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DOTA 2 / HERO HISTORY

Grimstroke changes

Balance notes across the versions listed by Valve. An unchanged patch is a small victory for your muscle memory.

Change record

46 patches with recorded changes · 118 of 118 listed patches readable.

Coverage: Feb 1, 2018 to Sep 15, 2026. This feed does not include every patch in Dota’s lifetime.

Inspect coverage by patch

Jun 4, 2026

Grimstroke in 7.41d

  • TalentsLevel 20 Talent Attacks to Destroy Phantom decreased from +3 to +2
  • Dark PortraitMagic Resistance decreased from 95% to 90%

Mar 24, 2026

Grimstroke in 7.41

  • Ink TrailNow also applied when an enemy hero is affected by any of Grimstroke's abilities
  • Ink TrailNow also applied by attacks from Grimstroke's illusions (including Dark Portrait)
  • Ink TrailGrimstroke now takes 5% + 0.5% per level less damage from enemies affected by Ink Trail
  • Stroke of FateCan now be put on alt-cast to send the stroke straight

Jan 21, 2026

Grimstroke in 7.40c

  • Base damage increased by 1
  • Damage at level 1 decreased from 46–50 to 47–51
  • TalentsLevel 15 Talent Ink Swell Movement Speed increased from +12% to +15%
  • Ink SwellCast Range increased from 500/600/700/800 to 650/700/750/800

Dec 15, 2025

Grimstroke in 7.40

  • Phantom's EmbraceCooldown is now also refreshed if the phantom's target dies before the phantom latches to it
  • SoulbindAbility can now be reflected
  • SoulbindReflected spells now get casted onto both units affected by Soulbind
  • Dark PortraitIllusion Outgoing Damage decreased from 150% to 125%
  • Dark PortraitIllusion Damage Taken decreased from 350% to 275%

Aug 5, 2025

Grimstroke in 7.39d

  • Phantom's EmbraceCooldown decreased from 36/30/24/18s to 30/26/22/18s
  • Ink SwellMax Stun Duration increased from 1.3/1.8/2.3/2.8s to 1.6/2/2.4/2.8s

May 22, 2025

Grimstroke in 7.39

  • Fine Art · Stroke of FateGrimstroke launches a mirrored curved stroke from his free hand. Each enemy can take damage only from one stroke but still contributes to bonus damage accumulation for both
  • Stroke of FatePoint Vector Target behavior, previously exclusive to Fine Art facet, is now enabled by default
  • Stroke of Fate20/30/40/50 bonus damage per unit replaced with separate values for heroes and creeps: 20/40/60/80 per hero and 10/20/30/40 per creep
  • Stroke of Fate · ContextIllusions count as creeps
  • SoulbindIf the debuff ends on the primary target early due to status resistance, it will also be destroyed on the secondary target
  • Soulbind · ContextPreviously, the secondary target would still be leashed

Feb 18, 2025

Grimstroke in 7.38

  • Fine Art · Stroke of FateNow displays a preview of the projectile trajectory
  • Ink SwellAghanim's Shard no longer applies a strong dispel when Ink Swell expires
  • Ink SwellAghanim's Shard now applies a basic dispel when Ink Swell is cast
  • Ink SwellAghanim's Shard Bonus damage increased from 30% to 40%
  • Ink SwellAghanim's Shard Heal increased from 30% to 40%

Nov 19, 2024

Grimstroke in 7.37e

  • Fine Art · Stroke of FateImproved behavior when casting at maximum cast range

Oct 1, 2024

Grimstroke in 7.37d

  • TalentsLevel 20 Talent Stroke of Fate Damage increased from +75% to +80%
  • Ink SwellInk Tendrils DPS increased from 25/40/55/70 to 30/45/60/75

Jul 31, 2024

Grimstroke in 7.37

  • Fine Art · Stroke of FateBonus DMG per target increased from 20/35/50/65 to 20/40/60/80

