IntelligenceSince you last played
Heavily adjusted162 lines of changes across 50 patches, condensed below to the ones that still matter.
33 buffs and 39 nerfs in total: roughly even.
Biggest ability changes
- ▲Chaotic Offering Cooldown increased from 160s to 165sadjusted 19 times across 14 patches, net buff
- ▲Shadow Word Effect Radius decreased from 300 to 225adjusted 19 times across 11 patches, net buff
- ◆Upheaval Cooldown decreased from 60/50/40/30s to 45/40/35/30sadjusted 21 times across 12 patches, roughly even
- ▼Eldritch Summoning Same values as before, but explicitly stated nowadjusted 10 times across 5 patches, net nerf
- ▼Fatal Bonds No longer applies to enemies in Fog of War (once applied, damage still hits enemies in FoW)adjusted 20 times across 12 patches, net nerf
- ▼Rain Of Chaos Info Duration decreased as a part of the comprehensive Disables Reduction
Innate
- ◆Eldritch Summoning Aghanim's Shard improves values by 1 leveladjusted 4 times across 1 patch, roughly even
Aghanim’s upgrades
- ▲Scepter Aghanim's Scepter Golems no longer have reduced Health or Bountychanged 8 times, latest shown
- ▼Shard Aghanim's Shard now increases health of minor imps by 80 and explosion damage by 45changed 8 times, latest shown
Base stats
- ▼Strength gain decreased from 2.8 to 2.4adjusted 2 times across 2 patches, net nerf
- ◆Base Attack Speed increased from 90 to 95adjusted 2 times across 2 patches, roughly even
- ◆Base strength reduced from 26 to 24adjusted 2 times across 2 patches, roughly even
- ▼Base Strength decreased from 24 to 22
- ▲Damage at level 1 increased from 49-59 to 52-62
- ▲Movement speed increased from 290 to 300
- ▲Base intelligence increased by 3
- ▲Base damage increased by 3
Talents changed
- ◆Lv10 talent Upheaval Radius decreased from +65 to +50
- ◆Lv15 talent Upheaval Attack Speed per second on Allies decreased from +10 to +8
- ◆Lv20 talent Upheaval Damage increased from +40 to +45
- ◆Lv25 talent Fatal Bonds Targets increased from +4 to +5
Facets were part of the game from 7.36 and were removed in 7.41. Warlock had 6 facet changes in between.
Most recent change patch 7.41f, Sep 2026
- ▲Base stats Base Attack Speed increased from 90 to 95
Current abilities
Fatal BondsBinds several visible enemy units together, causing a percentage of the damage dealt to one of them to be felt by the others.
Shadow WordWarlock whispers an incantation, casting a spell on a unit that makes it deal damage to nearby enemy units and heal nearby ally units. Target Unit will also heal or be damaged depending on whether they are ally or enemy.
UpheavalCHANNELED - A powerful slowing and damaging current that grows stronger as it's channeled. Lasts up to 10 seconds. Enemies are slowed for 1 second after leaving the area or the spell ends.- ESEldritch Summoning innateWhenever an enemy unit dies while afflicted by one or more of Warlock's abilities, a minor imp is summoned that lasts for 15 seconds and explodes on death. Imps will automatically seek out nearby units, favoring fatally bonded heroes, and will explode when reaching their prey.
Chaotic OfferingSummons a Golem from the depths, stunning enemies for 0.8 seconds. The Golem lives 60 seconds, takes reduced damage from spells, has increased Slow Resistance, has Permanent Immolation and Flaming Fists on attack.
What players buy on Warlock
Starting items
- Magic Stick 200g
Early game
Restores mana for you and nearby allies, which suits a support who casts a lot
Mid game
- Glimmer Cape 2150g
Makes an ally hard to hit and shields magic damage
- Solar Crest 2575g
Armor shred on an enemy, or a speed-up for an ally
Late game
- Aghanim's Scepter 4200g
- Force Staff 2200g
Pushes you or an ally out of trouble or into reach
- Refresher Orb 5000g
Casts the strongest spell twice
- Boots of Travel 2500g
- Aeon Disk 3000g
Saves the hero from burst damage once per fight
- Vladmir's Offering 2200g
Most bought first, from item purchases in recent professional matches (OpenDota, Nov 2026). Public games can differ.