Info
Turn rate is the speed at which a unit can turn. When moving to a location, a unit first turns to face that location, then begins walking. Similarly, when targeting another unit with an attack or spell, a unit first turns until it is facing the target, and then continues with the action. A unit only starts moving, or only starts casting a spell on a targeted area or point when the target is within 11.5₰ angle in front of the ordered unit. This can make kiting more difficult, as the hero has to spend time turning towards and away from the target with each attack.
Every unit has a base turn rate, which can be lowered by some abilities. The vast majority of heroes have a turn rate between 0.4 and 0.6, meaning it takes between 0.15 and 0.23 seconds for the hero to make a 180 degree turn.
Mechanics
Turn rate is expressed in radians per 0.03 seconds. A 180 degrees turn is the same as ⏀ (3.14) radians.
0.03⏀ divided by the turn rate of the unit equals the time it takes to turn 180 degrees. A turn rate slow is directly applied to the base turn rate. For instance, a turn rate slow of 70% on a unit`s 0.5 base turn rate lowers the unit`s actual turn rate to 0.5 ⃗ (1 - 0.7) = 0.15.
(0.03⏀ / T = t, where T = turn rate and t = the time it takes to turn around).
Examples:
- A hero with a turn rate of 0.6 takes roughly 0.157 seconds to turn 180 degrees. (0.03⏀ / 0.6)
- A hero with a turn rate of 0.4 and a turn rate slow of 70% takes roughly 0.785 seconds to turn 180 degrees. (0.03⏀ / (0.4 ⃗ 0.3))
- A hero with a turn rate of 1.0 and a turn rate slow of 70% takes roughly 0.314 seconds to turn 180 degrees. (0.03⏀ / (1.0 ⃗ 0.3))
- A hero with a turn rate of 0.4 and turn rate slows of 70% and 50% takes roughly 1.571 seconds to turn 180 degrees. (0.03⏀ / (0.4 ⃗ 0.15))
Be that as it may, a unit does not immediately start turning at the highest rate it can turn. The turn rate ramps as the unit starts turning, reaching the unit`s max turn rate after a certain amount of time. The rate at which the turn rate ramps up is unknown.
If a unit starts turning due to an ability or item cast order (by targeting a point, area or unit which is not within the required 11.5₰ facing angle), the turning cannot be canceled by a move, attack or a new spell cast order. Any command ordered while turning due to a spell cast order gets queued up and executed once the spell is cast. In order to cancel the spell or ability cast, the player must issue a stop or halt command, in the same way how to cancel spell during its cast animation. This is to prevent accidental canceling of casts due to fast clicking. Issuing a stop or halt command does not stop the unit from turning if it has already started to turn, but stops the order which initiated the turning. This allows for example Templar Assassin to turn during Meld without canceling the ability, as long as the move command is stopped before the targeted point is within the required angle.
Videos
Turn rate comparison
Below is a comparison of the turn rates of all heroes.
- Io: Despite not requiring to turn in order to take any action, Io still uses a turn rate (0.7). This means, despite starting to move/attack/cast spells instantly at a target behind it, Io still requires roughly 0.13 seconds to turn 180₰ and face towards the target. This still existing turn rate affects spells which work with the facing angle of the targeted unit, like Blink Strike, Cloak and Dagger and Force Staff. In order to distinguish where Io is facing its front is marked visually by an arc.
- During Omnislash, Sleight of Fist, Icarus Dive and Sun Ray, the caster does not require to turn to take actions either.
- Torrent, Shadow Amulet, Glimmer Cape, Bottle, Clarity, Enchanted Mango and Healing Salve do not require their caster to face towards their target.
Abilities affecting turn rate
- Batrider Hero Strategy Counters Equipment Gear Responses Sounds Lore Old Abilities Changelogs Known Bugs Batrider 23 + 2.7 15 + 1.5 24 + - Sticky NapalmTurn Rate Slow: 70%
Duration: 8 - Medusa - Stone GazeTurn Rate Slow: 35%
Duration: 5/6/7 - Turn Rate: 0.013
This equals 25 degrees per second.
