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Dota 2 Neutral Items Guide

Dota 2 Neutral Items 2025 (Patch 7.39d)

When playing Dota 2, newcomers come across neutral items in their very first match. But given that it’s a very complex game, getting the hang of neutral items can be challenging. If you’re just starting out, this guide from MelBet Pick’em will definitely be helpful. Even if you’re an experienced player, we still recommend reading it, as patch 7.38 brought significant changes to Dota 2 neutral items. In this guide, we’ll explain in detail what works in the latest version, 7.39d. So, let’s begin!

What are Dota 2 Neutral Items?

Neutral items are a category of items crafted using resources obtained from Dota 2 neutral creeps. They cannot be purchased with gold. Each neutral item in Dota occupies a separate inventory slot and functions as an additional artifact. Unlike shop items, neutral items do not provide a direct, full stat boost. However, when combined correctly, they can significantly boost a hero’s power and influence the outcome of battles.

Neutral items first appeared in Dota 2 with patch 7.23 on November 26, 2019. However, the current neutral item system, updated in patch 7.38, is based on the new Madstone mechanic. Now, clearing a camp rewards the player with a resource that can be used for crafting. Each neutral item is created from two components: an artifact and an enchantment. Their power depends on their rank. There are five tiers (Tier I-V) of Dota neutral items that unlock based on game timings, but we’ll talk about that a bit later.

Dota 2 Neutral Items

How to Craft Neutral Items

Since Dota 2 neutral items no longer drop randomly, they must be crafted. This is done using a special currency called Madstones. They are awarded for clearing neutral camps, which maintains some similarities with the old item drop system. However, there are still some differences. Obtaining neutral items in Dota 7.39b now looks like this:

1. Obtaining Madstones

  • Clearing a regular camp awards 2 Madstones to the player and 1 to a random ally;
  • Clearing an Ancient camp awards 3 Madstones to the player and 2 to allies;
  • These awards are only available after the 5th minute of the game, when the limit for Tier 1 items is unlocked;
  • If there is an enemy within 800 range of the last creep, Madstones fall to the ground and can be picked up by either side;
  • When a player has reached their Madstone limit, excess resources are distributed evenly among allies.

Obtaining Madstones Dota 2 7.38

2. Item Cost by Tier

Tier Cost (Madstones)
Tier I 5
Tier II 15
Tier III 25
Tier IV 35
Tier V 45

Re-crafting Dota 2 Tier 5 neutral items is possible, but each attempt requires more resources (+30, +40, +50, and so on).

3. Neutral Item Structure

  • Each neutral item is created from two components: an Artifact and an Enchantment;
  • Artifacts provide an active effect (ability or spell);
  • Enchantments provide passive stat bonuses or unique modifiers;
  • The player selects one artifact and one enchantment during the crafting process.

Craft Neutral Items Dota 2

4. Selection Process

  • When crafting, players are offered three artifact options and three enchantment options of the current tier;
  • The player must choose an artifact + enchantment combination or keep the item from the previous rank.

5. Equipment

  • The crafted item is automatically placed into the dedicated neutral item slot;
  • It is only replaced when crafting an item of the next tier;
  • The courier and base are not involved in the process.

On a positive note, the Dota 2 neutral item crafting system in the current patch 7.39b eliminates the need for a courier or return to base. The item is immediately placed in the designated slot.

Furthermore, the mechanic separates artifacts from enchantments, providing separate active effects and passive buffs. This makes it much more accurate to select Dota neutral items for specific heroes and different stages of the game, which is certainly pleasing.

Dota 2 Neutral Item Timings

One of the latest changes to neutral items in Dota 2 concerns their timings. The system was revised in patch 7.39d: Tier I-IV items now unlock 2 minutes earlier, increasing the importance of neutral items during the laning phase.

Current values:

  • Tier I – from 5 minutes (previously 7);
  • Tier II – from 15 minutes (previously 17);
  • Tier III – from 25 minutes (previously 27);
  • Tier IV – from 35 minutes (previously 37);
  • Tier V – from 60 minutes (unchanged);
  • 70+ minutes – no limit, neutral items can be re-crafted without restriction.

Each rank increase is accompanied by a choice: select one of three new artifacts and enchantments, or keep the current combination.

Neutral Drops Dota 2 Rates

Dota 2 Neutral Item Artifacts

As we’ve discussed, in the latest 2025 updates, Dota 2 neutral items consist of two components. The first component is the artifact. They are divided into five tiers, and each artifact provides either an active or passive effect that influences a hero’s playstyle.

