Hoodwink in Dota 2: counters, win rate and common mistakes
Hoodwink — Agility, ranged; roles: Support, Nuker, Escape, Disabler. Public match win rate — 47.1%. In short: Hoodwink is strong against Shadow Shaman, Underlord, Huskar but suffers against Keeper of the Light, Ember Spirit, Treant Protector.
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Hoodwink win rate by rank
public matches, OpenDota data · scale 40–60%Herald46.5%
Guardian46.6%
Crusader46.7%
Archon47.3%
Legend47.0%
Ancient47.2%
Divine47.1%
Immortal—
Hoodwink is strong against
hover a hero for a summary
Who counters Hoodwink
How to play Hoodwink against counters
items, your spells and what to fear — per enemy
vs Keeper of the LightKotL breaks your tree combos with Blinding Light and spams nukes — catch him in the woods before he knocks your targets away.40.2%
What to build against it
Blink DaggerLets you suddenly Bushwhack KotL while he channels Illuminate and can't react.
Glimmer CapeReduces magic damage from Illuminate and Will-O-Wisp and hides you from his targeted spells.
Pipe of InsightTeam barrier against spammed magical Illuminate damage.
Force StaffPushes you or an ally out of the Will-O-Wisp zone while it flickers.
How to use the spells of Hoodwink
BushwhackThrow the net when KotL channels Illuminate near trees — the stun interrupts it and zeroes his vision.
Acorn ShotPoint-cast to plant a tree next to him so Bushwhack works even in open lanes.
SharpshooterFire from range while he's stuck channeling Illuminate — he's fragile and can't dodge.
Watch out for Keeper of the Light
Blinding LightThe knockback pulls allies out of your net and blinds — use Bushwhack after he casts it.
Will-O-WispDon't clump with your team; use Scurry's phased movement to exit the zone faster.
vs Ember SpiritEmber hops between remnants and dodges your traps — stay near trees, save Scurry and strike when he has no remnants.41.1%
What to build against it
Glimmer CapeProtects from Searing Chains and Fire Remnant magic damage and grants invisibility from his dives.
Ghost ScepterMakes you immune to Sleight of Fist's physical hits.
Force StaffGets you out of Searing Chains and the Flame Guard zone when rooted.
Rod of AtosRoots Ember so you can reliably land Bushwhack and Sharpshooter.
How to use the spells of Hoodwink
ScurrySave Scurry for his dive: phased movement and doubled redirect chance help survive Sleight of Fist.
BushwhackThrow the net right after he jumps to a remnant, before he sends new ones.
Hunter's BoomerangBoomerang amplifies spell damage and helps break Flame Guard faster.
Watch out for Ember Spirit
Searing ChainsDon't stand close — chains anchor you and Scurry won't get you out.
Flame GuardThe shield absorbs magic — don't waste Sharpshooter into it, break it first.
vs Treant ProtectorTreant heals allies and initiates Overgrowth from the woods — your tree zones are his too, watch for invisibility.42.9%
What to build against it
Dust of AppearanceReveals Treant in Nature's Guise invisibility before he lands Overgrowth.
Sentry WardSentries near trees reveal his invisible approaches.
Spirit VesselCuts healing from Living Armor and Leech Seed on the target.
Glimmer CapeReduces Overgrowth and Leech Seed magic damage.
How to use the spells of Hoodwink
BushwhackTreant loves trees — net him when he sneaks through the forest.
SharpshooterSharpshooter's break disables his Nature's Guise passive — hit him before he engages.
ScurryKeep distance: Overgrowth surrounds him, Scurry helps you stay out of range.
Watch out for Treant Protector
OvergrowthPierces BKB and blocks blinking — don't stand close to trees without vision.
Leech SeedRoot and disarm in melee — don't let him close to you in lane.
vs MagnusMagnus collects you with Skewer and RP — spread out, keep vision and disrupt his engage with nets.43.2%
What to build against it
Force StaffPushes you back to your team after Skewer or Shockwave.
