Untargetability is a mechanic that makes the unit untargetable.
Definition[]
| Mechanic | Definition | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Non-targetable |
|
Hitch A Ride |
| Misc Non-targetable |
|
 Smoke Screen
|
Unselectability[]
Unselectability makes the unit not selectable, and selectable only in a few cases. Most abilities/items treat unselectable units as if they were invisible, except in a few cases. Some sources of unselectability may remove a unit's selection box, grant attack immunity, and may prevent allies or enemies or both from targeting them.
Although Hide sources also cause the unit to be unselectable and non-targetable, they are considered a different mechanic.
Sources[]
The affected target is unselectable by the caster's enemies.
The affected target's hitbox is not removed.-
The affected ally hero is unselectable.
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The created illusion is unselectable.
The illusion is not attack immune. -
Dark Willow is unselectable by her enemies.
Her hitbox is not removed. -
Grants invulnerability and Ember Spirit is unselectable.
-
Grants invulnerability and Juggernaut is unselectable.
-
Grants invulnerability and Juggernaut is unselectable.
-
The created soldiers are invulnerable and unselectable by their allies and enemies.
-
Grants the affected ally hero invulnerability and they become unselectable.
-
When a unit is granted unselectability, any attack or ability targeting it by the group of units that it is untargetable against (e.g. enemies for Shadow Realm, allies for Smoke Screen, all units for other sources) which are already in its attack or cast animation get canceled. For example,
- A unit is being targeted by an enemy channeling Lua error in Module:Ability_ID at line 61: Could not find Cargo data for "Fiend's Grip". and an ally channeling Life Drain. Another ally casting Book of Shadows on this unit will cancel the channeling Lua error in Module:Ability_ID at line 61: Could not find Cargo data for "Fiend's Grip". but not Life Drain.
Bypassing Unselectability[]
Directly Unit-Targeting[]
Target unit abilities require the caster to directly target a unit, and cannot be used on the ground. While most unit targeting abilities cannot target unselectable units, there are a few particular exceptions.
Spell Reflection sources, and abilities with an 
instant cast time that does not require facing the target while casting, can fully target unselectability from Book of Shadows, Shadow Realm and Smoke Screen.
- 1 Requires Talent.
- 2a Requires Aghanim's Scepter.
- 2b Requires Aghanim's Shard.
- 3 While channeling another ability/item.
- 4 While channeling Sinister Gaze.
Secondary Targets[]
Additionally, most abilities also treat unselectable units as if they were invisible. Generally, abilities that do or do not affect invisible units also do and do not affect unselectable units respectively. For example, Paralyzing Cask neither bounces to invisible units nor unselectable units; Lua error in Module:Ability_ID at line 61: Could not find Cargo data for "Thundergod's Wrath". neither strikes invisible units nor unselectable units.
However, the following abilities interact differently with unselectable units:
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Visually launch projectiles to both invisible and unselectable units, but the projectiles against invisible units are instantly disjointed. Fully affects unselectable units.
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Burst damage hit unselectable units from Book of Shadows and Shadow Realm while not affecting invisible units.
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Affect unselectable units while not affecting invisible units.
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Fully affect invisible units. However, it does not damage or slow unselectable units.
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Fully affect unselectable units from Book of Shadows and Shadow Realm while not affecting invisible units.
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The lesser Bushwhack affect unselectable units from Book of Shadows and Shadow Realm while not affecting invisible units.
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Bounce to unselectable units from Book of Shadows and Shadow Realm while do not bounce to invisible units.
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Bounce to unselectable units from Book of Shadows and Shadow Realm while do not bounce to invisible units.
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Secondary projectile can target unselectable units from Book of Shadows and Shadow Realm but not invisible units.
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Visually launch projectiles to both invisible and unselectable units, but the projectiles against invisible units are instantly disjointed. Fully affects unselectable units.
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When current charge target dies, can change target to a nearby unselectable unit from Book of Shadows and Shadow Realm but not invisible units.
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Partially affects unselectable units.
The Tombstone does not spawn Undying Zombies to attack nearby unselectable units as well as invisible units. But the zombies spawned do not die when the attacked unit is granted unselectability. -
Bounce to unselectable units from Book of Shadows and Shadow Realm while do not bounce to invisible units.
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The Beetles fully latch on unselectable units and applies its first damage instance and the armor reduction debuff then dies after 0.13 seconds.
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Visually launch Splinter Blast projectiles to both invisible and unselectable units, but the projectiles against invisible units are instantly disjointed. Fully affects unselectable units.
Note: This is unlike the normal Splinter Blast projectiles released from a Splinter Blast cast, which will consistently hit both invisible and untargetable unit.
