Base Attack Time (BAT)

Base Attack Time (BAT) is the underlying time value used to calculate how frequently a unit can attack. At the same attack speed, a lower BAT means faster attacks.

What is Base Attack Time (BAT) in Dota 2?

Base Attack Time is one of the core values behind Dota 2’s attack-speed system. It represents the unit’s baseline attack interval before the final attack-rate calculation accounts for attack speed. Most players do not need to calculate the formula during a match, but BAT explains why two heroes with the same displayed attack-speed bonuses can still attack at different rates.

BAT is a property of the hero or unit and can sometimes be modified by abilities or other special effects. Because it sits underneath attack speed, changing BAT can be a powerful way to alter how quickly a hero attacks.

How Base Attack Time (BAT) is used in a match

BAT matters most for heroes that depend heavily on regular attacks, critical strikes, attack modifiers, or repeated on-hit effects. A low BAT lets those heroes convert attack-speed bonuses into more attacks over the same period.

Players usually interact with BAT indirectly through hero design rather than by building specifically for the stat. The practical decision is often whether additional attack speed is efficient on a hero whose baseline attack timing already supports rapid attacks.

Do not confuse Base Attack Time (BAT) with...

BAT is not attack speed itself. Attack speed is a modifier used in the attack-rate calculation; BAT is the baseline time component. It is also separate from attack animation and attack point, which describe other parts of an attack sequence.