Lost the game?Paste a match ID — we show who threw and why: deaths, lanes, items, map replay.
Sniper win rate by rank
public matches, OpenDota data · scale 40–60%Herald51.4%
Guardian51.0%
Crusader50.6%
Archon50.0%
Legend49.2%
Ancient48.5%
Divine47.3%
Immortal—
Sniper is strong against
hover a hero for a summary
Who counters Sniper
How to play Sniper against counters
items, your spells and what to fear — per enemy
vs WarlockDon't stand near allies under Fatal Bonds and leave Upheaval at once while interrupting the channel.43.5%
What to build against it
Black King BarProtects from Fatal Bonds, Shadow Word and Upheaval damage in fights.
Hurricane PikePushes the Golem away and helps you leave the Upheaval area fast.
Lotus OrbReflects the unit-target Fatal Bonds and Shadow Word back to Warlock.
Monkey King BarAdds damage to quickly kill the Golem and Warlock himself.
How to use the spells of Sniper
AssassinateAssassinate Warlock during Upheaval: the mini-stun interrupts the channel.
Concussive GrenadeGrenade knocks you out of Upheaval and disarms an approaching Golem.
HeadshotHeadshot slows the Golem's attacks — kite it, don't stand in its Immolation.
Watch out for Warlock
Chaotic OfferingChaotic Offering's stun pierces BKB — keep distance and stay outside the landing area.
Fatal BondsUnder Bonds, spread from allies so shared damage doesn't chain through everyone.
vs AxeNever let Axe get within Blink range: stay far back and save Grenade for escape.45.0%
What to build against it
Hurricane PikePushes Axe away before Call and lets you kite with attacks.
Force StaffInstantly moves you out of Berserker's Call radius before he casts.
Ghost ScepterIn Ghost you don't attack, so you don't feed Counter Helix and take no physical damage.
Aeon DiskSaves you from the Call + Culling Blade combo on jump.
How to use the spells of Sniper
Concussive GrenadeThrow Grenade at Axe right after he jumps — it creates distance and pushes you back.
ShrapnelPlace Shrapnel on Axe's path; the slow keeps him from catching you after Grenade.
Take AimUse Take Aim range to hit from behind allies, not from the front line.
Watch out for Axe
Berserker's CallCall pierces BKB — rely on positioning and wards against Blink.
Culling BladeCulling pierces BKB — retreat at low HP, don't stay to last-hit.
vs TidehunterMake Ravage miss you: stay at max range and don't let Kraken Shell eat your damage.45.2%
What to build against it
Hurricane PikePushes Tide away and helps escape the Dead in the Water leash.
Black King BarBlocks Ravage's magical stun and Gush.
DesolatorArmor reduction against Kraken Shell's physical damage block.
Linken's SphereBlocks unit-target Gush or Dead in the Water.
How to use the spells of Sniper
Keen ScopeAttack from max distance — Keen Scope's bonus damage helps against Kraken Shell block.
Concussive GrenadeGrenade disarms Tide, stopping his attacks, and knocks you back.
AssassinateTarget squishy heroes; Tide is too tanky for Assassinate.
Watch out for Tidehunter
RavageStay away from the front until Ravage is used; keep BKB ready.
Dead in the WaterBreak the anchor with attacks or Pike out, or you'll be stuck slow.
vs Crystal MaidenYou're fragile against Frostbite and Freezing Field: hit CM from range and interrupt her ult with Assassinate.45.7%
What to build against it
Black King BarProtects from Frostbite, Nova and Freezing Field damage.
Linken's SphereBlocks the unit-target Frostbite.
Magic WandCharges from her frequent spells and saves HP in lane.
How to use the spells of Sniper
AssassinateAssassinate's mini-stun interrupts Freezing Field — save it for CM's ult.
Take AimTake Aim range lets you hit CM outside her Frostbite range.
Concussive GrenadeIf CM walks in to ult, Grenade knocks her back and disrupts her.
Watch out for Crystal Maiden
FrostbiteFrostbite roots you — avoid standing near unwarded enemy approaches.
Crystal CloneClone disjoints projectiles; don't break it near you — it bursts Frostbite.
vs Ring MasterDon't face the Wheel and stay away from the whip: fear ruins your positioning.47.5%
What to build against it
Black King BarProtects from Tame the Beasts fear and Wheel's mesmerize.
Monkey King BarAccuracy against Spotlight's miss chance.
Hurricane PikePushes Ring Master away and helps escape the Wheel area.
How to use the spells of Sniper
AssassinateInterrupt Tame the Beasts channel with Assassinate's mini-stun.
ShrapnelPlace Shrapnel where the boxed ally will pop out to punish them.
Concussive GrenadeIf being pulled to the Wheel, Grenade knocks you back.
Watch out for Ring Master
Wheel of WonderTurn away from the Wheel; facing it over 0.5s mesmerizes you.
Impalement ArtsDagger bleeds max HP — dodge by moving, heal away from the lane.
Tips are based on ability descriptions and matchup stats — a guideline, not a rule.
Sniper builds by role
purchase popularity on the hero, split by item type; hover an itemStarting items
Iron Branch24%
Circlet20%
Slippers of Agility19%
Tango10%
Faerie Fire10%
Wraith Band1%
Quelling Blade1%Early game
Wraith Band28%
Boots of Speed22%
Power Treads21%
Blade of Alacrity8%
Javelin5%
Morbid Mask4%
Broadsword3%Mid game
Blade of Alacrity12%
Dragon Lance9%
Mithril Hammer9%
Staff of Wizardry7%
Maelstrom7%Broadsword5%
Claymore4%Late game
Demon Edge13%Black King Bar10%
Crystalys9%
Daedalus6%
Hyperstone5%
Hydra's Breath5%
Ultimate Orb5%Situational items on Sniper: when to buy
red — heroes that counter SniperBlack King BarAgainst heavy disables and magic damageEspecially vs heroes that counter Sniper: Tidehunter
Lion
Lina
Skywrath Mage
Earthshaker
Bane
Silver EdgeDisables passives (Break)Especially vs heroes that counter Sniper: Axe
Bristleback
Phantom Assassin
Spectre
Huskar
Slark
TimbersawMonkey King BarAgainst evasion: pierces Evasion and Butterfly
Windranger
BrewmasterLinken's SphereBlocks single-target disables and ultimates
Doom
Legion Commander
Batrider
Beastmaster
Pudge
Necrophos
Manta StyleDispels silences and roots
Silencer
Death Prophet
Riki
Drow Ranger
Orchid MalevolenceSilence for slippery, spell-based escape heroes
Storm Spirit
Queen of Pain
Puck
Anti-Mage
Ember Spirit
Void Spirit
Weaver
Diffusal BladeBurns mana of mana-dependent heroes
Medusa
Leshrac
Heaven's HalberdDisarms right-click carries
Troll Warlord
Faceless Void
Blade MailPunishes heroes that commit damage into you
Why players lose on Sniper
from matches analyzed on DotaLeak: 1Not enough analyzed Sniper matches yet. Analyze yours — it will count.
FAQ
Who counters Sniper?
Sniper loses most often against Warlock, Axe, Tidehunter. What to build and how to play vs them →
What is Sniper's win rate?
In public matches — 50.0%. It varies by rank, see the table above.
What to build on Sniper?
In the mid game players most often buy Blade of Alacrity, Dragon Lance, Mithril Hammer. Situational items depend on the enemy — see above.
