Item KeyValues

A comprehensive guide to npc_items_custom and coding items

General

Start with item_ and your item name. If you don't put item_ at the beginning of an item, bad things happen.

"item_custom"
{ ... }

Each item needs its proper ID for purchasing on the shop, although you can define items without an ID if you only plan to create them through Lua. Do not override Dota IDs, use IDs between 1000~2000

"ID" "1100"

Next is the BaseClass. It can be DataDriven, or overriding an existing item from the default dota item_names.

"BaseClass" "item_datadriven"
            "item_aegis"

If you want to override an item, you won't be able to change/add abilities, you'll be limited to change values from items.txt (and some values can't even be changed) So it's recommended to always try to make a datadriven version of the item if you want to have complete freedom on what your item does.

Now that we settled that, I'll review the most common key values seen in items.

Basic Rules

"ItemCost" "322"
"ItemKillable" "0"
"ItemSellable" "1"
"ItemPurchasable" "1"
"ItemDroppable" "1"

ItemKillable lets both allies and enemies destroy the dropped item by attacking it.

Stock

"ItemStockMax" "1"
"ItemStockTime" "100"
"ItemStockInitial" "3"

Ownership

If you omit the following, its behavior will be NOT_SHAREABLE

"ItemShareability" "ITEM_NOT_SHAREABLE"             //Rapier
                   "ITEM_PARTIALLY_SHAREABLE"       //Ring of Regen
                   "ITEM_FULLY_SHAREABLE"           //Gem
                   "ITEM_FULLY_SHAREABLE_STACKING"  //Consumables

Charges

"ItemInitialCharges" "1" //How many charges should the item start with - Tango x3
"ItemDisplayCharges" "1" //Hide the charges of the item - Aegis
"ItemRequiresCharges" "1" //The active ability needs charges to be used - Urn

Also remember to add this somewhere, normally at the beginning of a OnSpellStart block

"SpendCharge" {}

Stacking, Consumable

"ItemStackable" "1"
"ItemPermanent" "0"

If "ItemPermanent" is set to 1, charged items won't disappear when they hit 0 charges (Bottle, Urn, etc) By omitting it will also default to 1.

Auto Cast

This value is the key for Tomes of Stats and other consumable items:

"ItemCastOnPickup" "1"

Upgradeable items

"MaxUpgradeLevel" "5" // Dagon - 5
"ItemBaseLevel" "1" //You'll need 5 different items, and change each accordingly

Recipes

"item_recipe_custom"
{
    "ID" "1200"
    "BaseClass"           "item_datadriven"
    "ItemRecipe"          "1" //destroyed after combine
    "ItemCost"            "0" //if its 0, it will combine without needing a recipe.
    "ItemResult"          "item_custom" //the result of combining the ItemRequirements
    "ItemRequirements"
    {
        "01" "item_ingredient_1;item_ingredient_2;item_ingredient_3"
        "02" "item_ingredient_1;item_ingredient_2;item_ingredient_alternative_3"
    }
}

IMPORTANT NOTE: Your item name for the recipe to be recognized by the Dota Shop UI NEEDS to have this format:

"item_recipe_(name of your item)"

Meaning if the ItemResult you want to get is called "item_capuchino", your recipe would be: "item_recipe_capuchino"

If you don't, the item will still be combinable but it won't show the neat lines to the possible upgrades.

Disassembling

"ItemDisassembleRule" "DOTA_ITEM_DISASSEMBLE_ALWAYS"
                      "DOTA_ITEM_DISASSEMBLE_NEVER"

Common Modifier Key Values for items

We now have an item, but it doesn't do anything on its own. To make it add stats or buffs, we need to set modifiers inside the item definition For more on Modifiers, check the [Constants in the wiki]

"Modifiers"
{
    "item_custom_modifier"
    {
        "Passive" "1"
        "IsHidden" "0"
        "Attributes" "MODIFIER_ATTRIBUTE_MULTIPLE" //This makes duplicate items stack their properties
        "Properties"
        {
            "MODIFIER_PROPERTY_MOVESPEED_BONUS_CONSTANT" "%movement_speed"
            "MODIFIER_PROPERTY_EVASION_CONSTANT" "%evasion"
            "MODIFIER_PROPERTY_STATS_STRENGTH_BONUS" "%bonus_str_agi"
            "MODIFIER_PROPERTY_STATS_AGILITY_BONUS" "%bonus_agi"
            "MODIFIER_PROPERTY_STATS_INTELLECT_BONUS" "%bonus_int"
            "MODIFIER_PROPERTY_BASEDAMAGEOUTGOING_PERCENTAGE" "%damage_bonus_percent"
        }

