Robzor's Guide to Linken's Sphere

Table of Contents

If you click on the name of the section which you are interested in reading you will be forwarded there.


1. [internal=Changelog]Changelog[/internal]
   
2. [internal=Foreword]Foreword[/internal]
   
3. [internal=WhatLinken's]What is Linken's Sphere?[/internal]
   
4. [internal=WhatBlock]What does it block?[/internal]
   
   
   • [internal=Heroes]Heroes[/internal]
     
   • [internal=Creeps]Neutral Creeps/Summons[/internal]
     
   • [internal=Items]Items[/internal]
     
   
   
5. [internal=In-depth]In-depth Explanation[/internal]
   
6. [internal=LastWords]Last Words[/internal]
   
7. [internal=Credits]Credits[/internal]
   

[name=Changelog]I. Changelog[/name]
9/6-2008-18/6-2008: Tested all spells, wrote the guide and posted it in mech
9/7-2008: Added an in-depth explanation as to why Linken's Sphere cannot block most triggered spells

[name=Foreword]II. Foreword[/name]
With the old Linken's Sphere guide by Allure-, found here, becoming quite outdated I though it was time to produce an updated version containing information about all the latest skills as well as explaining why Linken's cannot block several spells.

I hope that everything is understandable and that everyone may learn something from this guide.

[name=WhatLinken's]III. What is Linken's Sphere?[/name]
Linken's Sphere is a purchasable item which can be found in the level 3 recipe shop and consists of a Linken's Sphere recipe, one Ring of Health, one Void Stone and one Ultimate Orb. It looks like this:

Linken's Sphere

It grants the following bonuses:

• +15 to all stats
• 150% mana regen
• 6 HP/sec regen
• Spell Block with a 20 second cooldown

The purpose of this guide is focused on Spell Block which does not work entirely as one would hope. With the increased amount of triggered spells which have several effects Linken's have started to block less and less of the spells in DotA, this guide will contain information on which spells are blocked, which spells are not blocked, which spells are not blocked but triggers Linken's and which spells that have one or several effects removed by Linken's.

[name=WhatBlock]IV. What does it block?[/name]
This section have been divided into several parts:

Legend and Information
Heroes
Neutral Creeps/Summons
Items

In that order as to make it easier to find what you wish to find.

Things are organized after their name, heroes by their first name (Magina, Anti-mage goes under M, Demnok Lannik, Warlock, goes under D), but if you are searching for anything in particular I recommend you to use ctrl+f or other built in search methods in your internet browser.

Legend and Information
Before we get started there are some things I would like to explain, the legend used and some special cases, both regarding targeting and how certain skills work, this part serves as to first provide a basic explanation for some things and will explain partially why Linken's does not block every target spell fully in the end.

Blocking
FB = Fully Blocked
NB = Not Blocked
NT = No trigger (Linken's does not trigger)
Triggers = Linken's Triggers and starts it's cooldown

This part is easy, FB means that a spell cast at the Linken's wielder is fully blocked and Linken's goes onto cooldown.
NB means that Linken's does not block the spell at all, it might be because the spell is not blockable or something with no actual importance for the spell is blocked (but that is explained later on).
NT means that Linken's does not trigger, it also means that nothing was blocked by Linken's.
To make it blatantly obvious that some spells actually triggers Linken's I have chosen to type the word Triggers in the end.

Targeting
Direct = The spell is targeted at a hero
Indirect = The spell is targeted at the gound close to the hero or at a unit close to the hero so that skill hits the hero (the spell hits the hero ofc)

That should explain it all when it comes to targeting the skill, but I'll make it even clearer and throw in an example which shows how this works with Linken's. Some spells, most notably Impale, works differently with Linken's depending on how the skill is targeted, as I already brought up Impale I'll briefly tell you that an Impale which is directed at a specific hero by targeting that hero with the skill will trigger Linken's compared to the same spell which is targeted at the ground (still hitting the hero wielding Linken's of course) which does not trigger Linken's.

I also use indirect as a term here for skills such as Chain Frost, if Chain Frost first hits a side target and then the Linken's wielder the result will be different from the case when the wielder is hit first.

Chain Lightning
There are about five skills which use this as a base skill, but the basic principle here is easy, Chain Lightning damage is blocked on the target carrying Linken's. The bounces will continue as usual, this is regardless of what the main target was (if it was carrying a Linken's or not).

Bash/Critical hits/Wind Walk Break Damage
The difference here lies on the heroes attack properties, namely if the hero is melee or ranged. Melee heroes Bashes, criticals and wind walk break damage does not in any way interact with Linken's. However, on a ranged hero they do, on the hit you land a Bash/Critical Hit/break Wind Walk with applied damage Linken's will trigger and the damage for that hit will be fully blocked, not only the bash/extra critical damage/wind walk break damage, but the entire damage from that attack.

I will be jumping a little ahead to explain one thing, Lothar's on ranged heroes, even though it uses Wind Walk, does not trigger Linken's (neither is the damage for that hit blocked). The reason for this is that there is no Break Damage while Bone Fletcher's and Wind Element's Wind Walk does have that.

Life Drain/Mana Drain
This is another case which I though would be mentionable since it can work two ways.

