Dispel

A dispel is the term used for a forced removal of status effects. Dispels usually come together with other mechanics and are rarely seen as a primary mechanic of a spell or item.

Mechanics[]

Sven using 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 (known as buffs) are never removed. Vice versa, applying a dispel on an enemy unit only removes buffs, debuffs are not removed.

There are 3 different variations of dispel: basic dispel, strong dispel, and death.

Basic dispels are able to remove most basic stats altering effects like speed or damage bonuses or slows and silences. However, they are unable to remove most hard disables like stuns or Forced Movement.

Spell immunity may also apply a basic dispel, although not all of them do. Their dispel does not differ from that of basic dispels, in fact, they use the exact same mechanic. However, some abilities periodically check for spell immunity and get their effect removed if such is detected. Spells and effects which periodically check for spell immunity are Ghost Form, Deafening Blast's disarm, Ghost Walk's slow, Ghost Shroud, and Pounce.

Strong dispels are capable of removing everything a basic dispel can remove. On top of that, these can also remove many more status effects, including hard disables. Whether or not strong dispels can remove positive effects is unknown, since there is no source of strong dispel which can be applied on enemy units.

Death applies the ultimate dispel on units. It removes almost everything. Only a few effects are not dispelled by death.

Auras and permanent effects[]

Generally, all buffs and debuffs placed by auras are not removable with dispels. Their effects only disappear when getting out of range, their source disappears 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 immediately reapply their buffs/debuffs when it gets dispelled.

Sources of Dispel[]

Basic Dispels[]

¹ Affects buffs and debuffs alike, no matter who the targets or sources are.

² Applies dispel continuously over the entire duration.

³ Requires Aghanim's Shard.

⁴ Only available to level 3 archers.

⁵ Requires Aghanim's Scepter.

⁶ Requires talent to be chosen.

Spell Immunity with Dispel[]

¹ Requires Aghanim's Scepter

Strong Dispels[]

¹ Requires Aghanim's Shard.

² Requires a talent to be chosen.

³ Requires Aghanim's Scepter

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.

Removable buffs[]

As mentioned before, it is only possible to remove buffs from opposing units. Buffs cannot be removed from allies, regardless of the type of dispel, except by death. Due to this rule, and the fact that there are no strong dispels that can be cast on enemies, there is no way to determine which positive buffs are removable by strong dispels. As such, this interaction is excluded from the list.

A list of buffs which can or cannot be dispelled can be found here.

Removable debuffs[]

These are all debuffs placeable by units and items. Same rule applies here, debuffs can only be removed by allies of the affected units.

A list of debuffs which can or cannot be dispelled can be found here.