Ability Draft

Ability Draft

Changelogs

***Create a Custom Hero via 4-Round Draft. You Can Choose Up to 3 Regular Abilities and 1 Ultimate.***

Ability Draft is an official core game mode that vastly differentiates from all other game modes, with practically infinite possibilities and unique matches.

Each player is given a random hero with no abilities. The pool of abilities consists of the abilities of these 10 random heroes, plus 2 additional random heroes' abilities. Players then take turns drafting the 3 regular abilities and 1 ultimate ability they want.

## Drafting

* Players have their player slots shuffled within their teams. In hosted lobbies, this can be toggled off.
* An initial 60-second planning phase begins, during which the teams can see which heroes everyone got and which abilities are available. Players can use the chatbox or voice chat to plan out their picks.
* The picking phase begins afterward. The pick order consists of 2 phases that repeat twice, and every player gets to pick 4 times.

* Radiant always gets to pick first.
* Each player has 7 seconds to pick an ability on their turn.
	+ The picked ability is granted to the drafting player, then removed from the pool.
	+ If the player does not pick an ability within 7 seconds, a random ability from the remaining pool will be assigned.
* If the player picks an ability, the pick time still has to elapse before the next player's turn starts.
	+ This means each phase takes a total of 70 seconds.

* After each phase, there is a 5-second break before the next phase starts.

* Overall, there are 4 picking phases and breaks, resulting in a drafting duration of 300 seconds.
* After the picking phase, there is a 5-second waiting period before the 30-second strategy phase begins.
* At all times, the players can communicate with their teams via the chatbox or voice chat.

* In total, the drafting takes 395 seconds, or 6 minutes and 35 seconds.

## Available Heroes

All 124 heroes are currently available in Ability Draft.

### Invoker

Main Article: Invoker in Ability Draft
Due to  Invoker's uniqueness, his abilities are implemented differently in  **Ability Draft**. When Invoker is in the hero pool, 3 of his adapted abilities are chosen randomly. Invoker does not add ultimate abilities to the draft pool. These Ability Draft versions work like the original, but are modified to follow the default 4-level system.

Although Invoker gains the traits of  Quas,  Wex and  Exort as passive/innate buffs, he neither gains the passive attributes given by the abilities, nor is able to cast these abilities. These buffs level up alternatingly and automatically according to Invoker's level.

## Ability Pool

The pool of abilities consists of the abilities of 10 random heroes, plus 2 additional random heroes' abilities as extras. These extra heroes themselves do not appear in the match. This results in a total of 48 regular abilities and 12 ultimate abilities for drafting.

However, some heroes do not have all of their abilities available in the pool, some abilities are restricted from the game mode for varying reasons.

If a hero with an unavailable ability appears in the pool, a replacement ability from another random hero is added in. Only one hero that requires a replacement ability can be within the pool of 12 heroes.

`Ctrl`+`Alt` to highlight available  Aghanim's Scepter and  Aghanim's Shard upgrades while drafting abilities.

### Unavailable Abilities

Unavailable Abilities in Ability Draft* Arc Warden – Tempest Double1
* Meepo – Dig2
* Meepo – Divided We Stand1
* Morphling – Attribute Shift (Agility Gain)3
* Morphling – Attribute Shift (Strength Gain)3
* Morphling – Morph1
* Invoker – Invoke4
* Ogre Magi – Unrefined Fireblast2
* Ogre Magi – Fire Shield2
* Ogre Magi – Multicast1
* Lua error: Found no Cargo data for "Omniknight - Degen Aura".
* Oracle – Rain of Destiny6
* Phoenix – Toggle Movement3
* Rubick – Spell Steal1
* Shadow Demon – Shadow Poison Release3
* Shadow Fiend – Shadowraze (Near)3
* Shadow Fiend – Shadowraze (Far)3
* Treant Protector – Nature's Guise4
* Troll Warlord – Berserker's Rage5
* Visage – Stone Form4

1 Disabled for balance reasons.
2  /  Ability unavailable due to its reliance on another ability that is disabled in game mode.
3 Only ultimate abilities are allowed to use up to 3 ability slots, due to `Hotkey` issues.
4 This innate ability is neither available nor is bound to any of the hero's abilities.
5 Possible technical issues. May cause broken ability interactions between abilities that affect attack range and range type.
6  /  Ability unavailable, due to it not being hooked up to any ability yet. Most likely unintended.
## Adaptations

Due to the very chaotic nature of Ability Draft, several abilities and heroes have received some changes to work within the game mode.

