Dota 2 hero facets: which one is better to choose

In patch 7.36, hero mechanics were completely reworked, and new facets were introduced. One of these became the hero facets. Apart from having a unique passive ability, before the match begins, you can choose a facet that will significantly impact the hero's effectiveness since it cannot be changed after the match starts.

Each hero has a choice of two facets, each suitable for a specific playstyle. It's important to carefully plan which facet to choose during the drafting phase of a Dota 2 match, as it can affect the outcome of the battle.

Dota 2 Hero Facets

It's worth noting that heroes don't share a common list of facets in Dota 2; each hero has its own selection of two characteristics that need to be picked before the match starts. So, it's better to familiarize yourself with the facets to be prepared for the characteristics of allies and opponents during the confrontation.

Best Aspects of Heroes in Dota 2

Several heroes have shown excellent performance in matchmaking, and some even have broken builds that allow them to almost single-handedly take out multiple opponents in patch 7.36a. Each of them has one or even several useful facets, making playing them incredibly effective.

Templar Assasin

• VOIDBLADES. Psi Blades spilled enemies have their movement slowed by 5/10/15/20/25% for 3s

• REFRACTOR. Grants a damage instance every time a shield instance gets consumed

Tiny

• CRASH LANDING. Increases landing radius of Toss from 275 to 450. Landing deals 25/30/35/40% more damage to enemies in the target area and slows their attack speed by 25/30/35/40 and their movement speed by 20/25/30/35%. Slow duration: 2.5s. This effect does not apply to the Tossed unit itself

• INSURMOUNTABLE. Tiny receives 25% of his Strength as Slow Resistance and 10% of his Strength as Status Resistance

Void Spirit

• SANCTUARY. RESONANT PULSE barrier absorbs all damage types

• SYMMETRY. Void Spirit gains a physical damage shield equal to 40% of magic damage dealt to enemy heroes, Buff duration 20s. RESONANT PULSE no longer creates a physical damage barrier of its own

Chaos Knight

• Phantasmagoria: All illusions created by Chaos Knight or from him are strong illusions. This includes Phantasm, illusions from Aghanim's, illusions from items, runes, or illusions created by other players (e.g., Shadow Demon's ability). Also, Chaos Knight's illusions within 1200 units take 20% less damage.

• Irrationality: Reality Rift can apply Break or Disarm to an enemy hero. The debuff lasts half the duration of the armor debuff.

Elder Titan

• DECONSTRUCTION. Every second an enemy hero stays under the effect of the aura NATURAL ORDER, they lose an additional 1 armor and 1% magic resistance. Stacks up to 20 times

• MOMENTUM. Elder Titan's attack speed is decreased by 75, but he receives 20% of his movement speed as bonus attack speed

Heroes with Facets Worth Considering

While these heroes may not boast incredibly strong abilities or broken builds, they have shown themselves to be effective in Dota 2 matchmaking. Some of them enable unique combinations, while others are a reliable choice for mid-game to create synergies with allies.

Abaddon

• The Quickening: Each time a unit dies within 900 units of Abaddon, all his cooldowns are reduced by 0.2 seconds. Hero deaths reduce cooldowns by 4 seconds.

• Mephitic Shroud: Increases Aphotic Shield's barrier by 50% but no longer deals instant damage when the shield expires. When the barrier takes damage, enemies within 675 units take damage equal to 80% of the absorbed damage. Increases duration and cooldown by 2 seconds at all levels.

Anti-Mage

• Magebane’s Mirror: Counterspell reflects spells when activated. Counterspell Ally reflects spells when activated.

• Mana Thirst: Grants bonus damage when an enemy hero within 2500 units has less than 60% mana. Increases with decreasing mana, up to 20/45/70 bonus damage at 15% mana, after which Anti-Mage gains vision and reveals invisibility on the hero.

Axe

• One Man Army: Increases Axe's strength by 60% of his armor if there are no allied heroes within 600 units. The effect lasts for 5 seconds after an ally enters the radius.

• Call Out: Berserker’s Call grants 5 bonus armor. Taunted enemies gain an additional 45 attack speed for the duration.