Basically, the first case is the normal one; you use Soul Steal on a target with Linken's it is fully blocked. The second case is that you begin to drain life from a target with Linken's, however this time Linken's is on CD but after 3 seconds it is now ready again, instead of now blocking the entire Life Drain which remains it will only block a single instance of damage from Life Drain while the rest of the skill goes on as if the target was not wielding a Linken's Sphere at all.

Triggered Spells (note that this have connection to the word trigger I use when describing how a skill interacts with Linken's)
This is the tricky part, seeing as most of the newer spells are triggered. Almost all spells are triggered in one way or another, but the problem comes when a spell applies several effects through several means and skills, to those who are not familiar with triggered spells this probably sounds rather wierd; A spell is ONE spell and should easily be blocked might be what you think. This is however not the case and it's what makes Linken's a hard item to understand.

Charge of Darkness for an example first applies Faerie Fire to the target, this is to give vision of the target you are going to hit. Faerie Fire is easily blocked by Linken's, but Spirit Breaker still continues to charge the target and upon arrival will unleash a Storm Bolt on the target, which is what provides the stun, that's several effects provided by different skills although it's one and the same spell.

When a spell such as this affects Linken's only one effect will be blocked and in some cases that effect does not have any importance for the rest of the spell, which makes it seem as if nothing at all was blocked.

There is a section in the end named In-Depth Explanation in which I explain further (and better) why Linken's Sphere have problems with triggered spells.

[name=Heroes]Heroes[/name]
This section contains information about all hero skills.

If a hero have any kind of summon with abilites or gain any extra abilities through shapeshifting I have included those below the hero's normal abilities, you can also find them in the separate section for Neutral Creeps/Summons.

Abaddon, Lord of Avernus

[indent]Death Coil: NB, Triggers
Apothic Shield: FB (only for the hero wielding Linken's, all other targtets are still affected)
Frostmourne: NB, NT
Borrowed Time: N/A[/indent]

Aggron Stonebreaker, Ogre Magi

[indent]Ignite Direct: FB, Side targets not affected
Ignite Indirect: FB, Side targets are affected (eg. only blocks for the wielder)
Fireblast Regular: FB
Fireblast Multi Cast: First Fire Blast is blocked, the rest are applied as usual
Bloodlust: N/A
Multi Cast: N/A[/indent]

Aiushtha, Enchantress

[indent]Impetus: NB, NT
Enchant: FB
Nature's Attendants: N/A
Untouchable: FB (blocks the debuff for the first hit)[/indent]

Akasha, Queen of Pain

[indent]Shadow Strike: FB
Blink: N/A
Scream of Pain: NB, NT
Sonic Wave: NB, NT[/indent]

Anub'arak, Nerubian Assassin

[indent]Impale Direct: NB, Triggers
Impale Indirect: NB, NT
Mana Burn: FB
Spiked Carapace: NB, NT
Vendetta: NB, NT[/indent]

Anub'seran, Nerubian Weaver

[indent]Watcher: N/A
Shukuchi: NB, NT
Geminate Attack: NB, NT
Time Lapse: N/A[/indent]

Atropos, Bane Elemental

[indent]Brain Sap: NB, Triggers
Enfeeble: FB
Nightmare Cast: FB
Nightmare Side Target: FB (this means that if you attack a sleeping target the sleep which is cast on you is blocked and the target wakes up)
Fiend's Grip: FB[/indent]

Azgalor, Pit Lord

[indent]Firestorm: NB, NT
Pit of Malice: NB, NT
Expulsion: First mini-stun blocked, damage applied, Triggers (for the first corpse)
Dark Rift: N/A[/indent]

Azwraith, Phantom Lancer

[indent]Juxtapose: N/A
Spirit Lance: NB, Triggers
Doppelwalk: N/A
Phantom Edge: N/A[/indent]

Balanar, Night Stalker

[indent]Hunter in the Night: N/A
Crippling Fear: FB
Void: Slow blocked, mini-stun and damage applied, Triggers
Darkness: N/A[/indent]

Banehallow, Lycantrophe

[indent]Feral Heart: N/A
Howl: NB, NT
Summon Wolves: N/A
Shapeshift: N/A[/indent]Lycantrophe Wolf Abilities
Critical Strike: NB, NT
Permanent Invisibility: N/A

Shapeshift Abilities
Critical Strike: NB, NT

Barathrum, Spiritbreaker

[indent]Charge of Darkness: Debuff blocked (Faerie fire which gives vision), Barathrum still charges, the stun can be blocked if Linken's is ready once he arrives.
Greater Bash: NB, NT
Empowering Haste: N/A
Nether Strike: NB, Triggers[/indent]

Black Arachnia, Broodmother

[indent]Incapacitating Bite: FB (blocks the debuff for the first hit)
Spawn Spiderlings: FB
Spin Web: N/A
Insatiable Hunger: N/A[/indent]Spiderling Abilites
Poison Sting: NB, NT

Boush, Tinker

[indent]Laser Direct: Miss chance blocked, damage applied, Triggers
Laser Indirect: FB (the miss chance is fully blocked)
Heat Seeking Missile: NB, NT
March of the Machines: NB, NT
Rearm: N/A[/indent]

