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 |
|
Cyclone |
Strong |
|
False Promise |
Death |
|
|
Undispellable |
|
Time Lapse |
Mechanics[]
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[]
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[]
- Alchemist – Chemical Rage
- Alchemist – Berserk Potion
- Black King Bar – Avatar
- Chaos Knight – Phantasm
- Chen – Holy Persuasion2a
- Clockwerk – Power Cogs1
- Elder Titan – Astral Spirit2a
- Force Boots – Force
- Guardian Greaves – Mend
- Huskar – Life Break
- Illusion Rune – Illusion
- Juggernaut – Blade Fury
- Juggernaut – Swiftslash
- Juggernaut – Omnislash
- Lua error: Found no Cargo data for "Keeper of the Light - Chakra Magic".
- Lifestealer – Rage
- Lone Druid – Savage Roar2b
- Spirit Bear – Savage Roar2b
- Lifestealer – Infest
- Lotus Orb – Echo Shell
- Manta Style – Mirror Image
- Marci – Sidekick1
- Marci – Unleash2a
- Meepo – Dig
- Naga Siren – Mirror Image
- Pangolier – Rolling Thunder
- Phantom Assassin – Blur2a
- Phantom Lancer – Doppelganger
- Primal Beast – Uproar1
- Riki – Tricks of the Trade1
- Satanic – Unholy Rage
- Shadow Demon – Demonic Cleanse
- Templar Assassin – Meld1
- Troll Warlord – Whirling Axes (Melee)2a
- Troll Warlord – Battle Trance
- 1 Requires talent.
- 2a Requires Aghanim's Scepter.
- 2b Requires Aghanim's Shard.
Enemies[]
Dispels that only affect enemies also affect neutral units.
- Doom – Doom
- Enchantress – Enchant
- Helm of the Dominator – Dominate
- Helm of the Overlord – Dominate
- Invoker – Tornado
- Necronomicon Archer – Purge
- Nullifier – Nullify
- Shadow Demon – Demonic Purge
- Sven – Storm Hammer2a
- Techies – Reactive Tazer
- Troll Warlord – Whirling Axes (Ranged)2a
- Winter Wyvern – Winter's Curse
- 1 Requires talent.
- 2a Requires Aghanim's Scepter.
- 2b Requires Aghanim's Shard.
Affect All Units[]
The following Dispel sources affect all valid units stated in their respective ability notes.
- 1 Requires talent.
- 2a Requires Aghanim's Scepter.
- 2b Requires Aghanim's Shard.
Strong[]
- Abaddon – Aphotic Shield
- Abaddon – Borrowed Time
- Aeon Disk – Combo Breaker
- Chen – Hand of God1
- Chen – Martyrdom1
- Grimstroke – Ink Swell2b
- Legion Commander – Press the Attack
- Muerta – Parting Shot
- Oracle – False Promise
- Outworld Destroyer – Essence Flux2a
- Phoenix – Supernova
- Pudge – Dismember2b
- Slark – Dark Pact
- Tidehunter – Kraken Shell
- Troll Warlord – Battle Trance1
- Ursa – Enrage
- Weaver – Time Lapse
- 1 Requires talent.
- 2a Requires Aghanim's Scepter.
- 2b Requires Aghanim's Shard.
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.