Immobilizes her enemies with her stone gaze
Constant attack is the key to Medusa's success. Using her mana shield to stave off assault, she employs split shots to mow down waves of enemies. Once she gathers her full strength, she becomes a force powerful enough to stop anyone in their tracks.
Win Rate 54.6%
Pick Rate 8.0%
Attributes
120 +0.0/lvl
375 +43.2/lvl
0 +0.0/lvl
22 +3.6/lvl
25 +3.6/lvl
Stats
Damage:
48 - 54 + 3.6/level (166.4 - 172.4 at level 30)
Range:
600
Armor:
2.7 + 0.6/level (22.4 at level 30)
Movement:
275
Roles
Carry
Durable
Nuker
Pusher
Support
Escape
Disabler
Initiator
Facets
Engorged
Win Rate: 52.6%
Pick Rate: 44.4%
Mystic Snake grants Medusa attack damage.
Mystic Snake
Mystic Snakes returning to Medusa empower her next 3 attacks with +1 additional damage for each 6 mana restored. Lasts up to 5s.
Mana Pact
Medusa can gain attack speed at the cost of mana over time.
Mana Shield
Mana Shield can be activated, draining =3% of max mana per second to gain =3.5% attack speed bonus per second, up to =35%. Maximum effect reached after =10s. Buff lasts =15s and Cooldown is =35s.
Venomous Volley
Win Rate: 56.3%
Pick Rate: 55.6%
Venomous Volley
Abilities
Creates a shield that absorbs 98% of incoming damage in exchange for Medusa's mana that increases with each level of Medusa. Illusions absorb 60% less damage per point of mana.
Absorbs damage before any damage reduction takes place, meaning that armor will not reduce the amount of mana needed to absorb damage.
BASE DAMAGE PER MANA: 2.4
DAMAGE PER MANA PER LEVEL: 0.1
FACET: Mana Pact
Mana Shield can be activated, draining %aspd_increase_mana_cost_pct%%% of max mana per second to gain %aspd_increase_rate_pct%%% attack speed bonus per second, up to %aspd_increase_max_tooltip%%%. Maximum effect reached after %aspd_increase_max_aspd_time%s. Buff lasts %aspd_increase_buff_duration%s and Cooldown is %attack_buff_cooldown%s.
PATCH 7.37
No longer a levelable ability, now has a base 2.4 damage per mana and then gains 0.1 damage per mana per hero level
Split Shot
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).
OUTGOING DAMAGE: 40% / 55% / 70% / 85%
EXTRA TARGETS: 4
- -8% Split Shot Damage Penalty
- Split Shot Uses Modifiers
Mystic Snake
A mystic snake made of energy jumps from target to target dealing damage. Damage and speed increases with each jump. After it reaches its last target, it returns to Medusa to replenish her with mana. The snake returns a percentage of the targets' total mana.
JUMP RADIUS: 450
JUMPS: 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
BASE DAMAGE: 90 / 150 / 210 / 270
DAMAGE/SPEED INCREASE PER JUMP: 25%
BASE DURATION: 1
DURATION BOUNCE INCREASE: 0.2
15 / 14 / 13 / 12
750
Aghanim's Scepter
Causes Mystic Snake to turn enemies hit into stone. Stone duration increases with each bounce of the Mystic Snake.
- +40 Mystic Snake Damage
- -3s Mystic Snake Cooldown
- +3 Mystic Snake Bounces
Gorgon's Grasp
Medusa fires arrows in a line that land in 3 groups, with each grouping larger than the previous. Enemies struck by a volley of arrows take an initial burst of damage and then are rooted, cannot turn, are revealed to the enemy, and take damage per second.
INITIAL RADIUS: 150
RADIUS GROWTH: 50
DELAY: 1
DAMAGE PER SECOND: 100
30 / 27 / 24 / 21
40 / 60 / 80 / 100
625
- dota.abilities.special_bonus_special_bonus_unique_medusa_gorgons_grasp_volleys
Stone Gaze
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, and take bonus physical attack damage.
RADIUS: 1200
DURATION: 5 / 5.5 / 6
SLOW: 35%
BONUS PHYSICAL ATTACK DAMAGE: 35% / 45% / 55%
SPEED BOOST: 50%
90
1200
- +10% Stone Gaze Bonus Physical Damage
- +1.5s Stone Gaze Duration
Cold Blooded
When Medusa is targeted with a spell, a single-target Mystic Snake is sent back towards the enemy.
12
Talents
Split Shot Uses Modifiers
+ 5.4 %
dota.abilities.special_bonus_special_bonus_unique_medusa_gorgons_grasp_volleys
+1.5s Stone Gaze Duration
+ 2.4 %
+3 Mystic Snake Bounces
-3s Mystic Snake Cooldown
-8% Split Shot Damage Penalty
+ 4.5 %
+10% Stone Gaze Bonus Physical Damage
+ 0.7 %
+40 Mystic Snake Damage
Win Rate
Pick Rate
Strategy
Secure ranged creep with Mystic Snake if contested.
In order to get most of the mana back, Mystic snake needs to hit heroes and ranged creeps.
Ask your teammates to stack for you as you can clear them early.
From level 5, you can start clearing lane creeps quickly and farming camps nearby to accelerate your farm.
If possible, farm two neutral camps at the same time with Split Shot and Mystic Snake.
You don't have to skill Stone Gaze at level 6 unless you feel like you might be in danger.
If a neutral camp consists of multiple creeps with mana pools, Mystic Snake can regain you a lot of mana.
Use Manta Style with Split Shot on to farm extra creepwaves that you can't with your hero.
You need not rush Stone Gaze usage in the fights. Make sure opponents are committed to the fight before you pop it.
Position yourself in the center of the fight to Split Shot multiple heros. Medusa does mediocre single-target damage.
Mana burn is a big problem for Medusa. You can itemize against it or adapt the playstyle.
If things are going rough, consider purchasing Divine Rapier. Works well with Split Shot.
Your mana pool also acts as your HP pool. So remain aware of your current mana and keep it high with clarities and lotuses.
You can combine the movement speed slow from your Venomous Volley facet to make it easier to land Gorgons Grasp.
Counter Strategy
Play on the side of the creepwave to avoid being hit by Mystic Snake - Medusa's main laning spell.
Look to kill Medusa before she activates her ultimate. If Stone Gaze is up, turn or run away from Medusa.
Medusa farms quickly due to Split Shot. Smoke on her, place deep wards and block off camps with sentries.
Mana burning spells and items are great against Medusa.
Crimson Guard, armor items and Heaven's Halberd are great against Medusa.
Medusa is extremely squishy once her mana pool is gone as she has a very small HP pool.
Lore
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.