        "States"
        {
            "MODIFIER_STATE_SPECIALLY_DENIABLE" "MODIFIER_STATE_VALUE_ENABLED"
            "MODIFIER_STATE_MAGIC_IMMUNE" "MODIFIER_STATE_VALUE_ENABLED"
            "MODIFIER_STATE_NO_HEALTH_BAR" "MODIFIER_STATE_VALUE_ENABLED"
        }
    }
}

Adding spell functionality

Apart from these values specially related to items, you can add everything that could be part of a datadriven ability, for example:

"AbilityBehavior" "DOTA_ABILITY_BEHAVIOR_PASSIVE"
"AbilityUnitTargetTeam" "DOTA_UNIT_TARGET_TEAM_BOTH"
"AbilityUnitTargetType" "DOTA_UNIT_TARGET_HERO | DOTA_UNIT_TARGET_BASIC"
"AbilityCastAnimation" "ACT_DOTA_CAST_ABILITY_1"
"AbilityManaCost" "100"
"AbilityValues"
{...}

Ability Events like "OnSpellStart", "OnOwnerDied" or "OnEquip" also go here in the main block.

You need at least set the AbilityBehavior for your item to not be active (if you don't, it will default to DOTA_ABILITY_BEHAVIOR_UNIT_TARGET).

See more on the complete DataDriven Ability Breakdown

Icons and Custom Shops

For your item to have an icon you'll need to go to your addon folder under this path:

/resource/flash3/images/items

And put a .PNG file with dimensions 86 x 64, with the same name as the item_custom, WITHOUT the item_

Then in your "item_custom" code, you add the following:

"AbilityTextureName" "item_custom"

You can also use the names of the dota icons. Just make sure this line starts with "item_, so the engine knows to look the image on the items folder.

Adding the item to a shop. Layout [Here] For this, inside your addon folder you need to go inside scripts/shops and make/edit a .txt file with this name file structure:

mapName_shops.txt

mapName should be the name of YOUR MAP (.vmap file in Hammer or content folder), NOT your addon name (both could be the same, or you could have multiple maps with different shops)

Adding _shops to the mapName is also mandatory.

A template shop file:

//<map_name>_shops.txt inside a scripts\shops\ folder

"dota_shops"
{
	"consumables"
	{
		"item" 		"item_ingredient"
		"item"		"item_result"
	}

	"attributes"
	{

	}

	"weapons_armor"
	{

	}

	"misc"
	{

	}

	// Level 1 - Green Recipes
	"basics"
	{

	}

	// Level 2 - Blue Recipes
	"support"
	{

	}

	"magics"
	{

	}

	// Level 3 - Purple Recipes
	"defense"
	{

	}

	"weapons"
	{

	}

	// Level 4 - Orange / Orb / Artifacts
	"artifacts"
	{

	}

	"sideshop1"
	{

	}

	"sideshop2"
	{

	}

	"secretshop"
	{

	}
}

In addition to this file, your item can have key value rules for where it can be bought

"SideShop" "1"
"SecretShop" "0"

At the moment of writing this guide, we can only set up 3 different shops (Home, Side and Secret). You can change categories and shop tab names, with [addon_english modding]

To make an actual shop area inside your map on Hammer, check this other tutorial tutorial_creating_a_custom_shop_step_by_step

To disable your dota items, use this npc_abilities_override.txt inside the scripts/npc folder:

