DotaLeak › Heroes › Dark Willow
Dark Willow in Dota 2: counters, win rate and common mistakes
Dark Willow — Intelligence, ranged; roles: Support, Nuker, Disabler, Escape. Public match win rate — 49.0%. In short: Dark Willow is strong against Pangolier, Templar Assassin, Tiny but suffers against Treant Protector, Brewmaster, Pudge.
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Dark Willow win rate by rank
public matches, OpenDota data · scale 40–60%Herald48.0%
Guardian48.1%
Crusader47.9%
Archon48.3%
Legend49.2%
Ancient50.1%
Divine50.6%
Immortal—
Dark Willow is strong against
hover a hero for a summary
Who counters Dark Willow
How to play Dark Willow against counters
items, your spells and what to fear — per enemy
vs Treant ProtectorTreant saves allies with armor and catches with a BKB-piercing ult — keep distance and don't clump near him.39.6%
What to build against it
Force StaffLets you get out of range before or after Overgrowth and break distance from Treant.
Glimmer CapeReduces magic damage from Overgrowth and Leech Seed and hides you from his attacks.
Dust of AppearanceReveals Treant invisible via Nature's Guise so he can't walk up unseen.
Sentry WardSentries near trees reveal a sneaking Treant before he initiates.
How to use the spells of Dark Willow
TerrorizeCast Terrorize right after his Overgrowth to scatter enemies diving your trapped allies.
Shadow RealmIf Treant walks toward you, enter Shadow Realm and back off — you become untargetable.
Cursed CrownCrown the Living Armor target — damage block doesn't stop the stun.
Watch out for Treant Protector
OvergrowthPierces BKB and blocks blinking — avoid standing near fogged trees where he may lurk.
Living ArmorArmor blocks your spell damage — strip stacks with attacks first or switch targets.
vs BrewmasterVersus Brew, save disables for after Primal Split and pick off his brewlings one by one.41.5%
What to build against it
Force StaffGets you out of Thunder Clap and Cinder Brew slow when Brew jumps on you.
Glimmer CapeReduces magic damage from Cinder Brew and Clap and lets you disengage.
Ghost ScepterSaves you from physical hits by Brew and his brewlings in melee.
How to use the spells of Dark Willow
Bramble MazeDrop Maze on brewlings after the split — roots hold them while your team kills.
Cursed CrownCrown when enemies cluster around the brewlings — the stun hits all nearby.
TerrorizeTerrorize scatters brewlings so they can't fight together — save it for the split.
Watch out for Brewmaster
Primal SplitDon't waste Crown before split. Brew is reborn if any brewling survives — kill them all.
Cinder BrewUnder the brew any magic damage ignites you — step out of the puddle immediately.
vs PudgeStand behind creeps and dodge hooks — Shadow Realm and positioning decide this matchup.42.9%
What to build against it
Force StaffPushes you or an ally out of Rot and breaks distance after a hook.
Glimmer CapeInvisibility ruins hook aim, magic resistance cuts Rot damage.
Eul's Scepter of DivinityEul's on Pudge interrupts his Dismember channel.
Observer and Sentry WardsWards in the forest reveal Pudge before he hooks from fog.
How to use the spells of Dark Willow
Cursed CrownCrown Pudge during Dismember — the stun breaks the channel and saves your ally.
Shadow RealmWhen you see a hook coming, press Shadow Realm — untargetable units can't be grabbed.
Bramble MazeDrop Maze on Pudge using Rot — roots hold him while you hit from range.
Watch out for Pudge
Meat HookHook pierces BKB and deals pure damage — keep creeps between you and Pudge.
DismemberDismember pierces BKB — interrupt it with a stun instead of waiting.
vs Nature's ProphetProphet pressures with push and Sprout — avoid his catch and punish his teleports.43.4%
What to build against it
Force StaffPushes you out of the Sprout ring through the trees.
Glimmer CapeMagic resistance cuts Wrath of Nature and Curse of the Oldgrowth damage.
