Skywrath Mage

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Skywrath Mage 21 + 2 13 + 0.8 25 + 4.1
Level 0 1 15 25 30 Health 200 620 1180 1820 2060 Health regen 0 2.1 4.9 8.1 9.3 Mana 75 375 1059 1695 1959 Mana regen 0 1.25 4.12 6.77 7.9 Armor -2 0.17 2.03 5.37 6.37 Att/sec 0.59 0.66 0.73 0.85 0.88 Damage 16‒26 41‒51 98‒108 151‒161 173‒183
Magic resistance 25% ▶️ Movement speed 325 ▶️ Attack speed 100 Turn rate 0.6 Vision range 1800/800 Attack range 625 Projectile speed 1000 Attack animation 0.4+0.78 Base attack time 1.7 Damage block 0 Collision size 24 Legs 2  Gib type Default

Dragonus, the Skywrath Mage, is a ranged intelligence hero equipped with tremendously powerful nukes, able to enhance magical damage and thus scales well into late game. However, he is a proverbial glass cannon; while he can bring superb amounts of damage, he is dangerously vulnerable and will most likely meet a swift end if the player isn't careful. Arcane Bolt is his main spell; its damage is based on his current Intelligence level. Concussive Shot blasts the nearest enemy hero, along with nearby units around the foe, slowing them down. The Ancient Seal marks the target with magic amplification and silence, leaving the target vulnerable to magic and unable to cast spells. Skywrath Mage's ultimate Mystic Flare is one of the most dangerous nukes in the game. Enemy heroes caught in this field will suffer massive damage. Its power is split equally among enemy heroes within its radius; if it is used on a single hero, it will deal its full damage potential. His spells are most effective when targeted on a lone hero and thus suffer decreased effectiveness when used on groups.

Bio

Dragonus, the Skywrath Mage

▶️ "Even on this fallen field, I dedicate my powers to the lofty Skywrath."

Lore:

A highly placed mage in the court of the Ghastly Eyrie, Dragonus lives a troubled existence. Sworn by birth to protect whoever sits within the Nest of Thorns, he hates the current Skywrath queen with all his soul. As a youth, high-born, he was a friend and companion to the eldest Skywrath princess, Shendelzare, first in line for the Nest. He had loved her warmly and unshakably, but as his studies took hold, his mind turned to arcane learning and the mastery of Skywrath sorcery.

Obsessed with matters aetherial, he missed the mundane signs of courtly treachery that hinted at a plot against Shendelzare, and lost his chance to foil it. When the court was shaken by a swift and violent coup, he emerged from his studies to discover his oldest and dearest friend had been lost to him. The Nest of Thorns now belonged to Shendelzare's ruthless younger sister, and Dragonus could do nothing. The magic of the Skywrath Mage serves only the sworn protector of the Skywrath scion, so to act against the Nest would render him helpless. He clings to his post, believing it to be the best hope of one day restoring his true love to her rightful place. Meanwhile, his secret is known only to the goddess Scree'auk, whose magic it was transformed Shendelzare from a crippled physical creature into an embodiment of pure vengeful energy.

While he dreams of restoring his beloved queen to the Ghastly Eyrie, he dreams even more desperately of restoring Shendelzare herself to a fully healed physical form. The duplicity of his role at court tortures him, for he is a noble and good-hearted creature; but the worst torture of all is imagining the hatred that Vengeful Spirit must hold in her heart for him.

Voice:

TJ Ramini (Responses)

Abilities

Arcane Bolt

▶️▶️QC

Ability
Target Unit

Affects
Enemies

Damage
Magical

Skywrath Mage launches a slow-moving bolt of arcane magic, dealing damage to an enemy unit based on Skywrath Mage's intelligence.

Cast Animation: 0.1+0.9

Cast Range: 875

Number of Targets: 1 ( 2) ( 2,  3)

Base Damage: 60/85/110/135

Intelligence Damage Factor: 1.4

 Secondary Targets Search Radius: 700 ( 700)

5/4/3/2

90

When Skywrath Mage casts Arcane Bolt, a different random target within 700 range willl be hit with the same ability. Heroes will take priority.