Version history
- Tusk Hero Strategy Counters Equipment Gear Responses Sounds Lore Old Abilities Changelogs Tusk 23 + 2.6 23 + 2.1 18 + 1.7 Level Base `s turn rate increased from 0.5 to 0.7.
- Increased the speed at which turn rates of units ramp up by 15%.
- Sniper Hero Strategy Counters Equipment Gear Responses Sounds Lore Old Abilities Changelogs Sniper 16 + 2 21 + 2.5 15 + 2.6 Level Base `s turn rate increased from 0.6 to 0.7.
- Drow Ranger For the race in Dota 2 lore, see Drow. Hero Strategy Counters Equipment Gear Responses Sounds Lore Old Abilities Changelogs Known Bugs `s turn rate increased from 0.6 to 0.7.
- Phantom Assassin Hero Strategy Counters Equipment Gear Responses Sounds Lore Old Abilities Changelogs Phantom Assassin 20 + 2.15 23 + 3.15 15 + 1.4 Level `s turn rate increased from 0.4 to 0.6.
- Rubick Hero Strategy Counters Equipment Gear Responses Sounds Lore Spell Steal Interactions Old Abilities Changelogs Known Bugs Rubick 19 + 1.8 14 `s turn rate increased from 0.5 to 0.7.
- Luna Hero Strategy Counters Equipment Gear Responses Sounds Lore Old Abilities Changelogs Known Bugs Luna 15 + 2.5 18 + 3.3 16 + `s turn rate increased from 0.4 to 0.6.
- Phoenix Hero Strategy Counters Equipment Gear Responses Sounds Lore Old Abilities Changelogs Phoenix 19 + 3.2 12 + 1.3 18 + 1.8 Level Base ` Sun Ray turn rate increased from 20 to 25 degrees per second.
- Riki Hero Strategy Counters Equipment Gear Responses Sounds Lore Old Abilities Changelogs Riki 17 + 1.9 34 + 2.2 14 + 1.3 Level Base `s Smoke Screen no longer slows turn rates.
- Cast behavior while turning to cast has been adjusted:
- Previously if you cast a spell and were already in range, but not facing the target (outside of the small cast angle), your hero would start turning, but not consider that turn as anything beyond normal movement from an order priority perspective. This meant that issuing any order while turning, during that very short threshold window, would not be in the order queue in the same way as once your casting time started.
- It now treats your order as the same once you are in cast range.
- The effective difference this has is that you can queue your actions in the same way after you click one ability without depending on the angle of cast being 16 degrees or 20 degrees. Previously if you issued the order at the wrong degree, it would completely interrupt the ability, rather than queuing it to do after your existing order finished as is the usual spell casting behavior.
- This subtle difference applies most commonly with Blink Dagger, as you could easily accidentally cancel your blink order if you clicked the other ability before you reached the critical angle (since otherwise Blink has 0 cast time).
- Riki Hero Strategy Counters Equipment Gear Responses Sounds Lore Old Abilities Changelogs Riki 17 + 1.9 34 + 2.2 14 + 1.3 Level Base `s Smoke Screen now reduces turn rate by 30%.
- Io no longer requires turning to perform any actions.
- Storm Spirit Hero Strategy Counters Equipment Gear Responses Sounds Lore Old Abilities Changelogs Storm Spirit 19 + 1.8 22 + 1.8 24 + 3 Level `s turn rate improved from 0.6 to 0.8.
- Pudge Hero Strategy Counters Equipment Gear Responses Sounds Lore Old Abilities Changelogs Pudge 25 + 3.5 14 + 1.5 14 + 1.5 Level Base `s turn rate increased from 0.5 to 0.7.
- Earthshaker Hero Strategy Counters Equipment Gear Responses Sounds Lore Old Abilities Changelogs Known Bugs Earthshaker 22 + 3.2 12 + 1.4 16 + `s turn rate improved from 0.6 to 0.9.