### Attack Range

Main Article: Attack Range
Hero abilities that grants attack range bonus work as intended for  melee heroes and grant the described bonuses having into account the heroes' base range as well.

### Generic Talents

Generic  talents (i.e. plain stats bonuses) are unchanged. Talents that affect specific abilities which have not been drafted by that hero are replaced by an instant 250/500/750/1250  boost.

### Unique Talents

Unique Talents* Lua error: Found no Cargo data for "Beastmaster - Health Aura".
* Faceless Void – Backtrack
* Lua error: Found no Cargo data for "Undying - Reincarnation".
* Lua error: Found no Cargo data for "Weaver - Mana Break".

Hero specific  talents that are not bound to any ability, will be still available regardless of the abilities are drafted by that hero.

### Cleave Sources

Main Article: Cleave
 Ranged heroes are unable to cleave. The cleave-granting ability either has its cleave part disabled for them, or the ability is unobtainable by them. An attack is classified as  melee when the attack does not rely on projectiles.

If a game mode allows ranged heroes to obtain the normally unobtainable cleave abilities (e.g. **Ability Draft**), these cleave sources (e.g.  Tidebringer and  Great Cleave) fully work for them. The cleave area, just like for melee heroes, is based on the attacking unit's position and happens on attack hit. This means the cleave damage is always applied in front of the attacking hero, even when the target was much further away.

### Bash Sources

Main Article: Bash
In Ability Draft, multiple sources of bash fully stack, and they proc independently from each other sources. Heroes with abilities that uses the bash mechanic are allowed to purchase items that provide bash (e.g.  Skull Basher and  Abyssal Blade) and also proc bash from drafted abilities.

### Innate Abilities

Innate Abilities Adaptation* Alchemist - Aghanim's Scepter Synth
*This innate ability is bound to  Greevil's Greed.*
* Bane - Nightmare
 *Bane can attack any Nightmared unit.
The drafting hero and their illusions can attack Nightmared units as well.*
* Earth Spirit - Stone Remnant
*This innate ability is bound to  Magnetize.*
* Faceless Void - Chronosphere
 *Faceless Void can move inside any Chronosphere.
However, the haste effect is limited to the drafting hero and their units.*
* Monkey King - Mischief
*This innate ability is bound to  Wukong's Command, but only  Monkey King can disguise as trees.*
* Skywrath Mage - Shield of the Scion
*This innate ability is bound to  Mystic Flare, and works with any of the drafting hero's abilities that trigger on-cast effects.*

### Modified Abilities

Abilities Modified for Ability Draft* Chen - Holy Persuasion

*The ability checks for the level of the drafting hero's ultimate ability, instead of checking specifically for  Hand of God.*
* Clinkz - Skeleton Walk

 *Skeleton Archers have a minimum attack range of 500.*
* Clinkz - Burning Army
 *Skeleton Archers have a minimum attack range of 500.*
* Doom - Devour
*Cooldown cannot be reset with  Rearm.*
* Io - Tether
*Does not remove  Overcharge buff if they are not drafted by the same player.*
* Lich - Sinister Gaze

*Allows casting any other non-channeling ability (including item abilities) for its duration, and is not limited to  Lich's original abilities.*
* Luna - Moon Glaives
*Uses a projectile after the primary attack for  Melee heroes.*
* Meepo - Poof
**Cast Range**: 2000/Global
*Can be cast on any allied unit within 2000 range.
Can still globally target illusions and clones of self.*
* Phantom Assassin - Blur

*Grants charge-based abilities a single charge back upon getting a kill.*
* Vengeful Spirit - Vengeance Illusion

*Uses the hero proc value for  Juxtapose.*
* Tinker - Rearm
*Grants charge-based abilities a single charge back.*

### Abilities Requiring Multiple Slots

To prevent `Hotkey` conflicts, non-ultimate abilities are limited to 1 ability slot at max, while ultimate abilities can use up to 3 ability slots. This means a hero cannot have more than 7 ability slots occupied at a time. To accommodate for this, abilities that require multiple slots have been adapted to fit this scheme.

