Shadow Shaman in Dota 2: counters, win rate and common mistakes

What to build against it

Sentry WardSentries reveal Hoodwink after Decoy invisibility so you can disable her.

Force StaffForce Staff moves you out of the Sharpshooter line and away from trees before Bushwhack.

Glimmer CapeGlimmer gives magic resistance against magical Sharpshooter and Boomerang.

Blink DaggerBlink lets you reach the slippery Hoodwink and Hex her before Scurry.

How to use the spells of Shadow Shaman

HexHex Hoodwink while she charges Sharpshooter or right after she attacks out of invisibility.

ShacklesUse Shackles after Hex once Scurry is spent so she cannot escape through trees.

Ether ShockCareful targeting: hitting the Decoy illusion with a targeted spell triggers a lesser Bushwhack.

Watch out for Hoodwink

BushwhackAvoid standing near trees in fights — Bushwhack only stuns units close to a tree.

SharpshooterThe bolt flies in a line: sidestep or hide behind creeps and allies.

What to build against it

Lotus OrbPrimal Roar is unit-target, so Lotus reflects it even though it pierces BKB.

Force StaffForce Staff escapes the boar and Beastmaster after a Raptor root.

Ghost ScepterGhost Scepter protects from physical attacks of Beastmaster and his fast-attacking boar.

Glimmer CapeGlimmer reduces magical damage from Wild Axes and Drums of Slom.

How to use the spells of Shadow Shaman

HexSave Hex for Beastmaster while Roar is ready to stop his initiation.

Ether ShockEther Shock's cone hits boar and hawks along with the hero to help clear them.

Mass Serpent WardUse wards to defend towers against his summon push, placing them where the boar can't reach easily.

Watch out for Beastmaster

Primal RoarRoar pierces BKB — stay behind allies and outside his blink range.

Summon RaptorsRaptors prioritize heroes and root — don't stand alone at the fight's edge.

What to build against it

Lotus OrbFlaming Lasso is unit-target, so Lotus reflects it despite piercing BKB.

Blink DaggerBlink breaks the Lasso and lets you quickly Hex Batrider.

Glimmer CapeGlimmer reduces magical damage from Napalm, Flamebreak and Firefly.

Observer and Sentry WardsWards spot Batrider flying in with Firefly before he initiates.

How to use the spells of Shadow Shaman

HexHex Batrider as he approaches, before he casts Lasso.

ShacklesFollow Hex with Shackles so allies can finish him.

Fowl PlayFowl Play saves you from lethal damage — run as a chicken toward allies, not through fire.

Watch out for Batrider

Flaming LassoLasso pierces BKB; keep Blink or TP ready since they break it.

Sticky NapalmNapalm stacks amplify his damage — leave the area, don't let stacks build.

What to build against it

Blink DaggerBlink closes the gap to Sniper and his huge attack range.

Glimmer CapeGlimmer reduces magical Assassinate damage and hides you from his aim.

Linken's SphereAssassinate is unit-target, so Linken's blocks the shot.

Smoke of DeceitSmoke lets you approach Sniper unseen for a gank.

How to use the spells of Shadow Shaman

HexHex first so he can't knock himself away with Concussive Grenade.

Mass Serpent WardDrop wards tightly around Sniper while he's Hexed or Shackled so he can't escape.

ShacklesShackles after Hex keep him inside wards; channel from behind allies.

Watch out for Sniper

AssassinateWhen targeted, hide behind creeps or in fog; don't stay visible at low HP.

Concussive GrenadeGrenade disarms and knocks back — ideally Hex after it's used or before he can cast it.

What to build against it

Force StaffForce Staff gets you out of Starbreaker and the Solar Guardian landing zone.

Ghost ScepterGhost Scepter protects from physical Starbreaker and her attacks.

Spirit VesselVessel cuts healing from Luminosity and Solar Guardian.

Glimmer CapeGlimmer reduces magical damage from Celestial Hammer and Solar Guardian.

How to use the spells of Shadow Shaman

HexHex Dawnbreaker as she closes in for Starbreaker to cancel her main damage.

ShacklesShackles after she Converges to her hammer and has no escape.

Mass Serpent WardDrop wards on a disabled Dawnbreaker; avoid placing them into her Solar Guardian area.

Watch out for Dawnbreaker

StarbreakerStarbreaker pierces BKB and stuns in front — move behind her or out of range.

Solar GuardianWhen you see the pulses near an ally, leave before she lands; the stun pierces BKB.