DotA 1 Commands: Every Game Mode & Cheat

In classic Defense of the Ancients (DotA 1), commands are essential instructions that players type into the in-game chat bar (by pressing Enter). These commands allow you to activate hidden features, adjust match settings, or access additional game information in real-time.

It is important to note that the vast majority of these commands begin with a hyphen (-) and are exclusively recognized by the DotA map, not by the core Warcraft III engine.

---

Primary Game Modes

These commands can only be activated by Player 1 (Blue) during the first few seconds of the match. Furthermore, only one option from this list can be chosen per game.

1. All Pick (-ap)

The most popular and unrestricted mode in the game.

• Effect: Allows every player to choose any available hero from any of the 12 taverns, regardless of whether they belong to the Sentinel or Scourge factions.

2. All Random (-ar)

For players looking for a challenge and variety.

• Effect: Each player automatically receives a random hero from any tavern on the map.
• Incompatibility: Cannot be combined with Reverse Mode (-rv).

3. Captains Mode (-cm)

The quintessential competitive mode used in official tournaments.

• How it works: Player 1 (Blue for Sentinel) and Player 6 (Pink for Scourge) become the captains of their respective teams.
• Ban Phase (40 sec): Each captain removes 4 heroes from the pool in an alternating order (1/1/1/1). If time runs out, the system bans a hero at random.
• Pick Phase (60 sec + 45 sec extra time): Captains choose heroes for their team in an alternating 1/2/2 order. If the base time expires, extra time is consumed; if extra time runs out as well, a random hero is assigned.
• Assignment: After the selection phase ends, the 5 chosen heroes appear with a checkmark, allowing team members to pick theirs. Creeps spawn 90 seconds after the picking phase concludes.
• Additional Commands: The starting captain is designated at random. However, you can force the starting side by typing -cm1 (Sentinel picks first) or -cm2 (Scourge picks first).
• Incompatibility: Incompatible with all secondary game modes.

4. Extended League Mode (-xl)

A faster competitive alternative to Captains Mode.

• Requirement: Exactly 10 players are required in the lobby.
• How it works: Captains (Blue and Pink) have 20 seconds to ban a total of 4 heroes. Afterward, players draft their heroes in a 1-2-2-2-2-1 order.
• Incompatibility: Incompatible with all secondary modes except Shuffle Players (-sp).

5. League Mode (-lm)

The classic turn-based league drafting mode.

• Requirement: Requires 10 players.
• How it works: Players select their heroes in a strict turn order. Each player has 20 seconds to draft; otherwise, they are assigned a random hero.
• Draft Order:
• Blue (1st)
• Pink & Light Blue (2nd)
• Teal & Purple (3rd)
• Gray & Dark Green (4th)
• Yellow & Orange (5th)
• Brown (6th)

• Incompatibility: Incompatible with all secondary modes except Shuffle Players (-sp).

6. Mode Random (-mr)

Leaves the initial match setup entirely in the hands of fate.

• Effect: The map randomly selects one of the following four primary modes: -ar, -rd, -sd, or -vr.
• Incompatibility: Incompatible with All Agility, All Intelligence, All Strength, Death Match, Melee Only, Mirror Match, Range Only, Reverse Mode, and Same Hero.

7. Random Draft (-rd)

A strategic draft based on a limited pool of heroes.

• Requirement: Requires an equal number of players on both teams.
• How it works: The game randomly selects 20 heroes from the entire roster and places them in the top-left corner of the map (the remaining heroes are removed). Players then take turns picking their heroes following the League Mode (-lm) order.
• Note: Goblin Techies is automatically disabled in this mode.
• Incompatibility: Incompatible with All Agility, All Intelligence, All Strength, Death Match, Melee Only, Mirror Match, Range Only, Reverse Mode, and Same Hero.

8. Single Draft (-sd)

Commonly known as the "three choices mode."

• Effect: Each player is presented with 3 random heroes inside their Circle of Power: one Agility (AGI), one Strength (STR), and one Intelligence (INT). The player must choose one of these three options.
• Incompatibility: Incompatible with All Agility, All Intelligence, All Strength, Death Match, Melee Only, Mirror Match, Range Only, Reverse Mode, and Same Hero.

