StrengthSince you last played
Heavily adjusted128 lines of changes across 38 patches, condensed below to the ones that still matter.
33 buffs and 27 nerfs in total: roughly even.
Biggest ability changes
- ◆Viscous Nasal Goo Used to have double duration on creepsadjusted 17 times across 14 patches, roughly even
- ▼Warpath Damage per stack decreased from 15/20/25 to 12/16/20adjusted 16 times across 10 patches, net nerf
- ▼Hairball Cooldown increased from 13s to 15sadjusted 11 times across 6 patches, net nerf
- ◆Quill Spray Added an auto-cast. Right-click the ability to make Bristleback automatically cast it whenever it's possibleadjusted 5 times across 4 patches, roughly even
- ▲Bristleback Quill Sprays that were released by the ability now deal damage that is classified as reflection damageadjusted 9 times across 8 patches, net buff
- ◆Prickly Damage and debuff duration amplification changed from 10% to 4.5% + 0.5% per leveladjusted 3 times across 2 patches, roughly even
Innate
- ▲Warpath Max Stacks rescaled from 8/10/12 to 4/8/10/12adjusted 5 times across 1 patch, net buff
Aghanim’s upgrades
- ▼Scepter Aghanim's Scepter Mana Cost increased from 100 to 125changed 12 times, latest shown
- ▼Shard Aghanim's Shard no longer increases Stack Limitchanged 3 times, latest shown
Base stats
- ▲Strength gain increased from 2.7 to 2.8adjusted 5 times across 5 patches, net buff
- ▲Base Mana Regen increased from 0.25 to 0.4
- ▲Base Health Regen increased from 0.25 to 1
- ◆Base damage changed from 47-57 to 52-58adjusted 3 times across 3 patches, roughly even
- ▲Base Damage increased by 6adjusted 3 times across 3 patches, net buff
- ▲Base movement speed increased from 290 to 295
- ▲Base armor increased by 1
- ▲Base mana regen increased from 0 to 0.25
Talents changed
- ◆Lv10 talent +20 Damage replaced with +25 Attack Speed
- ◆Lv15 talent Goo Cast Range increased from +150 to +250
- ◆Lv20 talent Quill Spray Stack Damage decreased from +25 to +20
- ◆Lv25 talent Bristleback Damage Threshold Reduction increased from 25 to 30
- ◆Talent changed from +20 move speed to +15 damage
Facets were part of the game from 7.36 and were removed in 7.41. Bristleback had 11 facet changes in between.
Most recent change patch 7.41c, May 2026
- ▼Warpath Damage per stack decreased from 15/20/25 to 12/16/20
- ▼Hairball Cooldown increased from 13s to 15s
- ▲Lv25 talent Level 25 Talent Bristleback Damage Threshold Reduction increased from 25 to 30
Current abilities
Viscous Nasal GooCovers a target in snot, causing it to have reduced armor and movement speed for 5 seconds. Multiple casts stack and refresh the duration.
Quill SpraySprays enemy units with quills dealing damage in an area of effect around Bristleback. Deals bonus damage for every time a unit was hit by Quill Spray in the last 14 seconds.
BristlebackBristleback takes less damage if hit on the sides or rear. If Bristleback takes enough damage from the rear, he releases a Quill Spray of the current level.
HairballCoughs a quill-packed hairball towards the target location. Erupts at the location, hitting enemies with Viscous Nasal Goo stacks and Quill Spray.
WarpathBristleback works himself up into a fury every time he casts a spell, increasing his movement speed and damage.- PRPrickly innateBristleback has bonus damage and debuff duration amp against enemy heroes that are behind him.
What players buy on Bristleback
Starting items
- Circlet 155g
- Magic Stick 200g
Early game
- Bracer 505g
- Power Treads 1400g
Speed to get into fights quickly, plus attack damage while laning
- Soul Ring 805g
- Null Talisman 505g
- Perseverance 1400g
- Vanguard 1700g
Health and damage block that lets a tank survive the early game
Mid game
- Lotus Orb 3850g
- Sange and Yasha 4200g
- Blade Mail 2400g
Returns damage against enemies who focus you
Late game
- Heart of Tarrasque 5300g
A big health pool and regeneration, which suits a Strength frontliner
Debuff immunity, to act in a fight without being disabled
- Assault Cuirass 5125g
An armor aura for your side and an armor cut on enemies
- Aghanim's Scepter 4200g
- Linken's Sphere 4800g
- Skull Basher 2875g
Most bought first, from item purchases in recent professional matches (OpenDota, Nov 2026). Public games can differ.