- Faceless Void Hero Strategy Counters Equipment Gear Responses Sounds Lore Old Abilities Changelogs Faceless Void 23 + 2.1 23 + 2.8 15 + 1.5 Level `s turn rate increased from 0.5 to 1.
- Magnus Hero Strategy Counters Equipment Gear Responses Sounds Lore Old Abilities Changelogs Magnus 21 + 3.2 15 + 2.5 19 + 1.65 Level Base `s turn rate improved from 0.5 to 0.8.
- Meepo Hero Strategy Counters Equipment Gear Responses Sounds Lore Old Abilities Changelogs Known Bugs Meepo 23 + 1.6 23 + 2.2 20 + `s turn rate improved from 0.5 to 0.65.
- Earthshaker Hero Strategy Counters Equipment Gear Responses Sounds Lore Old Abilities Changelogs Known Bugs Earthshaker 22 + 3.2 12 + 1.4 16 + `s turn rate improved from 0.4 to 0.6.
- Batrider Hero Strategy Counters Equipment Gear Responses Sounds Lore Old Abilities Changelogs Known Bugs Batrider 23 + 2.7 15 + 1.5 24 + `s turn rate improved from 0.4 to 1.0.
- Bristleback Hero Strategy Counters Equipment Gear Responses Sounds Lore Old Abilities Changelogs Bristleback 22 + 2.2 17 + 1.8 14 + 2.8 Level Base `s turn rate increased from 0.6 to 1.0.
- Templar Assassin Hero Strategy Counters Equipment Gear Responses Sounds Lore Old Abilities Changelogs Known Bugs Templar Assassin 18 + 2.4 23 + 2.3 20 `s turn rate increased from unknown to 0.7.
Turn Rate Formula
Turn rate is expressed in radians per 0.03 seconds. A 180₰ turn is 3.14 radians.
Finding the time to turn 180₰ can be calculated using the following formula:
|
|
However due to the 11.5₰ leeway, the maximum time it would take to perform an action is within 168.5₰ rather than a full 180₰.
Finding the time to turn 168.5₰ can be calculated using the following formula:
|
|
In effect, this results in actions being allowed to occur 0.01 seconds earlier. While this number seems small, it has a noticeable in game effect. With directional turning, which forces a full 180₰ turn for precise movement, actions feel significantly slower. Overall, the leeway makes actions feel more fluid and less clunky.
Because the 11.5₰ leeway is in either direction, this creates a 23₰ angle directly in front of the hero allowing instant actions on any target within 23₰. For any target beyond this angle, the hero must wait until they turn before the action occurs. The above formula is used to find the maximum time, so the time until the action takes place is ≤ 168.5₰ Turn Time.
Hero Turn Rates
Heroes | Turn Rate | 180₰ Turn Time | Speed |
---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.09 seconds | Fast |
| 0.9 | 0.10 seconds | |
| 0.8 | 0.11 seconds | |
| 0.7 | 0.13 seconds | Medium |
| 0.65 | 0.14 seconds | |
| 0.6 | 0.15 seconds | |
| 0.5 | 0.18 seconds | Slow |
| 0.4 | 0.23 seconds |
Unit Turn Rates
Summons | Turn Rate | 180₰ Turn Time | Speed |
---|---|---|---|
Hawk, Boar, Spirit Bear | 0.6 | 0.15 seconds | Medium |
Astral Spirit, Death Ward, Eidolon, Familiar, Forged Spirit, Frozen Sigil, Healing Ward, Animal Courier, Flying Courier, Mass Serpent Ward, Necronomicon Archer, Necronomicon Warrior, Plague Ward, Treant, Greater Treant, Spiderlings, Spiderites, Warlock Golem, Zombie | 0.5 | 0.18 seconds | Slow |
Creeps | Turn Rate | 180₰ Turn Time | Speed |
Roshan | 1 | 0.09 seconds | Fast |
Lane Creeps, Neutrals | 0.5 | 0.18 seconds | Slow |
Buildings | Turn Rate | 180₰ Turn Time | Speed |
Tower | 1 | 0.09 seconds | Fast |