The behaviours of different spells.

I've seen some similar threads to this but I would like some clearer answers, and I think this could make a good FAQ item or something.

I'm a little confused/ignorant of the way various spells seem to behave. Some are channeling spells some aren't, and besides that, there are stats like duration and cast time and specific "data" properties that seem to effect how a spell is carried out.

Basically I'm wondering if someone could give a clear explanaition of how abilities "fire" and carry out whatever they do and what sort of variations there are between spells and what spells would make good starting points for new spells.

For example I have noticed that channeling abilities will set off the "Begins casting an ability" event and when they are interupted the "Stops casting an ability" event happens.

Anything else anybody has to say?...

I know Life Drain is a Channeling. What i get from this is your channeling into that unit instead of a wide effect like casting. wich is basicly gessing for me senci i dont know alot about the channals and casting stuff.

Cast time is how long will it take you to cast the spell
Cooldown how long until next cast
Duration is how long will it effect that unit

Alot of good spells uses dummy spells witch uses triggers.
Dummy spells do nothing, You just click and then the trigger would work and create w/e around you or on that target.

Thanks EP, thats what I was looking for, but I suppose I will always have more questions.

Here's some simple ones. You say flamestrike and tornado are channeling. So they can be interupted somehow?! And how can you detect buffs with triggers. All I see is a condition to compare Buff = Buff. I don't even see the point of that.

Flamestrike can be stopped by stunning the hero at the very beginning of the spell animation: It cannot be interrupted once started, though.


Tornado is instantly cancelled when the hero who cast it is stunned or otherwise unable to channel.

Thanks. That will be usefull!

Grrr I wish they wouldn't hide such handy things where you wouldn't expect them.:////

Is barrage channling? Ive never been sure. Not really for any reason besides curiosity, however.

yay i have a friend