Tier 1 Artifacts

Artifact Type Effect
Chipped Vest Passive Returns 30 damage to heroes or 20 to creeps when attacked.
Dormant Curio Passive Enhances the next artifact by +30% to its core values; adds Unleashed enchantment bonus.
Kobold Cup Active Grants +10% movement speed to allies in 1000 AoE for 6s. Mana cost: 40. Cooldown: 40s.
Occult Bracelet Passive Each attack received gives +0.4 mana regen for 5s (up to 5 stacks).
Pollywog Charm Active Grants +8 HP regen for 12s to an ally, +10% MS in water. Mana cost: 40. Cooldown: 45s.
Ripper’s Lash Active AoE whip (400 radius): targets take +12 bonus damage from attacks for 10s. Cast range: 850. CD: 30s.
Sister’s Shroud Passive When HP <50%: +150% evasion for 5s. Each dodge reduces the evasion bonus to 0.25× of its current value. Refreshes only on hero kill or owner’s death.
Spark of Courage Passive +10 damage if HP >50%, +5 armor if HP <50%.

Tier 2 Artifacts

Artifact Type Effect
Brigand’s Blade Passive +3 bonus damage for every 5% missing HP on the enemy.
Essence Ring Active +240 current and max HP for 15s. Mana cost: 150. CD: 25s.
Mana Draught Active Restores 70 + 3% max mana. No mana cost. CD: 60s.
Poor Man’s Shield Passive Blocks 30 damage (melee) or 20 damage (ranged).
Searing Signet Passive Burn: 15 magic DPS for 5s when dealing >40 magic damage.
Tumbler’s Toy Active Dash forward 300 units. Cooldown: 15s.

Tier 3 Artifacts

Artifact Type Effect
Gale Guard Active Cyclonic Shield: 225 HP barrier, 75% damage block for 10s. CD: 40s.
Gunpowder Gauntlet Passive Next attack deals +120 bonus magic damage and 50% cleave. CD: 6s.
Jidi Pollen Bag Active AoE poison: -30% HP regen, 12% max HP damage over 12s. Interval: 1s. Radius: 700. CD: 45s.
Psychic Headband Active Pushes enemy back 400 units. Cast range: 600. Cooldown: 15s.
Serrated Shiv Passive 20% chance to deal +10% target’s current HP as bonus physical damage. Always +200 vs Roshan. CD: 1s.
Whisper of Dread Passive -15% daytime vision, +10% spell damage.

Tier 4 Artifacts

Artifact Type Effect
Crippling Crossbow Active Deals 75 damage, slows MS by 80%, reduces healing by 40% for 4s. Cast range: 800. Mana cost: 75. CD: 12s.
Dezun Bloodrite Passive +15% spell radius, but all spells cost an extra 35% of mana as HP.
Giant’s Maul Passive Next attack: 150% crit + -10% MS, -15% AS, -20% spellcast speed for 4s. CD: 15s.
Magnifying Monocle Passive +125 cast range, +100 attack range. Disabled for 6s when taking damage.
Outworld Staff Active Self-banish for 0.7s, take 5% max HP damage on return. Mana cost: 65. CD: 30s. Damage disables Blink.
Pyrrhic Cloak Active Reflects 60% of incoming damage to a chosen enemy. Duration: 6s. Cast range: 800. CD: 40s.

Tier 5 Artifacts

Artifact Type Effect
Book of the Dead Active Summons 2 warriors + 2 archers for 65s. Warriors: mana burn, true sight. Archers: purge aura, attack buffs. CD: 80s.
Divine Regalia Passive +20% total damage. On death replaced by Disgraced Regalia (no bonus).
Fallen Sky Active Meteor jump: 1.6s stun, 150 damage (non-buildings), 75 damage (buildings). DoT: 60 DPS for 6s. AoE: 400. CD: 90s.
Helm of Undying Passive Death Delay: survive as a ghost for 6s. Cannot attack buildings during effect. Cooldown: 50s.
Minotaur Horn Active Lesser Avatar: 2s spell immunity, +50% magic resist, immune to pure and reflected damage. Mana cost: 0. CD: 40s.
Spider Legs Active Free pathing, +20% MS, +50% turn rate for 10s. Destroys trees. CD: 20s.
Stygian Desolator Passive Attacks reduce enemy armor by -13 for 7s.
Unrelenting Eye Passive +100% slow resistance. Reduced by 25% for each enemy hero within 300 AoE.