npc_abilities_override.txt

// Dota Abilities Override File
"DOTAAbilities"
{

// ITEM SHOPS---------------------------------------------------

	"item_blink"			"REMOVE"
	"item_blades_of_attack"			"REMOVE"
	"item_broadsword"			"REMOVE"
	"item_chainmail"			"REMOVE"
	"item_claymore"			"REMOVE"
	"item_helm_of_iron_will"			"REMOVE"
	"item_javelin"			"REMOVE"
	"item_mithril_hammer"			"REMOVE"
	"item_platemail"			"REMOVE"
	"item_quarterstaff"			"REMOVE"
	"item_quelling_blade"			"REMOVE"
	"item_ring_of_protection"			"REMOVE"
	"item_stout_shield"			"REMOVE"
	"item_gauntlets"			"REMOVE"
	"item_slippers"			"REMOVE"
	"item_mantle"			"REMOVE"
	"item_branches"			"REMOVE"
	"item_belt_of_strength"			"REMOVE"
	"item_boots_of_elves"			"REMOVE"
	"item_robe"			"REMOVE"
	"item_circlet"			"REMOVE"
	"item_ogre_axe"			"REMOVE"
	"item_blade_of_alacrity"			"REMOVE"
	"item_staff_of_wizardry"			"REMOVE"
	"item_ultimate_orb"			"REMOVE"
	"item_gloves"			"REMOVE"
	"item_lifesteal"			"REMOVE"
	"item_ring_of_regen"			"REMOVE"
	"item_sobi_mask"			"REMOVE"
	"item_boots"			"REMOVE"
	"item_gem"			"REMOVE"
	"item_cloak"			"REMOVE"
	"item_talisman_of_evasion"			"REMOVE"
	"item_cheese"			"REMOVE"
	"item_magic_stick"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_magic_wand"			"REMOVE"
	"item_magic_wand"			"REMOVE"
	"item_ghost"			"REMOVE"
	"item_clarity"			"REMOVE"
	"item_flask"			"REMOVE"
	"item_dust"			"REMOVE"
	"item_bottle"			"REMOVE"
	"item_ward_observer"			"REMOVE"
	"item_ward_sentry"			"REMOVE"
	"item_tango"			"REMOVE"
	"item_tango_single"			"REMOVE"
	"item_courier"			"REMOVE"
	"item_tpscroll"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_travel_boots"			"REMOVE"
	"item_travel_boots"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_phase_boots"			"REMOVE"
	"item_phase_boots"			"REMOVE"
	"item_demon_edge"			"REMOVE"
	"item_eagle"			"REMOVE"
	"item_reaver"			"REMOVE"
	"item_relic"			"REMOVE"
	"item_hyperstone"			"REMOVE"
	"item_ring_of_health"			"REMOVE"
	"item_void_stone"			"REMOVE"
	"item_mystic_staff"			"REMOVE"
	"item_energy_booster"			"REMOVE"
	"item_point_booster"			"REMOVE"
	"item_vitality_booster"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_power_treads"			"REMOVE"
	"item_power_treads"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_hand_of_midas"			"REMOVE"
	"item_hand_of_midas"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_oblivion_staff"			"REMOVE"
	"item_oblivion_staff"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_pers"			"REMOVE"
	"item_pers"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_poor_mans_shield"			"REMOVE"
	"item_poor_mans_shield"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_bracer"			"REMOVE"
	"item_bracer"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_wraith_band"			"REMOVE"
	"item_wraith_band"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_null_talisman"			"REMOVE"
	"item_null_talisman"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_mekansm"			"REMOVE"
	"item_mekansm"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_vladmir"			"REMOVE"
	"item_vladmir"			"REMOVE"
	"item_flying_courier"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_buckler"			"REMOVE"
	"item_buckler"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_ring_of_basilius"			"REMOVE"
	"item_ring_of_basilius"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_pipe"			"REMOVE"
	"item_pipe"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_urn_of_shadows"			"REMOVE"
	"item_urn_of_shadows"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_headdress"			"REMOVE"
	"item_headdress"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_sheepstick"			"REMOVE"
	"item_sheepstick"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_orchid"			"REMOVE"
	"item_orchid"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_cyclone"			"REMOVE"
	"item_cyclone"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_force_staff"			"REMOVE"
	"item_force_staff"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_dagon"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_dagon_2"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_dagon_3"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_dagon_4"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_dagon_5"			"REMOVE"
	"item_dagon"			"REMOVE"
	"item_dagon_2"			"REMOVE"
	"item_dagon_3"			"REMOVE"
	"item_dagon_4"			"REMOVE"
	"item_dagon_5"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_necronomicon"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_necronomicon_2"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_necronomicon_3"			"REMOVE"
	"item_necronomicon"			"REMOVE"
	"item_necronomicon_2"			"REMOVE"
	"item_necronomicon_3"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_ultimate_scepter"			"REMOVE"
	"item_ultimate_scepter"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_refresher"			"REMOVE"
	"item_refresher"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_assault"			"REMOVE"
