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

Silencer — Intelligence, ranged; roles: Carry, Support, Disabler, Initiator, Nuker. Public match win rate — 50.7%. In short: Silencer is strong against Lina, Ursa, Timbersaw but suffers against Puck, Keeper of the Light, Spirit Breaker.

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Silencer win rate by rank

public matches, OpenDota data · scale 40–60%

Herald

52.5%

Guardian

52.4%

Crusader

51.7%

Archon

50.8%

Legend

49.8%

Ancient

49.7%

Divine

49.8%

Immortal

—

Silencer is strong against

hover a hero for a summary

Lina56.9%93 games

Ursa56.4%89 games

Timbersaw54.1%86 games

Phoenix53.4%131 games

Jakiro53.1%100 games

Tidehunter52.1%109 games

Bristleback51.9%73 games

Lich51.5%107 games

Who counters Silencer

Puck41.4%102 games

Keeper of the Light41.7%60 games

Spirit Breaker41.9%88 games

Doom43.2%72 games

Axe44.0%124 games

Luna44.4%118 games

Terrorblade44.8%65 games

Bane45.2%66 games

How to play Silencer against counters

items, your spells and what to fear — per enemy

vs PuckPuck survives on mobility: wait until he burns Phase Shift and Waning Rift, then lock him down with silence.41.4%

What to build against it

Orchid MalevolenceA targeted silence stops Puck from using Phase Shift or jumping to Illusory Orb.

Black King BarDream Coil and Waning Rift don't pierce BKB, so you can keep fighting through them.

Scythe of VyseHex reliably holds Puck in place while your team deals damage.

How to use the spells of Silencer

Global SilenceUlt once Puck has committed and used Phase Shift. He can't escape with Orb or cast Coil.

Arcane CurseDrop Curse where Puck lands after Orb. Every spell he casts extends the damage.

Last WordApply Last Word while Phase Shift is on cooldown. Any spell he casts then silences him.

Watch out for Puck

Dream CoilDon't run out of Coil range or it snaps and stuns you. Fight from inside the leash.

Waning RiftRift silences you too. Use your ult and Last Word before Puck gets close.

vs Keeper of the LightKotL deals damage from long-range casts. Interrupt his channels with silence and punish him with Glaives.41.7%

What to build against it

Orchid MalevolenceSilence interrupts Illuminate and stops KotL from casting.

Black King BarBlinding Light, Illuminate and Solar Bind don't pierce BKB.

Pipe of InsightPipe's barrier absorbs Illuminate's magical damage for the whole team.

How to use the spells of Silencer

Last WordApply Last Word when KotL starts channeling Illuminate. The silence interrupts it.

Glaives of WisdomHarass him with Glaives in lane. Stealing Intelligence cuts his mana and his Bright Speed bonus.

Arcane CurseKotL casts a lot, so Curse keeps extending on him.

Watch out for Keeper of the Light

Blinding LightBlinding Light makes you miss and knocks you back. Wait out the blind and use spells meanwhile.

IlluminateStay out of the wave's path. If you see the channel, step aside or silence him.

vs Spirit BreakerSpirit Breaker catches you with Charge from afar. Hold Linken's Sphere and silence him before he starts charging.41.9%

What to build against it

Linken's SphereBlocks the targeted Charge of Darkness and Nether Strike.

Ghost ScepterHis damage and Greater Bash come from attacks, and Ghost form makes you immune to attacks.

Force StaffLets you break distance after Charge and escape the follow-up.

How to use the spells of Silencer

Global SilenceUlt before he casts Charge. Without spells he can't initiate.

Last WordPlanar Pocket redirects Last Word to Breaker. Check who has it before casting.

Arcane CurseCurse slows him, and casting Charge or Bulldoze extends the debuff.

Watch out for Spirit Breaker

Charge of DarknessWhen you see Charge coming, move toward allies or use a save item.

Greater BashGreater Bash pierces BKB. Don't let him hit you up close; kite with your attacks.

vs DoomDoom's ult pierces BKB and takes you out of the fight. Block it with Linken's or Lotus and kite at range.43.2%

What to build against it

Linken's SphereBlocks Doom's targeted ultimate.

Lotus OrbReflects Doom and Infernal Blade back at him.

Force StaffKeeps Doom from getting close enough for Infernal Blade.

Ghost ScepterProtects you from the attacks that carry Infernal Blade and his damage.

How to use the spells of Silencer

Global SilenceUlt before Doom casts his. Silenced, he can't use it.

Last WordApply Last Word as he approaches. The silence shuts off Infernal Blade and his ult.

Glaives of WisdomKite him with Glaives at max range and don't let him into melee.

Watch out for Doom

DoomDoom pierces BKB and dispels your buffs. Keep your distance and save items ready.

Infernal BladeShort stun plus %HP burn. Don't stand near him at the start of a fight.

vs AxeAxe relies on initiating with Berserker's Call. Silence him before he jumps and keep your distance.44.0%

What to build against it

Force StaffHelps you keep distance so Axe can't catch you with Call.

Hurricane PikePushes Axe away from you and increases your attack range.

Scythe of VyseHex disables Axe before he can cast Call.

How to use the spells of Silencer

Global SilenceUlt as Axe jumps on your team. Without Call and Culling he does little.

Last WordPut Last Word on Axe before a fight: if he casts Call, he gets silenced right away.

Glaives of WisdomDon't hit him up close or you trigger Counter Helix. Attack from max range.

Watch out for Axe

Berserker's CallCall pierces BKB. Stand behind allies and out of his jump range.

Culling BladeCulling pierces BKB. Get away from Axe immediately when low on HP.

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

Silencer builds by role

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

Starting items

Iron Branch22%

Tango13%

Faerie Fire11%

Observer and Sentry Wards10%

Magic Stick5%

Early game

Boots of Speed83%

Null Talisman7%

Power Treads2%

Bottle1%

Hand of Midas1%

Mid game

Staff of Wizardry20%

Drum of Endurance3%

Late game

Refresher Orb23%

Aghanim's Scepter9%

Mystic Staff5%

Hurricane Pike3%

Situational items on Silencer: when to buy

red — heroes that counter Silencer

Linken's SphereBlocks single-target disables and ultimatesEspecially vs heroes that counter Silencer: Doom, Bane

Lotus OrbReflects targeted spells and dispelsEspecially vs heroes that counter Silencer: Doom, Bane

Black King BarAgainst heavy disables and magic damageEspecially vs heroes that counter Silencer: Bane

Silver EdgeDisables passives (Break)Especially vs heroes that counter Silencer: Axe

Axe

Orchid MalevolenceSilence for slippery, spell-based escape heroesEspecially vs heroes that counter Silencer: Puck

Monkey King BarAgainst evasion: pierces Evasion and Butterfly

Phantom Assassin

Windranger

Brewmaster

Manta StyleDispels silences and roots

Diffusal BladeBurns mana of mana-dependent heroes

Heaven's HalberdDisarms right-click carries

Why players lose on Silencer

from matches analyzed on DotaLeak: 1

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

FAQ

Who counters Silencer?

Silencer loses most often against Puck, Keeper of the Light, Spirit Breaker. What to build and how to play vs them →

Who is Silencer good against?

Best matchups: Lina, Ursa, Timbersaw.

What is Silencer's win rate?

In public matches — 50.7%. It varies by rank, see the table above.

What to build on Silencer?

In the mid game players most often buy Arcane Boots, Staff of Wizardry, Force Staff. Situational items depend on the enemy — see above.

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