Does not pierce spell immunity.
Fully pierces spell immunity.

Blocked upon impact, as primary and secondary target.

Modifiers

modifier_projectile_vision: Undispellable. Persists death.

Within the Ghastly Eyrie's endless intrigue, only the clever and calm can hope to survive.

Notes:

• The bolt travels at a speed of 500.

• Every 25 intelligence grants 35 bonus damage.

• Checks Skywrath Mage's intelligence upon releasing the projectile.
  • This means that the projectile's damage is set upon launch and does not adapt when losing or gaining intelligence.
  • The projectile has a 325 radius flying vision. This vision does not linger.
  • Also provides the same vision at the target's location for 3.34 seconds upon successfully hitting it.

• With the level 15 talent, whenever Arcane Bolt is cast, 1 different random target within the search radius is also targeted.
  • A total of 2 Arcane Bolts is cast this way.
  • The search radius is centered around the primary target, not around Skywrath Mage.
  • Since it uses a defined radius and is not based on the cast range, it is not affected by cast range modifying abilities (e.g. Aether Lens).
  • Heroes and illusions have a higher priority than other units. Treats creep-heroes as creeps.
  • If no other valid targets are found within the search radius, the second Arcane Bolt is not cast.

• With Aghanim's Scepter, whenever Arcane Bolt is cast, another different random target within the search radius is also targeted.
  • Arcane Bolt's talent notes fully apply.
  • With the level 15 talent, a total of 1 different random targets within the search radius is also targeted, following the same rules.
    • A total of 3 Arcane Bolts is cast this way.

Concussive Shot

▶️▶️WT

Ability
No Target

Affects
Enemy Heroes

Damage
Magical

Skywrath Mage sets off a long range shot that hits the closest hero within a long range. Upon impact, it deals damage and slows in an area of effect.

Cast Animation: 0+1.03

Search Radius: 1600 ( Global)

Damage & Slow Radius: 250

Number of Targets: 1 ( 2)

Hero Damage: 100/160/220/280

Creep Damage Percentage: 75%

Move Speed Slow: 30%/35%/40%/45%

15/14/13/12

80/85/90/95

When Skywrath Mage casts Concussive Shot, a different random target within cast range will be hit with the same ability. Heroes will take priority.

Can launch the shot on spell immune units, but does not slow or damage them. Area effects are still applied.
Cannot target secondary spell immune units.

Disjointing the projectile causes it to completely fizzle.

Modifiers

modifier_projectile_vision: Undispellable. Persists death.

modifier_skywrath_mage_concussive_shot_slow: Dispellable with any dispel.

Those who serve the court of the Ghastly Eyrie are ever locked in covert war. One must always know where danger lurks nearest.

Notes:

• Concussive Shot interrupts Skywrath Mage's channeling abilities upon cast.

• Concussive Shot travels at a speed of 800.
  • The projectile has 300 radius flying vision. This vision does not linger.
  • Also provides the same vision at the target's location for 3.34 seconds upon successfully hitting it.

• Does not target invisible, invulnerable or hidden units or units in the Fog of War.
  • Does target Meepo Clones and Tempest Doubles.
  • When no visible heroes are nearby, the ability targets the closest creep instead.
  • The area damage and slow fully affect creeps and summons in range, dealing 75/120/165/210 damage to them.
  • The vision and targeting notes fully apply for the Global Concussive Shot talent.

• The shot first applies the damage, then the debuff.

• With Aghanim's Scepter, whenever Concussive Shot is cast, another different random target within the search radius is also targeted.
  • A total of 2 Concussive Shots is cast this way.
  • Unlike the primary projectile, the secondary projectile does not target spell immune, invulnerable or hidden units.
  • If no other valid targets are found within the search radius, the second Concussive Shot is not cast.

Ancient Seal

▶️ER

Ability
Target Unit

Affects
Enemies

Skywrath Mage seals the targeted unit with an ancient rune, silencing it and causing it to take additional damage from spells.