Multiple Slots Abilities Modified for Ability Draft* Beastmaster - Call of the Wild Hawk
*Toggling `Autocast` on swaps this ability out with  Call of the Wild Boar. Turning it off again swaps them back. Their cooldowns are separate.*
* Dark Willow - Bedlam
*This ability is bound to  Terrorize.*
* Doom - Devour
*Does not grant active abilities of devoured neutral creeps, except  Dragonhide Aura.
Passive abilities gained are granted as status buffs.*
* Faceless Void - Reverse Time Walk
*Replaces  Time Walk until the sub-ability is used or until the reversal time window expires.*
* Lone Druid - True Form
*Does not require  Summon Spirit Bear to be drafted to gain  Entangling Claws and  Demolish.
Their levels is always one level higher than True Form.*
* Medusa - Cold Blooded
*Does not take any ability slot and is hidden. A permanent status buff appears instead.*
* Monkey King - Primal Spring
*Replaces  Tree Dance once reaching the tree. This means jumping between trees is not possible.*
* Morphling - Adaptive Strike (Agility)
*Stand-alone ability.*
* Morphling - Adaptive Strike (Strength)
*Stand-alone ability.*
* Phoenix - Sun Ray
*Only turning in place is possible.*
* Puck - Ethereal Jaunt
*Replaces  Illusory Orb while the orb is in flight, until the sub-ability is used or until the orb reaches maximum travel distance.*
* Shadow Demon - Shadow Poison
*This ability utilizes `Autocast` in Ability Draft, it automatically toggles on if enemies are debuffed. When toggled off, Shadow Poison is released.*
* Shadow Fiend - Shadowraze
**Number of Charges**: 3
**Cooldown**: 10
*Stand-alone ability, and does not come with its Near and Far versions.*
* Tinker - Keen Conveyance
*This ability is bound to  Rearm.*
* Troll Warlord - Whirling Axes (Ranged)
*Stand-alone ability.*
* Troll Warlord - Whirling Axes (Melee)
*Stand-alone ability.*
* Visage - Gravekeeper's Cloak

*Does not require  Summon Familiars to be drafted cast the active ability, even though it is based on  Stone Form.*

#### Unlockable Abilities

The following ultimate abilities grant the drafting player additional abilities upon acquiring  Aghanim's Scepter or  Aghanim's Shard.

