Lich in Dota 2: counters, win rate and common mistakes
Lich — Intelligence, ranged; roles: Support, Nuker. Public match win rate — 52.6%. In short: Lich is strong against Ursa, Tidehunter, Ring Master but suffers against Sniper, Treant Protector, Kez.
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Lich win rate by rank
public matches, OpenDota data · scale 40–60%Herald52.8%
Guardian52.4%
Crusader53.0%
Archon53.1%
Legend52.9%
Ancient52.3%
Divine51.9%
Immortal—
Lich is strong against
hover a hero for a summary
Who counters Lich
How to play Lich against counters
items, your spells and what to fear — per enemy
vs SniperSniper bullies from range — catch him out of position with smokes and Blink, never sit under Assassinate on low HP.41.6%
What to build against it
Blink DaggerCloses the gap to Sniper so you can instantly land Frost Blast and Sinister Gaze.
Lotus OrbAssassinate is unit-targeted, so Lotus Orb reflects the shot back at Sniper.
Glimmer CapeInvisibility and magic resistance save an ally from Assassinate and Shrapnel.
Smoke of DeceitSmoke ganks deny Sniper the chance to back off and shoot from max range.
How to use the spells of Lich
Sinister GazePull Sniper out from behind his team toward your cores with Sinister Gaze — he's fragile with no real escape.
Frost BlastFrost Blast cuts attack speed — use it when Sniper starts shredding your core.
Frost ShieldPut Frost Shield on whoever Sniper focuses — it reduces incoming attack damage.
Watch out for Sniper
AssassinateOn low HP break vision or hide behind allies; Assassinate refreshes on kills.
ShrapnelDon't stand in Shrapnel in lane or fights — the slow makes you an easy target.
vs Treant ProtectorTreant heals and catches your whole team with Overgrowth — keep detection for his invis and don't clump in fights.42.1%
What to build against it
Sentry WardSentries reveal Treant using Nature's Guise near trees before he initiates.
Dust of AppearanceDust removes Treant's invisibility when he sneaks in.
Spirit VesselCuts healing from Living Armor and Leech Seed on the key target.
How to use the spells of Lich
Chain FrostOvergrowth compresses the fight — Chain Frost bounces well among enemies diving in with Treant.
Frost ShieldAn ally stuck in Overgrowth can't move — give them Frost Shield vs right-click damage.
Sinister GazeDrain Treant's mana with Sinister Gaze so he can't afford Overgrowth.
Watch out for Treant Protector
OvergrowthPierces BKB and blocks blinking — spread out and never stand clumped.
Living ArmorIt blocks player damage — focus unbuffed targets or burn the block with quick hits.
vs KezKez is a mobile physical carry with invis: cripple his attacks and protect cores from physical damage.42.1%
What to build against it
Ghost ScepterAttack immunity saves you from Grappling Claw jump-ins and his hit chains.
Force StaffPushes you or an ally out of Echo Slash range and away from the chase.
Sentry WardReveals Kez during Raven's Veil invisibility.
Glimmer CapeHelps an ally disengage after Kez jumps in.
How to use the spells of Lich
Frost ShieldShield the ally Kez jumps on — it reduces attack damage, his main damage source.
Frost BlastFrost Blast slows attack and move speed — cast it right after he lands.
Chain FrostDon't waste Chain Frost during Raptor Dance — wait for the invulnerability to end.
Watch out for Kez
Raptor DancePierces BKB and dispels Kez — step out of the radius, don't stand next to him.
Raven's VeilAfter the smoke wave Kez goes invisible — keep sentries and Dust ready.
vs PudgePudge lives off hooks — stay behind creeps, carry Lotus vs Dismember and punish his engages.42.6%
What to build against it
Lotus OrbDismember is unit-targeted, so Lotus Orb reflects it onto Pudge.
Force StaffSaves an ally after a hook before Pudge starts Dismember.
Spirit VesselCuts Pudge's Dismember healing and damages his huge HP pool.
Observer and Sentry WardsWards spot Pudge in the trees so you don't eat hooks from fog.
How to use the spells of Lich
SacrificeDon't sacrifice creeps that block hooks — keep them between you and Pudge.
Frost BlastSlow Pudge with Frost Blast while he runs in with Rot so allies can escape.
Chain FrostWhen Pudge dives into your team, Chain Frost hits him and nearby enemies repeatedly.
Watch out for Pudge
Meat HookHook pierces BKB and deals pure damage — stay behind creeps, juke your pathing.
DismemberPierces BKB — keep Lotus Orb or Force Staff ready for allies.
vs PhoenixPhoenix wins long fights — cut his healing, break the egg with attacks and don't waste your ult.43.0%
What to build against it
Spirit VesselReduces Sun Ray healing and damages Phoenix.
Pipe of InsightThe magic barrier absorbs Fire Spirits, Sun Ray and Supernova damage for the team.
Glimmer CapeMagic resistance and invis save an ally under Sun Ray.
Force StaffPushes an ally out of Supernova's radius before it explodes.
How to use the spells of Lich
Sinister GazeDrain Phoenix's mana so he can't afford Supernova.
Chain FrostCast Chain Frost when Phoenix Icarus Dives into your team alongside his allies.
Frost BlastIf you're inside the egg radius, right-click the sun instead of spending spells on heroes.
Watch out for Phoenix
SupernovaThe stun pierces BKB — attack the sun with heroes or leave the radius.
Sun RayThe beam damages you and heals his allies — step out of its line, don't stand in it.
Tips are based on ability descriptions and matchup stats — a guideline, not a rule.
Lich builds by role
purchase popularity on the hero, split by item type; hover an itemStarting items
Iron Branch18%
Tango13%
Blood Grenade12%
Faerie Fire10%
Enchanted Mango10%Smoke of Deceit10%Sentry Ward8%Early game
Boots of Speed70%
Tranquil Boots29%
Arcane Boots1%Mid game
Glimmer Cape17%Force Staff5%Ghost Scepter4%
Pavise4%Late game
Glimmer Cape8%Force Staff5%
Solar Crest5%
Eul's Scepter of Divinity2%Situational items on Lich: when to buy
red — heroes that counter LichDust of AppearanceReveal invisible heroesEspecially vs heroes that counter Lich: Treant Protector
Riki
Clinkz
Bounty Hunter
Weaver
Nyx Assassin
Mirana
Invoker
Templar Assassin
Sand King
Clockwerk
Disruptor
Heaven's HalberdDisarms right-click carries
Phantom Assassin
Troll Warlord
Juggernaut
Sven
Slark
Faceless Void
Drow Ranger
Aeon DiskSaves you from burst and single-target combos
Legion Commander
Lion
Lina
Alchemist
Huskar
Lifestealer
Morphling
Abaddon
Oracle
Undying
IoSentry WardReveal invisible heroes and deward
Glimmer CapeSave an ally from magic and focus
Leshrac
JakiroLotus OrbReflects targeted spells and dispels
Doom
Bane
Shadow DemonPipe of InsightTeam-wide magic shield
Earthshaker
Queen of PainWhy players lose on Lich
from matches analyzed on DotaLeak: 0Not enough analyzed Lich matches yet. Analyze yours — it will count.
FAQ
Who counters Lich?
Lich loses most often against Sniper, Treant Protector, Kez. What to build and how to play vs them →
Who is Lich good against?
Best matchups: Ursa, Tidehunter, Ring Master.
What is Lich's win rate?
In public matches — 52.6%. It varies by rank, see the table above.
What to build on Lich?
In the mid game players most often buy Aghanim's Shard, Blink Dagger, Glimmer Cape. Situational items depend on the enemy — see above.