	"item_assault"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_heart"			"REMOVE"
	"item_heart"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_black_king_bar"			"REMOVE"
	"item_black_king_bar"			"REMOVE"
	"item_aegis"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_shivas_guard"			"REMOVE"
	"item_shivas_guard"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_bloodstone"			"REMOVE"
	"item_bloodstone"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_sphere"			"REMOVE"
	"item_sphere"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_reflex_energy_regen_booster"			"REMOVE"
	"item_vanguard"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_blade_mail"			"REMOVE"
	"item_blade_mail"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_soul_booster"			"REMOVE"
	"item_soul_booster"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_hood_of_defiance"			"REMOVE"
	"item_hood_of_defiance"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_rapier"			"REMOVE"
	"item_rapier"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_monkey_king_bar"			"REMOVE"
	"item_monkey_king_bar"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_radiance"			"REMOVE"
	"item_radiance"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_butterfly"			"REMOVE"
	"item_butterfly"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_greater_crit"			"REMOVE"
	"item_greater_crit"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_basher"			"REMOVE"
	"item_basher"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_bfury"			"REMOVE"
	"item_bfury"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_manta"			"REMOVE"
	"item_manta"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_lesser_crit"			"REMOVE"
	"item_lesser_crit"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_armlet"			"REMOVE"
	"item_armlet"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_invis_sword"			"REMOVE"
	"item_invis_sword"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_sange_and_yasha"			"REMOVE"
	"item_sange_and_yasha"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_satanic"			"REMOVE"
	"item_satanic"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_mjollnir"			"REMOVE"
	"item_mjollnir"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_skadi"			"REMOVE"
	"item_skadi"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_sange"			"REMOVE"
	"item_sange"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_helm_of_the_dominator"			"REMOVE"
	"item_helm_of_the_dominator"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_maelstrom"			"REMOVE"
	"item_maelstrom"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_desolator"			"REMOVE"
	"item_desolator"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_yasha"			"REMOVE"
	"item_yasha"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_mask_of_madness"			"REMOVE"
	"item_mask_of_madness"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_diffusal_blade"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_diffusal_blade_2"			"REMOVE"
	"item_diffusal_blade"			"REMOVE"
	"item_diffusal_blade_2"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_ethereal_blade"			"REMOVE"
	"item_ethereal_blade"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_soul_ring"			"REMOVE"
	"item_soul_ring"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_arcane_boots"			"REMOVE"
	"item_arcane_boots"			"REMOVE"
	"item_orb_of_venom"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_ancient_janggo"			"REMOVE"
	"item_ancient_janggo"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_medallion_of_courage"			"REMOVE"
	"item_medallion_of_courage"			"REMOVE"
	"item_smoke_of_deceit"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_veil_of_discord"			"REMOVE"
	"item_veil_of_discord"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_rod_of_atos"			"REMOVE"
	"item_rod_of_atos"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_abyssal_blade"			"REMOVE"
	"item_abyssal_blade"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_heavens_halberd"			"REMOVE"
	"item_heavens_halberd"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_ring_of_aquila"			"REMOVE"
	"item_ring_of_aquila"			"REMOVE"
	"item_recipe_tranquil_boots"			"REMOVE"
	"item_tranquil_boots"			"REMOVE"
	"item_shadow_amulet"			"REMOVE"
	"item_halloween_candy_corn"			"REMOVE"
	"item_mystery_hook"			"REMOVE"
	"item_mystery_arrow"			"REMOVE"
	"item_mystery_missile"			"REMOVE"
	"item_mystery_toss"			"REMOVE"
	"item_mystery_vacuum"			"REMOVE"
	"item_halloween_rapier"			"REMOVE"
	"item_greevil_whistle"			"REMOVE"
	"item_greevil_whistle_toggle"			"REMOVE"
	"item_present"			"REMOVE"
	"item_winter_stocking"			"REMOVE"
	"item_winter_skates"			"REMOVE"
	"item_winter_cake"			"REMOVE"
	"item_winter_cookie"			"REMOVE"
	"item_winter_coco"			"REMOVE"
	"item_winter_ham"			"REMOVE"
	"item_winter_kringle"			"REMOVE"
	"item_winter_mushroom"			"REMOVE"
	"item_winter_greevil_treat"			"REMOVE"
	"item_winter_greevil_garbage"			"REMOVE"
	"item_winter_greevil_chewy"			"REMOVE"
}