Bradwarden, Centaur Warchief

[indent]Double Edge: Mini-stun blocked, damage applied, Triggers
Return: NB, NT
Hoof Stomp: NB, NT
Great Fortitude: N/A[/indent]

Chen, Holy Knight

[indent]Penitence: Slow blocked, bonus damage taken, Triggers (note that no animation or debuff is shown)
Test of Faith: NB, Triggers (only on enemies)
Holy Persuasion: N/A
Hand of God: N/A[/indent]

Clinkz, Bone Fletcher

[indent]Wind Walk Break Damage: FB (the entire damage for that hit)
Strafe: N/A
Searing Arrows: NB, NT
Death Pact: N/A[/indent]

Crixalis, Sand King

[indent]Sandstorm: NB, NT
Burrowstrike Direct: NB, Triggers
Burrowstrike Indirect: NB, NT
Caustic Finale: NB, NT
Epicenter: NB, NT[/indent]

Darchrow, Enigma

[indent]Malefice: NB, Triggers
Conversion: N/A
Midnight Pulse: NB, NT
Black Hole: NB, NT[/indent]

Darkterror, Faceless Void

[indent]Time Walk: NB, NT
Backtrack: N/A
Time Lock: NB, NT
Chronosphere: NB, NT[/indent]

Dazzle, Shadow Priest

[indent]Poison Touch Level 1: The slow before the poison kicks in is blocked, everything else takes place as normal, trigger
Poison Touch Level 2-4: The first instance of slow before the poison is blocked, everything else takes place as normal, trigger
Shadow Wave: NB, NT
Shallow Grave: N/A
Weave: NB, NT[/indent]

Demnok Lannik, Warlock

[indent]Fatal Bonds Direct: NB, trigger
Fatal Bonds Indirect: NB, NT
Shadow Word: NB, trigger
Upheaval: First instance blocked, Triggers (the rest continues as usual and will slow you)
Rain of Chaos: NB, NT[/indent]Infernal Abilites
Flaming Fist: NB, NT
Permanent Immolation: NB, NT

Dirge, Undying

[indent]Raise Dead: N/A
Soul Rip Direct: NB, trigger
Soul Rip Indirect: NB, NT
Heartstopper Aura: N/A
Plague: Slow blocked, bonus damage applied, Triggers[/indent]

Ezalor, Keeper of the Light

[indent]Illuminate Direct: NB, trigger
Illuminate Indirect: NB, NT
Chakra Magic: N/A
Mana Leak: FB
Ignis Fatuus: N/A[/indent]Ignis Fatuus Abilities
Will O': N/A
Phase Shift: N/A
Liberate Soul: N/A

Furion, Prophet

[indent]Sprout Direct: NB, Triggers
Sprout Indirect: NB, NT
Teleportation: N/A
Force of Nature: N/A
Wrath of Nature: Damage negated, still bouncing, Triggers[/indent]

Gondar, Bounty Hunter

[indent]Jinada: NB, NT
Wind Walk: NB, NT
Shuriken Toss: FB
Track: FB[/indent]

Harbringer, Obsidian Destroyer

[indent]Arcane Orb: NB, NT
Astral Imprisonment: NB, Triggers
Essence Aura: N/A
Sanity's Eclipse: NB, NT[/indent]

Huskar, Sacred Warrior

[indent]Burning Spear: NB, NT
Inner Vitality: N/A
Berserker's Blood: N/A
Life Break: Slow blocked, damage applied, Triggers[/indent]

Ish'kafel, Dark Seer

[indent]Vacuum: Mini-stun blocked, damage applied, displaces units, Triggers
Ion Shell On Self/Ally: NB, NT
Ion Shell On Enemy: NB, Triggers
Surge: N/A
Wall of Replica: FB (You can walk through it as much as want you after it have been blocked once without creating illusions)[/indent]

Jah'rakal, Troll Warlord

[indent]Berserker Rage: N/A
Blind: FB
Fervor: N/A
Rampage: N/A[/indent]Berserker Rage Abilities
Bash: NB, NT

Jakiro, Twin Headed Dragon

[indent]Dual Breath: Frost Breath slow blocked, everything else applied, Triggers
Ice Path: NB, Triggers
Auto Fire: NB, NT
Macropyre: NB, NT[/indent]

Kael, Invoker

[indent]Chaos Meteor: NB, NT
Deafening Blast: Attack silence blocked, everything else applied, Triggers
EMP: NB, NT
Ice Wall: NB, NT
Tornado: Disable blocked, damage applied, Triggers
Cold Snap: All extra damage instances blocked, all stuns applied, Triggers
Ghost Walk: NB, NT
Alacrity: NB, NT
Sun Strike: NB, NT
Forge Spirit: N/A[/indent]Forged Spirit Abilities
Melting Strike: NB, NT

Kardel Sharpeye, Dwarven Sniper

[indent]Take Aim: N/A
Headshot: FB (the entire damage for that hit)
Scatter Shot: NB, NT
Assassinate: FB[/indent]

