Medusa


Bio

Medusa, the Gorgon
Play "The only real beauty is power."
Role: Carry / Disabler / Durable
Lore   Hero   Strategy   Counters   Equipment   Gear   Responses   Sounds   Lore   Old Abilities   Changelogs   Known Bugs     Medusa, the Gorgon Beauty is power. This thought comforted : Beauty is power. This thought comforted Medusa--the youngest and loveliest of three beautiful Gorgon sisters, born to a sea goddess--because she alone of the sisters was mortal. It comforted her, that is, until the day masked assailants invaded the Gorgon realm and tore the two immortal sisters from their home, unmoved by their beauty or by their tears. One of the invaders seized Medusa as well, but then cast her aside with a disgusted look: `This one has the mortal stink upon her. We have no use for that which dies.` Humiliated, enraged, Medusa fled to the temple of her mother and cast herself before the goddess, crying, `You denied me eternal life--therefore I beg you, give me power! Power, so I can dedicate what life I have to rescuing my sisters and avenging this injustice!` After long thought, the goddess granted her daughter`s request, allowing Medusa to trade her legendary beauty for a face and form of terrifying strength. Never for a moment has Medusa regretted her choice. She understands that power is the only beauty worth possessing--for only power can change the world.
Voice: Jen Taylor ( Responses   Hero   Strategy   Counters   Equipment   Gear   Responses   Sounds   Lore   Old Abilities   Changelogs   Known Bugs     v • d • e  Voice responses Hero responses Abaddon Alchemist Ancient Apparition Anti-Mage )

General Strategy

ehMedusa
Strategy Information
Patch Version:
6.88

Abilities

Split Shot
Not a Unique Attack Modifier. Can be used by illusions. Pierces spell immunity. Play
Q
T
Ability
Toggle
Affects
Enemies
Medusa magically splits her shot into several arrows. These arrows deal a lower percent of her normal damage.
The extra targets will not receive other attack effects (such as critical strike) and Unique Attack Modifiers.
Cast Animation: 0+0
Search Radius: 700
Bonus Attack Targets: 1/2/3/4 (Talent 2/3/4/5)
Attack Damage Reduction: 20%
Cooldown symbol.png 0
Can be used by illusions. Illusions created while Split Shot is toggled on have permanently Split Shot active.
Not a Unique Attack Modifier. Other attack modifiers are only applied to the primary attack target.
Modifiers
Buff Split Shot: Undispellable.
All who encounter the cursed Gorgon will feel her rage.

Notes:

  • The toggling of Split Shot is not registered as a spell cast and thus does not proc any on-cast effects.
  • The primary attack target is not affected by Split Shot. It is only hit by the primary attack.
  • When toggled on, Medusa`s main attack damage and bonus attack damage are reduced.
    • Other sources of damage added to the primary attack are not reduced (e.g. bash from items).
    • The reduction displayed in the HUD is inaccurate, as it is based on the main attack damage, instead of main and bonus damage.
  • Split Shot persists through Medusa`s death. If Split Shot was active upon death, she respawns with it active.


Mystic Snake
Blocked by Linken`s Sphere. Partially pierces spell immunity. Play
W
C
Ability
Target Unit
Affects
Enemies / Self
Damage Attack damage is the amount of damage a unit is dealing with an unmodified basic attack; the base values are different for every hero. The total attack damage of a unit is the sum of dota2
Magical / Pure
A mystic snake made of energy jumps from target to target dealing damage and stealing mana. After it reaches its last target, it returns to Medusa to replenish her with mana. The snake deals more damage per jump. Deals Pure damage to units petrified by Stone Gaze.
Cast Animation: 0.4+0.57
Cast Range: 800
Bounce Radius: 475
Number of Bounces: 3/4/5/6
Base Damage: 80/120/160/200
Damage Increase per Bounce: 35%
Max Mana Stolen: 11%/14%/17%/20%
Base Stone Duration: 0 (Upgradable by Aghanim`s Scepter. 1)
Stone Duration Increase per Bounce: 0 (Upgradable by Aghanim`s Scepter. 0.3)
Cooldown symbol.png 11
Mana symbol.png 140/150/160/170
Upgradable by Aghanim`s Scepter. Causes Mystic Snake to turn enemies into stone for 1 second, increases by 0.3 seconds per bounce.
Partially pierces spell immunity. Cannot be cast on spell immune enemies. Can bounce on, steals mana from and attempts to damage spell immune enemies.
Blocked by Linken`s Sphere. Blocked fully when primary or secondary target. Blocked upon impact. When blocked, stops bouncing and returns to Medusa to restore her mana if stolen.
Modifiers
Debuff Stone Gaze Stone: Dispellable with strong dispels.
The Gorgon`s curse is her greatest strength.

