Necrophos in Dota 2: counters, win rate and common mistakes
Necrophos — Intelligence, ranged; roles: Carry, Nuker, Durable, Disabler. Public match win rate — 50.9%. In short: Necrophos is strong against Underlord, Bristleback, Disruptor but suffers against Keeper of the Light, Muerta, Windranger.
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Necrophos win rate by rank
public matches, OpenDota data · scale 40–60%Herald53.8%
Guardian52.3%
Crusader51.8%
Archon50.9%
Legend50.5%
Ancient50.0%
Divine49.5%
Immortal—
Necrophos is strong against
hover a hero for a summary
Who counters Necrophos
How to play Necrophos against counters
items, your spells and what to fear — per enemy
vs Keeper of the LightAbsorb Illuminate harass, catch Keeper with Blink and don't let his knockbacks stretch the fight.43.1%
What to build against it
Blink DaggerLets you close the gap on fragile Keeper, who is fast thanks to Bright Speed.
Pipe of InsightMagic barrier soaks Illuminate and Blinding Light damage for the whole team.
Spirit VesselCuts the healing Illuminate gives allies during Spirit Form.
Eternal ShroudMagic resistance against Keeper's all-magical damage, plus mana back.
How to use the spells of Necrophos
Death PulseHeal yourself and creeps after each Illuminate so he can't win the lane on HP.
Ghost ShroudDon't Shroud into Illuminate or after Solar Bind — you take extra magic damage.
Reaper's ScytheKeeper is fragile: get close, chip with Pulse and aura, then Scythe before he knocks you away.
Watch out for Keeper of the Light
Blinding LightKnocks you out of aura range; hold Scythe until it has been used.
Solar BindLowers magic resist and slows when moving — avoid needless running and Shroud after it.
vs MuertaSurvive her magical ultimate burst with BKB and finish her with Scythe once she's spent her tools.44.3%
What to build against it
Black King BarBlocks the magical damage and control of Dead Shot and The Calling.
Lotus OrbDead Shot and Spectral Slug are unit-target, so Lotus reflects them.
Eternal ShroudAll her listed damage is magical — magic resist and mana in return.
Blink DaggerGets you into aura and Scythe range without eating her shots on the approach.
How to use the spells of Necrophos
Ghost ShroudShroud is risky vs her magical ultimate — use it only against physical attackers.
Death PulseKeep healing in lane; Spectral Slug and Dead Shot chip HP fast.
Reaper's ScytheDon't waste Scythe on a healthy Muerta; wait for aura and Pulse to drop her HP.
Watch out for Muerta
Pierce the VeilHer main magical burst — have BKB ready or step out of her attack range.
The CallingDon't stand in The Calling; walk out right after it's cast.
vs WindrangerHeartstopper and magic ignore Windrun — your job is surviving Shackleshot and Focus Fire.44.5%
What to build against it
Linken's SphereBlocks the unit-target Shackleshot, her main way to catch you.
Blade MailFocus Fire hits with many attacks — Blade Mail returns that damage.
Black King BarProtects from Shackleshot and Powershot in fights.
How to use the spells of Necrophos
Ghost ShroudPop Shroud as soon as she starts Focus Fire — you can't be attacked.
Heartstopper AuraThe aura pierces BKB and ignores Windrun evasion — stay close to her.
Reaper's ScytheScythe when she tries to Windrun away low — evasion doesn't stop the stun.
Watch out for Windranger
ShackleshotDon't stand in line with trees or allies directly behind you.
Focus FirePierces BKB — only Shroud or leaving her range really helps.
vs Crystal MaidenInterrupt Freezing Field with Scythe's stun and don't get Frostbitten unprotected.44.6%
What to build against it
Black King BarProtects from Frostbite, Crystal Nova and Freezing Field.
Lotus OrbFrostbite is unit-target, Lotus reflects it back on CM.
Blink DaggerReach CM quickly during Freezing Field and interrupt the channel.
Pipe of InsightMagic barrier reduces Freezing Field damage on the team.
How to use the spells of Necrophos
Reaper's ScytheScythe stuns — use it to interrupt Freezing Field and kill the fragile CM.
Ghost ShroudNever Shroud inside Freezing Field — you'll take extra magic damage.
Death PulseHeal allies after Crystal Nova; CM's right-clicks are weak and she loses trades.
