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

Grimstroke — Intelligence, ranged; roles: Support, Nuker, Disabler, Escape. Public match win rate — 51.9%. In short: Grimstroke is strong against Ring Master, Skywrath Mage, Tidehunter but suffers against Windranger, Lion, Slardar.

Lost the game?Paste a match ID — we show who threw and why: deaths, lanes, items, map replay.

Grimstroke win rate by rank

public matches, OpenDota data · scale 40–60%

Herald

51.9%

Guardian

50.5%

Crusader

51.7%

Archon

52.1%

Legend

52.5%

Ancient

52.1%

Divine

52.4%

Immortal

—

Grimstroke is strong against

hover a hero for a summary

Ring Master57.1%66 games

Skywrath Mage56.2%70 games

Tidehunter55.8%96 games

Zeus55.6%73 games

Dragon Knight55.3%72 games

Shadow Fiend55.2%105 games

Pangolier54.4%188 games

Shadow Demon54.1%62 games

Who counters Grimstroke

Windranger40.1%77 games

Lion42.6%109 games

Slardar46.1%68 games

Snapfire46.1%94 games

Invoker46.3%61 games

Ursa46.7%62 games

Clockwerk47.2%65 games

Lifestealer47.5%60 games

How to play Grimstroke against counters

items, your spells and what to fear — per enemy

vs WindrangerAvoid standing near trees or allies for Shackleshot, interrupt Powershot and punish Focus Fire with Phantom's Embrace silence.40.1%

What to build against it

Linken's SphereBlocks the unit-targeted Shackleshot, Windranger's main disable that starts her combo.

Force StaffPushes you out of Shackleshot lines and Focus Fire range.

Ghost ScepterPhysical immunity makes Focus Fire useless for its duration.

Glimmer CapeInvisibility and magic resistance against Powershot and to save allies.

How to use the spells of Grimstroke

Phantom's EmbraceCast Phantom's Embrace when Windranger starts Focus Fire; the silence denies Windrun escapes.

Stroke of FateStroke of Fate is magical; use it while Windrun is active since evasion only stops attacks.

SoulbindBind her to an ally so your team's unit-targeted spells hit both.

Watch out for Windranger

ShackleshotDon't stand directly in front of trees or heroes in line with her; stay in open ground.

Focus FireFocus Fire pierces BKB; leave her range or interrupt with silence and Ink Swell stun.

vs LionLion catches you with targeted disables and Finger; keep distance, use Linken's and punish him with Soulbind.42.6%

What to build against it

Linken's SphereBlocks Hex or Finger of Death, Lion's unit-targeted spells.

Lotus OrbReflects Hex and Finger of Death back at Lion.

Glimmer CapeMagic resistance reduces Finger and Earth Spike damage.

Aeon DiskSaves you from the Earth Spike + Hex + Finger burst.

How to use the spells of Grimstroke

Phantom's EmbraceUse Phantom's Embrace first; the silence stops Lion from casting Hex and Finger.

Stroke of FateHit Stroke of Fate while Lion channels Mana Drain and stands still.

SoulbindBind Lion to their core so Phantom's Embrace hits both.

Watch out for Lion

HexHex disables your spells; don't enter his cast range without vision or cover.

Finger of DeathKeep an HP buffer against Finger and avoid clumping with allies.

vs SlardarSlardar blinks in and shreds armor; keep distance and silence or stun him before he initiates.46.1%

What to build against it

Force StaffGets you out of Slithereen Crush range and away from bashes after initiation.

Ghost ScepterPhysical immunity saves you from Bash of the Deep and damage under Corrosive Haze.

Glimmer CapeHelps allies escape, but Corrosive Haze grants true sight, so cast it before Haze lands.

Sentry WardWards help spot his Guardian Sprint approach early.

How to use the spells of Grimstroke

Ink SwellPut Ink Swell on the ally Slardar attacks; the stun interrupts his pressure.

Phantom's EmbracePhantom's Embrace stops Sprint and Crush, but he can kill it with attacks.

Stroke of FateStroke of Fate slows his retreat, especially after Guardian Sprint ends.

