Physical Damage

Physical damage is one of Dota 2’s three main damage types. It is commonly dealt by regular attacks and some abilities, and its final impact is affected by armor.

What is Physical Damage in Dota 2?

Physical damage is a damage type that interacts directly with armor. Most normal hero attacks deal physical damage, but physical damage is not limited to attacks: some abilities, item effects, cleave effects, and other mechanics can also create physical damage instances.

The amount of health actually lost depends on the target’s defenses and on the specific source. Armor modifies physical damage, while qualifying attack-based physical damage may also interact with damage block. This is why two sources with the same listed number can produce different results against different targets.

How Physical Damage is used in a match

Physical damage becomes more valuable when a team can reduce enemy armor, gain more attack damage, attack faster, or keep targets in range long enough to land repeated hits. Conversely, a high-armor target may require a different damage profile or additional armor reduction before physical damage becomes efficient.

During fights, cores often judge whether they can keep attacking safely rather than looking only at one hit. Sustained physical damage needs time on target, positioning, and protection from disables, so damage output and survivability are closely connected.

Do not confuse Physical Damage with...

Physical damage is not synonymous with attack damage. Most attacks are physical, but some attacks can include other damage types, and some abilities deal physical damage without being regular attacks. Armor affects physical damage; magic resistance does not.