9. Team Random (-tr)

• Efect: Each player receives a random hero, but it is strictly limited to the taverns of their own faction (Light taverns for the Sentinel side and Dark taverns for the Scourge side).
• Incompatibility: Incompatible with Death Match and Reverse Mode.

10. Vote Random (-vr)

A democratic voting system to kick off the match.

• Requirement: Requires an equal number of players on both teams.
• How it works: The game generates 3 distinct hero groups (matching Sentinel vs. Scourge lineups). Every player must vote for their preferred group in the chat by typing the command -option # (replacing # with 1, 2, or 3). The group with the most votes determines the available hero pool.
• Incompatibility: Incompatible with All Agility, All Intelligence, All Strength, Death Match, Melee Only, Mirror Match, Range Only, Reverse Mode, and Same Hero.

---

Secondary Game Modes

These commands can only be typed by Player 1 (Blue) right after selecting a Primary Game Mode. They are used to further customize the map's rules, hero pools, and gameplay mechanics.

1. All Agility (-aa)

• Effect: Restricts the hero pool entirely. Only Agility-based heroes are enabled for selection or random assignment.
• Incompatibility: Incompatible with All Intelligence, All Strength, and Death Match.

2. All Intelligence (-ai)

• Effect: Restricts the hero pool entirely. Only Intelligence-based heroes are enabled for selection or random assignment.
• Incompatibility: Incompatible with All Agility, All Strength, and Death Match.

3. All Strength (-as)

• Effect: Restricts the hero pool entirely. Only Strength-based heroes are enabled for selection or random assignment.
• Incompatibility: Incompatible with All Agility, All Intelligence, and Death Match.

4. Death Match (-dm)

A high-stakes mode where dying means switching characters.

• Effect: When your hero dies, you lose that hero permanently. You will automatically respawn as a completely new random hero while retaining all the items from your inventory.
• Requirements: Can only be activated in matches with more than 4 players (from 2v2 up to 5v5).
• Optional Sub-commands: You can add extra parameters within 15 seconds of typing -dm:
• -nd (No Delay): Eliminates the respawn timer so you revive instantly.
• -lives xx: Sets a maximum number of total team lives (replace xx with the desired number).

• Incompatibility: Incompatible with All Agility, All Intelligence, All Strength, Melee Only, Mirror Match, Range Only, Reverse Mode, and Same Hero.

5. Duplicate Mode (-du)

• Effect: Allows multiple players to pick or randomly receive the exact same hero.

6. Easy Mode (-em)

Perfect for faster, casual matches.

• Effect: Lowers the difficulty of the map by making structures (towers) weaker and more vulnerable. Additionally, lane creeps grant more experience, and passive gold accumulation is significantly accelerated.

7. Item Drop (-id)

• Effect: Increases the penalty of dying. When a hero dies, they will drop one random item from their inventory onto the ground. If the selected inventory slot is empty, nothing drops.
• Note: "Undroppable" items like the Divine Rapier or items currently on cooldown (CD) are immune to this effect.

8. Melee Only (-mo)

• Effect: Disables all ranged attackers. Only melee heroes are enabled.
• Incompatibility: Incompatible with Death Match and Range Only.

9. Mirror Match (-mm)

• Requirement: Requires both teams to have an equal number of players.
• Effect: After one minute of gameplay, the map evaluates player pairs (Blue/Pink, Light Blue/Teal, Purple/Gray, Yellow/Dark Green, Orange/Brown). One hero in each pair is replaced to match their counterpart's hero. Ultimately, mirrored players will play identical heroes, ensuring both teams have the exact same team composition.
• Incompatibility: Incompatible with Death Match and Same Hero.

10. No Bot (-nb)

• Effect: Completely deactivates creep spawns in the Bottom (Right) lane. The towers in this lane remain vulnerable to damage.

11. No Mid (-nm)

• Effect: Completely deactivates creep spawns in the Middle lane. The towers in this lane remain vulnerable to damage.

12. No Top (-nt)

• Effect: Completely deactivates creep spawns in the Top (Left) lane. The towers in this lane remain vulnerable to damage.