Bane

• Dream Stalker: Bane gains 40/50/60/70 attack speed when attacking units under Nightmare.

• Sleepwalk: Turns Nightmare into a vector-targeted ability. Affected units move freely in the chosen direction at a speed of 75. If the effect transfers on attack, the newly affected unit will also move in the chosen direction.

Batrider

• Stoked: After using an ability or item that forcibly moves an enemy hero, you gain +10% movement speed and +8% spell amplification for 7 seconds. Does not stack.

• Arsonist: Sticky Napalm can be applied to structures, dealing 25% damage.

Beastmaster

• Wild Hunt: Increases Inner Beast's attack speed bonus by 1/2/3/4/5 for each unit under Beastmaster's control affected by Inner Beast.

• Beast Mode: Can activate Inner Beast to gain 8/16/24/32/40 attack on Beastmaster. While active, Beastmaster's attacks apply the current level of Wild Axes. Duration: 6 seconds, Mana cost: 35, Cooldown: 20 seconds.

Bloodseeker

• Arterial Spray: When attacking a target under Rupture, both Bloodseeker and the target are pushed 50 units in the direction Bloodseeker is facing.

• Bloodrush: Thirst can be activated to gain 50% movement speed for 5 seconds. Does not provide passive movement speed during cooldown. Cooldown: 15 seconds. Mana cost: 50.

Bounty Hunter

• Through and Through: Shuriken Toss damages and slows all units it passes through.

• Cutpurse: Bounty Hunter steals 4/8/12/16 gold from the target every time he uses a targeted ability. The amount depends on the Track level.

Brewmaster

• Roll out the Barrel: When casting Cinder Brew, Brewmaster rolls a barrel in the chosen direction, dealing damage and dousing enemies within 350 units of the barrel. Enemies hit within 75 units take 50/75/100/125 physical damage. The barrel always rolls 900 units before exploding, dousing all enemies within 400 units. Barrel speed: 900.

• Drunken Master. Under the effect of Brewed Up, Brewmaster moves at varying speeds from a 20% slow to a 50% speed increase.

Broodmother

• Necrotic Webs: Enemies within Spin Web have their healing reduced by 10/15/20/25%.

• Feeding Frenzy: Insatiable Hunger extends bonuses to all Spiderlings controlled by Broodmother within 800 units.

Centaur Warrunner

• Counter-Strike: Double Edge damage is increased by 25% of the damage Centaur received from enemy heroes in the last 6 seconds, up to 100% of Double Edge's bonus damage. The damage counter resets after casting the ability.

• Horsepower: Centaur Warrunner gains 40% of his strength as bonus movement speed. Does not stack with boot-based movement speed bonuses. Maximum speed increased from 550 to 600.

Chen

• Centaur Convert. Chen's convert is a Centaur creep. Summoned unit depends on the level of Holy Persuasion: Centaur Courser (levels 0-2) or Centaur Conqueror (levels 3 and 4)

• Wolf Convert. Chen's convert is a Wolf creep. Summoned unit depends on the level of Holy Persuasion: Giant Wolf (levels 0-2) or Alpha Wolf (levels 3 and 4).

• Hellbear Convert. Chen's convert is a Hellbear creep. Summoned unit depends on the level of Holy Persuasion: Hellbear (levels 0-2) or Hellbear Smasher (levels 3 and 4).

• Troll Convert. Chen's convert is a Troll creep. Summoned unit depends on the level of Holy Persuasion: Hill Troll (levels 0-3) or Dark Troll Summoner (level 4).

• Satyr Convert. Chen's convert is a Satyr creep. Summoned unit depends on the level of Holy Persuasion: Satyr Mindstealer (levels 0-3) or Satyr Tormenter (level 4).

Clinkz

• Suppressive Fire. Enemies hit by attacks from Strafe get a debuff that causes them to miss 5% of their attacks. Debuff stacks when applied from different sources (i.e. Clinkz and each individual skeleton). Stacks expire 1 second after the Strafe duration has concluded. Miss applies to buildings as well. Attack Range Bonus increased from 200 to 300.

