Dazzle in Dota 2: counters, win rate and common mistakes
Dazzle — Universal, ranged; roles: Support, Nuker, Disabler. Public match win rate — 50.7%. In short: Dazzle is strong against Dark Willow, Jakiro, Ogre Magi but suffers against Shadow Demon, Lion, Ember Spirit.
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Dazzle win rate by rank
public matches, OpenDota data · scale 40–60%Herald48.1%
Guardian49.5%
Crusader50.4%
Archon50.8%
Legend51.4%
Ancient51.8%
Divine51.6%
Immortal—
Dazzle is strong against
hover a hero for a summary
Who counters Dazzle
How to play Dazzle against counters
items, your spells and what to fear — per enemy
vs Shadow DemonDemonic Purge dispels Shallow Grave, so save allies only after his ult is used and carry Lotus Orb.43.8%
What to build against it
Lotus OrbDisruption and Demonic Purge are unit-target, so Lotus reflects them back at Shadow Demon.
Glimmer CapeReduces magical damage from stacked Shadow Poison.
Force StaffPushes allies out of Shadow Poison lines and out of Disseminate range.
How to use the spells of Dazzle
Shallow GraveDon't cast Grave first: wait until Purge is used, or it will simply be dispelled.
Nothl ProjectionIn Projection Poison Touch hexes — silence Shadow Demon before he chains Disruption and Purge.
Shadow WaveHeal poisoned allies before the Release so their HP stays above the burst.
Watch out for Shadow Demon
Demonic PurgePierces BKB and dispels buffs including Grave; play around its cooldown.
Shadow PoisonSidestep the lines and never let 5 stacks build up on you.
vs LionLion hexes Dazzle before he can save — stay back and keep Lotus against his targeted spells.45.6%
What to build against it
Lotus OrbHex, Finger of Death and Mana Drain are unit-target, Lotus reflects them.
Glimmer CapeCuts magical damage from Earth Spike and Finger of Death on an ally.
Force StaffMoves allies off the Earth Spike line and breaks Mana Drain.
Black King BarLate game BKB blocks Hex and Spike so you can cast your saves.
How to use the spells of Dazzle
Shallow GraveCast Grave early when Lion blinks in — after Hex it's too late.
Nothl ProjectionProjection's hexing Poison Touch interrupts Mana Drain and stops Finger.
Poison TouchSlow Lion when he walks up for Mana Drain and keep attacking him.
Watch out for Lion
HexHex disables your spells; don't stand in his cast range without Lotus.
Finger of DeathHuge single-target burst — hold Grave for the low-HP ally.
vs Ember SpiritEmber dives and escapes fast — slow him and hold Grave for his combo target.45.7%
What to build against it
Ghost ScepterSleight of Fist is physical attacks, Ghost Scepter negates them.
Glimmer CapeReduces magic damage from Searing Chains, Flame Guard and remnants.
Force StaffPushes allies away from Immolation and Flame Guard after Ember jumps in.
How to use the spells of Dazzle
Poison TouchApply on Ember right after he engages and refresh with attacks to stack the slow.
Nothl ProjectionProjection hex disables remnants — catch Ember before he flies away.
Shallow GraveWait for Chains and Sleight, then Grave the rooted ally.
Watch out for Ember Spirit
Searing ChainsSpread from allies so Chains don't catch everyone.
Sleight of FistPierces BKB; Ghost or distance is your defense.
vs SlardarHaze gives Slardar vision and armor loss — offset it with Weave and avoid water.46.7%
What to build against it
Ghost ScepterBlocks physical attacks and Bash after Crush.
Force StaffMoves allies out of Crush range and puddles where Slardar is stronger.
Solar CrestAdds armor to a target under Corrosive Haze.
Aeon DiskSaves you from a fast Crush plus Bash burst.
How to use the spells of Dazzle
Shadow WaveWave gives allies armor via Weave, partly offsetting Haze.
Poison TouchUse after the first seconds of Sprint once his slow resistance fades.
Shallow GraveGrave the hazed ally once Slardar starts hitting.
Watch out for Slardar
Corrosive HazeGrants True Sight and pierces BKB — invis won't help, back off early.
Slithereen CrushDon't stand next to the ally Slardar is jumping on.
vs TuskTusk catches with Snowball and kills with Punch — hold Grave for the ult and ward approaches.49.3%
What to build against it
Ghost ScepterWalrus PUNCH is an attack, Ghost Scepter prevents taking it.
Force StaffPushes you out of the Ice Shards barrier and away from Tusk.
Glimmer CapeCuts magic damage from Snowball and Ice Shards.
Observer and Sentry WardsWards on approaches reveal an incoming Snowball early.
How to use the spells of Dazzle
Shallow GraveGrave the target as Tusk walks up with Punch ready.
Poison TouchSlow Tusk after Snowball so he can't chase under Tag Team.
Shadow WaveHeal the ally after the Snowball stun before the Punch lands.
Watch out for Tusk
Walrus PUNCH!Pierces BKB; don't let Tusk hit you in melee.
SnowballDon't stand alone at the map edge, Snowball comes from fog.
Tips are based on ability descriptions and matchup stats — a guideline, not a rule.
Dazzle builds by role
purchase popularity on the hero, split by item type; hover an itemStarting items
Iron Branch23%
Tango13%
Blood Grenade12%
Smoke of Deceit11%
Faerie Fire10%
Sentry Ward6%
Magic Stick4%Early game
Boots of Speed97%
Arcane Boots2%
Urn of Shadows1%Mid game
Holy Locket51%Arcane Boots17%
Mekansm6%
Pavise4%Solar Crest3%Glimmer Cape3%Late game
Glimmer Cape12%
Guardian Greaves8%Solar Crest6%Force Staff5%Situational items on Dazzle: when to buy
red — heroes that counter DazzleLotus OrbReflects targeted spells and dispelsEspecially vs heroes that counter Dazzle: Lion, Shadow Demon
Lina
Doom
Legion Commander
BaneAeon DiskSaves you from burst and single-target combosEspecially vs heroes that counter Dazzle: Lion
Zeus
Phantom Assassin
Pipe of InsightTeam-wide magic shieldEspecially vs heroes that counter Dazzle: Queen of Pain
Leshrac
Skywrath Mage
Invoker
Earthshaker
Heaven's HalberdDisarms right-click carries
Troll Warlord
Juggernaut
Ursa
Sven
Slark
Faceless Void
Drow Ranger
Alchemist
Necrophos
Huskar
Lifestealer
Morphling
Abaddon
Oracle
Undying
Io
Dust of AppearanceReveal invisible heroes
Riki
Clinkz
Bounty Hunter
Weaver
Nyx Assassin
Mirana
Templar Assassin
Treant Protector
Sand KingSentry WardReveal invisible heroes and deward
Glimmer CapeSave an ally from magic and focus
Pudge
Clockwerk
DisruptorWhy players lose on Dazzle
from matches analyzed on DotaLeak: 0Not enough analyzed Dazzle matches yet. Analyze yours — it will count.
FAQ
Who counters Dazzle?
Dazzle loses most often against Shadow Demon, Lion, Ember Spirit. What to build and how to play vs them →
Who is Dazzle good against?
Best matchups: Dark Willow, Jakiro, Ogre Magi.
What is Dazzle's win rate?
In public matches — 50.7%. It varies by rank, see the table above.
What to build on Dazzle?
In the mid game players most often buy Holy Locket, Arcane Boots, Mekansm. Situational items depend on the enemy — see above.
