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Magnus win rate by rank
public matches, OpenDota data · scale 40–60%Herald47.4%
Guardian48.4%
Crusader49.4%
Archon48.9%
Legend49.6%
Ancient49.9%
Divine49.6%
Immortal—
Magnus is strong against
hover a hero for a summary
Who counters Magnus
How to play Magnus against counters
items, your spells and what to fear — per enemy
vs RubickRubick steals RP — never ult in his vision unprepared and bait out Telekinesis before you initiate.41.7%
What to build against it
Blink DaggerInstant fog initiation so RP lands before Rubick can react with Telekinesis.
Linken's SphereBlocks Telekinesis and Spell Steal, both unit-target spells.
Black King BarProtects from Telekinesis and Fade Bolt while you go in.
Aeon DiskSaves you if Rubick answers with your own RP and you get bursted.
How to use the spells of Magnus
Reverse PolarityUlt when Rubick is caught or dead; after RP, focus him fast before he recasts it on your team.
SkewerSkewer Rubick into your team — he's fragile and helpless with Telekinesis down.
ShockwaveCast Shockwave before ulting so the last stolen spell is a weak one, not RP.
Watch out for Rubick
Spell StealAfter your RP, stay away or kill Rubick, otherwise he'll RP your team back.
TelekinesisTelekinesis interrupts your initiation; wait for him to spend it elsewhere.
vs TuskTusk ruins positioning with Ice Shards and kicks enemies away — play from fog and avoid close range.43.6%
What to build against it
Blink DaggerLets you jump over Ice Shards and initiate around Snowball.
Black King BarProtects from Snowball and Ice Shards during your combo.
Force StaffGets you out of Ice Shards walls.
Aeon DiskSaves you from Walrus PUNCH, which pierces BKB.
How to use the spells of Magnus
SkewerSkewer Tusk away from allies he wants to roll with in Snowball.
Reverse PolarityCatch Tusk in RP first — without him enemies can't escape via Snowball or Drinking Buddies.
ShockwaveShockwave harasses and pulls Tusk in lane, denying him safe positioning.
Watch out for Tusk
Walrus KickPierces BKB and kicks you out of fights — don't stand next to Tusk after RP.
Ice ShardsShards cut you off from your team; keep Skewer or Blink to escape.
vs LionLion's Hex cancels your initiation — enter from fog and bait his disables first.46.7%
What to build against it
Blink DaggerInstant entry so Lion can't Hex you before RP.
Linken's SphereBlocks Hex or Finger of Death, both unit-target.
Black King BarImmunity to Earth Spike, Hex and Finger during fights.
Magic WandHeals back burst from Lion's frequent casts in lane.
How to use the spells of Magnus
Reverse PolarityRP pierces BKB — include Lion so he can't Hex your key hero.
SkewerLion is fragile: Skewer him into your team to kill before he disables.
ShockwaveShockwave can break Mana Drain by pulling Lion.
Watch out for Lion
HexHex disables all spells — don't wait in his range with RP up and no Blink.
Finger of DeathFinishes you after disables; keep HP buffer before going in.
vs Shadow FiendSF bullies with razes in lane but is fragile — survive and catch him with Skewer + RP.47.1%
What to build against it
Magic WandCharges from razes keep you alive in lane.
Blink DaggerCatches SF before he channels Requiem.
Black King BarProtects from Shadowraze and Requiem of Souls.
Blade MailPunishes SF's right-click damage on you.
How to use the spells of Magnus
ShockwaveUse Shockwave to farm and harass; avoid standing at raze distances.
SkewerSkewer SF into tower or team — he has no escape.
Reverse PolarityRP on SF interrupts Requiem and lets your team burst him.
Watch out for Shadow Fiend
ShadowrazeRazes stack amplification — keep moving, vary your distance.
Requiem of SoulsDon't jump on a full-soul SF without BKB.
vs Templar AssassinTA absorbs damage with Refraction and hits from range — your job is disable, not damage.47.4%
What to build against it
Sentry WardReveals Psionic Traps and Meld.
Dust of AppearanceReveals Meld invisibility in fights.
Blade MailReturns her heavy physical damage.
Blink DaggerLets you catch her while she channels Psionic Projection.
How to use the spells of Magnus
SkewerSkewer drags her to your team; damage hits Refraction, but displacement still works.
Reverse PolarityRP holds TA while your team strips Refraction charges.
EmpowerEmpower a fast-attacking core — many hits strip Refraction quicker.
Watch out for Templar Assassin
RefractionDon't waste Shockwave on fresh Refraction — let allies strip charges first.
MeldMeld strike shreds armor — don't walk into where she vanished.
Tips are based on ability descriptions and matchup stats — a guideline, not a rule.
Magnus builds by role
purchase popularity on the hero, split by item type; hover an itemStarting items
Iron Branch37%
Circlet14%
Tango13%
Gauntlets of Strength7%
Quelling Blade6%
Faerie Fire5%
Magic Stick4%Early game
Boots of Speed25%
Power Treads19%
Bracer14%
Wraith Band8%
Broadsword7%
Morbid Mask5%
Bottle5%Mid game
Ogre Axe17%Blink Dagger16%Broadsword8%
Echo Sabre8%
Mithril Hammer7%
Diadem6%Black King Bar5%Late game
Harpoon11%Black King Bar10%
Refresher Orb6%
Aghanim's Scepter5%
Shadow Blade5%
Ultimate Orb4%
Demon Edge4%Starting items
Iron Branch37%Tango13%Faerie Fire5%
Observer Ward5%Magic Stick4%Early game
Boots of Speed25%Power Treads19%Bracer14%Wraith Band8%Broadsword7%Mid game
Ogre Axe17%Blink Dagger16%Broadsword8%Mithril Hammer7%Diadem6%Late game
Demon Edge4%Situational items on Magnus: when to buy
red — heroes that counter MagnusBlack King BarAgainst heavy disables and magic damageEspecially vs heroes that counter Magnus: Lion
Shadow Shaman
Lina
Zeus
Skywrath Mage
Earthshaker
Tidehunter
Invoker
BaneLinken's SphereBlocks single-target disables and ultimatesEspecially vs heroes that counter Magnus: Lion
Doom
Legion Commander
Batrider
Beastmaster
NecrophosAeon DiskSaves you from burst and single-target combosEspecially vs heroes that counter Magnus: Lion
Phantom AssassinDust of AppearanceReveal invisible heroesEspecially vs heroes that counter Magnus: Templar Assassin
Riki
Clinkz
Bounty Hunter
Weaver
Nyx Assassin
Mirana
Treant Protector
Sand KingSentry WardReveal invisible heroes and dewardEspecially vs heroes that counter Magnus: Templar Assassin
Lotus OrbReflects targeted spells and dispelsEspecially vs heroes that counter Magnus: Lion
Shadow Demon
Monkey King BarAgainst evasion: pierces Evasion and Butterfly
Brewmaster
Silver EdgeDisables passives (Break)
Bristleback
Spectre
Huskar
Slark
Ursa
Timbersaw
Axe
Manta StyleDispels silences and roots
Silencer
Death Prophet
Drow RangerWhy players lose on Magnus
from matches analyzed on DotaLeak: 1Not enough analyzed Magnus matches yet. Analyze yours — it will count.
FAQ
Who counters Magnus?
Magnus loses most often against Rubick, Tusk, Lion. What to build and how to play vs them →
What is Magnus's win rate?
In public matches — 49.5%. It varies by rank, see the table above.
What to build on Magnus?
In the mid game players most often buy Ogre Axe, Blink Dagger, Broadsword. Situational items depend on the enemy — see above.