• Engulfing Step. Casting Death Pact makes Clinkz take the place of the consumed unit, while leaving a Skeleton Archer in his previous position. Also reduces Death Pact charge restore time by 10s.

Clockwerk

• Hookup. If the hook hits an ally to pull into, cooldown is reduced by 75% and stun/damage radius is increased from 175 to 300.

• Expanded Armature. Cogs are formed in a radius increased by 115. Cogs have a smaller trigger radius, but they can affect enemies inside, pushing them towards the center

Crystal Maiden

• FROZEN EXPANSE. Increases Crystal Maiden's cast range by 50/75/100/125, and provides 7/8/9/10% AoE Bonus

• COLD COMFORT. Every time Crystal Maiden casts a spell, allied heroes within aura's close radius receive 10/15/20/25% of mana spent

Dark Willow

• THROWING SHADE. While in Shadow Realm, Dark Willow emits a 600 radius aura that increases damage that she deals to enemies affected by it by up to 25%. Damage scales based on how long she remains under the effects of Shadow Realm

• THORNY THICKET. Creates 4 additional brambles on the outer ring that last 50% less. Enemies rooted by any bramble take 10% more spell damage

Dawnbreaker

• SOLAR CHARGED. Whenever Dawnbreaker hits a target with a powered up Luminosity, she decreases the cooldowns of all of her abilities (non-items) by 1s

• GLEAMING HAMMER. When the hammer is on the ground, it emits a weaker pulsing effect of Solar Guardian in a 200 AoE around it. Its efficiency is reduced by 50%. Increases the duration that the hammer can remain stationary to 4s

Dazzle

• NOTHL BOON. Whenever Dazzle overheals himself or an ally, it grants that hero a physical damage barrier equal to the amount overhealed for 10s. If the target already has a larger barrier from Nothl Boon, it will be refreshed instead of being added onto

• POISON BLOOM. Every 4 times Dazzle attacks a target affected by Poison Touch, the target takes a burst of 25/50/75/100 additional damage, and prompts additional Poison Touch projectiles to fire at enemies within 450 AoE to the target. The amount of additional units affected is equal to the Poison Touch number of targets

Disruptor

• THUNDERSTORM. Strikes all enemies within Kinetic Field

• KINETIC FENCE. Replaces Kinetic Field with a new ability Kinetic Fence. Spell is vector targeted. Creates a single flat wall with a width of 1200. The wall is created after a 0.75s formation delay and has a duration of 2.6/3.2/3.8/4.4s. Has 2 charges with 20/18/16/14s base charge restore time

Doom

• GLUTTONY. Replaces 70s cooldown with 2 charges with 90s restore time. Stolen creep abilities are upgraded by one level

• DEVIL'S BARGAIN. Items sell back for 90% of their price, but buyback costs 15% more

Dragon Knight

FIRE DRAGON

• WYRM'S WRATH. While in human form, attacks have 20/30/40/50% cleave with 450 range

• ELDER DRAGON FORM. While in dragon form, cleave increases by another 20/30/40/50% and turns into splash damage to all enemies within 350 range from the attack target

CORROSIVE DRAGON

• WYRM'S WRATH. While in human form, attacks apply poison to the target. It deals 10/15/20/25 damage per second and reduces the target's armor by 1/2/3/4. Duration: 3s. Poison also affects buildings

• ELDER DRAGON FORM. While in dragon form, poison damage and armor reduction are increased by 30/40/50/60%, and it's applied to all enemies within 350 range from the attack target

FROST DRAGON

• WYRM'S WRATH. While in human form, attacks apply frost to the target. It reduces enemies' movement speed by 14/21/28/35%, attack speed by 14/21/28/35, and all health they restore by 14/21/28/35%. Duration: 3s. Frost doesn't affect buildings

• ELDER DRAGON FORM. While in dragon form, all reductions from frost are increased by 30/40/50/60%, and it's is applied to all enemies within 350 range from the attack target