Watch out for Slardar

Slithereen CrushDon't clump with allies; Crush stuns an area around him.

Bash of the DeepBash pierces BKB; don't let him hit you for long, escape after the stun.

vs SnapfireSnapfire punishes clumps; spread out, silence her during Mortimer Kisses and avoid point-blank Scatterblast.46.1%

What to build against it

Glimmer CapeMagic resistance against Scatterblast and Mortimer Kisses.

Force StaffPushes you or an ally out of Mortimer Kisses pools.

Pipe of InsightA magic barrier for your team against her AoE spells.

How to use the spells of Grimstroke

Phantom's EmbraceUse Phantom's Embrace as soon as she starts Mortimer Kisses; the silence stops the barrage.

Stroke of FateDuring Kisses she has reduced turn rate; land Stroke of Fate easily.

Ink SwellInk Swell an ally diving Snapfire; the stun stops follow-up hops.

Watch out for Snapfire

Mortimer KissesKisses has a 600 minimum range; close in on her or leave the pools.

ScatterblastAvoid point-blank range where damage and slow are stronger.

vs InvokerInvoker punishes from range with Tornado and Sun Strike; keep silence ready and avoid clumping.46.3%

What to build against it

Glimmer CapeMagic resistance against Chaos Meteor, EMP and Deafening Blast.

Linken's SphereBlocks the unit-targeted Cold Snap.

Sentry WardReveals Ghost Walk so you can catch Invoker escaping.

Pipe of InsightTeam barrier against the Tornado + Meteor + Blast combo.

How to use the spells of Grimstroke

Phantom's EmbracePhantom's Embrace silences Invoker, denying both Invoke and his spells.

Stroke of FateHarass Invoker with Stroke of Fate in lane; he's fragile early.

SoulbindBind Invoker to an ally and cast unit-target spells for double effect.

Watch out for Invoker

TornadoTornado starts his combo; move unpredictably and don't line up with allies.

Sun StrikeSun Strike pierces BKB; keep moving when low HP instead of standing still.

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

Grimstroke builds by role

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

Starting items

Iron Branch21%

Tango14%

Blood Grenade13%

Faerie Fire11%

Sentry Ward10%

Magic Stick6%

Early game

Boots of Speed81%

Arcane Boots14%

Urn of Shadows1%

Mid game

Arcane Boots30%

Glimmer Cape8%

Late game

Aether Lens5%

Glimmer Cape5%

Situational items on Grimstroke: when to buy

red — heroes that counter Grimstroke

Heaven's HalberdDisarms right-click carriesEspecially vs heroes that counter Grimstroke: Ursa

Aeon DiskSaves you from burst and single-target combosEspecially vs heroes that counter Grimstroke: Lion

Spirit VesselCuts healing and regenerationEspecially vs heroes that counter Grimstroke: Lifestealer

Dust of AppearanceReveal invisible heroesEspecially vs heroes that counter Grimstroke: Invoker

Force StaffPush an ally out of hooks, cogs or fieldsEspecially vs heroes that counter Grimstroke: Clockwerk

Clockwerk

Pudge

Disruptor

Lotus OrbReflects targeted spells and dispelsEspecially vs heroes that counter Grimstroke: Lion

Pipe of InsightTeam-wide magic shieldEspecially vs heroes that counter Grimstroke: Invoker

Ghost ScepterImmunity to physical damageEspecially vs heroes that counter Grimstroke: Ursa

Sentry WardReveal invisible heroes and deward

Why players lose on Grimstroke

from matches analyzed on DotaLeak: 0

Not enough analyzed Grimstroke matches yet. Analyze yours — it will count.

FAQ

Who counters Grimstroke?

Grimstroke loses most often against Windranger, Lion, Slardar. What to build and how to play vs them →

Who is Grimstroke good against?

Best matchups: Ring Master, Skywrath Mage, Tidehunter.

What is Grimstroke's win rate?

In public matches — 51.9%. It varies by rank, see the table above.

What to build on Grimstroke?

In the mid game players most often buy Arcane Boots, Staff of Wizardry, Blink Dagger. Situational items depend on the enemy — see above.

Similar heroes