Skywrath Mage
Hero
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13 + 0.8
25 + 4.1
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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.
Contents
Bio[edit]
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 whomever 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.Abilities[edit]
Arcane Bolt
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
Secondary Targets Search Radius: 0 (
700) (
700)
700) ( 700)Number of Targets: 1 ( 2) ( 2, 3)
2) ( 2, 3)Base Damage: 60/80/100/120
Intelligence as Bonus Damage: 160%
5/
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.
Blocked upon impact, as primary and secondary target.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.
- Checks Skywrath'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.
- This is how much damage Arcane Bolt deals with a certain amount of intelligence including spell amplification (before reductions):
- 25 Intelligence (Level 1): 102/122/142/163 damage
- 45 Intelligence (Level 6): 136/157/177/198 damage
- 70 Intelligence (Level 12): 180/201/222/243 damage
- 94 Intelligence (Level 18): 224/246/267/288 damage
- 123 Intelligence (Level 25): 279/301/322/344 damage
- 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 Aghanim's Scepter, whenever Arcane Bolt is cast, a different random target within the search radius is also targeted by a second Arcane Bolt.
- 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.
- The talent adds a third target to this, following the same rules.
Concussive Shot
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)
Global)Secondary Target Search Radius: 0 ( 700, Global)
700, Global)Damage & Slow Radius: 250
Number of Targets: 1 ( 2)
2)Hero Damage: 100/160/220/280
Creep Damage Percentage: 75%
Move Speed Slow: 30%/35%/40%/45%
Slow Duration: 4
18/ 80/ 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
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 spells upon cast.
- Concussive Shot travels at a speed of 800.
- 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 spell 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 shot first applies the damage, then the debuff.
- 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.
- With Aghanim's Scepter, whenever Concussive Shot is cast, a different random target within the search radius is also targeted by a second Concussive Shot.
- The search radius is centered around the primary target, not around Skywrath Mage.
- Unlike the primary projectile, the secondary projectile does not target spell immune or invulnerable units.
Ancient Seal
Ability
Target Unit
Target Unit
Affects
Enemies
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: 750
Secondary Target Search Radius: 0 ( 700)
700)Number of Targets: 1 ( 2)
2)Magic Resistance Reduction: 30%/35%/40%/45% ( 45%/50%/55%/60%)
45%/50%/55%/60%)Duration: 3/4/5/6
14 ( 6) 80/ Anytime Skywrath Mage casts Ancient Seal, a different random target within 700 range will be affected by the same ability. Heroes will take priority.
When upgraded, blocked only for the primary target. Secondary target still gets hit.Modifiers
Ancient Seal: Dispellable with any dispel.A holy incantation, whosoever finds themselves touched by Avilliva's sigil must suffer in penitent silence.
Notes:
- Applies a silence.
- Reduces most heroes' total magic resistance to 2%/-1%/-5%/-9% ( -9%/-13%/-16%/-20%), assuming basic 25% magic resistance and no other sources of magic resistance.
- 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, a different random target within the search radius is also targeted.
- 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.
Mystic Flare
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 2.4 seconds.
Cast Animation: 0.1+0
Cast Range: 1200
Secondary Target Search Radius: 0 ( 700)
700)Flare Radius: 170
Number of Flares: 1 ( 2)
2)Total Damage: 750/1175/1600 ( 1350/1775/2200)
1350/1775/2200)Flare Duration: 2.4
60/ 300/ 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 priorityModifiers
Mystic Flare Effect: Undispellable.Only the most practiced of Skywrath sorcerers could hope to shape the skies into such a storm.
Notes:
- Despite the visual effects, illusions and creep-heroes are fully ignored.
- If enemy heroes are within the radius, only the heroes are affected.
- Completely ignores spell immune, invulnerable or hidden units, so that they do not soak up damage.
- Deals damage in 0.1 second intervals, starting 0.1 second after spell 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 Hero: 31.25/48.96/66.67 ( 56.25/73.96/91.67) per interval, 750/1175/1600 ( 1350/1775/2200) total
- 2 Heroes: 15.63/24.48/33.33 ( 28.13/36.98/45.83) per interval, 375/587.5/800 ( 675/887.5/1100) total
- 3 Heroes: 10.42/16.32/22.22 ( 18.75/24.65/30.56) per interval, 250/391.67/533.33 ( 450/591.67/733.33) total
- 4 Heroes: 7.81/12.24/16.67 ( 14.06/18.49/22.92) per interval, 187.5/293.75/400 ( 337.5/443.75/550) total
- 5 Heroes: 6.25/9.79/13.33 ( 11.25/14.79/18.33) per interval, 150/235/320 ( 270/355/440) total
- 1 Hero: 31.25/48.96/66.67 (
- The Mystic Flare Effect 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.
- Skywrath Mage's Aghanim's Scepter upgrade does not require Mystic Flare to be learned. It works for each of his abilities individually.
- With Aghanim's Scepter, casting Mystic Flare automatically casts a second Mystic Flare centered on a random enemy within the search radius but outside the 170 effect radius.
- 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.
Talents[edit]
| Hero Talents | ||
|---|---|---|
| +600 Mystic Flare Damage | 25 | +300 Gold/Min |
| +15% Ancient Seal Magic Resistance Reduction | 20 | Global Concussive Shot |
| +1 Arcane Bolt Per Cast | 15 | -8s Ancient Seal Cooldown |
| +30% XP Gain | 10 | +20 Movement Speed |
Notes:
- Gold granted from the talent is unreliable gold.
Recommended items[edit]
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.
- Eul's Scepter of Divinity provides much-needed movement speed, Intelligence and mana regeneration, along with a defensive tool and a disable.
- Rod of Atos pads out Skywrath Mage's health and mana pools with Strength and Intelligence, and can root enemies inside Mystic Flare.
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[edit]
| 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. |
Audio[edit]
History[edit]
Equipment[edit]
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Trivia[edit]
- 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.[1]
- 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[edit]
Splash artwork
Concept art
Concept art
Concept art
Hero icon progress
References[edit]
