Warlock

Warlock's Golem
Ancient Creep-Hero
Level	1
Duration	1
Health	1000/2000/3000 ( 750/1500/2250, 750/1500/2250)
Health regeneration	25/50/75
Armor	6/9/12 ( 31/34/37)
Magic resistance	33% ( 100%)
Status resistance	0%
Attack damage	90/140/190‒110/160/210 ( 70/105/140‒80/115/160)
Acquisition range	500
Attack range	225
Base attack time	1.2
Attack animation	0.26+0.57
Movement speed	320/340/360
Follow range	100
Turn rate	0.5
Collision size	24
Vision range	1800 (G)
Bounty	100/150/200 ( 50/75/100)
Experience	98
Model scale	0.9
Abilities	Flaming Fists; Permanent Immolation;
Notes	Spell Immunity is bound to a talent

Warlock 26 + 3 10 + 1 25 + 3.1
Movement speed	290
Attack speed	100
Turn rate	0.5
Vision range	1800/800
Attack range	600
Projectile speed	1200
Attack animation	0.3+0.3
Base attack time	1.7
Damage block	0
Collision size	24
Legs	2
Gib type	Default

Hero

Strategy

Demnok Lannik, the Warlock, is a ranged intelligence hero who possesses many powerful teamfight spells capable of inflicting chaos upon the enemy team. Shadow Word is a highly versatile spell, as it allows him to support allies by healing them or harass enemies by dealing damage over time, giving him strong lane presence. Beyond the early game, Warlock can turn any teamfight in his team's favor as his other spells are strong when unleashed against multiple enemies. Fatal Bonds causes all enemies linked together to take bonus damage when one of their number takes damage, magnifying the strength of area-of-effect spells, while Upheaval can allow him to greatly slow any enemies caught in the radius of the spell, making it harder for them to maneuver in fights or escape. His ultimate, Chaotic Offering, summons a Golem after stunning all enemies in a wide area, allowing him to throw them into disarray. While unassuming and weak by himself, Warlock is a dangerous threat in any teamfight as his spells allow him to turn the enemies' numbers against them and sow chaos amongst their ranks.

Bio[edit]

Demnok Lannik, the Warlock

▶️ "Chaos comes at my command!"

Lore:

As Chief Curator and Head of Acquisitions for the Arcane Archives of the Ultimyr Academy, Demnok Lannik was tireless in his pursuit of lost, rare and forbidden tomes. No cursed temple was so foreboding, no cavern path so treacherous, that any concern for his own survival could dissuade him from entering if rumors hinted that some pamphlet of primordial lore might still survive in its depths. However, so often did his investigations trigger the wrath of protector entities, that he finally found it necessary to master the arts of magic. He bent himself to learning sorcery with the same thorough obsessiveness that marked his quest for incunabula, becoming the most powerful Warlock of the Academy in less time than most practitioners required to complete a course of undergraduate work. Almost as an afterthought, he carved a staff of Dreadwood and summoned into it a captive spirit from the Outer Hells. And anticipating the day when he will have recovered every last lost spellbook, he has commenced writing his own Black Grimoire. It will undoubtedly be instructive.

Voice:

Sam A. Mowry (Responses)

Abilities[edit]

Fatal Bonds

▶️

Ability
Target Unit

Affects
Enemies

Binds several enemy units together, causing a percentage of the damage dealt to one of them to be felt by the others.

Cast Animation: +

Cast Range: 1000 (

1150)

Bounce Distance: 700

Number of Bounces: 6

Damage Shared: 12%/16%/20%/24% (

16%/20%/24%/28%)

Bonds Duration: 25

36/30/24/18

140

Cannot be cast on spell immune enemies. Does not bind spell immune enemies. Damages bond enemies if debuff was placed before spell immunity (magical damage gets reduced to 0).

Blocked fully only when primary target.

Modifiers

Fatal Bonds: Dispellable with any dispel.

An ancient incantation that links the vital energies of multiple lifeforms into one collective body.

Notes:

Fatal Bonds has no bounce delay, so all targets are bound at the same time.

The binding prioritises units that do not have the Fatal Bonds debuff yet, and goes for the closest units.
- This means when cast multiple times, it goes for enemies which were not debuffed by the first cast, but can still stack on the same units if no unbound units are nearby.