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Cosmetic Values: Models, Effects, Tags and others.

These values are optional but greatly improve the quality of your item

Sounds when Picked, Dropped

"UIPickupSound" "Item.PickUpRingShop" //Sound when acquiring the item
"UIDropSound" "Item.DropRecipeShop" //Sound when dropping the item manually
"WorldDropSound" "Item.DropGemWorld" //Sound when dropping the item on death (?)

Model and Glow in the world.

VMDL and Particle files can be seen through the [Asset Browser]

"Model" "models/chest_worlddrop.vmdl"
"Effect" "particles/generic_gameplay/dropped_item.vpcf"

You can find good models in /props_gameplay, /econ or use your own customs

Important: If you create the item through lua [CreateItemOnPositionSync], you need to provide vision of the world position where the item is being created, at least briefly, to properly display the particle effect.

Change the displayed color of the item

"ItemQuality"    "artifact" //Orange
                 "epic" //Purple
                 "rare" //Blue
                 "common" //Green
                 "component" //White
                 "consumable" //White

Tags & Alias

Tags are defined in addon_english.txt, find them in [dota_english] under // Tags Aliases help the search bar to find the item quickly with abbreviations

"ItemShopTags" "int;str;agi;mana_pool;health_pool;hard_to_tag"
"ItemAliases" "this;appears_in;search"

Omit to not announce.

"ItemDeclarations" "DECLARE_PURCHASES_TO_TEAMMATES"
                   "DECLARE_PURCHASES_IN_SPEECH"
                   "DECLARE_PURCHASES_TO_SPECTATORS"

Restrictions

This is how Basher is disallowed for certain heroes

"InvalidHeroes" "npc_dota_hero_spirit_breaker;npc_dota_hero_faceless_void"

For the Scripted, more powerful version, read more on Item Restrictions & Requirements

Alt-Click

Alt-click text on items in Inventory and dropped on the ground. Takes the strings from resource/addon_english.txt or any other languages.

PingOverrideText

Overrides the default "[ALLIES] ItemName dropped here". It will look for #DOTA_Chat_Text_String (Text_String can be whatever) in your addon strings.

In the item_datadriven:

"PingOverrideText" "DOTA_Chat_Text_String"

In addon_english.txt:

"DOTA_Chat_Text_String" "[VOLVO] Giff"

ItemAlertable

Displays "[ALLIES] Gather for ItemName here."

"ItemAlertable"	"1"

Basic Item Skeleton

Copy this to start an item

"item_custom"
{
    "ID"           "1100"
    "BaseClass"    "item_datadriven"
    "AbilityTextureName" "item_rapier"
    "Model"        "models/props_gameplay/recipe.vmdl"
    "Effect"       "particles/generic_gameplay/dropped_item.vpcf"
    "ItemQuality"  "artifact"

    "ItemCost"     "322"
    "ItemKillable" "0"
    "ItemSellable" "1"
    "ItemPurchasable" "1"
    "ItemDroppable" "1"
    "ItemShareability" "ITEM_NOT_SHAREABLE"

    "SideShop"     "1"
    "SecretShop"   "0"

    "ItemStackable" "1"
    "ItemPermanent" "1"
    "ItemDisassembleRule" "DOTA_ITEM_DISASSEMBLE_ALWAYS"

    "AbilitySpecial"
    {
        "01"
        {
            "var_type"      "FIELD_INTEGER"
            "bonus_stat"    "100"
        }
    }

    "Modifiers"
    {
        "modifier_item_custom"
        {
            "Passive"  "1"
            "IsHidden" "1"
            "Attributes" "MODIFIER_ATTRIBUTE_MULTIPLE"
            "Properties"
            {
                "MODIFIER_PROPERTY_STATS_STRENGTH_BONUS" "%bonus_stat"
            }
        }
    }
}

Those are the most important values. For Charges, Upgrades, Sounds, Aliases & Declarations add the lines explained before, I kept them out of the basic layout because they aren't needed for most items.

I also added a very basic passive Modifier which takes the bonus_stat from AbilitySpecial to give 1 Strength bonus. Using AbilitySpecial makes it easier to make tooltips and adjust item values later without having to change said tooltips.

