Counter items in 10 seconds
- 70%less healing from Spirit Vessel.
- 80%of hits pierce evasion with MKB.
- 5 sno passives after Silver Edge.
- 14 sbetween Linken's blocks.
Best counter item? A bigger axe. Axe checked twice.
Dota 2 Finder: Counter Items for Every Hero: The Item Counter Finder Tool
The Item Counter Finder Tool shows the Dota 2 counter items for every hero: pick up to 5 enemies and see what to buy, and why, from the game’s own mechanics.
Enemies
Who are you up against?Add up to 5 enemy heroes. Axe shows the items that answer them, and why.
Try:
This tool is created with love for Dota 2 and for helping you to play better every day and rank up! Have Fun and Enjoy!
By Kevin “Kevin10k”·Dota 2 Expert · Mid & Offlane PlayerArticle updated
The Dota 2 Item Counter Finder Tool
You are in the draft or already in the lane, and the enemy has Bristleback, Phantom Lancer and a Necrophos. What do you buy? The Item Counter Finder Tool answers in five seconds: add up to five enemy heroes and get the counter items ranked by how many of them they answer, each with the reason. No winrates, no guesswork: every reason comes from what the abilities and items do in the game. Axe tested it. Axe bought five Black King Bars. Axe does not need help with counting.
- Add the enemies: click a slot and search, or try a random team.
- Read the list: the bar shows how many enemies an item answers, the line under it why.
- Click an item: the heroes it answers light up, and every reason is listed with the ability behind it.
- Filter for core or support items and by price. Share the link: it keeps your lineup.
Axe explains
Dota 2 counter items by mechanic
Every counter item answers a mechanic, not a hero. Find out what makes an enemy strong, and the item follows. These are the mechanics the tool knows, the items that answer them and the heroes that have them.
Evasion dodges attacks
Monkey King Bar 80% of your attacks pierce through evasion.
Bloodthorn 40% of attacks pierce evasion, and Soul Rend silences.
5 heroes: 
Healing heals, regenerates or lifesteals
Spirit Vessel Soul Release cuts their Health Restoration by 70% for 8 seconds.
Eye of Skadi Your attacks cut their Health Restoration by 50%.
Orb of Corrosion Cheap: your attacks cut Health Restoration by 18%.
34 heroes: 
+20
Invisibility turns invisible
Dust of Appearance Reveals and slows invisible heroes in a big area for 12 seconds.
Sentry Ward Gives True Sight in a 1050 radius for 7 minutes.
Gem of True Sight True Sight around its carrier. Dropped on death, never destroyed.
13 heroes: 
Illusions fights with illusions
Mjollnir Chain Lightning jumps between up to 12 targets.
Radiance Burns everything around you, illusions included.
Battle Fury Cleave hits everything in a cone behind your target (melee only).
Scythe of Vyse Hex instantly destroys illusions.
Shiva's Guard Arctic Blast hits every enemy in an 825 radius.
Maelstrom Cheaper Chain Lightning, up to 4 targets.
4 heroes: 
Many units fights with summons
- Mjollnir Chain Lightning jumps between up to 12 targets.
- Shiva's Guard Arctic Blast hits every enemy in an 825 radius.
- Radiance Burns everything around you, summons included.
- Battle Fury Cleave hits everything in a cone behind your target (melee only).
10 heroes: 
Key passive relies on a passive ability
Silver Edge Hitting out of Shadow Walk disables their passive abilities for 5 seconds.
26 heroes: 
+12
Magic burst kills with spells
Black King Bar Negative effects from enemy spells have no effect, plus 60% magic resistance.
Pipe of Insight A barrier that absorbs 425 magic damage for every ally nearby.
Glimmer Cape A 375 magic damage barrier plus invisibility, also for an ally.
Mage Slayer Your attacks make them deal 40% less spell damage.
40 heroes: 
+26
Pure damage deals pure damage
- Black King Bar Grants immunity to reflected and pure damage while active.
19 heroes: 
+5
Right-click kills with attacks
Ghost Scepter Immune to physical damage for 4 seconds (but you take more magic damage).
Heaven's Halberd Disarms the target for 3.5 seconds: no attacks at all.- Shiva's Guard Aura: enemies nearby attack 40 slower.
