value are affected by Morph Replicate.
    • This ability component affects the caster themselves.This ability component affects the caster themselves.
      • Toggling between Morph and Morph Replicate cast updates all copied attributes immediately.
      • Retains its current health and current mana percentages on each form.
      • Debuff morphling_replicate_manager
        • The affected enemy hero's icon is displayed as a debuff on Morphling's HUD.
The created illusion texture is distinguishable ally-only.
  • With This ability has multiple different functionality modes.This ability has multiple different functionality modes. Alt-Cast activated, the Morph Strong Illusion Properties. strong illusion acquires all Innate. innate abilities and traits of the affected enemy hero, except the following:
    • Abilities acquired via Devour.
    • Invoked abilities.
    • The ability cooldown of the acquired basic abilities is shared between Morphling and the Morph Illusion.
    • However, it does not share the charges of Charge-based Abilities. Therefore, Morphling and the Morph Illusion both have independent charges for charged-based abilities.
Ability interactions with Spell Block sources.
Proc Spell Block sources on the illusion's hero source when The ability's unit-targeted properties. unit-targeting enemy illusions.
Ability interactions with the caster's illusions.
Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter. Cannot acquire any abilities from the Morphed illusion.
Ability interactions with Spell Steal.
Unacquirable.
Ability interactions with Spell Duplication sources.
Morphs into the primary target.
This ability functions differently or requires certain conditions in Ability DraftThis ability functions differently or requires certain conditions in Ability Draft
Unavailable.
Buff modifier_morphling_replicateOnly dispellable by Death.Only dispellable by Death.
Hidden Modifier
MODIFIER_PROPERTY_MOVESPEED_BASE_OVERRIDE
MODIFIER_PROPERTY_ATTACK_RANGE_BASE_OVERRIDE
MODIFIER_PROPERTY_PROJECTILE_NAME
MODIFIER_PROPERTY_UNIT_DISALLOW_UPGRADING
MODIFIER_EVENT_ON_HERO_KILLED
MODIFIER_PROPERTY_HEROFACET_OVERRIDE
Buff modifier_morphling_replicate_morphed_illusions_effectOnly dispellable by Death.Only dispellable by Death.
Hidden Modifier
Buff modifier_morphling_replicate_illusionOnly dispellable by Death.Only dispellable by Death.
Illusion
MODIFIER_PROPERTY_IS_ILLUSION
MODIFIER_PROPERTY_STRONG_ILLUSION
MODIFIER_PROPERTY_SUPER_ILLUSION
Buff modifier_illusionOnly dispellable by Death.Only dispellable by Death.
Illusion
MODIFIER_PROPERTY_DAMAGEOUTGOING_PERCENTAGE_ILLUSION
MODIFIER_PROPERTY_FIXED_DAY_VISION
MODIFIER_PROPERTY_FIXED_NIGHT_VISION
MODIFIER_PROPERTY_IS_ILLUSION
MODIFIER_PROPERTY_ILLUSION_LABEL
MODIFIER_EVENT_ON_DEATH
MODIFIER_PROPERTY_LIFETIME_FRACTION
MODIFIER_PROPERTY_INCOMING_DAMAGE_ILLUSION
Debuff modifier_morphling_replicate_managerOnly dispellable by Death.Only dispellable by Death.
Morph Timer: Indicates when Morphling will transform back into his native form.

Morph Replicate

[edit]
R
?
Morph Replicate
Affects
Self
Damage
Instant Kill
Toggles Morphling's form between his own and the replicated enemy.
Max Duration: 24 (With level 10 Left Talent.With level 10 Left Talent. 36)
Aghanim's Scepter Upgrade
Aghanim's Scepter Upgrade
Upon the Morph Replicate sub-ability cast, Morphling takes the place of the illusion, instantly destroying it with Alt-Cast toggled on.
Current Health as Damage: (Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter. 100%)
2
  • Details
  • Misc.
  • Show All
  • This This ability functionally supplements its parent ability.This ability functionally supplements its parent ability. sub-ability replaces Morph upon cast and until it expires.
    • The
      ?
      Legacy Key for Morph Replicate is the same as the affected enemy hero's ultimate ability.
  • Casting this This ability functionally supplements its parent ability.This ability functionally supplements its parent ability. sub-ability does not end Morph.
    • Instead, it shifts Morphling back to his hero model. When used again, it shifts Morphling back into the affected enemy hero.
  • Upon per Morph and Morph Replicate cast, both abilities check for Morphling and the affected enemy hero's basic abilities, then replaces all basic abilities, including passive abilities and This ability functionally supplements its parent ability.This ability functionally supplements its parent ability. sub-abilities.
    • Hence, Morphling has to Morph Replicate twice to update all copied abilities and their values.
    • Non-ultimate abilities granted by Upgradable by Aghanim's Scepter. Upgradable by Aghanim's Shard. ability upgrades are only copied if both Morphling and the affected enemy have the respective item as well.
    • Does not copy With a Talent upgrade.With a Talent upgrade. talent upgrades.