Adding More Stats

Every value from Modifier Constants can be added to the "Properties" block, some very common examples are:

    "Properties"
    {
        "MODIFIER_PROPERTY_ATTACKSPEED_BONUS_CONSTANT" "%bonus_attackspeed"
        "MODIFIER_PROPERTY_STATS_STRENGTH_BONUS" "%bonus_str"
        "MODIFIER_PROPERTY_STATS_AGILITY_BONUS" "%bonus_agi"
        "MODIFIER_PROPERTY_STATS_INTELLECT_BONUS" "%bonus_int"
        "MODIFIER_PROPERTY_HEALTH_BONUS"    "%bonus_hp"
        "MODIFIER_PROPERTY_HEALTH_REGEN_CONSTANT" "%bonus_health_regen"
        "MODIFIER_PROPERTY_MANA_BONUS"  "%bonus_hp"
        "MODIFIER_PROPERTY_MANA_REGEN_PERCENTAGE"  "%bonus_mana_regen"
        "MODIFIER_PROPERTY_BASEDAMAGEOUTGOING_PERCENTAGE"   "%bonus_damage_percent"
    }

Charged Consumables

Upgradeable Items and Recipes

See Reflex

Apart from these values, item code uses the same datadriven values as abilities. See the DataDriven Ability Breakdown.

Passives

Auras

"AbilityBehavior" "DOTA_ABILITY_BEHAVIOR_AURA | DOTA_ABILITY_BEHAVIOR_PASSIVE"

In a modifier block:

    "Aura"  "custom_aura"
    "Aura_Teams"    "DOTA_UNIT_TARGET_TEAM_FRIENDLY"
    "Aura_Radius"   "%radius"
    "Aura_Types"    "DOTA_UNIT_TARGET_HERO | DOTA_UNIT_TARGET_BASIC"
    "Aura_Flags" "DOTA_UNIT_TARGET_FLAG_RANGED_ONLY"

Then have a new modifier block with the Aura name with the desired effects.

Damage over time

Inside a modifier, use "ThinkInterval" "1" and have a "OnIntervalThink" block in which you do damage.

    "ThinkInterval" "1"
    "OnIntervalThink"
    {
        "Damage"
        {
             "Target"
             {
                 "Center" "CASTER"
                 "Radius" "%radius"
                 "Teams" "DOTA_UNIT_TARGET_TEAM_ENEMY"
                 "Types" "DOTA_UNIT_TARGET_HERO | DOTA_UNIT_TARGET_BASIC"
             }
             "Type" "DAMAGE_TYPE_MAGICAL"
             "Damage"   "%damage_per_second"
        }
    }

Cleave

Inside a modifier. Keep in mind this will work on ranged, so you need to restrict it when applying this modifier if you need.

    "OnAttackLanded"
    {
        "CleaveAttack"
        {
            "CleavePercent" "10"
            "CleaveRadius"  "140"
            "CleaveEffect"  "particles/units/heroes/hero_sven/sven_spell_great_cleave.vpcf"
        }
    }

Crit

There is a MODIFIER_PROPERTY_PREATTACK_CRITICALSTRIKE Property but this doesn't include a chance, so you need to use a DataDriven Random when starting the attack, and applying a modifier that has the crit, removing it later OnAttackLanded.

The first RemoveModifier is added to disable people from canceling attacks to get a guaranteed crit.

"modifier_crit"
{
    "Passive"   "1"
    "IsHidden"  "1"
    "OnAttackStart"
    {
        "RemoveModifier"
        {
            "ModifierName" "crit"
            "Target" "CASTER"
        }
        "Random"
        {
            "Chance" "%crit_chance"
            "OnSuccess"
            {
                "ApplyModifier"
                {
                    "ModifierName" "crit"
                    "Target"    "CASTER"
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

"crit"
{
    "IsHidden"  "1"
    "Properties"
    {
        "MODIFIER_PROPERTY_PREATTACK_CRITICALSTRIKE" "%crit_bonus"
    }

    "OnAttackLanded"
    {
        "RemoveModifier"
        {
            "ModifierName"  "crit"
            "Target"    "CASTER"
        }