Dota 2 Neutral Item Enchantments

The second component of Dota neutral items is enchantments. Unlike artifacts, they are not strictly tied to their tier. Enchantments affect multiple levels simultaneously, and their values scale.

A total of 17 enchantments are available in the game as of patch 7.39d. There are also five tiers, with basic versions unlocking at 5 minutes, and the most powerful versions unlocking at 60 minutes.

Also important to know: enchantments always provide passive effects. These can include increased health, mana regeneration, attack speed, resistance, or additional stats. However, they are not manually activated and are permanently active, enhancing the artifact they are applied to.

Tier Enchant Effect
1-4 Alert +10/15/20/25 Attack Speed; +0/150/225/300 Bonus Night Vision
1-4 Brawny +125/175/225/275 Health; +0/3/6/9 HP Regeneration
1-4 Mystical +0.8/1.6/2.4/3.2 Mana Regeneration; +0/10/16/22% Magic Resistance
1-4 Quickened +15/20/25/30 Movement Speed; +0/100/160/220 Mana
1-4 Tough +5/8/11/14 Damage; +0/4/7/10 Armor
2-3 Vast +60/90 Attack Range (Melee & Ranged)
2-3 Greedy +75/100 GPM; +200/250 Mana; -30/60 Attack Damage
2-3 Keen-eyed +125/135 Cast Range; +1/1.5 Mana Regeneration; -15% Maximum Mana
2-4 Vampiric +12/16/20% Lifesteal; +8/12/16% Spell Lifesteal
4-5 Timeless +10/15% Debuff Amplification; +10/20% Spell Amplification
4-5 Titanic +15/25% Base Attack Damage; +10/15% Status Resistance
4-5 Crude +30/40% Health Restoration Amp; -12/18% Base Attack Time; -5% Intelligence
5 Boundless +150 Attack Range (Melee & Ranged); +350 Cast Range
5 Evolved +40 Primary Stat
5 Feverish +15% Cooldown Reduction; +10% Mana Cost/Mana Loss Increase
5 Wise +600 Experience per Minute
5 Audacious +100 Attack Speed; +80 Magic Attack Damage; +10% Incoming Damage
5 Fleetfooted +115 Movement Speed

Tips and Mistakes When Choosing Dota 2 Neutral Items

In patch 7.39d, the Dota neutral item system has become far more demanding in terms of Madstone management and timing.

Mastering this system requires practice – dozens or even hundreds of hours. However, we’ve prepared some general tips for choosing neutral items Dota 2:

  • Don’t rush recrafting: Resources are limited until the 70th minute, and every Madness is valuable. Recrafting is only worth it if the item is completely ineffective on the hero;
  • Consider timing: If the next tier is less than 3 minutes away, save up Madness. The new neutral item choice is almost always stronger;
  • Play to your strengths: Boost your carries’ damage, your supports’ survivability, and your initiators’ mobility;
  • Synergy matters more than numbers: An item with the right enchantment can be more effective than an item with high stats but no interaction with the build.

FAQ

In patch 7.39, Dota neutral items are crafted with Madstones. This resource can be obtained by clearing camps. For a regular camp, the player receives 2 Madstones and another 1 goes to a random ally. For an Ancient camp, the player receives 3 Madstones and the team receives 2 Madstones.

Yes, when upgrading, you can create a new item from an artifact and enchantments, or keep the current one. Some lower-tier combinations provide a more reliable effect than a random set at the next level.

The accumulation of Madstones required to craft neutral items Dota 2 is limited by time limits. At the 5th minute, 5 are available, at the 15th minute – 15, at the 25th minute – 25, at the 35th minute – 35, and at the 60th minute – 45. After the 70th minute, the limit is removed, and the team can accumulate the resource without limit.

There are five tiers of neutral items in Dota 2. The first unlocks at the 5th minute, the second at the 15th minute, the third at the 25th minute, the fourth at the 35th minute, and the fifth at the 60th minute. After the 70th minute, players can reforge level 5 items an unlimited number of times.

Patch 7.39b accelerated access to Dota 2 neutral items: Tiers I-IV now unlock two minutes earlier. This shifted the focus to the early stages. Items began to influence the game from the 5th minute, and not from the 7th, which increased the importance of neutral items in the laning phase and midgame.

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