Unlockable Abilities* Alchemist - Chemical Rage
  Berserk Potion is bound to this ability.
* Anti-Mage - Mana Void
  Blink Fragment is bound to this ability.
*Does not require drafting  Blink to work.*
* Bristleback - Quill Spray
  Hairball is bound to this ability.
*Toggling `Autocast` on swaps Quill Spray out with Hairball. Turning it off again swaps them back. Their cooldowns are separate.  Viscous Nasal Goo must be drafted for it to get applied.*
* Broodmother - Spawn Spiderlings
  Spinner's Snare is bound to this ability.
* Clinkz - Death Pact
  Burning Army is bound to this ability.
* Clockwerk - Hookshot
  Overclocking is bound to this ability.
  Jetpack is bound to this ability.
* Crystal Maiden - Freezing Field
  Stop Freezing Field is bound to this ability.
* Dark Seer - Wall of Replica
  Normal Punch is bound to this ability.
* Dawnbreaker - Solar Guardian
  Solar Guardian Land is bound to this ability.
* Earth Spirit - Magnetize
  Enchant Remnant is bound to this ability.
* Dragon Knight - Elder Dragon Form
  Fireball is bound to this ability.
* Enchantress - Untouchable
  Sproink is bound to this ability.
 *Impetus must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Grimstroke - Soulbind
  Dark Portrait is bound to this ability.
* Hoodwink - Sharpshooter
  Hunter's Boomerang is bound to this ability.
  Decoy is bound to this ability.
* Jakiro - Macropyre
  Liquid Frost is bound to this ability.
* Juggernaut - Omnislash
  Swiftslash is bound to this ability.
* Keeper of the Light - Spirit Form
  Will-O-Wisp is bound to this ability.
  Recall is bound to this ability.
* Kunkka - Torrent
  Torrent Storm is bound to this ability.
*Toggling `Autocast` on swaps Torrent out with Torrent Storm. Turning it off again swaps them back. Their cooldowns are separate.*
* Kunkka - Ghostship
  Tidal Wave is bound to this ability.
* Lich - Chain Frost
  Ice Spire is bound to this ability.
* Leshrac - Pulse Nova
  Nihilism is bound to this ability.
* Lifestealer - Infest
  Open Wounds is bound to this ability.
* Lycan - Shapeshift
  Wolf Bite is bound to this ability.
* Magnus - Reverse Polarity
  Horn Toss is bound to this ability.
* Necrophos - Death Pulse
  Death Seeker is bound to this ability.
*Toggling `Autocast` on swaps Death Pulse out with Death Seeker. Turning it off again swaps them back. Their cooldowns are separate.*
* Nyx Assassin - Vendetta
  Burrow and  Unburrow is bound to this ability.
* Omniknight - Guardian Angel
  Hammer of Purity is bound to this ability.
* Phantom Assassin - Coup de Grace
  Fan of Knives is bound to this ability.
* Pangolier - Rolling Thunder
  Roll Up and  End Roll Up is bound to this ability.
* Pudge - Dismember
  Eject is bound to this ability.
* Riki - Cloak and Dagger
  Sleeping Dart is bound to this ability.
* Slark - Shadow Dance
  Depth Shroud is bound to this ability.
* Snapfire - Mortimer Kisses
  Gobble Up and  Spit Out is bound to this ability.
* Sniper - Assassinate
  Concussive Grenade is bound to this ability.
* Spectre - Haunt
  Shadow Step is bound to this ability.
 *Spectral Dagger must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Templar Assassin - Psionic Trap
  Psionic Projection is bound to this ability.
* Terrorblade - Metamorphosis
  Terror Wave is bound to this ability.
*Toggling `Autocast` on swaps Metamorphosis out with Terror Wave. Turning it off again swaps them back. Their cooldowns are separate.*
* Terrorblade - Sunder
  Demon Zeal is bound to this ability.
* Timbersaw - Chakram
  Second Chakram is bound to this ability.
  Flamethrower is bound to this ability.
* Tinker - Rearm
  March of the Machines is bound to this ability.
* Tiny - Tree Grab
  Tree Volley is bound to this ability.
*Toggling `Autocast` on swaps Tree Grab out with Tree Volley. Turning it off again swaps them back. Their cooldowns are separate. Cannot swap to Tree Volley while  Tree Throw is active.*
* Treant Protector - Overgrowth
  Eyes In The Forest is bound to this ability.
* Troll Warlord - Battle Trance
  Rampage is bound to this ability.
* Tusk - Walrus PUNCH!
  Walrus Kick is bound to this ability.
* Visage - Summon Familiars
  Silent as the Grave is bound to this ability.
* Windranger - Focus Fire
  Gale Force is bound to this ability.
* Witch Doctor - Death Ward
  Voodoo Switcheroo is bound to this ability.
* Zeus - Thundergod's Wrath
  Nimbus is bound to this ability.
 *Lightning Bolt must be drafted for it to get applied.*

### Ability Dependencies

Sometimes ability synergies require multiple abilities to be present at the same time on the same hero for its effect. The following abilities have ability effects that require or rely on other abilities and should be drafted with consideration.

Ability Dependencies* Abaddon - Borrowed Time

 *Mist Coil must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Axe - Berserker's Call

 *Battle Hunger must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Batrider - Flamebreak

 *Sticky Napalm must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Bounty Hunter - Shuriken Toss

 *Jinada must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Bristleback - Bristleback
 *Quill Spray must be drafted as well for them to passively proc.*
* Chaos Knight - Chaos Bolt

 *Phantasm must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Clinkz - Burning Barrage
 *Searing Arrows must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Clinkz - Skeleton Walk

 *Searing Arrows must be drafted as well for the  Skeleton Archers to gain them.*
* Clinkz - Burning Army
 *Searing Arrows must be drafted as well for the  Skeleton Archers to gain them.*
* Crystal Maiden - Freezing Field

 *Frostbite must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Dark Willow - Cursed Crown

 *Bramble Maze must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Death Prophet - Exorcism

*Passive spirit spawns only work with the drafting hero's attacks (including instant attacks),  Crypt Swarm,  Silence, and  Spirit Siphon.*
* Drow Ranger - Multishot
 *Frost Arrows must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Earthshaker - Fissure

 *Aftershock must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Elder Titan - Natural Order
 *Astral Spirit must be drafted as well for the magic resistance reducing debuff to get applied.*
* Enchantress - Sproink
 *Impetus must be drafted as well for it to get applied. Does not perform regular attacks if it is not drafted.*
* Faceless Void - Time Walk

 *Time Lock must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Gyrocopter - Homing Missile

