Attack Range

Attack range is the range at which a Hero may use his or her basic attack ability on another unit. There are two main subdivisions of attack range: melee and ranged Heroes. Attack range cannot be extended except by certain abilities.

Melee and Ranged
Melee Heroes usually have an attack range of 128 units. The attack range of a Hero has no actual basis on whether that hero is ranged or not; the ranged hero Templar Assassin notably has a base attack range shorter than that of Doom Bringer. Rather, a Hero's melee or ranged designation dictates how they interact with certain game mechanics. Dragon Knight, Lone Druid, and Troll Warlord are the only heroes who can alter their melee-ranged distinction.

Melee Heroes earn a base of 36 experience when a nearby unit is denied, as opposed to ranged Heroes, which only earn 18. Melee Heroes also receive greater benefit from certain items, such as Stout Shield or Quelling Blade. Melee Heroes benefit exclusively from Lifesteal Aura and Cleave, while ranged Heroes benefit exclusively from other auras, such as Precision Aura. Bashes also changes their behavior depending on attack range; melee bashes deal magical damage with a physical stun, while ranged bashes deal physical damage with a magical stun (with the exception of Monkey King Bar, Skull Basher and Abyssal blade).

Ranged Heroes also fire a projectile when they attack, the speed of which can affect how long an attack takes to damage a unit. Attack projectiles can be dodged by most Blink abilities. Melee unit attacks deal their damage instantly and cannot be dodged in this way.

Ranged Heroes also have a 25% chance to miss any unit they attack when firing uphill.

Attack Range Comparison
* Attack range can be modified by abilities; see below