Glimmer CapeReduces Shockwave and Skewer magic damage and hides you after the combo.
Aeon DiskSaves you from burst after Reverse Polarity.
Sentry WardUse vision to spot his blink engage before it happens.
How to use the spells of Hoodwink
BushwhackNet him as he approaches near trees — stun and zero vision ruin his RP.
ScurryTree-walk with Scurry — harder to Skewer, and you dodge Shockwave lines.
SharpshooterFire at him after RP as he pulls back; keep distance while charging.
Watch out for Magnus
Reverse PolarityPierces BKB — don't clump with allies, keep far positioning.
SkewerDrags you into his team — don't stand at the edge without allies behind.
vs LargoLargo dispels and heals his team — burst fast from range, outside his song zone.43.6%
What to build against it
Spirit VesselCuts Island Elixir healing and Catchy Lick regen.
Force StaffGets you out of the Frogstomp ministun zone.
Glimmer CapeReduces Frogstomp and Bullbelly Blitz magic damage.
Linken's SphereBlocks the unit-target Catchy Lick that pulls you toward him.
How to use the spells of Hoodwink
SharpshooterSharpshooter's break disables his Encore passive — shoot before the fight.
BushwhackThe net breaks his song rhythm during his ultimate — catch him near trees.
Hunter's BoomerangBoomerang's debuff amplifies spell damage on his whole team in fights.
Watch out for Largo
Catchy LickDispels debuffs off allies — finish targets before he licks them.
FrogstompMinistuns interrupt Sharpshooter charge — don't charge inside the frog zone.
Tips are based on ability descriptions and matchup stats — a guideline, not a rule.
Hoodwink builds by role
purchase popularity on the hero, split by item type; hover an itemStarting items
Iron Branch23%
Tango14%
Faerie Fire13%
Blood Grenade13%Sentry Ward7%
Smoke of Deceit4%Early game
Boots of Speed83%
Urn of Shadows11%
Arcane Boots4%Mid game
Arcane Boots17%
Pavise5%Force Staff5%Late game
Force Staff15%
Eul's Scepter of Divinity9%Glimmer Cape7%Situational items on Hoodwink: when to buy
red — heroes that counter HoodwinkDust of AppearanceReveal invisible heroesEspecially vs heroes that counter Hoodwink: Treant Protector
Riki
Clinkz
Bounty Hunter
Weaver
Nyx Assassin
Mirana
Invoker
Templar Assassin
Sand King
Heaven's HalberdDisarms right-click carries
Phantom Assassin
Troll Warlord
Juggernaut
Ursa
Sven
Slark
Faceless VoidAeon DiskSaves you from burst and single-target combos
Legion Commander
Lion
Lina
Zeus
Alchemist
Necrophos
Lifestealer
Morphling
Abaddon
Oracle
Undying
IoSentry WardReveal invisible heroes and deward
Glimmer CapeSave an ally from magic and focus
Skywrath Mage
Leshrac
Jakiro
Pudge
Clockwerk
Disruptor
Lotus OrbReflects targeted spells and dispels
Doom
Bane
Shadow DemonPipe of InsightTeam-wide magic shield
Earthshaker
Queen of PainWhy players lose on Hoodwink
from matches analyzed on DotaLeak: 1Not enough analyzed Hoodwink matches yet. Analyze yours — it will count.
FAQ
Who counters Hoodwink?
Hoodwink loses most often against Keeper of the Light, Ember Spirit, Treant Protector. What to build and how to play vs them →
Who is Hoodwink good against?
Best matchups: Shadow Shaman, Underlord, Huskar.
What is Hoodwink's win rate?
In public matches — 47.1%. It varies by rank, see the table above.
What to build on Hoodwink?
In the mid game players most often buy Essence Distiller, Arcane Boots, Staff of Wizardry. Situational items depend on the enemy — see above.