May 22, 2024

Grimstroke in 7.36

  • Innate Ability · Ink TrailNew Innate ability. Passive, can't be leveled up
  • Innate Ability · Ink TrailAdds an effect to Grimstroke's attacks that causes enemy heroes to leave a trail of ink behind them for 4s, gaining a vision over them but not over their surroundings
  • Innate Ability · Ink Trail · ContextSimilar to Bounty Hunter's Track vision
  • Inkstigate · Ink SwellAdds the new Ink Explosion sub-ability, allowing Grimstroke to manually trigger Ink Swell
  • Inkstigate · Ink SwellBuff Duration is 4s
  • Fine Art · Stroke of FateMakes ability Vector Targeted to curve ink path's trajectory
  • Fine Art · Stroke of FateIncreases bonus damage per target from 20/30/40/50 to 20/35/50/65
  • TalentsLevel 20 Talent +1000 Stroke of Fate Cast Range replaced with +75% Stroke of Fate Damage
  • TalentsLevel 25 Talent +75% Stroke of Fate Damage replaced with +70% Stroke of Fate Speed and Travel Range
  • Stroke of FateNow applies Ink Trail effect on hit
  • Phantom's EmbraceThe phantom is no longer disjointable while returning to Grimstroke
  • Ink SwellBuff duration decreased from 5s to 3s
  • Ink SwellNo longer can be manually triggered by default

Dec 14, 2023

Grimstroke in 7.35

  • TalentsLevel 10 Talent Ink Swell Cooldown Reduction decreased from 5s to 4s
  • TalentsLevel 15 Talent Ink Swell Movement Speed bonus decreased from +14% to +12%
  • TalentsLevel 25 Talent Stroke of Fate Damage increased from +60% to +75%
  • Ink SwellAghanim's Shard Damage/Heal bonus decreased from 40% to 30%
  • SoulbindCooldown increased from 70/60/50s to 70/65/60s

Nov 20, 2023

Grimstroke in 7.34e

  • Ink SwellAghanim's Shard Spell Lifesteal now has a 20% penalty against creeps

Oct 4, 2023

Grimstroke in 7.34d

  • TalentsLevel 15 Talent Ink Swell Movement Speed decreased from +16% to +14%

Aug 8, 2023

Grimstroke in 7.34

  • Phantom's EmbraceNow refreshes when the phantom reaches Grimstroke rather than the moment Rend Damage is dealt
  • Phantom's EmbraceProjectile Speed increased from 850 to 1150
  • Ink SwellBuff Duration increased from 3s to 5s
  • Ink SwellCan now be detonated via Ink Explosion sub-ability at any time during its effect to end it with an AoE explosion
  • Ink SwellThe sub-ability replaces Ink Swell for the duration of the buff. Cooldown starts upon cast
  • Ink SwellMax Stun Duration increased from 1/1.6/2.2/2.8s to 1.3/1.8/2.3/2.8s
  • Ink SwellCast Range increased from 400/525/650/775 to 500/600/700/800
  • SoulbindNow fully pierces debuff immunity

Apr 20, 2023

Grimstroke in 7.33

  • TalentsLevel 10 Talent Phantom's Embrace DPS increased from +50 to +65
  • TalentsLevel 25 Talent Stroke of Fate Damage increased from +50% to +60%
  • Ink SwellMax Stun Duration decreased from 1.1/1.9/2.7/3.5s to 1/1.6/2.2/2.8s
  • Ink Swell · ContextDuration decreased as a part of the comprehensive Disables Reduction
  • Ink SwellMovement Speed Bonus increased from 12/14/16/18% to 20%
  • Ink SwellCooldown decreased from 30/26/22/18s to 27/24/21/18s
  • Dark PortraitIllusion is now a Strong Illusion
  • Dark PortraitSpell Immunity replaced with Debuff Immunity with 95% Magic Resistance