Watch out for Crystal Maiden
FrostbiteRoots you near her team — don't walk up blindly without BKB or Lotus.
Freezing FieldWalk out of the area or interrupt the channel with Scythe immediately.
vs TidehunterHeartstopper burns tanky Tide well, but keep BKB for Ravage and don't clump.45.1%
What to build against it
Black King BarSaves you from Ravage stun, Gush and Dead in the Water.
Linken's SphereBlocks the unit-target Gush or Dead in the Water before initiation.
Lotus OrbReflects Gush and the anchor back onto Tidehunter.
How to use the spells of Necrophos
Heartstopper AuraThe aura deals % max HP and pierces BKB — stay near the tanky Tide.
Ghost ShroudShroud protects from Anchor Smash and physical hits after Ravage.
Death PulseRight after Ravage, Pulse to heal your stunned team.
Watch out for Tidehunter
RavageWide AoE stun — keep distance from Tide and pop BKB early.
Kraken ShellStrong dispel on big damage — finish with Scythe before he cleanses himself.
Tips are based on ability descriptions and matchup stats — a guideline, not a rule.
Necrophos builds by role
purchase popularity on the hero, split by item type; hover an itemStarting items
Iron Branch35%
Faerie Fire19%
Circlet17%
Tango10%
Magic Stick9%
Magic Wand3%
Quelling Blade2%Early game
Boots of Speed50%
Boots of Travel12%
Bracer10%
Null Talisman10%
Sacred Relic8%
Talisman of Evasion8%
Diadem1%Mid game
Radiance12%
Aghanim's Shard11%Talisman of Evasion10%Sacred Relic10%Boots of Travel9%
Ogre Axe5%
Blade of Alacrity4%Late game
Heart of Tarrasque15%
Reaver14%
Shiva's Guard11%Black King Bar10%
Boots of Travel 28%
Aghanim's Scepter6%
Aghanim's Blessing4%Situational items on Necrophos: when to buy
red — heroes that counter NecrophosBlack King BarAgainst heavy disables and magic damageEspecially vs heroes that counter Necrophos: Tidehunter, Invoker
Lion
Shadow Shaman
Lina
Zeus
Skywrath Mage
Earthshaker
BaneEternal ShroudAgainst magic damageEspecially vs heroes that counter Necrophos: Invoker, Queen of Pain
LeshracPipe of InsightTeam-wide magic shieldEspecially vs heroes that counter Necrophos: Invoker, Queen of Pain
Jakiro
Monkey King BarAgainst evasion: pierces Evasion and ButterflyEspecially vs heroes that counter Necrophos: Windranger
Phantom Assassin
Brewmaster
Orchid MalevolenceSilence for slippery, spell-based escape heroesEspecially vs heroes that counter Necrophos: Queen of Pain
Storm Spirit
Puck
Anti-Mage
Ember Spirit
Void Spirit
Weaver
NullifierDispels saves: Ghost, Glimmer, Eul's, WindrunEspecially vs heroes that counter Necrophos: Windranger
Omniknight
Oracle
Silver EdgeDisables passives (Break)
Spectre
Huskar
Slark
Ursa
AxeLinken's SphereBlocks single-target disables and ultimates
Doom
Legion Commander
Batrider
Beastmaster
Pudge
Necrophos
Manta StyleDispels silences and roots
Silencer
Death Prophet
Riki
Drow RangerWhy players lose on Necrophos
from matches analyzed on DotaLeak: 32- Too many deaths and fed goldin 15 of 32 matches
- Dying first in deciding fightsin 10 of 32 matches
- Dying right before losing Roshan or buildingsin 9 of 32 matches
- Ultimate or BKB not used in fightsin 8 of 32 matches
- Low fight participationin 5 of 32 matches
- Lost lanein 5 of 32 matches
FAQ
Who counters Necrophos?
Necrophos loses most often against Keeper of the Light, Muerta, Windranger. What to build and how to play vs them →
Who is Necrophos good against?
Best matchups: Underlord, Bristleback, Disruptor.
What is Necrophos's win rate?
In public matches — 50.9%. It varies by rank, see the table above.
What to build on Necrophos?
In the mid game players most often buy Radiance, Aghanim's Shard, Talisman of Evasion. Situational items depend on the enemy — see above.