Kel'Thuzad, Lich

[indent]Dark Ritual: N/A
Frost Nova Direct: FB
Frost Nova Indirect: Side damage applied, NB, NT
Frost Armor: NB, NT
Chain Frost Direct: Mini-stun (sleep) blocked, damage still applied, still bouncing, triggers
Chain Frost Indirect: Damage negated, continues bouncing, Triggers[/indent]]

King Leoric, Skeleton King

[indent]Hellfire Blast: FB
Vampiric Aura: N/A
Critical Strike: NB, NT
Reincarnation: N/A[/indent]

Knight Davion, Dragon Knight

[indent]Dragon's Blood: N/A
Breathe Fire: NB, NT
Dragon's Tail: FB
Elder Dragon Form: N/A[/indent]Abilities in Elder Dragon Form
Elder Dragon Form Level 1: NB, NT
Elder Dragon Form Level 2: NB, NT
Elder Dragon Form Level 3: NB, NT

Krobelus, Death Prophet

[indent]Witchcraft: N/A
Carrion Swarm: NB, NT
Silence: NB, NT
Exorcism: NB, NT[/indent]

Lanaya, Templar Assassin

[indent]Refraction: N/A
Meld: NB, NT
Psi Blades: NB, NT
Psionic Trap: N/A[/indent]Psionic Trap Abilities
Trap: FB

Lesale Deathbringer, Venomancer

[indent]Shadow Strike: FB
Poison Sting: NB, NT
Plague Ward: N/A
Poison Nova: NB, NT[/indent]

Leshrac the Malicious, Tormented Soul

[indent]Diabolic Edict: NB, NT
Split Earth: NB, NT
Lightning Storm: Damage negated, still bouncing, Triggers
Pulse Nova: NB, NT[/indent]

Leviathan, Tidehunter

[indent]Anchor Smash: NB, NT
Gush: FB
Kraken Shell: N/A
Ravage: NB, NT[/indent]

Lina Inverse, Slayer

[indent]Dragon Slave: NB, NT
Light Strike Array: NB, NT
Ultimate: N/A
Laguna Blade: FB[/indent]

Lion, Demon Witch

[indent]Impale Direct: NB, Triggers
Impale Indirect: NB, NT
Voodoo: FB
Mana Drain: FB/1 tick block
Finger of Death: FB[/indent]

Lucifer, Doom Bringer

[indent]LVL? Death No Multiplier: FB
LVL? Death Multiplier: Main damage and mini-stun blocked, bonus damage applied, Triggers
Devour: N/A
Scorched Earth: NB, NT
Doom: FB[/indent]

Luna Moonfang, Moon Rider

[indent]Lunar Blessing: N/A
Lucent Beam: FB
Moon Glavie: NB, NT
Eclipse: NB, NT[/indent]

Magina, Anti-mage

[indent]Spell Shield: N/A
Mana Break: NB, NT
Blink: N/A
Mana Void: Mini-stun blocked, damage applied, Triggers[/indent]

Magnus, Magnataur

[indent]Shockwave: NB, NT
Empower: N/A
Mighty Swing: N/A
Reverse Polarity: NB, NT[/indent]

Mangix, Pandaren Brewmaster

[indent]Thunder Clap: NB, NT
Drunken Haze: FB
Drunken Brawler: NB, NT
Primal Split: N/A[/indent]Earth Element
Throw Rock: FB
Taunt: NB, NT

Fire Element
Immolation: NB, NT

Wind Element
Dispel Magic: FB
Cyclone: FB
Wind Walk Break Damage: FB (The damage for the entire hit)

Medusa, Gorgon

[indent]Chain Lightning: Damage negated, continues bouncing, Triggers
Mana Shield: N/A
Split Shot: NB, NT
Purge: FB[/indent]

Meepo, Geomancer

[indent]Earthbind: NB, NT
Poof: NB, NT
Geostrike: NB, NT
Divided We Stand: N/A[/indent]

Mercurial, Spectre

[indent]Spectral Dagger Direct: NB, Triggers
Spectral Dagger Indirect: NB, NT
Dispersion: NB, NT
Desolate: NB, NT
Haunt: NB, NT[/indent]

Mirana Nightshade, Priestess of the Moon

[indent]Starfall: NB, NT
Starfall Second Hit: NB, NT
Elune's Arrow: Stun blocked, damage applied, Triggers
Leap: N/A
Moonlight Shadow: N/A[/indent]

Mogul Kahn, Axe

[indent]Berserker's Call: NB, NT
Battle Hunger: NB, Triggers
Counter Helix: NB, NT
Culling Blade Not Finishing: FB
Culling Blade Finishing: NB, NT[/indent]

Morphling, Morphling

[indent]Waveform: NB, NT
Adaptive Strike Agility: Base damage blocked, bonus agility damage goes through, Triggers
Adaptive Strike Strength: NB, Triggers
Morph: N/A
Replicate: FB (only on enemies)[/indent]

Mortred, Phantom Assassin

[indent]Stifling Dagger: NB, Triggers
Blink Strike: NB, NT
Blur: N/A
Coup de Grace: NB, NT[/indent]