Mar 6, 2023

Grimstroke in 7.32e

  • Ink SwellDamage per second increased from 25/35/45/55 to 25/40/55/70 (75/120/165/210 total damage)
  • SoulbindCooldown decreased from 90/70/50s to 70/60/50s

Nov 29, 2022

Grimstroke in 7.32d

  • TalentsLevel 15 Talent Soulbind Spell Damage increased from +20% to +25%
  • Ink SwellMovement Speed bonus increased from 10/12/14/16% to 12%/14%/16%/18%
  • Dark PortraitCan now be used on Spell Immune enemies

Sep 27, 2022

Grimstroke in 7.32c

  • Phantom's EmbraceTravel Speed to the target increased from 750 to 850
  • Phantom's EmbraceTravel Speed back to Grimstroke increased from 750 to 1150

Aug 23, 2022

Grimstroke in 7.32

  • TalentsLevel 15 Talent +15% Spell Amplification replaced with +20% Soulbind Spell Damage
  • Stroke of FateSlow Duration increased from 1.5s to 1.75s
  • SoulbindCooldown decreased from 100/75/50s to 90/70/50s

Jun 8, 2022

Grimstroke in 7.31d

  • Ink SwellRadius reduced from 400 to 375
  • Ink SwellCooldown increased from 30/25/20/15 to 30/26/22/18

Feb 23, 2022

Grimstroke in 7.31

  • Stroke of FateBase damage reduced from 120/180/240/300 to 100/160/220/280
  • Stroke of FateDamage per unit hit increased from 18/27/36/45 to 20/30/40/50
  • Stroke of FateCast point improved from 0.8 to 0.6
  • Stroke of FateProjectile speed reduced from 2400 to 2000

Sep 10, 2021

Grimstroke in 7.30c

  • TalentsLevel 20 Talent +800 Stroke of fate cast range increased to +1000
  • TalentsLevel 25 Talent +40% Stroke of fate damage increased to +50%

Aug 17, 2021

Grimstroke in 7.30

  • Stroke of FateDamage Increment Per Hit increased from 16/24/32/40 to 18/27/36/45
  • Ink SwellDuration increased from 3s to 4s

Apr 29, 2021

Grimstroke in 7.29c

  • TalentsLevel 15 Talent reduced from +20% Ink Swell Movement Speed to +16%
  • Ink SwellMovement speed bonus reduced from 12/14/16/18% to 10/12/14/16%
  • Ink SwellStun duration rescaled from 1/1.9/2.8/3.7 to 1.1/1.9/2.7/3.5

Apr 16, 2021

Grimstroke in 7.29b

  • TalentsLevel 10 Talent reduced from -6s Ink Swell cooldown to -5s
  • Ink SwellShard bonus damage reduced from +50% to +40%
  • Ink SwellShard heal reduced 50% to 40%

Apr 9, 2021

Grimstroke in 7.29

  • Reworked Shard upgrade. Causes Ink Swell to deal 50% more damage and heal the target for 50% of the damage Ink Swell deals. Upon expiration, the target will receive a strong dispel.
  • TalentsLevel 10 Talent increased from -4s Ink Swell Cooldown to -6
  • TalentsLevel 10 Talent changed from +100 Cast Range to +50 Phantom's Embrace DPS
  • Phantom's EmbraceDamage per second increased from 6/14/22/30 to 10/20/30/40
  • SoulbindLatch radius increased from 550 to 600

Jan 10, 2021

Grimstroke in 7.28b

  • Ink Over shard cast range increased from 700 to 950
  • Ink Over shard total damage increased from 240 to 320
  • Ink Over shard movement slow increased from 20% to 25%

Jul 15, 2020

Grimstroke in 7.27b

  • Attack range increased from 550 to 575
  • TalentsLevel 10 Talent changed from +20 Movement Speed to +100 Cast Range
  • TalentsLevel 15 Talent changed from +150 Cast Range to +20% Ink Swell Movement Speed
  • TalentsLevel 20 Talent increased from +650 Stroke of Fate Cast Range to +800

