DotaLeak › Heroes › Bristleback
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Bristleback win rate by rank
public matches, OpenDota data · scale 40–60%Herald53.8%
Guardian51.5%
Crusader50.0%
Archon48.4%
Legend46.9%
Ancient46.0%
Divine45.5%
Immortal—
Bristleback is strong against
hover a hero for a summary
Who counters Bristleback
How to play Bristleback against counters
items, your spells and what to fear — per enemy
vs PhoenixCut Phoenix healing, hit the Supernova sun with attacks, and avoid Sun Ray and Dying Light without magic defense.40.5%
What to build against it
Spirit VesselReduces Sun Ray healing on Phoenix's allies and helps you burn through his sustain.
Pipe of InsightAbsorbs magic damage from Icarus Dive, Fire Spirits and Sun Ray for your whole team.
Eternal ShroudGives magic resistance against Phoenix's constant magical damage over time.
Black King BarProtects from Fire Spirits and Sun Ray, but the Supernova stun pierces BKB.
How to use the spells of Bristleback
Viscous Nasal GooGoo Phoenix after Icarus Dive to slow him as he returns and catch him.
WarpathBuild Warpath stacks with spells before reaching the sun to break it faster with attacks.
BristlebackTurn your back to Sun Ray and Dive to take less damage and release quills.
Watch out for Phoenix
SupernovaDon't stay near the explosion if you can't break the sun in time — the stun pierces BKB.
Fire SpiritsGreatly cuts attack speed: dodge them before hitting the sun or have BKB ready.
vs Ogre MagiOgre is targeted stuns with Multicast: block them with Linken's or Lotus and punish Bloodlust carries.41.5%
What to build against it
Linken's SphereBlocks a targeted Fireblast or Ignite, breaking Ogre's opening combo.
Lotus OrbReflects Fireblast and Ignite back at Ogre.
Black King BarProtects from Fireblast stuns and Ignite slow in teamfights.
Pipe of InsightAbsorbs Ignite and multicast Fireblast magic damage on your team.
How to use the spells of Bristleback
Quill SpraySpam quills on Ogre and his carry in lane; the stacking damage ramps up fast.
Viscous Nasal GooGoo the Bloodlusted carry to cut his speed and armor and stop the chase.
BristlebackFace your back to the Bloodlusted carry to reduce damage and return quills.
Watch out for Ogre Magi
FireblastMulticast can chain a long stun — don't engage without Linken's or BKB.
BloodlustTrack who has Bloodlust and never trade with them face-on.
vs BatriderIt's all about Lasso: block it with Linken's or Lotus and Batrider loses his main tool against you.41.7%
What to build against it
Linken's SphereBlocks the targeted Flaming Lasso, which pierces BKB.
Lotus OrbReflects Lasso back onto Batrider.
Black King BarProtects from Sticky Napalm, Flamebreak and Firefly fire, but not Lasso.
Pipe of InsightAbsorbs magic damage from napalm and Flamebreak for your team.
How to use the spells of Bristleback
Viscous Nasal GooGoo Batrider as he flies in — the slow stops him from escaping.
Quill SprayArea quills punish Batrider for coming close to napalm you in lane.
BristlebackNapalm reduces turn rate — turn your back toward him early.
Watch out for Batrider
Flaming LassoPierces BKB: keep Linken's or Lotus up and stay near your team.
Sticky NapalmStacks amplify his damage — don't linger in napalm, let stacks fall off.
vs TinyTiny bursts with stuns and magic: survive Avalanche + Toss and you outlast him afterward.42.5%
What to build against it
Black King BarProtects from Avalanche stuns and the combo's magic damage.
Eternal ShroudReduces magic damage from Avalanche and Toss.
Heaven's HalberdDisarms Tiny, removing his heavy tree-empowered attacks.
Blade MailReturns damage to Tiny from his heavy hits.
How to use the spells of Bristleback
Viscous Nasal GooGoo shreds Grow armor; the slow is weaker due to his resistance, focus on armor reduction.
