Banehallow, the Lycanthrope, is a premier Strength-based core hero in DotA 1, renowned for his unmatched pushing capability, exceptional mobility, and devastating physical burst damage. Thriving on high base attributes and an incredible strength growth curve, Lycanthrope excels at melting enemy structures, hunting down fragile targets, and overwhelming opponents with a lethal combination of personal raw power and a highly aggressive summoned army.
Base Stats & Attributes
Hero Attributes
| Attribute |
Base Value |
Growth (per level) |
| Strength |
26 |
+3.4 |
| Agility |
16 |
+1.7 |
| Intelligence |
23 |
+1.7 |
Level 1 Statistics & Mechanics
| Statistic |
Value |
Mechanic |
Value |
| Damage |
56-60 |
Base HP Regen |
0.25/s |
| HP |
720 |
HP Regen (Total) |
+2.85/s |
| MP |
278 |
MP Regen (Total) |
+0.96/s |
| Armor |
2.3 |
Turn Rate |
0.5 |
| Move Speed |
315 |
Base Attack Time (BAT) |
1.7 |
| Attack Range |
150 (melee) |
Attack Animations |
0.55 / 0.55 |
Hero Skills Breakdown
1. Summon Wolves
Summons 2 Spirit Wolves to fight the Lycanthrope's enemies for 55 seconds. They have 70% innate magic resistance.
- Unit Type: Summoned Units (2 Spirit Wolves)
- Duration: 55 seconds
- Innate Magic Resistance: 70%
- Special Ability (Level 3 & 4): Cripple
- Special Ability (Level 4): Permanent Invisibility
| Skill Level |
Wolf HP |
Wolf Move Speed |
Wolf BAT |
Wolf Damage |
Cooldown |
Manacost |
| Level 1 |
300 |
400 |
1.2s |
26 |
30 sec |
125 |
| Level 2 |
350 |
420 |
1.1s |
34 |
30 sec |
130 |
| Level 3 |
400 |
440 |
1.0s |
42 |
30 sec |
135 |
| Level 4 |
450 |
460 |
0.9s |
50 |
30 sec |
140 |
2. Howl
Strikes fear into enemies, reducing armor and attack damage to all enemies within 2000 range of Lycan and his wolves.
- Area of Effect (AoE): 2000 range centered around Lycanthrope and any of his active wolves
- Targeting: Affects all enemies within the designated radius
| Skill Level |
Armor Reduction |
Enemy Damage Reduction |
Duration |
Cooldown |
Manacost |
| Level 1 |
-5 armor |
25% |
5 seconds |
18 sec |
35 |
| Level 2 |
-6 armor |
30% |
6 seconds |
18 sec |
40 |
| Level 3 |
-7 armor |
35% |
7 seconds |
18 sec |
45 |
| Level 4 |
-8 armor |
40% |
8 seconds |
18 sec |
50 |
3. Feral Impulse
Increases the attack damage of the Lycanthrope and his units', as well as increasing their HP regeneration.
- Skill Nature: Passive Aura
- Targeting: Affects Banehallow and all controlled units under his command
| Skill Level |
Bonus Attack Damage |
Bonus HP Regeneration |
Cooldown |
Manacost |
| Level 1 |
14% |
+2 HP/s |
Passive |
0 |
| Level 2 |
26% |
+4 HP/s |
Passive |
0 |
| Level 3 |
38% |
+6 HP/s |
Passive |
0 |
| Level 4 |
50% |
+8 HP/s |
Passive |
0 |
4. Shapeshift
A Full Moon curdles the blood of the Lycanthropy. He transforms into a Wolf with increased attack speed. This gives him and his units the ability to move at a constant 550 speed and not be slowed. Also every controlled unit can deal critical damage with 40% chance. While Shapeshifted, Lycan's night vision increased to 1800.
- Transformation Time: 1.25 seconds
- Movement Mechanic: Grants absolute 550 movement speed and unslowable status to Lycanthrope and all controlled units
- Visual Property: Night vision enhanced strictly to 1800
- Critical Strike Chance: 40% (applies to Lycanthrope and all controlled units)
- Aghanim's Scepter Upgrade: Adds the Wolf Bite ability. This allows Lycanthrope to bite an allied hero, granting them all of Shapeshift's active bonuses for the identical duration.
| Skill Level |
Critical Damage Multiplier |
Duration |
Cooldown |
Manacost |
| Level 1 |
1.5x |
28 seconds |
110 sec |
100 |
| Level 2 |
1.75x |
28 seconds |
95 sec |
100 |
| Level 3 |
2.0x |
28 seconds |
80 sec |
100 |
Item Build Guide
| Phase |
Recommended Items |
Strategic Purpose |
| Early Game |
Quelling Blade, Ring of Basilius, Power Treads |
Accentuates early lane control and jungle speed. Provides minor armor and mana regeneration to sustain constant wolf usage. |
| Core Items |
Necronomicon, Vladmir's Offering, Desolator |
Amplifies push capabilities. Vladmir's stacks raw lifesteal and armor with Feral Impulse, Necronomicon units share the 550 movement speed and critical traits from Shapeshift, and Desolator maximizes the armor reduction from Howl. |
| Late Game |
Black King Bar, Assault Cuirass, Abyssal Blade |
Ensures total immunity to magic locks during Shapeshift. Assault Cuirass further reduces target armor and buffs minion attack speeds, while Abyssal Blade provides a hard lock to pierce magic immunity. |
Quick Gameplay Tips
- The Global Pack Trait: Because Howl emits a massive 2000 range aura around not only Lycan but also each of his Spirit Wolves, you can park a permanently invisible Level 4 wolf near a tier-2 or tier-3 enemy tower or deep inside a lane. Activating Howl can safely soften up defenses or assist cross-map skirmishes without exposing your main hero.
- Unslowable Shock-Troops: Shapeshift standardizes the movement speed of all units under your control to a locked 550 speed, entirely erasing the effect of enemy slow abilities. Always cast your Summon Wolves and activate items like Necronomicon right before or immediately after shifting to maximize your highly coordinated, high-speed siege army.