13. No Powerups (-np)

• Effect: Disables the spawning of Runes (Double Damage, Haste, Invisibility, Illusion, Regeneration) in the river.

14. Only Mid (-om)

• Effect: Concentrates the entire game into a single lane. Creep production is completely disabled on both the Top and Bottom lanes, and the structures on those side lanes become completely invulnerable.

15. Range Only (-ro)

• Effect: Disables all melee fighters. Only heroes with ranged attacks are enabled.
• Incompatibility: Incompatible with Death Match and Melee Only.

16. Reverse Mode (-rv)

• Effect: Each team goes through the standard hero drafting phase for themselves. However, once the phase ends, teams swap rosters, forcing you to play the heroes chosen by your opponents.
• Incompatibility: Incompatible with Death Match and Same Hero.

17. Same Hero (-sh)

• Effect: Forces every single player in the match to play the exact same hero that Player 1 (Blue) selects.
• Incompatibility: Incompatible with Death Match, Mirror Match, and Reverse Mode.

18. Shuffle Players (-sp)

• Effect: Shuffles all players randomly into new teams before the game starts. This randomly reassigns your slot color and your faction alignment (Sentinel or Scourge).

19. Super Creeps (-sc)

• Effect: Adds an element of chaos to the lanes. Every 13 minutes, a massive "Super Creep" (Siege Golem, Scary Fish, or Ancient Hydra) will spawn randomly for both teams in one of the three lanes (Top, Mid, or Bottom).

---

Experimental Game Modes

These advanced commands can only be typed by Player 1 (Blue) alongside the primary and secondary modes to test alternative game rules.

• -experimentalrunes / -er: Changes the rune mechanic to an experimental system. Runes will spawn on both sides of the river simultaneously every 3 minutes.
• -fastrespawn / -fr: Halves the respawn time for all heroes throughout the match.
• -miniheroes / -mi: Shrinks all heroes on the map to half of their standard size.
• -norepick / -nr: Disables the -repick command completely for the entire match.
• -noswap / -ns: Disables the -swap command completely for the entire match.
• -observerinfo / -oi: Enabled by default. In matches with spectators/observers, typing this disables or toggles extra detailed hero information when an observer hovers their mouse over a hero.
• -poolingmode / -pm: Enables "pooling," allowing teammates to share items freely without the items becoming "muted" (unusable) by the receiving player.
• -randomside / -rs: Randomly assigns your team to either the Sentinel or Scourge side before the match begins.
• -switchon / -so: Enbles the mid-game -switch commands, allowing players to swap teams.

---

Single Player Developer Commands

These cheats are automatically activated in Single Player mode. They are perfect for practice, testing builds, or exploring the map.

• -gold xxxx: Grants you a specific amount of gold (replace xxxx with a number).
• -kill: Instantly suicides your own hero.
• -killall: Instantly kills all lane creeps on the map.
• -killscourge: Instantly eliminates all Scourge lane creeps.
• -killsent: Instantly eliminates all Sentinel lane creeps.
• -lvlup #: Advances your hero by a specific number of levels. Typing just -lvlup without a number grants exactly 1 level.
• -neutrals: Force-spawns neutral creeps in all jungle camps immediately.
• -noherolimit: Removes the hero limit, letting you control multiple heroes. Note: This must be entered within the first 15 seconds of the match.
• -powerup: Instantly spawns a random rune at its designated spot.
• -refresh: Resets the cooldown (CD) of all your abilities and items instantly while restoring your health and mana.
• -spawncreeps: Force-spawns a fresh wave of lane creeps for both Sentinel and Scourge in all three lanes.
• -time #: Sets the map's internal clock to a specific hour (replace # with a number).
• -trees: Instantly respawns and stands up every single destroyed or chopped-down tree on the map.

---

General In-Game Commands

These utility commands can be used by any player at any point during a standard match to check stats, clean up UI, or adjust cosmetics.