Cast Animation: 0.1+0.97

Cast Range: 700/750/800/850

Number of Targets: 1 ( 2)

Magic Resistance Reduction: 30%/35%/40%/45% ( 42%/47%/52%/57%)

Duration: 3/4/5/6

 Secondary Target Search Radius: 700

14 ( 6)

80/90/100/110

Anytime Skywrath Mage casts Ancient Seal, a different random target within 700 range will be affected by the same ability. Heroes will take priority.

Blocked only for the primary target.
Secondary target still gets hit.

Modifiers

modifier_skywrath_mage_ancient_seal: Dispellable with any dispel.

A holy incantation, whosoever finds themselves touched by Avilliva's sigil must suffer in penitent silence.

Notes:

• Silence and reduces most heroes' total magic resistance to 2%/-1%/-5%/-9% ( -7%/-10%/-14%/-18%).
  • The magic resistance reduction does not affect non-hero units.

• Successive casts on the same target do not stack, but refresh the duration instead.

• With Aghanim's Scepter, whenever Ancient Seal is cast, another different random target within the search radius is also targeted.
  • A total of 2 Ancient Seals is cast this way.
  • The search radius is centered around the primary target, not around Skywrath Mage.
  • Heroes and illusions have a higher priority than other units. Treats creep-heroes as creeps.
  • If no other valid targets are found within the search radius, the second Ancient Seal is not cast.

Mystic Flare

▶️▶️RE

Ability
Target Area

Affects
Enemies

Damage
Magical

Skywrath Mage uses his ultimate magical ability to conjure a precise and violent mystical field that lays waste to his adversaries. Deals massive damage distributed evenly among any Heroes in the area over seconds.

Cast Animation: 0.1+0

Cast Range: 1200

Flare Radius: 170

Number of Flares: 1 ( 2)

Total Damage: 750/1175/1600 ( 1200/1625/2050)

Flare Duration: 2.4

 Secondary Target Search Radius: 700

60/40/20

300/550/800

When Skywrath Mage casts Mystic Flare, another Mystic Flare will be created on the position of a different random target enemy within 700 range. Heroes will take priority

Modifiers

modifier_skywrath_mage_mystic_flare: Undispellable. Persists death.

modifier_skywrath_mystic_flare_aura_effect: Undispellable. Persists death.

Only the most practiced of Skywrath sorcerers could hope to shape the skies into such a storm.

Notes:

• Only heroes are affected.
  • The damage completely ignores illusions, clones and creep-heroes, or spell immune, invulnerable and hidden units.

• Deals damage in 0.1-second intervals, starting 0.1 seconds after ability cast, resulting in 24 damage instances.

• This is how much damage Mystic Flare deals when hitting a certain amount of units for the full duration (before reductions):
  • 1 Unit(s): 31.25/48.96/66.67 ( 50/67.71/85.42) per interval, and 750/1175/1600 ( 1200/1625/2050) total damage.
  • 2 Unit(s): 15.63/24.48/33.33 ( 25/33.85/42.71) per interval, and 375/587.5/800 ( 600/812.5/1025) total damage.
  • 3 Unit(s): 10.42/16.32/22.22 ( 16.67/22.57/28.47) per interval, and 250/391.67/533.33 ( 400/541.67/683.33) total damage.
  • 4 Unit(s): 7.81/12.24/16.67 ( 12.5/16.93/21.35) per interval, and 187.5/293.75/400 ( 300/406.25/512.5) total damage.
  • 5 Unit(s): 6.25/9.79/13.33 ( 10/13.54/17.08) per interval, and 150/235/320 ( 240/325/410) total damage.

• A hidden debuff is responsible for the particle effects on hit enemies. It has only visual purposes.
  • The debuff is placed by an aura, and lingers for 0.5 seconds.

• With Aghanim's Scepter, casting Mystic Flare automatically casts another Mystic Flare centered on a random enemy within the search radius but outside the 170 effect radius.
  • A total of 2 Mystic Flare is cast this way.
  • The search radius is centered around the targeted area, not around Skywrath Mage.
  • Heroes and illusions have a higher priority than other units. Treats creep-heroes as creeps.
  • Ignores spell immune or invulnerable units within the search radius.
  • If no other valid targets are found within the search radius, the second Mystic Flare is not cast.

Hero Shard Upgrade

Ability
Passive

Affects
Self

Every time you cast abilities you gain +5 Intelligence and +1 Armor for 35 seconds. Stacks independently.