Can bind units inside the fog of war, but cannot bind invisible units.

Cannot bind or be cast on Roshan.

Shared damage is the same damage type as the source of the damage.
- This means physical damage is spread as physical damage, magical damage as magical and pure damage as pure.
- Because of that, the shared damage does interact with every on-damage effect like disabling Blink Dagger.
- This also means it is fully affected by damage manipulation, like Warlock's spell damage amplification.

Fatal Bonds' damage has the no-reflection flag, preventing its damage from interacting with other sources of damage with the same flag.

Spreads the damage before it is reduced or amplified in any way on the receiving target.
- When, for example, Abaddon gets damaged while under the effect of Borrowed Time, the bonds still spread the damage, before Borrowed Time turns it into heals.
- This also goes for illusions. When damaging a bonded illusion, the damage is spread before it gets amplified for the illusions.
- This also goes for finishing blows. When, for example, a unit at 10 health is hit by e.g. 1000 damage, the bonds still spread based on the 1000 damage.

Only spreads the 3 damage types. Does not spread HP Removal.

The distance between the bonded units does not matter. Once bonded, they always spread or receive the spread damage.

The spread damage is always sourced to Warlock. If a unit dies to the damage done by Fatal Bonds, Warlock is always credited.

The damage caused by Fatal Bonds does not cause aggro. Bonded neutral creeps do not react on the damage.

Increases the total damage output of every damage by 60%/80%/100%/120% ( 80%/100%/120%/140%) when the maximum amount of units is bonded.

Successive casts of Fatal Bonds fully stack and work independently from each other.

Shadow Word

▶️

Ability
Target Unit
(

Target Area)

Affects
Enemies / Allies

Damage
Magical

Warlock whispers an incantation, healing a friendly unit or damaging an enemy unit over time.

Cast Animation: +

Cast Range: 450/550/650/750 (

600/700/800/900)

Radius: 0 (

300)

Damage per Second: 15/25/35/45

Heal per Second: 15/25/35/45

Duration: 12

14 (

7)

120/130/140/150

Can be cast on spell immune allies.
Cannot be cast on spell immune enemies. Attempts to damage if debuff was placed before spell immunity and when not dispelled.

Blocked as a single-target spell. Not blocked when turned into an AoE spell.

Modifiers

Shadow Word: Dispellable with any dispel.

Warlock arcane arts have a myriad of uses, allowing them to be powerful friendly enchantments or damaging curses.

Notes:

Deals damage or heals in 1 second intervals, starting 1 second after cast, resulting in 12 instances.

Can deal up to 180/300/420/540 damage to the target (before reductions), or heal for the same amount if cast on an ally.

Successive casts of Shadow Word fully stack and work independently from each other.

Can be cast on allied couriers.

The first sound is played when the target is an ally, the second sound when it is an enemy.

The talent turns Shadow Word into an area-targeted spell, so that it cannot directly target units anymore.

Upheaval

▶️

Ability
Target Area / Channeled

Affects
Enemies

A powerful slowing current that grows stronger as it's channelled. Lasts up to 16 seconds. Enemies are slowed for 3 seconds after leaving the area or the spell ends.

Cast Animation: +

Cast Range: 1200 (

1350)

Radius: 650

Max Channel Time: 16

Move Speed Slow per Second: 7%/14%/21%/28%

Move Speed Slow Cap: 84%

Slow Duration: 3

50/46/42/38

70/90/110/130

Slow persists if debuff was placed before spell immunity and when not dispelled.

Modifiers

Upheaval: Dispellable with any dispel.

Demnok manipulates space-time, impairing entire armies.

Notes:

The strength of the slow is based on the channel duration, not on how long a unit stands in the affected area.

The slow percentage increases by 3.5%/7%/10.5%/14% in 0.5 second intervals, starting 0.5 seconds after spell cast.

So it takes 12/6/4/3 seconds for the slow to reach the 84% slow cap.

The slow debuff is applied or refreshed in the same intervals.

Chaotic Offering

▶️

Ability
Target Area

Affects
Enemies

Summons a Golem from the depths, stunning enemies for one second. The Golem lives 60 seconds, takes reduced damage from spells, has Permanent Immolation and Flaming Fists on attack.