Notes:

  • Deals pure damage to units petrified by Stone Gaze.
    • When upgraded, the snake first applies the damage, and then petrifies the enemy, so it does not deal pure damage, unless the target already is petrified.
  • Applies the mana loss first, and then the damage.
  • The snake always bounces to the closest valid target around its current target. Cannot hit the same unit more than once per cast.
  • Upon returning to Medusa, she receives exactly the amount of mana all targets lost to Mystic Snake.
  • Each successful hit on an enemy increases the damage of the next bounce by 35% of the ability`s base damage.
    • This means its damage does not grow exponentially, but statically, dealing 28/42/56/70 damage more per bounce.
  • This is how much damage Mystic Snake deals (Upgradable by Aghanim`s Scepter. and for how long it petrifies) per bounce when all bounces successfully hit (before reductions):
    • Level 1: 80/108/136 damage, 324 total damage (1/1.3/1.6 seconds petrified)
    • Level 2: 120/162/204/246 damage, 732 total damage (1/1.3/1.6/1.9 seconds petrified)
    • Level 3: 160/216/272/328/384 damage, 1360 total damage (1/1.3/1.6/1.9/2.2 seconds petrified)
    • Level 4: 200/270/340/410/480/550 damage, 2250 total damage (1/1.3/1.6/1.9/2.2/2.5 seconds petrified)
  • If the snake`s current target dies or turns invulnerable, hidden or invisible, the bounce neither counts, nor increases the damage.
    • The snake continues bouncing to nearby valid targets in these cases.
  • The snake provides 100 radius flying vision around itself. The vision does not last.
  • The Aghanim`s Scepter upgrade requires Stone Gaze to be learned.
    • It applies the same modifier as Stone Gaze does, so their effects do not stack. The debuff also always uses Stone Gaze`s icon.
    • The Stone Gaze stun duration increasing talent does not affect Mystic Snake`s stun duration.
    • This also means that it instantly kills illusions, since this effect is bound to the modifier.


Mana Shield
Cannot be used by illusions. Pierces spell immunity. PlayPlayPlay
E
E
Ability
Toggle
Affects
Self
Creates a shield that absorbs 60% of the incoming damage in exchange for Medusa`s mana.
Cast Animation: 0+0
Damage Absorbed per Mana: 1.6/1.9/2.2/2.5
Cooldown symbol.png 0
Pierces spell immunity. While spell immune, Mana Shield does not react on magical damage.
Modifiers
Buff Mana Shield: Undispellable.
While Medusa was not gifted with eternal life upon birth, her curse bestowed her with impressive defensive powers.

Notes:

  • The toggling of Mana Shield is not registered as a spell cast and thus does not proc any on-cast effects.
  • Absorbs damage before any damage reduction takes place, including damage block or reduction from spells (e.g. Aphotic Shield).
    • This also affects everything which works directly with damage dealt after reductions (e.g. Orchid Malevolence).
  • Increases Medusa`s effective health by 150% when toggled on, assuming she has enough mana.
  • Mana Shield persists through Medusa`s death. If Mana Shield was active upon death, she respawns with it active.


Stone Gaze
Pierces spell immunity. Play
R
G
Ability
No Target
Affects
Enemies
Damage Attack damage is the amount of damage a unit is dealing with an unmodified basic attack; the base values are different for every hero. The total attack damage of a unit is the sum of dota2
Pure
(HP Removal)
Any enemy units looking at Medusa will have their movement and attack speed slowed. If 2 seconds of total time is accumulated looking at Medusa while Stone Gaze is active, that unit will turn to stone. Petrified units are stunned, have 100% magic damage resistance, and take bonus physical damage. If the petrified unit is an illusion, it is immediately killed.
Cast Animation: 0.4+0.5
Radius: 1000
Move Speed Slow: 35%
Attack Speed Slow: 35
Turn Rate Slow: 35%
Attack Damage Amplification: 50%
Gaze Duration: 5/6/7
Stone Duration: 3 (Talent 5)
Cooldown symbol.png 90
Mana symbol.png 200
Modifiers
Buff Stone Gaze: Undispellable.
Debuff Stone Gaze Facing: Undispellable.
Debuff Stone Gaze Slow: Undispellable.
Debuff Stone Gaze Stone: Dispellable with strong dispels.
The beauty of Medusa is legendary.

