When you perform an attack on a targeted enemy, they are hurt and take damage— even more with Dota 2 spell amplification. It’s a staple in many game genres to eliminate an enemy to progress.
Damaging an enemy can be done in many ways, but a direct hit inflicts the goal. How does this translate to video games? Well, in video games, there are no real stakes except losing and winning. At the end of the day, the person with the greater skill wins the match.
Bursting enemies or pumping out consistent damage, it’s your intelligent pick. Dota 2 excels in diversifying the damage types, and how to work around them. Pure damage can’t be reduced, but physical and magical damage can.
Armor and magic resistance comes in more sources as time goes on, adding to the arms race. Magic is a hard topic because Icefrog is determined to see it flourish. How do we go about magic damage?
Magic Spells!
Dota’s magic spells are the best solution against heroes with high armor. Their common solution against magic spells is resistance items, or spell immunity. But resistances can go so far when spell amplification comes into the equation.
Spell amplification manipulates the outgoing magic damage of a hero—a higher percentage, bigger damage. It adds complexity to the way magic damage is calculated because players won’t be expecting the same numbers.
An early version of it was Veil of Discord and Ethereal Blade. They performed the function of increasing magic damage on targets, but they were Disables by design. Spell amp’s implementation provided a way to increase spell damage without buying those items.
It first came with Intelligence, before it was removed from the statuses’ bonuses in 7.26. It since has found itself in a few Dota items and talents scattered across heroes. Icefrog managed to fit the Dota 2 spell amplification into a snug place in the game.
Lasting Impact of Dota 2 Spell Amplification
Spell Amplification is a successful new mechanic experiment by Icefrog, but how is it now? The magic percentage boost exists now in 4 items with the Kaya as a component. Kaya, Kaya & Sange, Yasha & Kaya, and Ethereal Blade are priced high to highlight the mechanic’s power. Neutral items in Fairy’s Trinket, Nether Shawl, Intelligence Vambrace, and Timeless Relic provide the magic boost.
The mechanic finds its way into hero talent integration. Heroes with traditional spellcasting builds were given spell amp talents at certain levels. Rubick is undisputed with a 40% amp for stolen spells on top of his E’s 26% amp—a powerful magic duelist.
However, Lina doesn’t slack either, her Aghs upgrades allow her to dish out huge magic damage. It is certain that with the design philosophy, Icefrog is following now, magic is becoming reliable.
What next after spell amplification? We have a taste of new technology with Muerta’s ability to shoot ethereal enemies. Not to mention that Revenant’s Brooch grants its holder the same ability as well, albeit limited.
Icefrog is sure to explore magic spell amplification more, but for now, hope your hero doesn’t explode. Magic is still a powerful type of damage in Dota, so make sure to get your casual cloaks and protect yourself from the burst.