Cast Animation: +

Cast Range: 1200 (

1350)

Stun Radius: 600

Effect Delay: 0.5

Number of Golems: 1 (

2)

Golem Spawn Interval: 0 (

0.4)

Stun Duration: 1

Golem Duration: 60

170

250/375/500

Calls 2 golems with reduced stats and bounty.

Modifiers

Stunned: Dispellable with strong dispels.

Demnok unleashes the captive spirit in his Dreadwood staff, causing destruction in enemy ranks.

Notes:

Golems are always summoned at the center of the targeted area.

The golems are creep-heroes and ancient creeps, making them interact differently with several spells. For detailed interactions follow the two links.

Aghanim's Scepter upgraded Chaotic Offering summons the second golem 0.4 seconds after the first golem.
- This effectively extends the total stun duration to 1.4 seconds.

Upon spawning, the golems destroy all trees within a 600 radius around them.

The visual effect and sounds during the effect delay are visible and audible to everyone.

Also plays a sound effect during the cast time, which is audible to everyone as well.

When the level 20 talent is chosen, one golem is summoned whenever Warlock dies, on his death location.
- This golem's stats are based on the current level of Chaotic Offering. The level 25 talents are applied as well, whichever is chosen.
- Aghanim's Scepter neither affects the golem's stats, nor does it make death summon 2 golems. It is always one golem.
- The golem is not summoned when Warlock dies while holding the Aegis of the Immortal.
- Unlike a regular cast, the golem is summoned instantly upon Warlock's death. The area stun of Chaotic Offering is also applied around Warlock.

When the level 25 talent for it is chosen, the golems are summoned with permanent spell immunity.

Warlock's Golem[edit]

Flaming Fists

Ability
Passive

Affects
Enemies

Deals extra damage to nearby units when attacking.

Radius: 300

Damage: 40/50/60

Notes:

Does not trigger on buildings and wards.

Does not damage ethereal and attack immune units.

The radius is centered around the attacked target.

The damage hits the attack target as well, not only nearby units.

Permanent Immolation

Ability
Aura

Affects
Enemies

Burns the Golem's nearby enemy units, with damage per second.

Radius: 300

Damage per Second: 30/50/70

Aura Linger Duration: 0.5

Attempts to damage if debuff was placed before spell immunity and when not dispelled.

Modifiers

Warlock Golem Permanent Immolation Debuff: Undispellable.

Notes:

Permanent Immolation is an aura. The debuff lingers for 0.5 seconds.

Deals damage in 1 second intervals, starting 1 second after the debuff is placed.

Can deal up to 1800/3000/4200 damage to a single unit (before reductions) when it stays within range for its whole duration.

Permanent Immolation of multiple golems fully stacks with each other.

Talents[edit]

Hero Talents
100% Magic Resistance for Chaotic Offering Golems	25	+25 Chaotic Offering Golems Armor
300 Shadow Word AoE	20	Summons a Golem on Death
-7s Shadow Word Cooldown	15	+10 Armor
+150 Cast Range	10	+4% Fatal Bonds Damage

Notes:

The armor talent does not benefit illusions.

Recent Changes[edit]

Main Article: Warlock/Changelogs

Version

Description

7.24

Reduced Shadow Word cooldown from 16 to 14.

7.23e

Level 15 right talent: Replaced +35% experience gain with +10 armor.

7.23c

Level 15 right talent: Reduced experience gain bonus from 50% to 35%.

Recommended items[edit]

Starting items:

Tango regenerates health to keep Warlock and allies in lane.
Healing Salve also restores health.
Clarity regenerates mana so Warlock can keep using Shadow Word at the beginning of the game.
Iron Branch provides cheap attributes and builds into Magic Wand or Mekansm.
Observer Ward gives vision that may spot incoming enemy ganks.

Early game:

Magic Stick sustains Warlock with burst health and mana restoration so he can survive or use more abilities.
Boots of Speed grants movement speed bonus so Warlock can get into position to use Shadow Word or Fatal Bonds to secure kills or save allies in time.
Town Portal Scroll gets Warlock to the right place to gank or counter gank with his abilities to damage or save allies.

Mid game:

Magic Wand also restores health and mana in burst, as well as giving some attributes.
Arcane Boots replenishes Warlock's and allies' mana so they can stay on the map..
Glimmer Cape grants invisibility and magic resistance to Warlock or allies so they can escape; the item also works when Warlock is channeling Upheaval.

