How the ban system works
Bans are enforced through two mechanisms:1. ReduxBans flags
The most common mechanism. An ability’s data file can include aReduxBans key listing ability names it cannot be picked alongside:
2. bans.kv
bans.kv handles cases that cannot be expressed as a simple one-to-one pair. It contains:
| Section | Purpose |
|---|---|
BannedGroups | Groups where none of the abilities can coexist — only one per group is allowed |
Categories > SpammableSpells | Abilities defined as spammable that are cross-banned with other spammable spells |
Categories > ToggleSpells | Toggle abilities with zero cooldown and zero mana cost |
BannedTowerCombinations | Pairs of abilities banned from being on the same tower |
noMulticast | Abilities that must not trigger Multicast |
Banned groups
These groups frombans.kv enforce a one-per-group rule:
| Group | Abilities |
|---|---|
| One-hit combo | Enchant Totem, Walrus Punch, Boundless Strike, Culling Blade (redux), Tidebringer, Metamorphosis, Tiny Grow, Tiny Grow Redux, Overpower, Geminate Attack, Godfall, Hero One Punch, Drunken Brawler |
| Mega range | Dragon Knight Elder Dragon Form, Take Aim, Psi Blades, Metamorphosis, Arctic Burn |
| Bash | Time Lock, Slardar Bash, Greater Bash, Roshan Bash, Shodo Sai, Permabash |
| Unlimited stacking | All Flesh Heap variants, all Lingering Souls, all Survivor abilities, all Tomes (Angel Arena) |
| Cooldown reduction | Witchcraft, Bad Juju Redux, Jingtong, Jingtong OP, Chakra Magic, Rearm, Zhanhun, Zhanhun OP, Master Magic, Veera Thrill of the Hunt |
Notable troll combo pairs
The following specific pairs have been banned based on player feedback and balance patches:| Ability A | Ability B | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Lifebreak Redux | Dispersion | Converts reflected damage into healing for absurd sustain |
| Shadow Dance | Shadow Dance Redux | Same ability in two forms — effectively doubled |
| Grapeshot | Enchant Totem | Enchant Totem multiplies Grapeshot damage for a one-shot |
| Tether | Infest | Tethered hero warps to the Infest target, breaking map pathing |
| Tether | Arcane Symbiosis | Creates an unbreakable tether-buff loop |
| Lingering Souls Mana Regen | Ball Lightning | Infinite mana enables infinite Ball Lightning travel |
| Rapidfire | Impetus | Rapidfire procs stack Impetus hits for enormous burst |
| Haunt / Shadow Demon Poison | Static Field | Persistent illusions trigger Static Field on every hit |
| The two Tiny Grows | Each other | Stacking both Grow abilities for extreme stat inflation |
| Swashbuckle | Fury Swipes (all) | Every Swashbuckle hit applies stacking Fury Swipes |
| Swashbuckle | Arcane Orb | Arcane Orb procs on every Swashbuckle hit |
Spammable and toggle spell restrictions
Abilities classed as spammable (very low cooldown, near-zero mana cost) or toggle (zero cooldown, zero mana) are subject to additional restrictions to prevent infinite-loop gameplay. Examples include:- Toggle: Rot, Pulse Nova, Morph (all variants), Medusa Split Shot, Muerta Gunslinger, Witch Doctor Voodoo Restoration, Nyx Burrow, Ability Wards.
- Spammable: Aphotic Shield, Mana Drain, Quill Spray, Static Remnant, Earthshaker Enchant Totem, Rocket Barrage, Abaddon Death Coil.