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Io

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

Io — Universal, ranged; roles: Support, Escape, Nuker. Public match win rate — 49.8%. In short: Io is strong against Snapfire, Hoodwink, Rubick but suffers against Rubick, Hoodwink, Snapfire.

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Io win rate by rank

public matches, OpenDota data · scale 40–60%
Herald
47.5%
Guardian
48.7%
Crusader
49.1%
Archon
49.6%
Legend
50.0%
Ancient
50.6%
Divine
52.2%
Immortal
—

Io is strong against

hover a hero for a summary
Snapfire56.8%65 gamesHoodwink54.5%85 gamesRubick48.1%73 games

Who counters Io

Rubick48.1%73 gamesHoodwink54.5%85 gamesSnapfire56.8%65 games

How to play Io against counters

items, your spells and what to fear — per enemy
vs RubickDon't gift Rubick your Relocate or Tether: hide key casts from him and punish his frailty with Spirits.48.1%

What to build against it

Glimmer CapeSaves you or your carry from Telekinesis combos and cuts Fade Bolt magic damage.
Lotus OrbTelekinesis and Fade Bolt are unit-target; Lotus on your carry reflects them back.
Force StaffPushes allies out of the Telekinesis landing zone and helps catch Rubick.
Pipe of InsightBarrier absorbs Fade Bolt and stolen nukes on the team.

How to use the spells of Io

RelocateCast Relocate out of Rubick's sight or right after his Spell Steal so he can't take your ult.
SpiritsRubick is frail and walks close to cast — Spirits punish him when he approaches the lane.
TetherKeep tethered distance from your carry so a Telekinesis landing doesn't stun you both.

Watch out for Rubick

Spell StealYour last cast becomes his weapon; check if he sees you before casting.
TelekinesisLifts and stuns nearby units on landing: don't stack on your tethered ally.
vs HoodwinkPlay open ground and sustain: avoid trees and pressure Hoodwink to stop Sharpshooter.54.5%

What to build against it

Glimmer CapeReduces Sharpshooter and Boomerang magic damage on you or your carry.
Force StaffPulls you out of Bushwhack near trees and off the Sharpshooter line.
Pipe of InsightBarrier absorbs her magic burst, especially Boomerang-amplified damage.
Sentry WardReveals her Decoy invisibility so you find the real Hoodwink.

How to use the spells of Io

TetherTether slows enemies touching it — sweep it through Hoodwink so Scurry doesn't save her.
RelocateWhen she charges Sharpshooter, Relocate takes the target off the shot line.
OverchargeOvercharge heals back Acorn Shot and Bushwhack damage; press it after her burst.

Watch out for Hoodwink

SharpshooterThe bolt flies straight and applies break: sidestep or jump her during the charge.
BushwhackOnly stuns near trees — keep you and your carry on open ground.
vs SnapfireFavorable matchup: pull your carry out of Mortimer Kisses pools and dive Snapfire while she ults.56.8%

What to build against it

Glimmer CapeReduces magic damage from Scatterblast and Kisses pools.
Pipe of InsightBarrier absorbs her area magic damage in fights.
Force StaffMoves you out of Kisses and closes distance to Snapfire.
Solar CrestArmor offsets Lil' Shredder armor reduction on your carry.

How to use the spells of Io

RelocateMortimer Kisses has a minimum range — Relocate your carry right onto her.
OverchargeOvercharge outheals pools and Shredder; save it for her burst.
SpiritsShe plays close for point-blank Scatterblast — Spirits punish her approach.

Watch out for Snapfire

Mortimer KissesPools slow and burn: Tether your carry out of the zone immediately.
Firesnap CookieCookie hop stuns the landing zone — don't stand right next to her allies.

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

Io builds by role

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

Starting items

Iron BranchIron Branch37%
TangoTango10%
Magic StickMagic Stick7%
Faerie FireFaerie Fire5%
Observer WardObserver Ward5%
Blood GrenadeBlood Grenade2%

Early game

Helm of Iron WillHelm of Iron Will21%
Soul RingSoul Ring16%
Staff of WizardryStaff of Wizardry11%
BottleBottle9%
Ogre AxeOgre Axe8%

Mid game

Ogre AxeOgre Axe19%
Mithril HammerMithril Hammer13%
Blade of AlacrityBlade of Alacrity11%
Point BoosterPoint Booster10%
Staff of WizardryStaff of Wizardry9%

Late game

HyperstoneHyperstone9%
Demon EdgeDemon Edge6%

Situational items on Io: when to buy

red — heroes that counter Io
Heaven's Halberd
Heaven's HalberdDisarms right-click carries
Phantom AssassinTroll WarlordJuggernautUrsaSvenSlarkFaceless VoidDrow Ranger
Aeon Disk
Aeon DiskSaves you from burst and single-target combos
Legion CommanderLionLinaZeusPhantom Assassin
Spirit Vessel
Spirit VesselCuts healing and regeneration
AlchemistNecrophosHuskarLifestealerMorphlingAbaddonOracleUndyingIo
Dust of Appearance
Dust of AppearanceReveal invisible heroes
RikiClinkzBounty HunterWeaverNyx AssassinMiranaInvokerTemplar AssassinTreant ProtectorSand King
Sentry Ward
Sentry WardReveal invisible heroes and deward
RikiClinkzBounty HunterWeaverNyx AssassinTemplar Assassin
Glimmer Cape
Glimmer CapeSave an ally from magic and focus
LinaZeusSkywrath MageLeshracJakiro
Force Staff
Force StaffPush an ally out of hooks, cogs or fields
PudgeClockwerkDisruptor
Lotus Orb
Lotus OrbReflects targeted spells and dispels
LionLinaDoomLegion CommanderBaneShadow Demon
Pipe of Insight
Pipe of InsightTeam-wide magic shield
LinaZeusLeshracSkywrath MageInvokerEarthshakerJakiroQueen of Pain

Why players lose on Io

from matches analyzed on DotaLeak: 0

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

FAQ

Who counters Io?

Io loses most often against Rubick, Hoodwink, Snapfire. What to build and how to play vs them →

Who is Io good against?

Best matchups: Snapfire, Hoodwink, Rubick.

What is Io's win rate?

In public matches — 49.8%. It varies by rank, see the table above.

What to build on Io?

In the mid game players most often buy Ogre Axe, Mithril Hammer, Blade of Alacrity. Situational items depend on the enemy — see above.

Similar heroes

BaneWindrangerVenomancerDazzleVisageAbaddonArc WardenVoid SpiritSnapfireMarci