Faceless Void

• TEMPORAL IMPUNITY. Faceless Void is guaranteed to backtrack any damage for 1s after casting Time Walk

• TIME ZONE. Replaces Chronosphere with a new ability Time Zone. Creates a blister in spacetime, altering the movement, attack, cast, projectile, and turn rate speed of all units inside. Allies have increased speed and enemies have decreased speed. Doesn't pierce Debuff Immunity

Medusa

• ENGORGED. Whenever a Mystic Snake returns to Medusa, her next 3 attacks deal additional 1 physical damage per 6 mana restored by the snake. The buff lasts up to a maximum of 5 seconds

• MANA PACT. Can be activated, draining 4% of max mana per second, but increasing attack speed by 3% of Medusa's Attack Speed per second. Mana drain can last up to 15s but attack speed will stop increasing after 10s. Conversion can be stopped by deactivating Mana Shield, but it can't be done for the first 3 seconds of conversion. Attack speed buff will disappear after 15s since the conversion has started. Cooldown is 35s and starts once the conversion is stopped

Meepo

• MORE MEEPO. Increases maximum level from 3 to 4 and changes level requirement from 4/11/18 to 3/10/17/24

• PACK RAT. Meepo can equip any item in the neutral item slot with the exception of boots and items that are dropped on death. Meepo's clones gain full bonuses from the item with the exception of three primary attributes. When Meepo or a clone uses an item in the neutral slot, all other Meepos have this item go on cooldown reduced by 50%

Morphling

• EBB. Hero’s Primary Attribute is Agility. ADAPTIVE STRIKE (STRENGTH) Knocks back the target hit.

• FLOW. Makes Morphling's current Agility to Strength ratio affect his Cooldown speed, ranging from 50% faster with 175% Agility/Strength ratio to regular speed with 50% Agility/Strength ratio. Doesn't affect items .Replicated abilities are also affected by increased Cooldown Speed, based on Agility/Strength ratio Morphling had before replicating

Naga Siren

• RIP TIDE. Naga Siren's third basic ability when the facet is picked. Passive ability. Every 6 attacks from Naga and her illusions, the Naga Siren and her images will hit all nearby units with a damaging wave of water that lowers armor for 4 seconds

• DELUGE. New Naga Siren's third basic ability when the facet is picked Active ability. Naga Siren and all of her images hit nearby units with a damaging wave of water that reduces enemy status resistance for 5s. Mana Cost: 70/80/90/100. Cooldown: 10s

The heroes with the worst facets

After the release of patch 7.36a, several heroes experienced a significant decrease in win rates. Many of them had their abilities nerfed too much or had not very good facets added, which affected their performance in matches. They may recover in the future, but for now, they are losing to other heroes.

Clockwerk

• HOOKUP. If the hook hits an ally to pull into, cooldown is reduced by 75% and stun/damage radius is increased from 175 to 300

• EXPANDED ARMATURE. Cogs are formed in a radius increased by 115. Cogs have a smaller trigger radius, but they can affect enemies inside, pushing them towards the center

Death Prophet

• SILENCE. Applies movement slow to affected units by 10/15/20/25%

• SPIRIT COLLECTOR. Whenever a hero dies, Death Prophet traps their spirit as a charge for later use. This affects both allies and enemies within a 2000 range. Can be disabled by Break to prevent Death Prophet from gaining charges

  EXORCISM. Casting Exorcism consumes all Spirit Collector charges to replace 1 standard spirit per charge with spirits of fallen heroes that deal 75-80/88-93/101-106 damage. If any hero is killed during Exorcism, their spirit will instantly replace a standard spirit if possible, otherwise no charge is gained

Bristleback

• Berserk: Warpath increases attack speed by 5/10/15/20 per stack but reduces bonus damage to 5 at all levels.

• Snot Rocket: Viscous Nasal Goo: Increases stack limit from 4 to 6. Armor reduction increased from 1.5/2/2.5/3 to 2.5/3/3.5/4. Instead of Quill Spray, fires Viscous Nasal Goo in a 900-unit radius upon taking the required damage.

The guide continues to be updated with new heroes.