N'aix, Lifestealer

[indent]Rage: N/A
Feast: NB, NT
Open Wounds: The initial stop is blocked, the animation looks a little different, everything else is applied, Triggers
Infest: N/A[/indent]

Nessaj, Chaos Knight

[indent]Critical Strike: NB, NT
Blink Strike: NB, NT
Chaos Bolt: Main stun blocked, mini-stun not blocked, damage not blocked, Triggers
Phantasm: N/A[/indent]

Nevermore, Shadow Fiend

[indent]Presence of the Dark Lord: NB, NT
Necromastery: N/A
Shadowraze: NB, NT
Requiem of Souls Moderate Range (within 400 range): Damage and slow applied, Triggers
Requiem of Souls Long Range (above 400 range): Damage applied, slow blocked, Triggers[/indent]

Nortrom, Silencer

[indent]Curse of the Silent: FB
Glavies of Wisdom: NB, NT
Last Word: FB
Global Silence: NB, NT[/indent]

Puck, Faerie Dragon

[indent]Illusory Orb: NB, NT
Waning Rift: NB, NT
Phase Shift: N/A
Dream Coil Normal: First mini-stun blocked, damage applied, nothing after that is blocked (presuming Linken's is still on CD)[/indent]There's an extra case with Dream Coil, when it is cast on you but Linken's is on CD, Linken's CD finishes after that but before Dream Coil ends and you try to leave the area, basically the same thing as in case one happens although for the latter stun/damage instance.
[indent]Dream Coil Extra Case: First stun and damage applied, leaving stun blocked, leaving damage applied.[/indent]

Pudge, Butcher

[indent]Meat Hook Direct: NB, Triggers
Meat Hook Indirect: Mini-stun blocked, everything else applied, Triggers
Flesh Heap: N/A
Rot: NB, NT
Dismember: FB[/indent]

Pugna, Oblivion

[indent]Nether Ward: N/A
Nether Blast: NB, NT
Decripify: FB
Life Drain: FB/1 tick[/indent]Nether Ward abilities
Mana Flare: FB

Purist Thunderwrath, Omniknight

[indent]Purification: NB, NT
Repel On Self/Ally: NB, NT
Repel On Enemy: FB
Degen Aura: NB, NT
Guardian Angel: N/A[/indent]

Raigor Stonehooh, Earthshaker

[indent]Enchant Totem: N/A
Fissure Direct: NB, Triggers
Fissure Indirect: NB, NT
Aftershock: NB, NT
Echo Slam: NB, NT[/indent] Raijin Thunderkeg, Storm Spirit

[indent]Electric Rave: N/A
Barrier: N/A
Overload: Slow blocked, damage applied, Triggers
Lightning Grapple: NB, NT[/indent]

Rattletrap, Clockwerk Goblin

[indent]Battery Assault: The first damage instance which hits you is fully blocked (the mini-stun as well), all others will damage and stun as usual
Power Cog: NB, NT
Rocket Flare: NB, NT
Hookshot Direct: Damage blocked, stun blocked, you are still pulled to your target
Hookshot Indirect: Damage blocked, stun blocked, you are still pulled to your target[/indent]

Razor, Lightning Revenant

[indent]Unholy Fervor: N/A
Chain Lightning: Damage negated, continues bouncing, Triggers
Frenzy: N/A
Storm Seeker: NB, NT[/indent]

Razzil Darkbrew, Alchemist

[indent]Acid Spray: NB, NT
Unstable Concoction: Channels for 0.5 seconds, stun and damages accordingly, Triggers
Goblin's Greed: N/A
Chemical Rage: N/A[/indent]

Rexxar, Beastmaster

[indent]Wild Axes: NB, NT
Call of the Wild: N/A
Beast Rage: N/A
Primal Roar: Stun and damage blocked, slow applied, Triggers[/indent]Quillbeast/Greater Quillbeast Abilities
Quillbeast Poison: NB, NT

Rhasta, Shadow Shaman

[indent]Shackles: FB
Voodoo: FB
Forked Lightning Direct: FB (for side targets as well)
Forked Lightning Indirect: NB, NT
Mass Serpent Ward: N/A[/indent]Mass Serpent Ward Abilities
Splash: NB, NT

Rigwarl, Bristleback

[indent]Bristleback: N/A
Quill Spray: NB, NT
Viscous Nasal Goo: NB, Triggers
Warpath: N/A[/indent]

Rikimaru, Stealth Assassin

[indent]Backstab: NB, NT
Blink Strike: NB, NT
Smoke Screen: NB, NT
Permanent Invisibility: N/A[/indent]

Rooftrellen, Treant Protector

[indent]Nature's Guise: N/A
Eyes in the Forest: N/A
Living Armor: N/A
Overgrowth: FB[/indent]

Rotund'jere, Necrolyte

[indent]Death Pulse: NB, NT
Sadist: N/A
Diffusion Aura: N/A
Reaper's Scythe: Stun blocked, damage applied, Triggers[/indent]

Rylai Crestfall, Crystal Maiden

[indent]Frost Nova Direct: FB
Frost Nova Indirect: Side damage applied, NB, NT
Frostbite: FB
Brilliance Aura: N/A
Freezing Field: Slow blocked (note that a new slow is applied 0.1 seconds after), Triggers[/indent]