Mar 17, 2020

Grimstroke in 7.25

  • TalentsLevel 15 Talent increased from +15% Spell Amplification to +20%
  • TalentsLevel 20 Talent increased from +600 Stroke of Fate Cast Range to +800
  • Phantom's EmbraceRend damage increased from 80/170/260/350 to 120/200/280/360

Jan 26, 2020

Grimstroke in 7.24

  • Base intelligence increased by 2
  • TalentsLevel 10 Talent changed from +90 Gold/Min to +100 Ink Swell Max Damage
  • TalentsLevel 15 Talent increased from +125 Cast Range to +175
  • TalentsLevel 15 Talent increased from +12% Spell Amplification to +15%

Jul 14, 2019

Grimstroke in 7.22e

  • Base damage reduced by 2
  • SoulbindNo longer reduces movement speed by 10%

May 27, 2019

Grimstroke in 7.22b

  • Scepter illusion incoming damage increased from 200% to 350%
  • Scepter illusion duration reduced from 20 to 15

May 24, 2019

Grimstroke in 7.22

  • Added Scepter upgrade. Grants you a new ability, Dark Portrait. Creates an ink illusion of a target enemy hero. Illusion lasts 20 seconds and is magic immune with +30% movement speed. Takes 200% incoming damage and deals 150% outgoing damage. Cooldown 35. Manacost 200.
  • Ink SwellIs now castable on allied Spell Immune units

Feb 16, 2019

Grimstroke in 7.21b

  • Ink SwellStun duration reduced from 1.4/2.2/3.0/3.8 to 1.0/1.9/2.8/3.7
  • SoulbindSlow reduced from 15/30/45% to 10/20/30%

Jan 29, 2019

Grimstroke in 7.21

  • Phantom's EmbraceRend damage reduced from 120/200/280/360 to 75/150/225/300
  • Ink SwellManacost increased from 90/100/110/120 to 120/130/140/150
  • Ink SwellMovement speed reduced from 18% to 12/14/16/18%

Dec 9, 2018

Grimstroke in 7.20e

  • Ink SwellMax stun duration reduced from 1.7/2.4/3.1/3.8 to 1.4/2.2/3/3.8
  • SoulbindCooldown increased from 90/70/50 to 100/75/50

Nov 30, 2018

Grimstroke in 7.20d

  • Soul Bind cooldown increased from 80/65/50 to 90/70/50
  • Ink SwellMax damage reduced from 160/240/320/400 to 100/200/300/400
  • Ink SwellMax stun duration reduced from 2/2.6/3.2/3.8 to 1.7/2.4/3.1/3.8

Nov 19, 2018

Grimstroke in 7.20

  • Enabled in Captains Mode
  • TalentsLevel 20 Talent changed from +2 Hits to Kill Phantom to +1
  • SoulbindNow applies a Leashed state to the targets, disallowing teleportation and mobility based abilities
  • SoulbindDuration reduced from 6/8/10 to 6/7/8
  • Phantom's EmbraceCreature now gets closer to the target before latching on
  • Ink SwellNow does its maximum impact based on the duration it hit any hero
  • Ink SwellMax stun duration reduced from 2.2/2.8/3.4/4 to 2/2.6/3.2/3.8

Oct 12, 2018

Grimstroke in 7.19d

  • Phantom Embrace latch duration from 4/4/5/5 to 5
  • Phantom Embrace DPS rescaled from 12/18/24/30 to 6/14/22/30
  • Ink SwellMax damage reduced from 220/280/340/400 to 160/240/320/400
  • Ink SwellMovement speed bonus reduced from 18/22/26/30% to 18%

Sep 14, 2018

Grimstroke in 7.19c

  • Ink SwellNo longer makes the target immune to attacks
  • Ink SwellNo longer silences and disarms the target
  • SoulbindDuration increased from 4/6/8 to 6/8/10

Source: Valve’s public Dota 2 data feeds. Notes belong to Valve. Dates use Bellevue time (Pacific).