Blade Mail Returns the damage they deal to you.
Crimson Guard Blocks damage from every attack on your team for 7 seconds.
Solar Crest Gives an ally armor and a 350 physical damage barrier.
Pavise Cheap: a 250 physical damage barrier on an ally.
46 heroes: 
+32
Escapes is hard to catch
Orchid Malevolence Silences for 5 seconds: no escape spells.
Rod of Atos Roots the target for 2 seconds.
Gleipnir Roots all enemies in a 400 radius for 2 seconds.- Scythe of Vyse Hex: 2.8 seconds as a harmless critter.
Abyssal Blade Stuns for 1.6 seconds and pierces debuff immunity.
29 heroes: +15
Channeling channels a spell
Eul's Scepter of Divinity Cyclone interrupts the channel (Eul's Scepter).- Scythe of Vyse Hex interrupts the channel.
- Abyssal Blade The stun interrupts, even through debuff immunity.
- Orchid Malevolence Silence interrupts channeled abilities.
- Rod of Atos Most roots interrupt a channel too.
21 heroes: 
+7
Targeted spell has a spell that targets one hero
Linken's Sphere Linken's Sphere blocks most targeted spells, once every 14 seconds.
Lotus Orb Reflects most targeted spells back to the caster.
42 heroes: 
+28
Debuff immunity becomes debuff immune
- Abyssal Blade Overwhelm pierces debuff immunity.
5 heroes: 
Mana lives on its mana pool
Diffusal Blade Every attack burns 40 mana.
Disperser Every attack burns 40 mana, and Suppress dispels the target.
4 heroes: 
Item effects: the item texts in the game. Hero mechanics: the hero’s ability texts and damage types in Valve’s data; Nuker, Carry and Escape are Valve’s own hero roles. What interrupts a channel: Liquipedia.
Black King Bar does not stop everything. The BKB Checker lists every spell that goes through it.
Manta, Lotus or Aeon Disk against their debuffs? The Dispel Checker tells you which of their spells a basic dispel removes and which need a strong one.
What counters Bristleback, Juggernaut, Phantom Lancer and more
These heroes are the ones players look up most. What makes each of them strong, and the item that takes it away:
Items that counter Bristleback
- Key passive (Bristleback): Silver Edge.
- Right-click (Valve rates Bristleback a Carry (2 of 3)): Ghost Scepter, Heaven's Halberd and Shiva's Guard.
Items that counter Juggernaut
- Healing (Healing Ward): Spirit Vessel, Eye of Skadi and Orb of Corrosion.
- Key passive (Blade Dance): Silver Edge.
- Right-click (Valve rates Juggernaut a Carry (2 of 3)): Ghost Scepter, Heaven's Halberd and Shiva's Guard.
- Targeted spell (Omnislash): Linken's Sphere and Lotus Orb.
- Debuff immunity (Blade Fury): Abyssal Blade.
Items that counter Phantom Lancer
- Evasion (Phantom Rush): Monkey King Bar and Bloodthorn.
- Illusions (Juxtapose and Doppelganger): Mjollnir, Radiance and Battle Fury.
- Key passive (Juxtapose): Silver Edge.
- Right-click (Valve rates Phantom Lancer a Carry (2 of 3)): Ghost Scepter, Heaven's Halberd and Shiva's Guard.
- Escapes (Valve rates Phantom Lancer an Escape hero (2 of 3)): Orchid Malevolence, Rod of Atos and Gleipnir.
Items that counter Muerta
- Magic burst (Valve rates Muerta a Nuker (2 of 3)): Black King Bar, Pipe of Insight and Glimmer Cape.
- Right-click (Valve rates Muerta a Carry (3 of 3)): Heaven's Halberd, Shiva's Guard and Blade Mail.
- Targeted spell (Dead Shot): Linken's Sphere and Lotus Orb.
- Not Ghost Scepter: Pierce the Veil deals all of her attack damage as magical damage, and Ghost Form makes you take more magic damage.
Items that counter Viper
- Key passive (Corrosive Skin): Silver Edge.
- Targeted spell (Viper Strike): Linken's Sphere and Lotus Orb.
