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Fortune's End icon

A dispel is the term used for the forced removal of status effects.

Dispels usually come together with other mechanics and are rarely seen as a primary mechanic of an ability.

A list of buffs/debuffs which can or cannot be dispelled is stated in the ability's respective notes.

Definition[]

Dispel Type Definition Examples
Basic Eul's Scepter of Divinity icon Cyclone
Strong
  • Removes all types of debuffs, except for those only dispellable by Death.
False Promise icon False Promise
Death
  • Death removes most buffs and debuffs unless explicitly stated in the ability's respective notes.
Undispellable
  • The ability effects persist death.
Time Lapse icon Time Lapse

Mechanics[]

Cyclone dispel

Sven minimap icon Sven using Eul's Scepter of Divinity icon Eul's Scepter of Divinity to dispel various negative status effects.

Dispels remove status effects based on whether the casting unit is an ally or an enemy, and whether the status effect is positive or negative. Applying a dispel on an allied unit only removes negative effects, also known as debuffs. Positive effects, or buffs, are never removed. Vice versa, applying a dispel on an enemy unit only removes buffs, debuffs are not removed.

There are currently 3 different types of dispel, based on the strength of the dispel type: Basic Dispel < Strong Dispel < Death

Undispellable[]

Main Article: Aura

Generally, all buffs and debuffs placed by auras are not dispellable, except death.

Aura effects only disappear when getting out of range, no longer being affected by their source, or when no longer meeting their requirements. However, almost every aura's buff/debuff lingers for a short time (usually 0.5 seconds). Only a few aura effects end immediately when their source dies or disappears.

Other permanent effects have inconsistent behaviors with dispels. Some of them cannot be removed, while others can. However, since they are permanent effects, they almost always immediately reapply their buffs/debuffs when it gets dispelled.

Sources[]

These abilities listed below provide a form of dispelling.

Basic[]

Basic Dispel can be categorized into 3 types as follows:

  • Allies affecting Dispel.
  • Enemies affecting Dispel.
  • Dispel applicable to both allies and enemies.

Allies[]

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

Enemies[]

Dispels that only affect enemies also affect neutral units.

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

Affect All Units[]

The following Dispel sources affect all valid units stated in their respective ability notes.

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

Strong[]

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

Death[]

Main Article: Death

When a unit dies, most temporary buffs and debuffs on it are removed. Reincarnation counts as death for the purposes of dispelling both buffs and debuffs.


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