IntelligenceSince you last played
Heavily adjusted171 lines of changes across 50 patches, condensed below to the ones that still matter.
61 buffs and 43 nerfs in total: roughly even.
Biggest ability changes
- ▼Static Field Damage changed from 2.5/3/3.5/4% to 3.45% + 0.05% per leveladjusted 12 times across 10 patches, net nerf
- ▲Lightning Bolt Vision and True Sight radius increased from 500 to 600adjusted 16 times across 14 patches, net buff
- ◆Heavenly Jump Leap Distance increased from 300/400/500/600 to 375/450/525/600adjusted 14 times across 8 patches, roughly even
- ▼Lightning Hands Bonus Attack Speed decreased from 30 to 20adjusted 8 times across 5 patches, net nerf
- ▲Arc Lightning Base Damage increased from 90/120/150/180 to 105/130/155/180adjusted 17 times across 12 patches, net buff
- ▲Thundergod's Wrath Damage decreased from 300/475/650 to 275/425/575adjusted 17 times across 11 patches, net buff
- ▼Nimbus Damage source changed from Nimbus to the casteradjusted 9 times across 6 patches, net nerf
- ◆Thundergods Wrath Info It used to simply reveal invisible heroes without dealing damage to them. Now it will work similarly to Lightning Bolt, dealing damage even to units affected by Smoke of Deceit, Dark Willow's Shadow Realm, Phantom Assassin's Blur, Slark's Shadow Dance or Depth Shroud, etc.
Innate
- ◆Static Field Works once per action, so Lightning Hands will deal damage once for all affected units, and won't affect the attack target twiceadjusted 3 times across 1 patch, roughly even
Aghanim’s upgrades
- ▲Shard New passive ability granted by Aghanim's Shardchanged 5 times, latest shown
Base stats
- ▲Attack point improved from 0.45 to 0.35adjusted 2 times across 2 patches, net buff
- ▼Base mana regen reduced from 0.25 to 0
- ▲Base damage decreased by 4adjusted 3 times across 3 patches, net buff
- ▼Strength gain reduced from 2.3 to 2.1adjusted 2 times across 2 patches, net nerf
- ◆Damage at level 1 increased from 52–60 to 53–63adjusted 2 times across 2 patches, roughly even
- ▲Base intelligence increased from 22 to 23adjusted 2 times across 2 patches, net buff
- ▲Movement speed increased from 310 to 315adjusted 2 times across 2 patches, net buff
- ▲Base armor increased by 1adjusted 2 times across 2 patches, net buff
- ▲Damage spread increased from 8 to 10
- ▼Base strength reduced from 21 to 19
- ▲Base Strength increased from 19 to 21
- ▲Attack range increased from 350 to 380
- ▲Intelligence increased from 20 + 3.1 to 21 + 3.3
- ▼Base Movement Speed decreased from 315 to 305
- ▲Base movement speed increased from 295 to 300
- ▲Base Damage increased by 1–3
- ▼Base Armor decreased by 1
Talents changed
- ◆Lv10 talent +1.75 Mana Regen replaced with +1 Heavenly Jump Target
- ◆Lv15 talent -0.4s Arc Lightning Cooldown replaced with -20% Arc Lightning Mana Cost/Cooldown
- ◆Lv20 talent +6% Arc Lightning Current Health As Damage replaced with +60 Arc Lightning Damage
- ◆Lv25 talent +2% Static Field Damage replaced with 3 Heavenly Jump Charges
- ◆Talent Level 15 +1.2% Static Field Damage replaced with +1 Heavenly Jump Target
Facets were part of the game from 7.36 and were removed in 7.41. Zeus had 8 facet changes in between.
Most recent change patch 7.41e, Jul 2026
- ▼Lightning Hands Bonus Attack Speed decreased from 30 to 20
- ▼Thundergod's Wrath Damage decreased from 300/475/650 to 275/425/575
- ▼Lightning Hands Toggling on/off no longer breaks invisibility and can be done while silenced
Current abilities
Arc LightningHurls a bolt of lightning that leaps through nearby enemy units that deal damage.
Lightning BoltCalls down a bolt of lightning to strike an enemy unit, causing damage and a mini-stun. When cast, Lightning Bolt briefly provides unobstructed vision and True Sight around the target in a 600 radius. Can be cast on the ground, affecting the closest enemy hero in 325 range.
Heavenly JumpZeus performs a Heavenly Jump, leaping forward and shocking the closest visible nearby enemy (prioritizing heroes), dealing damage as well as reducing their movement and attack speed. Zeus gets 900 unobstructed vision around him for 3 seconds.
NimbusCreates a storm cloud anywhere on the map that automatically casts Lightning Bolt on nearby enemies.
Lightning HandsZeus gains bonus attack speed and his attacks create Arc Lightnings that deal a percentage of its damage. Can be toggled off to stop this effect.
Thundergod's WrathStrikes all enemy heroes with a bolt of lightning, dealing damage no matter where they may be. Provides True Sight around each hero before they are struck.
Static Field innateZeus shocks any enemy that he attacks or is hit by his abilities, causing damage equal to a percentage of their current health.
What players buy on Zeus
Early game
Mana for casting, or a stat switch if mana is not a problem
- Null Talisman 505g
Mid game
- Aghanim's Scepter 4200g
- Kaya 2100g
Cheaper spells and extra spell damage
Late game
- Refresher Orb 5000g
Casts the strongest spell twice
- Divine Rapier 5600g
- Octarine Core 5100g
Cooldown reduction so strong spells come back sooner
- Yasha and Kaya 4200g
Most bought first, from item purchases in recent professional matches (OpenDota, Nov 2026). Public games can differ.