Items that counter Huskar
- Healing (Berserker's Blood): Spirit Vessel, Eye of Skadi and Orb of Corrosion.
- Key passive (Berserker's Blood): Silver Edge.
- Right-click (Valve rates Huskar a Carry (2 of 3)): Ghost Scepter, Heaven's Halberd and Shiva's Guard.
- Targeted spell (Life Break): Linken's Sphere and Lotus Orb.
- Debuff immunity (Life Break): Abyssal Blade.
Items that counter Phantom Assassin
- Evasion (Immaterial): Monkey King Bar and Bloodthorn.
- Key passive (Immaterial and Coup de Grace): Silver Edge.
- Right-click (Valve rates Phantom Assassin a Carry (3 of 3)): Ghost Scepter, Heaven's Halberd and Shiva's Guard.
Items that counter Necrophos
- Healing (Death Pulse and Reaper's Scythe): Spirit Vessel, Eye of Skadi and Orb of Corrosion.
- Key passive (Heartstopper Aura): Silver Edge.
- Magic burst (Valve rates Necrophos a Nuker (2 of 3)): Black King Bar, Pipe of Insight and Glimmer Cape.
- Targeted spell (Reaper's Scythe): Linken's Sphere and Lotus Orb.
Axe’s counter to Bristleback: walk around him and hit him in the face. Axe’s counter to everything else: same plan.
Counter items for every Dota 2 hero
All 127 heroes from A to Z: what they bring and the items that answer it. “Open” loads the hero in the tool above.
| Hero | Mechanics | Counter items |
|---|---|---|
| AbaddonOpen | Healing | |
| AlchemistOpen | HealingRight-click | |
 Ancient ApparitionOpen | nothing special: just hit | |
| Anti-MageOpen | Key passiveRight-clickEscapesTargeted spell | |
| Arc WardenOpen | Right-clickEscapes | |
| AxeOpen | Key passivePure damageTargeted spell | |
| BaneOpen | Pure damageChannelingTargeted spell | |
| BatriderOpen | Targeted spell | |
| BeastmasterOpen | Targeted spell | |
| BloodseekerOpen | Pure damageTargeted spell | |
| Bounty HunterOpen | InvisibilityEscapes | |
| BrewmasterOpen | Evasion | |
| BristlebackOpen | Key passiveRight-click | |
| BroodmotherOpen | Many unitsEscapes | |
 Centaur WarrunnerOpen | nothing special: just hit | |
| Chaos KnightOpen | HealingIllusionsKey passiveRight-clickTargeted spell | |
| ChenOpen | HealingMany units | |
| ClinkzOpen | InvisibilityRight-clickEscapesChanneling | |
 ClockwerkOpen | nothing special: just hit | |
| Crystal MaidenOpen | Magic burstChanneling | |
 Dark SeerOpen | nothing special: just hit | |
| Dark WillowOpen | Magic burstEscapesTargeted spell | |
| DawnbreakerOpen | HealingChanneling | |
| DazzleOpen | Healing | |
| Death ProphetOpen | Healing | |
 DisruptorOpen | nothing special: just hit | |
| DoomOpen | Pure damageTargeted spell | |
| Dragon KnightOpen | HealingRight-clickTargeted spell | |
| Drow RangerOpen | Key passiveRight-clickChanneling | |
| Earth SpiritOpen | Magic burstEscapes | |
 EarthshakerOpen | nothing special: just hit | |
| Elder TitanOpen | Channeling | |
| Ember SpiritOpen | Right-clickEscapes | |
| EnchantressOpen | HealingPure damage | |
| EnigmaOpen | Many unitsPure damageChanneling | |
| Faceless VoidOpen | Key passiveRight-click | |
| GrimstrokeOpen | Magic burstTargeted spell | |
| GyrocopterOpen | Right-click | |
| HoodwinkOpen | InvisibilityMagic burstEscapes | |
| HuskarOpen | HealingKey passiveRight-clickTargeted spellDebuff immunity | |
| InvokerOpen | InvisibilityMagic burstPure damage | |
| IoOpen | HealingEscapes | |
| JakiroOpen | Magic burst | |
| JuggernautOpen | HealingKey passiveRight-clickTargeted spellDebuff immunity | |
| Keeper of the LightOpen | Magic burstChanneling | |
| KezOpen | HealingInvisibilityPure damageRight-clickEscapes | |
 KunkkaOpen | Right-click | |
| LargoOpen | Healing | |