Notes:

  • Every enemy unit that faces Medusa within 85 degrees in front of them within a 1000 radius around Medusa gets the facing and the slow debuff applied.
  • A unit can only receive the facing debuff once per cast. The debuff counts for how long the unit faces Medusa. If it accumulates 2 seconds of facing time, it petrifies the unit.
    • The facing debuff lasts for either as long as Stone Gaze does (ending whenever Stone Gaze ends in any way), or until accumulating 2 seconds of facing time.
    • The 2 second facing counter does not reset when looking away once.
    • Facing Medusa while invulnerable or hidden still counts towards the 2 second counter.
    • This means a unit can only be petrified once per cast and can freely face Medusa afterwards without getting petrified again.
    • Therefore it can be avoided by being invulnerable as the spell attempts to petrify.
  • The slow debuff is also applied only once per cast. Its base duration is equal to Stone Gaze`s base duration (5/6/7 seconds).
    • If a unit faces Medusa the first time a few seconds after cast, but avoids getting petrified, the slow debuff does not exceed Stone Gaze`s duration and disappears when the gaze ends,
    • Be that as it may, if the unit does get petrified, the slow lasts its full duration, exceeding the gaze`s own duration.
  • The petrification is a simple stun, which also freezes their animations, grants 100% magic resistance and amplifies incoming physical attack damage.
  • Illusions are destroyed instead of petrified.
  • Only increases physical damage dealt by attacks. Physical damage from spells is not increased.
  • Stone Gaze ends when Medusa dies.


Videos

Info

Hero   Main   Mechanics   Attributes Table   Release Dates   Grid Layout     Heroes are the essential element of Dota 2, as the course of the match is dependent on their intervention. During dota2 Strategy   Hero   Strategy   Counters   Equipment   Gear   Responses   Sounds   Lore   Old Abilities   Changelogs   Known Bugs     Contents 1 Gameplay 2 Ability Builds 3 Talents 4 dota2 Counters Play “Many hands make light work.” This article is badly written or needs more information. Please help the community by updating it. Read this formatting guide first.   Hero   Strategy   Counters   Equipment   Equipment   Hero   Strategy   Counters   Equipment   Gear   Responses   Sounds   Lore   Old Abilities   Changelogs   Known Bugs     v • d • e Medusa Equipment (collapse sets)Sets Eye of the Beholder Forsaken dota2 Gear   Hero   Strategy   Counters   Equipment   Gear   Responses   Sounds   Lore   Old Abilities   Changelogs   Known Bugs     This is a list of cosmetic items that reflects dota2 Responses   Hero   Strategy   Counters   Equipment   Gear   Responses   Sounds   Lore   Old Abilities   Changelogs   Known Bugs     v • d • e  Voice responses Hero responses Abaddon Alchemist Ancient Apparition Anti-Mage Sounds   Hero   Strategy   Counters   Equipment   Gear   Responses   Sounds   Lore   Old Abilities   Changelogs   Known Bugs     v • d • e  Dota 2 Sounds Hero Sounds Abaddon Alchemist Ancient Apparition Lore   Hero   Strategy   Counters   Equipment   Gear   Responses   Sounds   Lore   Old Abilities   Changelogs   Known Bugs     Medusa, the Gorgon Beauty is power. This thought comforted Old Abilities   Hero   Strategy   Counters   Equipment   Gear   Responses   Sounds   Lore   Old Abilities   Changelogs   Known Bugs     Stone Gaze (Pre 6.78) PlayRG AbilityNo Target AffectsEnemies DamageMagical dota2 Changelogs   Hero   Strategy   Counters   Equipment   Gear   Responses   Sounds   Lore   Old Abilities   Changelogs   Known Bugs     Contents 1 Version history 2 Patch history Version history dota2 Known Bugs   Hero   Strategy   Counters   Equipment   Gear   Responses   Sounds   Lore   Old Abilities   Changelogs   Known Bugs     Split Shot edit] When activating Split Shot, the tooltip
Medusa
Strength attribute symbol.png
14 + 1.95
Agility primary attribute symbol.png
20 + 2.5
Intelligence attribute symbol.png
19 + 2.1
Level Base 1 15 25
Health “ Play Life becomes death becomes new life. As it should be.  Click to listen— Treant Protector ” Health (also known as HP, which can be short for: health pool or health points) represents the life dota2 200 480 1020 1400
H. Regen “ Play Life becomes death becomes new life. As it should be.  Click to listen— Treant Protector ” Health (also known as HP, which can be short for: health pool or health points) represents the life dota2 0 0.84 2.48 3.65
Mana Play Out of mana! “ Play It s a new age of magic! Click to listen— Keeper of the Light ” Mana (also known as MP, which is short for mana points) represents the magic power of a dota2 75 284 603 834
M. Regen Play Out of mana! “ Play It s a new age of magic! Click to listen— Keeper of the Light ” Mana (also known as MP, which is short for mana points) represents the magic power of a dota2 0.01 0.77 1.95 2.79
Damage Attack damage is the amount of damage a unit is dealing with an unmodified basic attack; the base values are different for every hero. The total attack damage of a unit is the sum of dota2 24‒30 44‒50 79‒85 104‒110
Armor Armor is an attribute shared by all units. Armor is used to determine the amount of damage reduction (or amplification if an armor value is negative) a unit takes from physical damage sources. Higher armor dota2 -1 1.86 6.86 10.43
Spell Dmg   Spell damage   Spell damage sources     Spell damage is all damage which is not dealt by physical attacks. This includes all spells which deal magical, physical or pure damage. Even the damage dota2 0% 1.36% 3.46% 4.96%
Att / Sec The frequency with which units attack is measured in attack speed. A unit s attack speed can be modified by items, agility, abilities, and auras. Contents 1 Base attack time 2 Attack speed representation 3 Attack dota2 0.58 0.7 0.91 1.05
Movement Speed DPS multiplier when chasing Minimum (pursuer MS / target MS) Ratio for Maximum Chase DPS Movement speed (sometimes abbreviated as move speed or MS) is the speed at which a unit can move. Movement speed dota2 290
Turn Rate 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 0.5
Vision Range Vision changes around while the hero moves. Vision describes what a unit can and cannot see from its current location and state. Places a unit cannot see are filled with the Fog of War, a dota2 1800/800
Attack Range Attack range is the range at which a hero may perform his or her basic attack on another unit. There are two main subdivisions of attacks: melee and ranged. Attack range can be extended by 600
Projectile Speed 1200
Attack Animation Every unit in Dota 2 has an attack animation. In mechanical terms, this is a delay between when an attack command is issued, and damage is dealt (in the case of melee units) or a 0.5+0.6
Base Attack Time 1.7
Magic resistance Magic resistance is an attribute of heroes, similar to armor. Instead of reducing physical damage, it reduces magical damage. All heroes, except for Meepo and Visage, possess 25% magic resistance from their armor type. This dota2 25%
Collision Size 24
Legs 0