Bonus Inteligence: 5

Bonus Armor: 1

Duration: 35

Modifiers

modifier_skywrath_shard_bonus_counter: Dispellable with death only.

Notes:

• Requires Aghanim's Shard to be unlocked.

• Each cast refreshes the duration of the whole stack while adding one to the stack counter.

• Abilities upgraded by talent or Aghanim's Scepter targeting multiple heroes grant one stack.

Talents

Hero Talents
+450 Mystic Flare Damage	25	Arcane Bolt Pierces Spell Immunity
+12% Ancient Seal Magic Resistance Reduction	20	Global Concussive Shot
+1 Arcane Bolt Per Cast	15	-8s Ancient Seal Cooldown
+10 Intelligence	10	+175 Health

Notes:

• The intelligence talent effectively grants Skywrath Mage 120 mana, 0.5 mana regeneration, and 10 attack damage.

• The health talent increases maximum health capacity, and keeps the current health percentage.

Recent Changes

Main Article: Skywrath Mage/Changelogs

Version

Description

7.29

• Increased base attack damage from 14-24 to 16-26.
• Increased turn rate from 0.5 to 0.6.
• Arcane Bolt
  • Increased base damage from 60/80/100/120 to 60/85/110/135.
  • Reduced intelligence as damage multiplier from 1.6 to 1.4.
• Reduced Concussive Shot cooldown 18/16/14/12 to 15/14/13/12.
• Reworked Aghanim's Shard upgrade:
  • Old: Causes Ancient Seal to apply 50% status resistance reduction on the target, and to expose them, revealing them through the Fog of War.
  • New: Every time Skywrath Mage casts an ability, he gains 5 intelligence and 1 armor for 35 seconds, stacks independently.
• Talents:

Level 10 right talent changed: +20 movement speed ➜ +175 health.

Level 25 left talent: +480 Mystic Flare total damage reduced to +450.

7.28b

• Aghanim's Shard upgrade:
  • Increased Ancient Seal status resistance reduction from 40% to 50%.

7.28

• Added Aghanim's Shard upgrade for Skywrath Mage:
  • Causes Ancient Seal to apply 40% status resistance reduction on the target, and to expose them, revealing them through the Fog of War.

Recommended Items

Starting items:

• Tango gives health sustain to Skywrath Mage and to lane mates who are constantly getting harassed by the enemy.
• Healing Salve restores health to Skywrath Mage and allies.
• Clarity ensure that you do not run out of mana while laning. Due to how spammable Arcane Bolt is, having the mana to use it consistently can allow you to harass and zone out your lane opponents.
• Iron Branch gives a helpful boost to all your attributes for a cheap price, and later build into a Magic Wand should you need one.

Early game:

• Arcane Boots should be purchased as quickly as possible, as they expand the size of Skywrath's mana pool and allow him to replenish a portion of it occasionally (as well as that of his allies).
• Magic Stick can instantly restore some of Skywrath's health and mana. The health replenishment is crucial given his very small health pool, while the mana replenishment can allow him to cast one or two more spells in an emergency.
• Null Talisman gives cheap stats and magic damage for a stronger early game; purchasing multiple Null Talismans is recommended for buffing Arcane Bolt.

Mid game:

• Magic Wand grants all the same benefits of Magic Stick, along with attributes and larger charge storage. If Skywrath is given low farm priority, building one of these is cheap and effective.
• Rod of Atos pads out Skywrath Mage's health and mana pools with Strength and Intelligence, and can root enemies inside Mystic Flare.
• Witch Blade gives him intelligence, armor and passive that synergies with Arcane Bolt and scales into the late game.
• Eul's Scepter of Divinity provides much-needed movement speed, Intelligence and mana regeneration, along with a defensive tool and a disable.

Late game:

• Aghanim's Scepter effectively doubles Skywrath Mage's damage output, making him much better versus multiple opponents.
• Scythe of Vyse grants a large bonus to Intelligence and mana regeneration, and the hard disable is great for setting up kills for both his spells and his allies.

