Magnus, the Magnataur, is a premier melee Strength initiator and utility carry in DotA 1. Blessed with excellent attribute growth, particularly in Strength and Agility, his core role centers on grouping up enemy forces, controlling team fights, and empowering his physical damage allies. He excels at breaking enemy formations and completely turning the tide of an engagement with overwhelming crowd control and displacement mechanics.
Base Stats & Attributes
Hero Attributes
| Attribute |
Base Value |
Growth (per level) |
| Strength |
25 |
+3.5 |
| Agility |
15 |
+2.5 |
| Intelligence |
19 |
+2.1 |
Statistics & Mechanics
| Statistic |
Value |
Mechanic |
Value |
| Damage |
57-65 |
Base HP Regen |
0.75/s |
| HP |
700 |
HP Regen |
+3.25/s |
| MP |
278 |
MP Regen |
+0.96/s |
| Armor |
3.1 |
Turn Rate |
0.8 |
| Move Speed |
305 |
Base Attack Time (BAT) |
1.8 |
| Attack Range |
150 (melee) |
Attack Animations |
0.5 / 0.84 |
Hero Skills Breakdown
1. Shock Wave
A wave of force ripples out from the Hero, causing magical damage to units in a line and moving them a bit closer toward the Magnus. Affected enemies are slowed.
- Damage Type: Magical
- Targeting/Shape: Linear (units in a line)
- Movement Slow: Fixed 75% slow
- Slow Duration: Fixed 0.9 seconds
- Unique Behavior: Pulls affected targets a short distance closer to Magnus's location upon impact.
| Skill Level |
Damage (Magical) |
Cooldown |
Manacost |
| Level 1 |
75 |
13 sec |
80 |
| Level 2 |
150 |
12 sec |
90 |
| Level 3 |
225 |
11 sec |
100 |
| Level 4 |
300 |
10 sec |
110 |
2. Empower
Increases attack damage and grants cleave for a friendly unit. When casted on self, bonuses are doubled.
- Ability Type: Target Ally / Self Buff
- Self Modifier: All baseline damage and cleave percentages are precisely doubled (2x) when Magnus targets himself.
| Skill Level |
Base Damage Increase |
Base Cleave % |
Self Damage Increase |
Self Cleave % |
Buff Duration |
Cooldown |
Manacost |
| Level 1 |
10% |
10% |
20% |
20% |
38 seconds |
8 sec |
45 |
| Level 2 |
15% |
20% |
30% |
40% |
42 seconds |
8 sec |
60 |
| Level 3 |
20% |
30% |
40% |
60% |
46 seconds |
8 sec |
75 |
| Level 4 |
25% |
40% |
50% |
80% |
50 seconds |
8 sec |
90 |
3. Skewer
Magnataur rushes forward, goring enemies on his massive tusks. This drags those units along with him and damages them. Upon reaching his destination, enemy units will be slowed. Deals magical damage.
- Damage Type: Magical
- Displacement Type: Linear Drag (forces caught units to travel with Magnus)
- Slow Duration: Fixed 3.25 seconds
- Aghanim's Scepter Upgrade: Decreases the skill's cooldown, lowers its manacost, and shortens the cast time animation.
| Skill Level |
Damage (Magical) |
Maximum Range |
Movement Slow % |
Attack Speed Slow |
Cooldown |
Manacost |
| Level 1 |
70 |
900 |
10% |
25 |
26 sec |
80 |
| Level 2 |
150 |
1000 |
20% |
30 |
24 sec |
80 |
| Level 3 |
230 |
1100 |
30% |
35 |
22 sec |
80 |
| Level 4 |
310 |
1200 |
40% |
40 |
20 sec |
80 |
4. Reverse Polarity
Through some unknown property of matter, the Magnataur sucks all nearby enemies to his position and stuns them with a powerful slam, dealing magical damage.
- Damage Type: Magical
- Targeting/Shape: Area of Effect (AoE) centered entirely on the hero
- Displacement Type: Teleports/pulls all affected enemy units to a single point directly in front of Magnus.
| Skill Level |
Stun Duration |
Damage (Magical) |
Cooldown |
Manacost |
| Level 1 |
2.75 seconds |
50 |
130 sec |
150 |
| Level 2 |
3.25 seconds |
125 |
130 sec |
225 |
| Level 3 |
3.75 seconds |
200 |
130 sec |
300 |
Item Build Guide
| Phase |
Recommended Items |
Strategic Purpose |
| Early Game |
Arcane Boots, Magic Wand, Bracer |
Arcane Boots expand Magnus's intelligence limitations, securing continuous lane farming via Shock Wave. Bracer adds efficient lane durability. |
| Core Items |
Blink Dagger, Force Staff, Aghanim's Scepter |
Blink Dagger is absolutely vital for landing precise Reverse Polarity setups. Force Staff offers repositioning flexibility, and Scepter maximizes Skewer's map mobility. |
| Late Game |
Refresher Orb, Shiva's Guard, Assault Cuirass |
Refresher Orb delivers game-ending double Reverse Polarity sequences. Shiva's Guard and Assault Cuirass provide armor while capitalizing on Empower's massive cleave. |
Quick Gameplay Tips
- The Turn-Skewer Combo: After blinking into the enemy team and successfully pulling them together with Reverse Polarity, immediately tap a movement command to turn your hero around 180 degrees before casting Skewer. Because targets are placed directly in front of Magnus, this alignment ensures you drag the entire caught enemy team backwards into your allies or high-ground towers.
- Shock Wave Gathering Hook: Use Shock Wave to efficiently secure last hits on multiple low-health creeps while simultaneously pulling an overextended enemy hero slightly closer into your melee attack range. The high 75% movement slow keeps them trailing just long enough to let you transition into an aggressive physical trade or a surprise tower dive.