Quelling BladeCuts Sprout trees so you can escape the trap.
Observer and Sentry WardsVision shows where he teleports and splitpushes.
How to use the spells of Dark Willow
Cursed CrownCrown him right as he lands from Teleportation — the stun lands before he leaves.
Bramble MazeMaze on his teleport landing spot and treants holds them in place.
Shadow RealmUnder Curse of the Oldgrowth enter Shadow Realm — Pixie Dust boosts your regen.
Watch out for Nature's Prophet
SproutSprout cuts you off from your team — don't stand alone on the edge without Force.
Curse of the OldgrowthDamage scales with nearby trees — fight in open areas away from the forest.
vs DazzleDazzle denies kills with Shallow Grave — disable Dazzle himself before he saves.44.1%
What to build against it
Spirit VesselCuts healing from Shadow Wave and the amplified healing under Shallow Grave.
Rod of AtosRoots Dazzle so your Crown and Maze connect.
Force StaffGets you out of Poison Touch slow when you're being chased.
How to use the spells of Dark Willow
Cursed CrownCrown Dazzle at fight start — stunned, he can't cast Grave.
TerrorizeTerrorize pulls Dazzle and allies out of the fight once Grave is already up.
Shadow RealmUnder Poison Touch use Shadow Realm so Dazzle can't refresh it with attacks.
Watch out for Dazzle
Shallow GravePierces BKB — don't burn ult on a Grave target, switch or wait it out.
Nothl ProjectionDuring ult Poison Touch hexes — stay away from his spirit and hit the left-behind body.
Tips are based on ability descriptions and matchup stats — a guideline, not a rule.
Dark Willow builds by role
purchase popularity on the hero, split by item type; hover an itemStarting items
Iron Branch22%
Tango13%
Blood Grenade13%
Faerie Fire12%Sentry Ward8%
Ring of Regen6%Early game
Boots of Speed59%
Tranquil Boots34%
Urn of Shadows6%Mid game
Eul's Scepter of Divinity17%
Arcane Boots2%Glimmer Cape1%Late game
Eul's Scepter of Divinity20%Force Staff5%
Wind Waker5%Situational items on Dark Willow: when to buy
red — heroes that counter Dark WillowDust of AppearanceReveal invisible heroesEspecially vs heroes that counter Dark Willow: Invoker, Treant Protector
Riki
Clinkz
Bounty Hunter
Weaver
Nyx Assassin
Mirana
Sand King
Clockwerk
Disruptor
Lotus OrbReflects targeted spells and dispelsEspecially vs heroes that counter Dark Willow: Shadow Demon
Lion
Lina
Doom
Legion Commander
Pipe of InsightTeam-wide magic shieldEspecially vs heroes that counter Dark Willow: Invoker
Zeus
Leshrac
Skywrath Mage
Earthshaker
Jakiro
Queen of Pain
Heaven's HalberdDisarms right-click carries
Phantom Assassin
Troll Warlord
Juggernaut
Ursa
Sven
Slark
Faceless Void
Drow Ranger
Aeon DiskSaves you from burst and single-target combos
Alchemist
Necrophos
Huskar
Lifestealer
Morphling
Abaddon
Oracle
Undying
IoSentry WardReveal invisible heroes and deward
Glimmer CapeSave an ally from magic and focus
Why players lose on Dark Willow
from matches analyzed on DotaLeak: 1Not enough analyzed Dark Willow matches yet. Analyze yours — it will count.
FAQ
Who counters Dark Willow?
Dark Willow loses most often against Treant Protector, Brewmaster, Pudge. What to build and how to play vs them →
Who is Dark Willow good against?
Best matchups: Pangolier, Templar Assassin, Tiny.
What is Dark Willow's win rate?
In public matches — 49.0%. It varies by rank, see the table above.
What to build on Dark Willow?
In the mid game players most often buy Essence Distiller, Staff of Wizardry, Eul's Scepter of Divinity. Situational items depend on the enemy — see above.