Medusa the Gorgon is a ranged Attack range is the range at which a hero may perform his or her basic attack on another unit. There are two main subdivisions of attacks: melee and ranged. Attack range can be extended by dota2 agility Agility is the attribute that grants armor and attack speed. For each point of agility a hero gets: 0.14 (1/7) Armor 1 Attack speed Additionally, agility heroes also get 1 attack damage per agility point. dota2 Hero   Main   Mechanics   Attributes Table   Release Dates   Grid Layout     Heroes are the essential element of Dota 2, as the course of the match is dependent on their intervention. During dota2 . Highly item-dependent, she acts as a carry The heroes in Dota 2 are defined by the roles that they are suited to play as a combination of their attributes, abilities, and items, and the ways that these shape the game. Although the dota2 who can potentially strike down entire teams at once while protected by tank The heroes in Dota 2 are defined by the roles that they are suited to play as a combination of their attributes, abilities, and items, and the ways that these shape the game. Although the dota2 -like survivability. Split Shot allows her attacks to hit multiple targets, greatly increasing the potency of damage-granting items. Mystic Snake grants Medusa some presence in the lane and skirmishes, and its mana stealing refunds part of the cost to boot, making it an excellent farming and harassing tool. Mana Shield protects her from the opening damage of teamfights, and if supplemented with items makes killing Medusa a fatally time-consuming process. Stone Gaze acts as a fantastic defensive mechanism against ganks and initiations alike, with crippling effects on all who dare face the Gorgon.

Talents

Hero Talents
+2s Stone Gaze Stun 25 25% Lifesteal
+600 Mana 20 +1 Split Shot Target
15% Evasion 15 +20 Attack Speed
+15 Damage 10 +12 Intelligence attribute symbol.png Intelligence
Notes:
  • The attack damage is added as bonus attack damage, and therefore does not benefit illusions.
  • The evasion stacks multiplicatively with other sources of evasion.
  • Upgrading mana increases maximum mana capacity and keeps the current mana percentage.