Recent Matches

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Main Article: Morphling/Matches
DateTierTournamentPicksScorevs. PicksPatch
June 1, 2026 - 12:00 EESTQualifierEWC 2026 EEU CQEWC 2026 EEU CQEWC 2026 EEU CQ
Techies
Hoodwink
Dawnbreaker
Storm Spirit
Morphling
1 : 0
Rubick
Snapfire
Enchantress
Queen of Pain
Alchemist
7.41
Details
May 31, 2026 - 13:50 EDTQualifierEWC 2026 NA OQ2EWC 2026 NA OQ2EWC 2026 NA OQ2
Rubick
Shadow Fiend
Silencer
Slardar
Morphling
1 : 0
Dark Willow
Treant Protector
Dawnbreaker
Terrorblade
Ember Spirit
7.41c
+ Details
May 31, 2026 - 13:30 GSTQualifierEWC 2026 MESWA OQ2EWC 2026 MESWA OQ2EWC 2026 MESWA OQ2
Rubick
Underlord
Ringmaster
Morphling
Queen of Pain
1 : 0
Phoenix
Mars
Luna
Undying
Puck
7.41c
+ Details
May 29, 2026 - 13:10 PETQualifierEWC 2026 SA OQEWC 2026 SA OQEWC 2026 SA OQ
Treant Protector
Rubick
Morphling
Invoker
Weaver
0 : 1
Clockwerk
Enchantress
Dawnbreaker
Void Spirit
Luna
7.41c
+ Details
May 26, 2026 - 20:25 EDTShowmatchBoris Invitational - PlayoffsBoris Invitational - Playoffs
Phoenix
Techies
Ember Spirit
Underlord
Morphling
1 : 0
Queen of Pain
Viper
Tusk
Lifestealer
Grimstroke
+ Details

Recent Changes

[edit]
Main Articles: Changelogs, Old Abilities and Hero Lore
Description
7.41d
(2026-06-04)
7.41c
(2026-05-06)
  • CHANGED Waveform ability operations:
    • The ability is now cast according to the targeted direction when the The ability's point-targeted properties. point-targeted location is further than the Affected by Cast Range increasing sources. cast range .
    • U Increased cast range from 700/775/850/925 to The ability effects are felt everywhere in the map. Global .
    • Now has a fixed 700/775/850/925-max travel distance.
7.41a
(2026-03-28)
  • Increased Agility agility gain from 3.9 to 4.2.

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.

Morphling's Relics Voice Lines

Multi-Hero Waveform

Max Adaptive Strike Stuns

Time Spent at Max Attribute Shift

Kills During Replicate

Max Damage Adaptive Strikes

Spells Blocked With Linken's Sphere

Life Stolen

Stuns Leading To Kills

Spells Disjointed

Channels Cancelled

Triple Kills

Mega Kill Streaks

Kill Assists

Kills
Bronze

Silver

Gold

Platinum

Master

Grandmaster

Equipment

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

Trivia

[edit]
  • In DotA, Morphling was the only hero without a hero name, being named "Morphling the Morphling".
  • The attack response ▶️ "Wave of mutilation!" is a direct reference to a Pixies song of the same name.

Concept Issues

[edit]

Morphling has seen many reworks within his existence in DotA. The concept of Morphling being a formless mass of water was decided on from the get go. However, this concept was very difficult to implement into Warcraft 3.

  • Originally, Morphling had an ability similar to Rubick's Spell Steal, called Spellsteal.
    • It was a Toggle ability that automatically stole the next ability that was cast within range.
    • Due to many issues and bugs caused by this ability, it was removed in 5.10. However, it was re-introduced later on.
  • After Spell Steal, Morphling was given Undercover, which allowed him to literally join the enemy team, copying one of the enemy heroes.
    • Morphling himself would get hidden, and a copy of the target enemy hero was created for the player to control.
    • This copy was an actual part of the enemy team, but under Morphling's control. It had shared vision with the enemy team.
    • Undercover created a sixth player on the enemy team, with the same name and player color as the target.
    • Due to this, Morphling could attack his actual allies like they were enemies, and even had to do so in order to farm creeps.
    • The copy had all spells available as well, and could even level up independently from Morphling.
    • The access to spells was removed in patch 5.55. However, he still could use all the target's items, which got copied as well.
    • The copied items could neither be dropped, nor sold, but were fully usable otherwise.
    • Undercover lasted until the copy attacked "its allies" (Morphling's actual enemies).
    • This attack would deal bonus damage to the target, remove the hero copy, and unhide Morphling.
    • Note that during the entire time, the target Morphling copied is completely unaffected, meaning there are two of the same hero.
    • This spell concept fundamentally cannot work in modern Dota, where even very basic team communication easily reveals the copy.
    • This ability got removed in 5.65 and never returned again.
  • In 5.65, Spellsteal was re-introduced.
    • The functionality was not changed, the spell worked like its first iteration.
    • Many bugged abilities got fied and now worked with Spellsteal.
    • However, it still caused many issues, and was removed again in 6.05
  • In 6.05, Adapt was added, replacing Spellsteal.
    • This ability allowed Morphling to change between 3 forms, with different primary attributes, and different second ability.
    • This was a channeled ability and could be interrupted. Though the cooldown was low, the mana cost was very high.
    • Strength Strength form: 175 attack range (melee unit), 290 movement speed, access to Crushing Wave.
    • Agility Agility form: 350 attack range (ranged unit), 275 movement speed, access to Morph Attack.
    • Intelligence Intelligence form: 500 attack range (ranged unit), 275 movement speed, access to Unstable Power.
    • This ability caused several issues, as it completely replaced Morphling with a new hero, due to Warcraft 3 engine limiations.
    • This replacement could cause bugs like loss of items, clear permanent and other normally unremovable buffs and debuffs, break control groups, and many more issues.
    • This ability got removed in 6.31 and never returned again.
  • In 6.31, Replicate was added.
    • This ability drew inspiration from Undercover, creating a copy of the target.
    • The copy was a regular illusion under Morphling's control.
    • At any point, Morphling could take the place of the illusion by casting a sub-spell, regardless of where the copy was, destroying the copy in the process.
    • This ability got replaced by his current ultimate, Morph, in the 7.07 gameplay patch.
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