Late game:

Aghanim's Scepter allows Chaotic Offering to summon two Golems, boosting overall damage in teamfights as Permanent Immolation and Flaming Fists do not get their effectiveness reduced.
Refresher Orb allows Warlock to use Fatal Bonds and Chaotic Offering twice, increasing the damage done on enemy targets. The item also boosts Warlock regeneration so he can keep using abilities without going back to base.

Situational items:

Urn of Shadows grants attributes, mana regeneration, and ability to heal or damage as Warlock participates in ganks.
Force Staff allows Warlock to get in position to use his spells, as well as having utility in positioning teammates and displacing enemies; it can even be used on Golem to help it to chase fleeing enemies.
Ghost Scepter counters enemy physical attackers so Warlock can escape or use abilties without getting killed.
Solar Crest buffs armor, attack speed, and movement speed of allies or Golems; it can also reduce armor of enemies and Roshan.
Drum of Endurance gives Warlock additional attributes. The active increases movement and attack speed to aid allies and Golems in teamfights.
Mekansm helps Warlock and teammates with heal, armor, and health regeneration so they can survive in teamfights.
Eul's Scepter of Divinity improves Warlock's movement speed, allowing him to position in fights and ganks, and provides intelligence and mana regeneration so Warlock can use abilities liberally. The active gives him a disable to use against enemies, or can be used on himself to provide temporary invulnerability while removing debuffs, such as silences.
Rod of Atos roots enemy target from great distance so Warlock's allies and Golems can focus their attacks. It also boosts attributes to make Warlock more survivable.
Lotus Orb strengthens Warlock with armor and regeneration; the active dispels and gives an ally a shield that reflect target abilities, which may discourage enemies from focusing them.
Shiva's Guard increases survivability with armor and attack speed reducing aura, as well as intelligence so Warlock can use all of his abilities with Refresher Orb. The active movement speed slow may also help keeping enemies within range of Upheaval and Golems.
Scythe of Vyse gives Warlock a large boost to mana regeneration and attributes, especially intelligence. The Hex ability instantly disables an enemy from range, greatly reducing enemy teamfight potential.
Octarine Core reduces the cooldown time on Warlock spammable abilities and allows him to have Chaotic Offering available on a more regular basis. Additionally, Warlock can lifesteal from damage done by Fatal Bonds and Shadow Word, increasing his survivability in fights.
Guardian Greaves, upgraded from Mekansm and Arcane Boots, gives Warlock strong teamfight contribution as well as opening up an inventory slot. The self-dispel allows Warlock to remove debuffs from himself, such as silences that are preventing him from casting his spells.

Gameplay[edit]


Roles:	Support Initiator Disabler
Complexity:	★☆☆
Playstyle:	In the endless pursuit of rare texts, Demnok Lannik found it necessary to learn the magicks that would help him reach the most inaccessible tomes. In short time, his obsessive study made him the most powerful Warlock in the academy. He whispers a versatile Shadow Word to heal fellow adventurers, or damage hostile creatures. Fatal Bonds link his enemies together, forcing each to suffer a share of the others' pains. Demnok Lannik brings a Chaotic Offering to every fight. Mired in a dimensional Upheaval, not even an army can hold out long against the Warlock's flaming Golem.

Strategy & Tips

Counters &
Matchups

Audio[edit]

Responses

Golem
Responses

Sounds

History[edit]

Lore

Old Abilities

Changelogs

Equipment[edit]

Trivia[edit]

In DotA, Warlock's ultimate is named Rain of Chaos and the summoned unit was called an Infernal, a hulking golem with green-colored flames. Both names were changed in the transition to Dota 2 to avoid copyright conflicts.
Warlock is related to Disruptor and Axe, as he comes from the Oglodi tribe.
Warlock's response ▶️ "Just for that, I'm unfiending you." when killed is probably a play on "Unfriending you" an action in the popular social network Facebook where a person removes another from their friend list.
The response ▶️ "Bloodied but unbowed" when respawning is a reference to William Ernest Henley's poem "Invictus".^[1]
Fatal Bonds' sound effect is based on this ▶️ otherwise unused voice line.
Upon respawning, one of Warlock lines is ▶️ "Dark interval", which is likely a reference to the song of the same name featured in the credits of Half-Life 2: Episode 2, another game by Valve.