Shendelzare Silkwood, Vengeful Spirit

[indent]Magic Missile: FB
Command Aura: N/A
Terror: NB, NT
Nether Swap: NB, Triggers[/indent]

Slardar, Slithereen Guard

[indent]Sprint: N/A
Slithereen Crush: NB, NT
Bash: NB, NT
Amplify Damage: FB[/indent]

Slithice, Naga Siren

[indent]Critical Strike: NB, NT
Ensnare: NB, NT
Mirror Image: N/A
Song of the Siren: FB[/indent]

Squee and Spleen, Goblin Techies

[indent]Land Mines: NB, NT
Statis Trap: NB, NT
Suicide Squad, Attack!: NB, NT
Remote Mines: NB, NT[/indent]

Strygwyr, Bloodseeker

[indent]Bloodrage: FB (on enemies)
Blood Bath: N/A
Strygwyr's Thirst: NB, NT
Rupture: NB, triggers[/indent]

Sven, Rogue Knight

[indent]Storm Bolt: FB
Great Cleave: N/A
Toughness Aura: N/A
God's Strength: N/A[/indent]

Syllabear, Lone Druid

[indent]Summon Spirit Bear: N/A
Rabid: N/A
Synergy: N/A
True Form: N/A[/indent]Spirit Bear Abilities
Return: N/A
Entangle: FB
Demolish: N/A

True Form Abilities
One: N/A
Battle Cry: N/A

Terrorblade, Soul Keeper

[indent]Soul Steal: FB/1 tick
Conjure Image: N/A
Metamorphosis: N/A
Sunder: NB, Triggers[/indent]

Tiny, Stone Giant

[indent]Craggy Exterior: FB
Avalanche: NB, NT
Toss: NB, Triggers (this is regardless of if you target the Linken's wielder or toss the Linken's wielder)
Grow: N/A[/indent]

Traxex, Drow Ranger

[indent]Silence: NB, NT
Trueshot Aura: N/A
Frost Arrows: NB, NT
Marksmanship: N/A[/indent]

Ulfsaar, Ursa Warrior

[indent]Overpower: N/A
Earthshock: NB, NT
Fury Swipes: NB, NT
Enrage: N/A[/indent]

Viper, Netherdrake

[indent]Frenzy: N/A
Poison Attack: NB, NT
Corrosive Skin: NB, NT
Viper Strike: FB[/indent]

Visage, Necro'lic

[indent]Grave Chill: FB (on the Linken's wielder), Visage gains buff
Soul Assumption: N/A
Gravekeeper's Cloak: N/A
Raise Revenants: N/A[/indent]

Vol'Jin, Witch Doctor

[indent]Paralyzing Cask Direct: NB, Triggers
Paralyzing Cask Indirect: FB, continues bouncing
Voodoo Restoration: N/A
Maledict: NB, NT
Death Ward: N/A[/indent]

Yurnero, Juggernaut

[indent]Healing Ward: N/A
Blade Fury: NB, NT
Blade Dance: NB, NT
Omnislash: Mini-stun blocked, slashes takes place as normal, Triggers[/indent]

Zeus, Lord of Olympia

[indent]Arc Lightning: Damage negated, continues bouncing, Triggers
Static Field: NB, NT
Lightning Bolt: Mini-stun blocked, damage applied, Triggers
Thundergod's Wrath: Damage blocked, gains truesight, Triggers[/indent]
[name=Creeps]Neutral Creeps/Summons[/name]
This includes section contains information on the most important neutral creep/summon skills, if a unit is not listed it is because it doesn't have any skills which affects Linken's at all and I find it all too obvious that the skill in question won't, in case it is not obvious then do ask. In general, no neutral creep/summon have any ability which triggers Linken's without fully blocking the spell and all of it's effects.

Alpha Wolf
[indent]Critical Strike: NB, NT
Command Aura: N/A[/indent]

Centaur Khan
[indent]War Stomp: NB, NT
Endurance Aura: N/A[/indent]

Dark Troll Warlord
[indent]Ensnare: NB, NT
Raise Dead: N/A[/indent]

Earth Element
[indent]Throw Rock: FB
Taunt: NB, NT
Pulverize: NB, NT[/indent]

Enraged Wildkin
[indent]Tornado: NB, NT[/indent]

Fire Element
[indent]Immolation: NB, NT[/indent]

Forged Spirit
[indent]Melting Strike: NB, NT[/indent]

Ghost
[indent]Frost Attack: NB, NT[/indent]

Gnoll Assassin
[indent]Envenomed Weapon: NB, NT[/indent]

Ignis Fatuus
[indent]Will O': N/A
Phase Shift: N/A
Liberate Soul: N/A[/indent]

Infernal
[indent]Flaming Fist: NB, NT
Permanent Immolation: NB, NT[/indent]

Lycantrophe Wolf
[indent]Critical Strike: NB, NT
Permanent Invisibility: N/A[/indent]

Mass Serpent Ward
[indent]Splash: NB, NT[/indent]

Necronomicon Archer
[indent]Mana Burn: FB[/indent] Necronomicon Warrior
[indent]Feedback: NB, NT
Last Will: NB, NT[/indent]