Stats & Interface

• -afk: Shows a breakdown of how long specific players have been completely inactive.
• -apm: Displays your current Actions Per Minute (APM) to track your mechanical speed.
• -bonus: Displays the total amount of bonus experience and gold you have secured exclusively from hero kills.
• -clear: Instantly clears all text messages from your screen to unclutter your view.
• -courier: Places a temporary ping/signal on the map to show the current location of your team's courier.
• -cs: Temporarily displays your lane creep Last Hits and Denies in the middle of the screen.
• -cson / -csoff: Toggles a persistent scoreboard on the top right showing your creep Last Hits and Denies.
• -don / -doff: Toggles a visible respawn timer countdown when you die.
• -gameinfo: Displays a summary of all active game modes and rules configured for the current match.
• -hhn (Hide Hero Names): Hides the hero's class name next to a player's name in the text chat.
• -hidemsg / -showmsg: Toggles the visibility of specific automated system on-screen messages.
• -ms (Movement Speed): Displays your hero's exact current movement speed.

Utility & Game Mechanics

• -enablehelp / -disablehelp: Toggles whether allies can cast certain disruptive abilities on you, such as Chen's Test of Faith, Outworld Devourer's Astral Imprisonment, or Nature's Prophet's Sprout.
• -showdeny / -hidedeny: Toggles a colored exclamation mark (!) overlay whenever a friendly creep or building is denied. The color of the mark matches the player who secured the deny.
• -invokelist: Displays a handy text reminder list of all of Invoker’s spell combinations.
• -itemswap x y: Swaps items between inventory slots (replace x and y with slot numbers 1–6). This safely works even for undroppable items or items currently on cooldown.
• -kickafk #: Initiates a vote or instantly kicks a player (replace # with their player number) if they have been completely AFK for more than 10 consecutive minutes.
• -ma (Match Up): Displays a handy list of all opposing players, their names, and their respective heroes.
• -mute: Mutes the default multi-kill announcer audio sounds (e.g., "Double Kill", "Monster Kill").
• -recreate: A specialized fix command for specific bugged heroes. If you lose control of your hero due to a script error, approach your fountain and type this to regain full unit control.

Selection & Choices

• -random: Awards you a completely random hero and a +250 gold bonus. You can optionally specify a primary attribute (e.g., -random agi, -random str, -random int) to narrow down the pool, which reduces the bonus to +150 gold.
• -repick: Sacrifices your current hero to randomly draw a new one. This can only be used once during the first minute of the game and is disabled in League Mode. It costs 100 gold in standard modes, and 400 gold in -ar or -tr modes.
• -swap #: Requests a hero swap with an ally (replace # with their player number). They must type -swap [your number] back to confirm.
• Note 1: -swapall sends a swap request to your entire team.
• Note 2: -swapcancel revokes all sent and received swap requests.
• Restriction: Disabled if Player 1 activated -noswap.

• -switch #: Requests a complete slot and team swap with an opposing player (replace # with their player number). Players have 60 seconds to accept or decline using -ok or -no. Only works if -switchon was enabled at the start.

Miscellaneous & Fun

• -quote # / -quote random: Plays a voice line from your selected hero (replace # with a number or use random).
• -rickroll: Prints a humorous text line on the screen. Can be used up to 10 times per match.
• -roll #: Generates a random number between 1 and your specified maximum (replace # with a number). Perfect for roll-dice disputes, like deciding who goes solo mid or who gets Aegis from Roshan.
• -rh (Roll Hero): Outputs a completely random hero name in the chat logs just for fun.
• -rollon / -rolloff: Toggles whether other players can see the text output when you use the -roll command.

Cosmetics & Environment

• -terrain snow / -terrain default: Dynamically changes the map's visual ground textures to a winter/snow theme or back to the default forest look.
• -tips: Activates an assistance system that feeds you 5 basic, tailored gameplay strategy tips for your hero at various stages of the match.
• -unstuck: Instantly channels for 60 seconds, locking your hero in place before teleporting them directly back to your base fountain. Crucial if you get trapped on cliffs or unpathable terrain. Your hero can still accumulate passive lane experience during this channel.
• -water [color/RGB]: Customizes the tint of the river water. You can type red, blue, green, default, random, or specify custom RGB channels (e.g., -water 255 0 0).
• -weather [effect]: Modifies the ambient map climate. Options include rain, snow, moonlight, wind, random, or off.