| Legion CommanderOpen | HealingKey passiveTargeted spell | |
| LeshracOpen | Magic burstPure damageMana | |
| LichOpen | Magic burstChanneling | |
| LifestealerOpen | HealingKey passiveRight-clickDebuff immunity | |
| LinaOpen | Magic burstTargeted spell | |
| LionOpen | Magic burstChannelingTargeted spell | |
 Lone DruidOpen | Right-click | |
| LunaOpen | Key passiveMagic burstRight-click | |
| LycanOpen | HealingInvisibilityMany unitsRight-click | |
 MagnusOpen | nothing special: just hit | |
 MarciOpen | nothing special: just hit | |
 MarsOpen | nothing special: just hit | |
| MedusaOpen | Right-clickMana | |
| MeepoOpen | HealingMany unitsMagic burstRight-clickEscapes | |
| MiranaOpen | InvisibilityEscapes | |
| Monkey KingOpen | HealingKey passiveRight-clickEscapes | |
 MorphlingOpen | Right-clickEscapesTargeted spell | |
| MuertaOpen | Magic burstRight-clickTargeted spell | |
| Naga SirenOpen | EvasionIllusionsRight-clickTargeted spell | |
| Nature's ProphetOpen | Many units | |
| NecrophosOpen | HealingKey passiveMagic burstTargeted spell | |
 Night StalkerOpen | Healing | |
| Nyx AssassinOpen | InvisibilityMagic burstPure damage | |
 Ogre MagiOpen | Magic burstTargeted spell | |
| OmniknightOpen | HealingPure damageDebuff immunity | |
 OracleOpen | HealingMagic burstTargeted spell | |
| Outworld DestroyerOpen | Magic burstPure damageRight-clickTargeted spellMana | |
| PangolierOpen | Magic burstRight-clickEscapesDebuff immunity | |
| Phantom AssassinOpen | EvasionKey passiveRight-click | |
| Phantom LancerOpen | EvasionIllusionsKey passiveRight-clickEscapes | |
 PhoenixOpen | HealingMagic burstEscapes | |
| Primal BeastOpen | ChannelingTargeted spell | |
 PuckOpen | Magic burstEscapes | |
| PudgeOpen | HealingPure damageChannelingTargeted spell | |
| PugnaOpen | Magic burstChanneling | |
| Queen of PainOpen | Magic burstPure damageEscapes | |
 RazorOpen | Right-click | |
| RikiOpen | InvisibilityRight-clickEscapesChanneling | |
 RingmasterOpen | Magic burstEscapes | |
 RubickOpen | Targeted spell | |
| Sand KingOpen | InvisibilityMagic burstEscapes | |
 Shadow DemonOpen | Targeted spell | |
 Shadow FiendOpen | Magic burstRight-click | |
| Shadow ShamanOpen | Many unitsMagic burstChannelingTargeted spell | |
 SilencerOpen | nothing special: just hit | |
 Skywrath MageOpen | Magic burstTargeted spell | |
 SlardarOpen | Key passiveRight-click | |
 SlarkOpen | HealingRight-clickEscapes | |
 SnapfireOpen | Magic burst | |
 SniperOpen | Key passiveRight-clickTargeted spell | |
 SpectreOpen | Key passivePure damageRight-click | |
 Spirit BreakerOpen | Key passiveTargeted spell | |
| Storm SpiritOpen | Magic burstRight-clickEscapesTargeted spellMana | |
 SvenOpen | Key passiveRight-clickTargeted spell | |
 TechiesOpen | Magic burst | |
| Templar AssassinOpen | InvisibilityKey passivePure damageRight-clickChanneling | |
| TerrorbladeOpen | IllusionsRight-clickTargeted spell | |
 TidehunterOpen | nothing special: just hit | |
 TimbersawOpen | HealingKey passiveMagic burstPure damageEscapes | |
 TinkerOpen | Magic burstPure damageChanneling | |
 TinyOpen | Magic burstRight-clickChanneling | |
| Treant ProtectorOpen | HealingInvisibility | |
 Troll WarlordOpen | HealingKey passiveRight-click | |
 TuskOpen | Targeted spell | |
 UnderlordOpen | Escapes | |
| UndyingOpen | HealingMany units | |
 UrsaOpen | Key passiveRight-click | |
 Vengeful SpiritOpen | Targeted spell | |
| VenomancerOpen | Many unitsTargeted spell | |
| ViperOpen | Key passiveTargeted spell | |
| VisageOpen | Many unitsMagic burst | |
 Void SpiritOpen | Magic burstRight-clickEscapes | |