Nether Ward
[indent]Mana Flare: FB[/indent]

Ogre Magi
[indent]Frost Armor: NB, NT[/indent]

Polar Furbolg Ursa Warrior
[indent]Thunder Clap: NB, NT[/indent]

Psionic Trap
[indent]Trap: FB[/indent]

Quillbeast/Greater Quillbeast
[indent]Quillbeast Poison: NB, NT[/indent]

Roshan
[indent]Hurl Boulder: FB
Slam: NB, NT[/indent]

Satyr Hellcaller
[indent]Shockwave: NB, NT
Unholy Aura: N/A[/indent]

Satyr Trickster
[indent]Purge: FB[/indent]

Satyr Soulstealer
[indent]Mana Burn: FB[/indent]

Spiderling
[indent]Poison Sting: NB, NT[/indent] Spirit Bear
[indent]Return: N/A
Entangle: FB
Demolish: N/A[/indent]

Wind Element
[indent]Dispel Magic: FB
Cyclone: FB
Wind Walk Break Damage: FB (The damage for the entire hit)[/indent]

[name=Items]Items[/name]
This last section contains information on items and what effects of them are blocked by Linken's, do note that on some items there are a difference depending on if they are used by a melee or ranged hero.

Battle Fury
[indent]Cleave: NB, NT[/indent]

Buriza-do Kyanon (melee)
[indent]Critical Strike: NB, NT[/indent]

Buriza-do Kyanon (ranged)
[indent]Critical Strike: FB (all damage for that attack)[/indent]

Cranium Basher (melee)
[indent]Bash: NB, NT[/indent]

Cranium Basher (ranged)
[indent]Bash: FB (all damage for that attack)[/indent]

Crystalys (melee)
[indent]Critical Strike: NB, NT[/indent]

Crystalys (ranged)
[indent]Critical Strike: FB (all damage for that attack)[/indent]

Dagon
[indent]Energy Burst: NB, NT[/indent]

Diffusal Blade
[indent]Purge: FB
Feedback: NB, NT[/indent]

Eul's Scepter of Divinity
[indent]Cyclone: FB[/indent]

Guinsoo's Scythe of the Vyse
[indent]Hex: FB[/indent]

Javelin
[indent]Bonus Damage On Hit: NB, NT[/indent]

Lothar's (melee)
[indent]Wind Walk Break Damage: NB, NT[/indent]

Lothar's (ranged)
[indent]Wind Walk Break Damage: NB, NT[/indent]

Maelstrom
[indent]Chain Lightning: FB[/indent]

Manta Style
[indent]Feedback: NB, NT[/indent]

Mjollnir
[indent]Chain Lightning: FB
Static Charge Direct: FB
Static Charge Indirect: NB, NT[/indent]

Monkey King Bar (melee)
[indent]Bonus Damage (Bash): NB, NT[/indent]

Monkey King Bar (ranged)
[indent]Bonus Damage (Bash): FB (all damage for that attack)[/indent]

Necronomicon
[indent]Summon Demon Mages: N/A[/indent]Necronomicon Archer
Mana Burn: FB

Necronomicon Warrior
Feedback: NB, NT
Last Will: NB, NT

Orchid Mavolence
[indent]Soul Burn: Silence icon appears, everything blocked (meaning that you are not silenced even though the icon appears)[/indent]

Radiance
[indent]Radiance Effect: NB, NT[/indent]

Sange
[indent]Maim: FB[/indent]

Sange and Yasha
[indent]Maim: FB[/indent]

Shiva's Guard
[indent]Arctic Blast: Slow blocked, damage applied, Triggers[/indent]
[name=In-depth]V. In-depth explanation[/name]
Here I will give a wider explanation as to why a triggered spell seldom can be fully blocked.

Two things which must be known before we start are:

1. What is a triggered spell
   
2. Triggered damage does not activate Linken’s Sphere
   

What is a triggered spell?
A triggered spell is a spell which runs by set arguments for that skill, these arguments are programmed to work in a way so that the skill works as intended, generally this is done because there is no regular spell in Warcraft which performs the desired actions.

Good examples of what is accomplished with triggered spells are several effects placed in one spell or moving units, there will be a few examples later on, one of them is Spirit Lance which deals damage, slows and mini-stuns. You would not be able to perform all those actions with one spell without making it triggered.

Why doesn’t triggered damage activate Linken’s?
Triggered damage does not cause Linken’s to trigger, damage dealt by an effect or separate spell in the triggered spell might be blocked but not triggered damage.

A good example of triggered damage is the following :

Quote :

Blink Strike (A0K9)
Based on Channel.

When this spell's effect is started, a variable is assigned 30*BlinkStrikeLevel, then Rikimaru's X and Y is set to the Spell Target's X and Y. A check is done if the SpellTarget Unit is an enemy, if it is, make Rikimaru deal the variable in damage (30*BSLevel) with Attack Type Normal, Damage Type Normal, then issue an attack order on the target.

The damage is dealt through the triggers in the spells and is not counted as a spell; therefore the damage itself will never trigger Linken’s. If the damage would’ve been caused by, let’s say, a Storm Bolt then it could’ve been blocked.