Situational items:

• Ghost Scepter prevents Skywrath Mage from being targeted by physical attackers, and can upgrade into Ethereal Blade for a powerful nuke and damage-amplification ability with some spare gold.
• Force Staff can be used to reposition and set up spells or as an escape tool for both Skywrath Mage and his allies.
• Bloodstone greatly increases Skywrath Mage's health and mana pool and gives powerful mana regeneration, increasing his staying power in fights and keeping up with his high mana consumption.
• Shiva's Guard gives Skywrath Mage a large amount of intelligence as well as powerful survivability against physical damage, while Freezing Blast keeps enemies in range of his spells.
• Veil of Discord grants cheap stat bonuses and softens enemies up for Skywrath Mage to nuke down.
• Dagon synergizes with Skywrath Mage's ability to nuke down targets by giving him even more magic damage and increasing his intelligence, though the gold and mana cost can be an issue.
• Octarine Core greatly improves Skywrath Mage's survivability through Spell Lifesteal and raw HP, while letting him spam out more spells.
• Aether Lens fuels Skywrath Mage's spells with mana regeneration and extends his cast range, increasing his safety radius and letting him better follow up on Concussive Shot.
• Blink Dagger greatly increases Skywrath Mage's ability to position himself for casting his spells, allowing him to extend the range of his already long-reaching spells. It can allow him to get the drop on enemies and nuke them down with very little warning, or escape from pursuing enemies provided that he can activate it before taking player damage.
• Kaya increases Skywrath Mage's already considerable damage output and helps mitigate his exorbitant mana consumption. Can build into Yasha and Kaya for better mobility or Kaya and Sange for more survivability.

Gameplay

Roles:	Support Nuker Disabler
Complexity:	★☆☆
Playstyle:	Ensconced in his studies, Dragonus hardly noticed the treachery being plotted against his lover. By the time Shendelzare had fallen from grace, it was already too late. Bound to his courtly duties, Dragonus could only dream in secret of restoring his beloved to her rightful throne. Until then, he would sharpen his skills, blasting away at targets with Arcane Bolt and slowing them with Concussive Shot. Those who stand in his way would be muted by an Ancient Seal, exposing their vulnerability before the Skywrath Mage annihilates them in the storm of Mystic Flare.

Strategy & Tips

Counters &
Matchups

Audio

Responses

Sounds

History

Lore

Old Abilities

Changelogs

Equipment

Skywrath Mage Equipment (expand sets) Sets Bastion of the Lionsguard Beacon of Cerulean Light Blessing of the Crested Dawn Cloud Forged Battle Gear Set Complete Vigilance of the Manticore Divine Ascension Regalia of the Sol Guard Rune Forged Set Secrets of the Celestial The Arms of Retribution Set The Nightwatcher's Set Thornwatch Vigil of the Penitent Scholar Vigilance of the Manticore Weapon Aethereal Crescent Wand Argent Spear Empyrean Eye of the Eyrie Falcon's Rise Golden Empyrean Sceptre of the Throne Head Azure Shroud Headdress of the Protector Skywarrior's Countenance Wings Crimson Flight of Epiphany Flight of Epiphany Golden Flight of Epiphany Golden Wings of the Manticore Skywarrior's Wings Vengeancebound Wings Taunt Taunt: Chicken! Kinetic Gems Kinetic: Empyrean

Trivia

• In the start of Vengeful Spirit's lore, the Skywrath are stated as being hateful and vengeful, yet Dragonus carries none of these traits, and is instead mild-mannered and tempered.
• In DotA, Dragonus's hero model was a Dragonhawk Rider, a unit of the blood elves. Skywrath Mage and Invoker were related due to them both being blood elves. Blood elves are also a playable race in World of Warcraft.
• The Skywrath race did not exist in Warcraft universe; rather, it was created in the Dota 2 lore for Vengeful Spirit, and then grandfathered into DotA afterward. Skywrath Mage was one of the first heroes created in DotA following the opening of the beta for Dota 2.
• A silhouette of what appears to be Skywrath Mage can be seen in Bristleback's splash artwork, seemingly still having a beta model/texture.

Gallery

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  Splash artwork

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  Concept art

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  Concept art

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  Concept art

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  Hero icon progress