 WarlockOpen | HealingChanneling | |
| WeaverOpen | InvisibilityRight-clickEscapes | |
| WindrangerOpen | EvasionChannelingTargeted spell | |
 Winter WyvernOpen | HealingTargeted spell | |
 Witch DoctorOpen | HealingMagic burstPure damageChannelingTargeted spell | |
 Wraith KingOpen | HealingKey passiveRight-clickTargeted spell | |
 ZeusOpen | Magic burst | |
All items · Dota2FreaksEvery Dota 2 item with its recipe and costCounter item found. Now see what it is made of and what it builds into, item by item.Counter items that backfire
Some counter items only work against the right enemy. Against the wrong one they waste your gold, or worse.
- Ghost Scepter against magic. Ghost Form makes you immune to physical damage, but you take 30% more magic damage. Against two magic nukers, that is a gift for them.
- Ghost Scepter against Muerta. Her ultimate Pierce the Veil deals all of her attack damage as magical damage.
- Sentry Wards against Techies. The game says it clearly: Proximity Mines “cannot be detected by True Sight”. They show only when an enemy is close.
- Force Staff to stop a channel. It pushes, but it does not interrupt a channeled spell. Stuns, hexes, cyclones, silences and most roots do.
- Spirit Vessel against a team without healing. Its strength is the 70% heal cut. Without healers, a Spirit Vessel is mostly damage over time.
Axe once bought Ghost Scepter against Lina. Axe was a ghost. Then Axe was a ghost for real.
Two counter items look alike? The Item Comparison puts them side by side, and the Item Component Finder shows what your parts build into.
Hero guides · Dota2FreaksEvery Dota 2 hero with builds and skill orderCounters done. Now see how your own hero builds, so the counter item comes at the right time.
Free guide · Dota2FreaksRank Up Guide: find the one thing holding you backRight item, still losing? Five quick questions show which habit to fix first.Related Dota 2 tools
FAQ: Axe answers questions
What counters Bristleback in Dota 2?
Silver Edge, Ghost Scepter, Heaven's Halberd and Shiva's Guard. Bristleback brings key passive and right-click; the Item Counter Finder Tool shows which item answers which, with the reason from the game’s own texts.
What items counter Juggernaut?
Spirit Vessel, Silver Edge, Ghost Scepter and Linken's Sphere. Juggernaut brings healing, key passive, right-click, targeted spell and debuff immunity; the Item Counter Finder Tool shows which item answers which, with the reason from the game’s own texts.
What counters Phantom Lancer?
Monkey King Bar, Mjollnir, Silver Edge and Ghost Scepter. Phantom Lancer brings evasion, illusions, key passive, right-click and escapes; the Item Counter Finder Tool shows which item answers which, with the reason from the game’s own texts.
Which items reduce healing in Dota 2?
Spirit Vessel cuts Health Restoration by 70% for 8 seconds, Eye of Skadi’s attacks by 50% and Orb of Corrosion’s by 18%. All three numbers are from the item texts in the game.
What is the best item against evasion?
Monkey King Bar: 80% of your attacks pierce through evasion. Bloodthorn does it for 40% of your attacks and also silences.
Does Black King Bar block pure damage?
Yes, while it is active. The game’s item text says Avatar “grants 60% magic resistance and immunity to reflected and pure damage”, and negative effects from enemy spells have no effect.
What interrupts channeling spells in Dota 2?
Stuns, hexes, cyclones like Eul’s Scepter, sleeps and most roots, and silence for channeled abilities. Force Staff does not interrupt a channel.
Data: Valve's official Dota 2 datafeed · updated