Blocking
With that said, let’s move on to the actual thing I wanted to explain, why Linken’s cannot fully block most triggered spells.

Take a look at the following description:

Quote :

Lightning Bolt (A0JC)
The base spell of this ability is an storm bolt with 0 damage and 0.01 seconds Stun Duration.

When the spell is in effect, a dummy unit is created on top of the target unit, this dummy unit is special in that it's not the normal dummy unit, but a different one who has True Sight (900 AoE). They are then given a Chain Lightning skill, with the level equal to your Lightning Bolt level and told to use it on the same target. These dummy units last for 3 seconds, and their true sight has a 3 second duration too (this means that True Sight lasts for 6 seconds total? not sure).

A small and easy chart is the following:

1. Zeus casts Lightning Bolt on an enemy
   
2. Storm Bolt casted for mini-stun
   
3. Storm Bolt blocked
   
4. Linken’s triggers and starts it’s cooldown
   
5. Chain Lightning casted for damage
   
6. Chain Lightning not blocked
   
7. Spell finishes
   

Let's now compare that against this from the guide you are reading.

Quote :

Lightning Bolt: Mini-stun blocked, damage applied, Triggers

From these things we can obviously read that the mini-stun is the first effect applied, as well it’s the only effect which is blocked in this spell.

Since the Storm Bolt used to mini-stun is blocked by Linken’s Sphere it will trigger and start its cooldown, then the Chain Lightning, which provides the damage is fired through the air and hits the wielder without being blocked at all.

Basically, this means that when we have several effects in one spell they cannot all be blocked if the effects are provided by different things, even though it is one spell you use it does not work that way in the Warcraft 3 engine. If all of these effects would have been provided by the same spell with the same spell properties there would have been no issue with Linken’s.

Channel
Another interesting fact is that the base skill Channel (which basically does nothing, but is used for many triggered spells) seems to trigger Linken’s Sphere in every case except for with Blink Strike.

Let’s take a look at the example with Soul Rip (this comes from the same guide mentioned earlier).

Quote :

Soul Rip (A0R5)
Based on Channel.

When the skill goes into effect, count all non ancient (except spirit bear) nondummy nonstructure alive noncycloned visible units in a 1000 range from Undying (Counted group), then remove both Undying and the target unit from Counted. Make a new group (SoulRipped), set i=0 and max=5*SoulRiplvl, then for each unit on the counted group: if i<=max then add the unit to SoulRipped and increase i by 1, effectively capping the affected units group to 6/11/16/21 units (since it starts in 0, the first pass will be 0<=5, the second 1<=5, the third 2<=5, the fourth 3<=5, the fifth 4<=5, the sixth 5<=5). Now, if the spell target is an ally do (1), if it's an enemy do (2).

(1): For each unit in SoulRipped, set the spell target's life to CurrentLife+25, make Dirge damage the Enum Unit with Attack Type Spells, Damage Type Fire with 25, then show the lightning between the spell target and the enum unit.

(2): For each unit in SoulRipped, make Dirge damage the spell target with 25 with Attack Type Spells, Damage Type fire, make Dirge damage the Enum Unit with Attack Type Spells, Damage Type Fire with 25, then show the lightning between the spell target and the enum unit.

There is no effect in there which should be blocked (Soul Rip counts all units and then damages with triggered damage), except for Channel, but Channel does not provide anything to the actual spell and everything takes place as usual, in addition Linken’s Sphere triggers without blocking anything at all.

The only Channel based spell which is targeted at enemies which does not trigger Linken’s is Blink Strike, the reason being unknown so far.

These are the things which make Linken’s Sphere unable to block several effects in a spell.

[name=LastWords]VI. Last Words[/name]
Now, in this last very big section will I wrap things up for the time being.

I hope that everyone could learn something from this, in case there are anything else you would like to see included then tell me what.

Thank you for your time and patience.

[name=Credits]VII. Credits[/name]
Big thanks to Sweet_Violence, antiweltteilchen and Hassaan for helping me out with all the tests on skills, items and neutrals.
Thanks to [s]protomanx1[/s] PRO TOM HANKS for helping me with what is blocked in certain skills and for the sole encouraging reply while this guide was in the sandbox.
Thanks DonTomaso and PRO TOM HANKS (again) for reading and pointing out some things with the in-depth section.
THANKS Allure- FOR INSPIRING ME TO [s]RIP OFF YOUR[/s] WRITE THIS AWESOME GUIDE. KK. [s]SORRY FOR STEALIN YOUR LAYOUTZ.[/s]


.....................
originally written by: Robzor
©DotAtionary™

This is really GREAT !
But I guess some coding problem need to be fixed...

Wow, such a long guide..................
But very detail.....

Yeah ad very hard to load!

the commands and links doesnt work for me..

If you're using IE then try opening it in another window or another tab as well as if you are using MF.

how updated is this? 6.55?

the explanations about how linken's block zeus spells is helpful. will add this in my zeus guide on my next update. thanks!!!

also, will include this in my "magic spell weakness" guide. ^_^

IMO you need to write down the original writer and the source where you get the information.