Intelligence [Patch 7.38c]
intelligence is one of the three primary attributes in Dota 2, along with 
strength and 
agility. It grants all heroes mana, mana regeneration and magic resistance. Intelligence heroes and universal heroes also gain attack damage.
Contents
Effect of intelligence on heroes
Each point of intelligence grants the following benefits:
- Mana: Every point of intelligence increases a hero's maximum mana by 12. The current mana in % of the maximum mana remains the same when the hero’s intelligence changes. This effect can be used to increase the regeneration from items such as
Bottle, 
Clarity or 
Enchanted Mango by reducing the intelligence before consumption, e.g., by putting item into backpack or toggling 
Power Treads. - Mana regeneration: Every point of intelligence increases a hero’s mana regeneration by 0.05
- Magic resistance: Every point of intelligence increases a hero’s magic resistance by 0.1.
- Attack damage: For heroes with intelligence as their primary attribute, every point of intelligence also increases their main attack damage by 1. For universal heroes the increase is 0.7
Intelligence gain of heroes
Each hero has a base intelligence value and gains more through levelling up. The hero with the highest base intelligence is 
Outworld Devourer with 30 and the hero with the highest intelligence gain per level is 
Pugna with 5.2. The average base intelligence across all heroes is 19.9 and the average intelligence gain is 2.4
All
Agility
Intelligence
Strength
Universal
5.2
4.7
4.2
4.1
4.0
3.8
3.7
3.6
3.5
3.4
3.3
3.2
3.1
3.0
2.9
2.8
2.7
2.6
2.4
2.3
2.2
2.1
2.0
1.9
1.8
1.7
1.6
1.5
1.4
1.3
1.2
1.0
0.0
List of intelligence heroes
Intelligence heroes typically rely on spells and are dealing magical damage. Maximum mana and mana regeneration are essential for them to be effective.
There are 34 intelligence heroes in Dota 2.
Role of intelligence heroes
Intelligence heroes typically play support roles and are valuable gankers. They heavily rely on their large amounts of mana and mana regeneration. In general, intelligence heroes are most impactful in the early to mid game, but less so in the late game.
Intelligence bonus from items
53 items grant intelligence attribute bonuses to the wearing hero in Dota 2:
| Item | Valuesorted descending | Item Cost | Cost/Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 5975  | 149 | |
| 35 | 6800 | 194 | |
| 30 | 5200 | 173 | |
| 25 | 6800 | 272 | |
| 25 | 2800 | 112 | |
| 24 | 2850 | 119 | |
| 22 | 5300 | 241 | |
| 16 | 4800 | 300 | |
| 16 | 2100 | 131 | |
| 16 | 4200 | 263 | |
| 16 | 4200 | 263 | |
| 15 | 2800 | 187 | |
| 15 | 4450 | 297 | |
| 15 | 7450 | 497 | |
| 15 | 4550 | 303 | |
| 15 | 2250 | 150 | |
| 13 | 6300 | 485 | |
| 12 | 2775 | 231 | |
| 11 | 5150 | 468 | |
| 10 | 1000 | 100 | |
| 10 | 1625 | 163 | |
| 10 | 3275 | 328 | |
| 10 | 6625 | 663 | |
| 10 | 2600 | 260 | |
| 10 | 2200 | 220 | |
| 10 | 4200 | 420 | |
| 10 | 4650 | 465 | |
| 10 | 2500 | 250 | |
| 10 | 6100 | 610 | |
| 10 | 4700 | 470 | |
| 9 | 2250 | 250 | |
| 9 | 4000 | 444 | |
| 8 | 5900 | 738 | |
| 8 | 5375 | 672 | |
| 8 | 4225 | 528 | |
| 7 | 2600 | 371 | |
| 7 | 2850 | 407 | |
| 7 | 1625 | 232 | |
| 6 | 450 | 75 | |
| 6 | 1000 | 167 | |
| 5 | 1500 | 300 | |
| 5 | 505 | 101 | |
| 5 | 5175 | 1035 | |
| 5 | 2600 | 520 | |
| 4 | 450 | 113 | |
| 4 | 2575 | 644 | |
| 4 | 1725 | 431 | |
| 3 | 140 | 47 | |
| 3 | 450 | 150 | |
| 2 | 155 | 78 | |
| 2 | 505 | 253 | |
| 2 | 505 | 253 | |
| 1 | 50 | 50 |
Evolution of intelligence in Dota 2
The intelligence attribute has been the cornerstone of spells in combat, granting heroes increased mana, mana regeneration and magic resistance. Over time, the attribute's influence has evolved, with the relative importance of each stat shifting as the game's meta and strategies have changed. While intelligence remains a critical factor for spells, its spell damage amplification has been removed.