 *Rocket Barrage must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Legion Commander - Duel
 *Press the Attack must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Lone Druid - Summon Spirit Bear
 *Savage Roar must be drafted as well for  Spirit Bear to gain the ability.*
* Lone Druid - Spirit Link
*The buff only affects the drafted hero and the  Spirit Bear and does not affect any other player-controlled units.*
* Luna - Eclipse
 *Lucent Beam must be drafted as well for the ability to deal damage with its beams.*
* Lycan - Howl
*The debuff can only be applied by the drafting hero,  Lycan Wolves and   Lane Wolves.
Other player-controlled units do not apply the debuff around them.*
* Medusa - Mystic Snake

 *Stone Gaze must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Mirana - Sacred Arrow

 *Starstorm must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Nature's Prophet - Sprout

 *Nature's Call must be drafted as well for  Greater Treants to spawn.*
* Pangolier - Shield Crash

 *Swashbuckle must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Sand King - Burrowstrike

 *Caustic Finale must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Shadow Fiend - Requiem of Souls
 *Necromastery must be drafted as well for the ability to work.*
* Shadow Shaman - Shackles

 *Mass Serpent Ward must be drafted as well for  Serpent Wards to spawn.*
* Slardar - Slithereen Crush

 *Corrosive Haze must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Spectre - Dispersion

 *Spectral Dagger must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Spectre - Shadow Step

 *Spectral Dagger must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Venomancer - Plague Ward
 *Poison Sting must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Spirit Breaker - Charge of Darkness
 *Greater Bash must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Spirit Breaker - Nether Strike
 *Greater Bash must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Undying - Flesh Golem

 *Tombstone must be drafted as well for  Undying Zombies to spawn.*
* Ursa - Earthshock

 *Enrage must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Venomancer - Venomous Gale

 *Plague Ward must be drafted as well for  Plague Wards to spawn.*
* Visage - Grave Chill
*The buff only affects the drafted hero and the  Familiars and does not affect any other player-controlled units.*
* Winter Wyvern - Cold Embrace

 *Splinter Blast must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*
* Wraith King - Reincarnation

 *Vampiric Spirit must be drafted as well for  Wraith King Skeletons to spawn.*
* Zeus - [[Zeus#|]]64px|text-top|link=Zeus#
*Only works with  Arc Lightning,  Lightning Bolt,  Nimbus and  Thundergod's Wrath.*
* Zeus - Nimbus
 *Lightning Bolt must be drafted as well for it to get applied.*

## Console Commands

The following console commands can be used while on the dashboard to create custom settings for private Ability Draft lobbies.

Note that all these commands are considered cheats and therefore only work on local lobbies.

 dota\_gamemode\_ability\_draft\_pre\_round\_time
 dota\_gamemode\_ability\_draft\_pre\_time
 dota\_gamemode\_ability\_draft\_set\_draft\_hero\_and\_team
 dota\_gamemode\_ability\_draft\_set\_draft\_hero\_and\_team\_clear
 dota\_ability\_draft\_shuffle\_players

### Examples

The following console commands result in what is shown in the image.

`dota_gamemode_ability_draft_set_draft_hero_and_team dawnbreaker radiant;

dota_gamemode_ability_draft_set_draft_hero_and_team terrorblade radiant;

dota_gamemode_ability_draft_set_draft_hero_and_team shadow_shaman radiant;

dota_gamemode_ability_draft_set_draft_hero_and_team omniknight radiant;

dota_gamemode_ability_draft_set_draft_hero_and_team invoker radiant;

dota_gamemode_ability_draft_set_draft_hero_and_team void_spirit dire;

dota_gamemode_ability_draft_set_draft_hero_and_team puck dire;

dota_gamemode_ability_draft_set_draft_hero_and_team hoodwink dire;

dota_gamemode_ability_draft_set_draft_hero_and_team troll_warlord dire;

dota_gamemode_ability_draft_set_draft_hero_and_team tinker dire;

dota_gamemode_ability_draft_set_draft_hero_and_team techies extra;

dota_gamemode_ability_draft_set_draft_hero_and_team riki extra;`

This sets the hero pool to  Dawnbreaker,  Terrorblade,  Shadow Shaman,  Omniknight,  Invoker on the Radiant side,  Void Spirit,  Puck,  Hoodwink,  Troll Warlord,  Tinker on the Dire side, and  Techies,  Riki as extra heroes.

Techies and Riki are not assigned to any player, but have their abilities included in the pool. Invoker does not have an ultimate ability in the pool, so  Rolling Thunder was randomly added as a replacement.

These commands allow for easy testing of combinations and interactions, without relying on luck to get the right abilities one wants to test.