Recommended items

Starting Items:

  • Tangoes for recovering hit points especially when received significant damage early on.
  • Healing Salve gives you a 400 HP heal, which a large amount of Medusa`s early game HP.
  • Iron Branches provides early stats needed for last-hitting creeps and a small boost in your hit points and mana.
  • Circlet gives you plenty of stats and lets you pick up a Magic Wand

Medusa, the Gorgon

Recommended Roles
Carry Disabler Durable

Beauty is power. This thought comforted Medusa—the youngest and loveliest of three beautiful Gorgon sisters, born to a sea goddess—because she alone of the sisters was mortal. It comforted her, that is, until the day masked assailants invaded the Gorgon realm and tore the two immortal sisters from their home, unmoved by their beauty or by their tears. One of the invaders seized Medusa as well, but then cast her aside with a disgusted look: `This one has the mortal stink upon her. We have no use for that which dies.` Humiliated, enraged, Medusa fled to the temple of her mother and cast herself before the goddess, crying, `You denied me eternal life—therefore I beg you, give me power! Power, so I can dedicate what life I have to rescuing my sisters and avenging this injustice!` After long thought, the goddess granted her daughter`s request, allowing Medusa to trade her legendary beauty for a face and form of terrifying strength. Never for a moment has Medusa regretted her choice. She understands that power is the only beauty worth possessing—for only power can change the world.

Abilities

Split Shot
Ability: Toggle
Affects: Self
Medusa magically splits her shot into multiple arrows.
QT
Maximum Targets:

Damage:

Radius:
₠2 / 3 / 4 / 5
6 with level 20 talent
₠80%
₠700
Affected By:₠
All who encounter the cursed Gorgon will feel her rage.
Notes
  • Reduces her base damage and bonus damage.
  • Only the primary target will receive attack effects like bash and orb effects.
  • Secondary targets will be the closest enemy units excluding the primary target.
  • Illusions will have Split Shot if created when this ability is active.
Mystic Snake
Ability: Unit Target
Affects: Enemy Units
Damage: Magical
Pure
A mystic snake made of energy jumps from target to target dealing damage and stealing mana. After it reaches its last target, it jumps back to Medusa to replenish it with mana. The snake`s damage dealt increases each jump. Deals pure damage to petrified targets.
WC
140 / 150 / 160 / 170
11
Base Damage:
Bonus Damage:
Maximum Bounces:
Mana Drain:

Bounce Radius:

Cast Range:
₠80 / 120 / 160 / 200
₠35% per bounce
₠3 / 4 / 5 / 6
₠11% / 14% / 17% / 20%
₠of maximum mana
₠475
₠800
Affected By:₠
The Gorgon`s curse is her greatest strength.
Notes
  • Always steals the full amount of mana regardless of actual mana drained.
  • Bounces to targets in the Fog of War, but not invisible units.
  • The mystic snake moves at 800 speed and has 100 flying vision.
  • Cannot be disjointed.
  • Cannot target Spell Immune units, but can bounce to and from spell immune units, which don`t take damage but still have their mana stolen.
  • Blocked by Linken`s Sphere on impact.
Mana Shield
Ability: Toggle
Affects: Self
Creates a shield that absorbs most incoming damage by using Medusa`s mana.
EE
Damage Per Mana:
Damage Absorbed:
₠1.6 / 1.9 / 2.2 / 2.5
₠60%
While Medusa was not gifted with eternal life upon birth, her curse bestowed her with impressive defensive powers.
Notes
  • Absorbs damage before any damage reduction takes place, meaning that armor will not reduce the amount of mana needed to absorb damage.
Stone Gaze
Ability: No Target
Affects: Enemy Units
Any enemy units looking at Medusa will have their movement and attack speed slowed. If looking at Medusa while Stone Gaze is active, that unit will turn to stone. Petrified units are stunned, have magic resistance, and take bonus physical damage.
RG
200
90
Enemy Movement Slow:
Enemy Attack Slow:
Enemy Turn Rate Slow:
Enemy Look Time:
Petrify Duration:

Bonus Physical Damage:

Enemy Magic Resist:
Gaze Duration:
Radius:
₠35%
₠35
₠35%
₠2
₠3
5 with talent
₠50%
₠100%
₠5 / 6 / 7
₠1000
Affected By:₠
The beauty of Medusa is legendary.
Notes
  • Mystic Snake deals Pure damage to petrified targets.
  • Affects invisible units but does not reveal them.
  • Affects any units that view Medusa at any time during the Gaze.
  • Every enemy unit in range that faces Medusa within 85₰ is affected by Stone Gaze.
  • Petrified illusions are instantly killed.
  • Stops immediately if Medusa is killed.
  • Can be removed by a strong dispel.

Talent Tree

Talent Tree
+1s Stone Gaze Stun 25 25% Lifesteal
+600 Mana 20 +1 Split Shot target
15% Evasion 15 +20 Attack Speed
+15 Damage 10 +12 Intelligence

Recommended Items

Standard Build
Starting Items Early Game Core Items Situational Items