Quill SpraySpam quills — physical damage lands while Tiny is in range.
BristlebackTurn your back to Tiny during his attacks to cut damage.
Watch out for Tiny
AvalancheCombo opener: save BKB for his engage and don't clump with allies.
TossAvoid standing near units close to Tiny — Toss can launch onto you or an ally.
vs ViperViper Strike disables your passives: without them you're a plain melee, so block the ult and fight short.43.2%
What to build against it
Linken's SphereBlocks the targeted Viper Strike, which pierces BKB and disables passives.
Lotus OrbReflects Viper Strike back onto Viper.
Black King BarProtects from Poison Attack, Nethertoxin and Corrosive Skin in fights.
Eternal ShroudReduces Viper's constant magical poison damage.
How to use the spells of Bristleback
BristlebackYour passive works until Viper Strike — trade back-first before the ult, retreat after.
Viscous Nasal GooGoo stops Viper from kiting you and cuts armor for the kill.
Quill SprayDon't stand in Nethertoxin while spamming quills — step out and hit from the edge.
Watch out for Viper
Viper StrikePierces BKB and disables passives — keep Linken's or Lotus ready.
NethertoxinDamage grows the longer you stay and slows attack speed — step out immediately.
Tips are based on ability descriptions and matchup stats — a guideline, not a rule.
Bristleback builds by role
purchase popularity on the hero, split by item type; hover an itemStarting items
Iron Branch33%
Gauntlets of Strength25%
Tango13%
Circlet11%
Magic Stick6%
Quelling Blade4%
Faerie Fire3%Early game
Boots of Speed20%
Bracer20%
Power Treads14%
Ring of Health10%
Soul Ring8%
Vitality Booster5%
Void Stone4%Mid game
Aghanim's Shard12%
Ogre Axe11%
Platemail8%
Sange8%
Blade of Alacrity8%
Yasha6%
Sange and Yasha5%Late game
Reaver11%
Heart of Tarrasque11%Sange and Yasha10%Yasha9%Black King Bar9%
Hyperstone8%Sange8%Situational items on Bristleback: when to buy
red — heroes that counter BristlebackLinken's SphereBlocks single-target disables and ultimatesEspecially vs heroes that counter Bristleback: Lion, Batrider
Doom
Legion Commander
Bane
Beastmaster
Pudge
Shadow Shaman
NecrophosBlack King BarAgainst heavy disables and magic damageEspecially vs heroes that counter Bristleback: Lion
Lina
Zeus
Earthshaker
Tidehunter
Invoker
Aeon DiskSaves you from burst and single-target combosEspecially vs heroes that counter Bristleback: Lion
Phantom Assassin
Monkey King BarAgainst evasion: pierces Evasion and Butterfly
Windranger
Brewmaster
Silver EdgeDisables passives (Break)
Bristleback
Spectre
Huskar
Slark
Ursa
Timbersaw
Axe
Manta StyleDispels silences and roots
Silencer
Death Prophet
Riki
Drow Ranger
Orchid MalevolenceSilence for slippery, spell-based escape heroes
Storm Spirit
Queen of Pain
Puck
Anti-Mage
Ember Spirit
Void Spirit
Weaver
Diffusal BladeBurns mana of mana-dependent heroes
Medusa
LeshracHeaven's HalberdDisarms right-click carries
Troll Warlord
Juggernaut
Sven
Faceless VoidWhy players lose on Bristleback
from matches analyzed on DotaLeak: 0Not enough analyzed Bristleback matches yet. Analyze yours — it will count.
FAQ
Who counters Bristleback?
Bristleback loses most often against Phoenix, Ogre Magi, Batrider. What to build and how to play vs them →
Who is Bristleback good against?
Best matchups: Templar Assassin, Techies, Razor.
What is Bristleback's win rate?
In public matches — 49.2%. It varies by rank, see the table above.
What to build on Bristleback?
In the mid game players most often buy Aghanim's Shard, Ogre Axe, Platemail. Situational items depend on the enemy — see above.
