Medusa in Dota 2: counters, win rate and common mistakes
Medusa — Agility, ranged; roles: Carry, Disabler, Durable. Public match win rate — 49.4%. In short: Medusa is strong against Beastmaster, Templar Assassin, Skywrath Mage but suffers against Shadow Fiend, Ogre Magi, Snapfire.
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Medusa win rate by rank
public matches, OpenDota data · scale 40–60%Herald49.4%
Guardian51.1%
Crusader49.6%
Archon49.3%
Legend49.7%
Ancient49.1%
Divine47.0%
Immortal—
Medusa is strong against
hover a hero for a summary
Who counters Medusa
How to play Medusa against counters
items, your spells and what to fear — per enemy
vs Shadow FiendRazes and Requiem burn through Mana Shield — get BKB and root SF so he can't turn to aim razes.41.6%
What to build against it
Infused RaindropsReduces early raze damage, saving Mana Shield mana.
Black King BarRazes and Requiem of Souls don't pierce BKB, so no fear or damage.
Eternal ShroudMagic resistance against SF's magical damage and mana refill for the shield.
How to use the spells of Medusa
Gorgon's GraspRoot stops him from turning — SF can only raze one direction, step out of it.
Stone GazeSF must face you to raze — Stone Gaze pierces BKB and petrifies him.
Mystic SnakeDrain SF's mana with Snake so he lacks mana for razes and Requiem.
Watch out for Shadow Fiend
Requiem of SoulsRequiem hits near SF — keep distance and pop BKB early when he blinks in.
ShadowrazeRaze stacks amplify damage — vary your distance to break his aim.
vs Ogre MagiOgre pressures with targeted multicast stuns — Linken's and Cold Blooded punish each cast.41.9%
What to build against it
Linken's SphereBlocks Fireblast or Ignite, both unit-target spells.
Lotus OrbReflects Fireblast back to Ogre.
Black King BarFireblast and Ignite don't pierce BKB — fight without stuns.
How to use the spells of Medusa
Cold BloodedEvery Ogre cast on you returns a petrifying snake — hit him right after.
Mystic SnakeSnake drains Ogre's mana, denying Fireblast and Bloodlust.
Gorgon's GraspRoot Ogre and his Bloodlusted ally so they can't chase you.
Watch out for Ogre Magi
FireblastMulticast chains stuns — keep Linken's or BKB ready.
IgniteIgnite slows and burns shield mana — don't linger near Ogre.
vs SnapfireSnapfire zones with magic and attack slow — fight under BKB and root her during ult.43.3%
What to build against it
Black King BarScatterblast, Spit Out and Mortimer Kisses don't pierce BKB.
Infused RaindropsSoftens Scatterblast magic damage in lane.
Eternal ShroudMagic resistance against firespit pools and globs.
How to use the spells of Medusa
Gorgon's GraspRoot Snapfire during Mortimer Kisses — she turns slowly and can't escape.
Split ShotSplit Shot reaches her behind allies — focus the fragile support.
Mystic SnakeDrain her mana so she can't afford ult and Cookie.
Watch out for Snapfire
Mortimer KissesLeave the pools; ult has 600 minimum range — close the gap.
ScatterblastPoint-blank slow is stronger — don't stand close without BKB.
vs DoomDoom's ult pierces BKB and stops casting — block it with Linken's and press Stone Gaze before it lands.43.7%
What to build against it
Linken's SphereDoom is unit-target, so Linken's blocks it.
Lotus OrbReflects Doom's unit-target ult back to him.
Black King BarInfernal Blade doesn't pierce BKB — no stun or burn.
How to use the spells of Medusa
Stone GazePress Stone Gaze as Doom approaches — you can't cast once cursed.
Mystic SnakeBurn Doom's mana with Snake — his ult is expensive.
Cold BloodedDoom casting on you triggers a petrifying snake — punish him then.
Watch out for Doom
DoomPierces BKB and dispels — keep Linken's ready, don't get caught alone.
Infernal BladeBurns max HP and stuns — don't trade with him without BKB.
vs RubickKey is not gifting Rubick Stone Gaze: cast Snake right after ult to overwrite your last spell.44.1%
What to build against it
Linken's SphereBlocks Telekinesis and Spell Steal, both unit-target.
Lotus OrbReflects Telekinesis and Fade Bolt back to Rubick.
Black King BarTelekinesis and Fade Bolt don't pierce BKB.
How to use the spells of Medusa
Mystic SnakeAfter Stone Gaze or Grasp, cast Snake — Rubick steals it instead of your ult.
Cold BloodedTelekinesis or Fade Bolt on you sends a petrifying snake back at Rubick.
Stone GazeIf Rubick stole Stone Gaze, turn away from him while it's active.
Watch out for Rubick
Spell StealPierces BKB — watch your last cast; a stolen Stone Gaze is deadly.
TelekinesisLift pulls you out of fights — keep Linken's up against it.
Tips are based on ability descriptions and matchup stats — a guideline, not a rule.
Medusa builds by role
purchase popularity on the hero, split by item type; hover an itemStarting items
Iron Branch45%
Magic Stick13%
Circlet12%
Magic Wand8%
Quelling Blade4%
Faerie Fire3%
Mantle of Intelligence1%Early game
Boots of Speed28%
Power Treads27%
Null Talisman22%
Blade of Alacrity18%
Yasha3%
Falcon Blade1%
Diadem1%Mid game
Manta Style13%Diadem13%Yasha12%
Claymore11%
Eaglesong11%
Talisman of Evasion10%
Butterfly8%Late game
Ultimate Orb16%
Demon Edge13%
Eye of Skadi9%
Crystalys8%
Daedalus7%Eaglesong6%
Blink Dagger3%Situational items on Medusa: when to buy
red — heroes that counter Medusa
Pipe of InsightTeam-wide magic shieldEspecially vs heroes that counter Medusa: Jakiro, Queen of Pain
Lina
Zeus
Leshrac
Invoker
EarthshakerBlack King BarAgainst heavy disables and magic damageEspecially vs heroes that counter Medusa: Tidehunter
Shadow Shaman
BaneLinken's SphereBlocks single-target disables and ultimatesEspecially vs heroes that counter Medusa: Doom
Legion Commander
Batrider
Necrophos
Orchid MalevolenceSilence for slippery, spell-based escape heroesEspecially vs heroes that counter Medusa: Queen of Pain
Storm Spirit
Puck
Anti-Mage
Ember Spirit
Void Spirit
WeaverEternal ShroudAgainst magic damageEspecially vs heroes that counter Medusa: Queen of Pain
Monkey King BarAgainst evasion: pierces Evasion and Butterfly
Phantom Assassin
Windranger
Brewmaster
Silver EdgeDisables passives (Break)
Bristleback
Spectre
Huskar
Slark
Ursa
Timbersaw
AxeManta StyleDispels silences and roots
Silencer
Death Prophet
Riki
Drow Ranger
Diffusal BladeBurns mana of mana-dependent heroes
MedusaWhy players lose on Medusa
from matches analyzed on DotaLeak: 0Not enough analyzed Medusa matches yet. Analyze yours — it will count.
FAQ
Who counters Medusa?
Medusa loses most often against Shadow Fiend, Ogre Magi, Snapfire. What to build and how to play vs them →
Who is Medusa good against?
Best matchups: Beastmaster, Templar Assassin, Skywrath Mage.
What is Medusa's win rate?
In public matches — 49.4%. It varies by rank, see the table above.
What to build on Medusa?
In the mid game players most often buy Manta Style, Diadem, Yasha. Situational items depend on the enemy — see above.