        // Basic blood particle effect
        "FireEffect"
        {
            "EffectName" "particles/units/heroes/hero_phantom_assassin/phantom_assassin_crit_impact.vpcf"
            "EffectAttachType"  "follow_origin"
            "Target"    "TARGET"
        }
    }
}

Orb: Slow and Lifesteal with custom projectile

"modifier_orb_of_frost"
{
    "Passive" "1"
    "IsHidden"  "1"
    "Attributes"    "MODIFIER_ATTRIBUTE_MULTIPLE"
    "Properties"
    {
        "MODIFIER_PROPERTY_BASEATTACK_BONUSDAMAGE" "6"
    }

    "Orb"
    {
        "Priority"  "DOTA_ORB_PRIORITY_ABILITY"
        "ProjectileName" "particles\items2_fx\skadi_projectile.vpcf"
    }

    "OnOrbImpact"
    {
        "Lifesteal"
        {
            "Target"    "ATTACKER"
            "LifestealPercent" "%bonus_lifesteal"
        }

        "ApplyModifier"
        {
            "Target"    "TARGET"
            "ModifierName"  "modifier_orb_of_frost_slow"
            "Duration"  "%slow_duration"
        }
    }
}

"modifier_orb_of_frost_slow"
{
    "IsDebuff" "1"
    "Duration"  "3"
    "Properties"
    {
        "MODIFIER_PROPERTY_MOVESPEED_BONUS_PERCENTAGE"  "%move_speed_slow"
        "MODIFIER_PROPERTY_ATTACKSPEED_BONUS_CONSTANT"  "%attack_speed_slow"
    }
    "EffectName"    "particles/generic_gameplay/generic_slowed_cold.vpcf"
    "EffectAttachType" "attach_hitloc"
    "Target" "TARGET"
}

Note: DataDriven Lifesteal might steal from things you don't want to steal from, it's better done through lua.

Block

This is a tricky one. Note that there are 2 modifiers again.

The first one has OnAttacked which randoms a block chance, OnSuccess it applies the block modifier, OnFailure it removes it. Inside the block_modifier, OnAttacked removes itself.

The OnCreated is just so it's possible to block the 1st hit after equiping the shield.

"shield_modifier"
{
    "Passive" "1"
    "IsHidden" "1"
    "Properties"
    {
        "MODIFIER_PROPERTY_MAGICAL_RESISTANCE_BONUS" "%magic_resistance"
    }
    "OnCreated"
    {
        "Random"
        {
            "Chance" "%block_chance"
            "OnSuccess"
            {
                "ApplyModifier"
                {
                    "Target" "CASTER"
                    "ModifierName" "block_modifier"
                }
            }
        }
    }
    "OnAttacked"
    {
        "Random"
        {
            "Chance" "%block_chance"
            "OnSuccess"
            {
                "ApplyModifier"
                {
                    "Target" "CASTER"
                    "ModifierName" "block_modifier"
                }
            }
            "OnFailure"
            {
                "RemoveModifier"
                {
                    "Target" "CASTER"
                    "ModifierName" "block_modifier"
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

"block_modifier"
{
    "IsBuff" "1"
    "IsHidden" "1"
    "Properties"
    {
        "MODIFIER_PROPERTY_PHYSICAL_CONSTANT_BLOCK" "%damage_blocked"
    }
    "OnAttacked"
    {
        "RemoveModifier"
        {
            "Target" "CASTER"
            "ModifierName" "block_modifier"
        }
    }
}

Item KeyValues ​

General ​

Basic Rules ​

Stock ​

Ownership ​

Charges ​

Stacking, Consumable ​

Auto Cast ​

Upgradeable items ​

Recipes ​

Disassembling ​

Common Modifier Key Values for items ​

Adding spell functionality ​

Icons and Custom Shops ​

Cosmetic Values: Models, Effects, Tags and others. ​

Sounds when Picked, Dropped ​

Model and Glow in the world. ​

Change the displayed color of the item ​

Tags & Alias ​

Restrictions ​

Alt-Click ​

PingOverrideText ​

ItemAlertable ​

Basic Item Skeleton ​

Adding More Stats ​

Charged Consumables ​

Tome of Stats ​

Potion of Health ​

Summons ​

Upgradeable Items and Recipes ​

Passives ​

Auras ​

Damage over time ​

Cleave ​

Crit ​

Orb: Slow and Lifesteal with custom projectile ​

Block ​