Enigma in Dota 2: counters, win rate and common mistakes

Enigma — Universal, ranged; roles: Disabler, Initiator, Pusher. Public match win rate — 50.7%. In short: Enigma is strong against Windranger, Shadow Fiend, Tusk but suffers against Hoodwink, Tusk, Shadow Fiend.

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Enigma win rate by rank

public matches, OpenDota data · scale 40–60%

Herald

48.2%

Guardian

48.8%

Crusader

49.1%

Archon

49.6%

Legend

51.0%

Ancient

53.0%

Divine

56.2%

Immortal

—

Enigma is strong against

hover a hero for a summary

Windranger59.8%72 games

Shadow Fiend59.2%65 games

Tusk49.6%65 games

Hoodwink48.3%85 games

Who counters Enigma

Hoodwink48.3%85 games

Tusk49.6%65 games

Shadow Fiend59.2%65 games

Windranger59.8%72 games

How to play Enigma against counters

items, your spells and what to fear — per enemy

vs HoodwinkCatch Hoodwink before she escapes through trees, and avoid fighting next to trees.48.3%

What to build against it

Blink DaggerLets you catch Hoodwink with Black Hole before she escapes with Scurry.

Black King BarProtects against Sharpshooter, Acorn Shot and Boomerang while you channel your ultimate.

Dust of AppearanceReveals Decoy invisibility so Hoodwink can't slip away from your disables.

Glimmer CapeMagic resistance reduces Boomerang and Sharpshooter damage.

How to use the spells of Enigma

MaleficeMalefice her when she starts charging Sharpshooter; the stun interrupts the shot.

Black HoleCast Black Hole away from trees or via blink so Bushwhack can't interrupt the channel.

Demonic SummoningUse eidolons to pop the Decoy illusion so its lesser Bushwhack doesn't hit you.

Watch out for Hoodwink

BushwhackDon't stand near trees, especially before ulting; the stun breaks Black Hole.

SharpshooterThe bolt travels in a line; sidestep it or stun her before release.

vs TuskTusk interrupts channels with Kick and Snowball — bait his spells or ult with BKB.49.6%

What to build against it

Black King BarBlocks Snowball and Ice Shards; Walrus Kick and Punch pierce BKB, so play around them.

Linken's SphereAbsorbs a targeted Snowball or Walrus Kick before your initiation.

Force StaffGets you out of Ice Shards and into position for Black Hole.

Blink DaggerInstant initiation before Tusk can react and interrupt you.

How to use the spells of Enigma

Black HoleCatch Tusk inside Black Hole; inside he can't cast Kick or Snowball.

MaleficeMalefice Tusk as he starts Snowball or before fights to disrupt his initiation.

Midnight PulseDrop Pulse inside Ice Shards so trapped enemies take extra damage.

Watch out for Tusk

Walrus KickPierces BKB and breaks channels; ult when Tusk is far or Kick is on cooldown.

SnowballDon't stand alone on the edge; keep Linken's or allies nearby.

vs Shadow FiendSF is fragile and positional — catch him in Black Hole before Requiem.59.2%

What to build against it

Blink DaggerLets you catch SF with Black Hole before he casts Requiem.

Black King BarProtects from Shadowraze and Requiem while channeling.

Pipe of InsightReduces raze and Requiem magic damage for your whole team.

How to use the spells of Enigma

Demonic SummoningUse eidolons to pressure SF in lane and deny his soul farm.

MaleficeMalefice SF as he steps in to raze; repeated stuns break his combo.

Black HoleUlt when SF blinks in for Requiem; Black Hole stops him before release.

Watch out for Shadow Fiend

Requiem of SoulsDon't stand close to SF without BKB; Requiem fears and interrupts your channel.

ShadowrazeVary your distance so razes don't stack their damage amplifier.

vs WindrangerWindranger evades attacks, not magic — punish her with spells and ult.59.8%

What to build against it

Black King BarBlocks Shackleshot and Powershot while you channel Black Hole.

Linken's SphereAbsorbs targeted Shackleshot before fights.

Monkey King BarLets your attacks pierce Windrun evasion.

Blink DaggerLets you catch mobile Windranger with your ultimate.

How to use the spells of Enigma

MaleficeMalefice is magical, Windrun doesn't help; cast it when she tries to run.

Midnight PulsePulse damages regardless of evasion; drop it under Black Hole.

Black HoleBlack Hole stops Focus Fire and Windrun; ult when she commits to a fight.

Watch out for Windranger

ShackleshotDon't stand in front of trees or allies along her shackle line.

PowershotIt can interrupt your channel; step out of the arrow line.

Tips are based on ability descriptions and matchup stats — a guideline, not a rule.

Enigma builds by role

purchase popularity on the hero, split by item type; hover an item

Starting items

Iron Branch39%

Tango14%

Faerie Fire11%

Magic Stick8%

Circlet6%

Magic Wand2%

Early game

Boots of Speed33%

Drum of Endurance31%

Null Talisman4%

Soul Ring2%

Helm of Iron Will2%

Helm of the Dominator1%

Mid game

Blink Dagger19%

Aghanim's Shard18%

Ogre Axe15%

Mithril Hammer12%

Black King Bar10%

Point Booster3%

Ring of Tarrasque3%

Late game

Aghanim's Scepter22%

Shiva's Guard16%

Black King Bar14%

Octarine Core9%

Soul Booster9%

Refresher Orb7%

Boots of Travel5%

Situational items on Enigma: when to buy

red — heroes that counter Enigma

Monkey King BarAgainst evasion: pierces Evasion and ButterflyEspecially vs heroes that counter Enigma: Windranger

Windranger

Phantom Assassin

Brewmaster

NullifierDispels saves: Ghost, Glimmer, Eul's, WindrunEspecially vs heroes that counter Enigma: Windranger

Windranger

Omniknight

Oracle

Black King BarAgainst heavy disables and magic damage

Silver EdgeDisables passives (Break)

Linken's SphereBlocks single-target disables and ultimates

Manta StyleDispels silences and roots

Orchid MalevolenceSilence for slippery, spell-based escape heroes

Diffusal BladeBurns mana of mana-dependent heroes

Heaven's HalberdDisarms right-click carries

Why players lose on Enigma

from matches analyzed on DotaLeak: 0

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FAQ

Who counters Enigma?

Enigma loses most often against Hoodwink, Tusk, Shadow Fiend. What to build and how to play vs them →

Who is Enigma good against?

Best matchups: Windranger, Shadow Fiend, Tusk.

What is Enigma's win rate?

In public matches — 50.7%. It varies by rank, see the table above.

What to build on Enigma?

In the mid game players most often buy Blink Dagger, Aghanim's Shard, Ogre Axe. Situational items depend on the enemy — see above.

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