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Kez

How to counter Kez in Dota 2

Best counters to Kez: Enigma, Lone Druid, Keeper of the Light. Through BKB: Kazurai Katana, Raptor Dance, Shodo Sai, Raven's Veil.

A plan vs Kez for your hero and rolePick your hero and position — the coach lays out laning, mid and late game, how to play around each spell and when to buy counter items.
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Best counters to Kez

win rate vs this hero in public matches

Worst picks vs Kez

Kez spells: BKB and dispel

what BKB blocks and what can be dispelled
Echo SlashPassive / BuffInstant EffectPhysicalCD 21 / 18 / 15 / 12

Kez slashes forward in a 800 distance line with his Katana, attacking enemies in an area and applying a brief 100s impact slow. After a short delay, the area is attacked again. Heroes take bonus damage.

Grappling ClawBlocked by BKBInstant EffectCD 13 / 11 / 9 / 7

Kez swings on a grappling hook towards the target unit or tree. When the grappling hook collides with the target, that unit has slowed movement speed. Upon reaching the enemy target, Kez lands an attack on them.

Kazurai KatanaPierces BKBBasic DispelPhysicalCD 20 / 15 / 10 / 5

Katana attacks and abilities apply a stacking damage over time to enemies that deals a percentage of the original attack's damage as additional damage over time. Kez may activate the ability to impale the target with his attack, preventing them from moving or turning. The target's Katana debuff bursts, causing some of the stacks to deal damage instantly.

Switch DisciplinePassive / BuffInstant EffectCD 8

Kez switches between his Kazurai Katana and Shodo Sai. He gains different attack capabilities and abilities based on the weapon equipped. The abilities level up together, and when an ability is used, the associated alternate weapon ability also goes on cooldown. Kez deals extra damage on the first Katana hit or ability after switching to Katana, and gains bonus speed after switching to Sai.

Raptor DancePierces BKBInstant EffectPureCD 40 / 35 / 30

Kez enters into an uncontrollable state for 1 second, becoming invulnerable for 0.2s and receiving a basic dispel. If the cast completes successfully, Kez performs a series of deadly radial slashes around him that deal damage based on the max health of the target and heal Kez for a percentage of all damage dealt.

Falcon RushPassive / BuffBasic DispelCD 21 / 18 / 15 / 12

Kez gains the ability to rush towards enemy targets to deliver echoing secondary attacks. While in this state, Kez has phased collision and slow resistance.

Talon TossBlocked by BKBInstant EffectPhysicalCD 13 / 11 / 9 / 7

Kez throws a Sai at the target unit, applying a fixed damage attack and silence.

Shodo SaiPierces BKBStrong Dispel OnlyCD 20 / 15 / 10 / 5

Kez has a chance to critically strike the target when attacking with Sais. Kez may activate the ability to disarm himself, lock his facing, and parry attacks and attack effects from the targeted direction for 2 seconds. If an attack is parried from an enemy Hero in this way, that Hero is stunned for 0.4s and gains a Mark. When a Marked target is attacked by Kez, it will guarantee a critical strik

Raven's VeilPierces BKBStrong Dispel OnlyCD 40 / 35 / 30

Kez releases a wave of smoke that applies his Mark to nearby enemies, briefly reducing their vision. Kez receives a basic dispel and gains bonus movement speed and invisibility until he attacks or casts a spell.

CancelPassive / BuffInstant EffectCD —

Stop blocking physical attacks.

Items against Kez

4 counter items with buy timings and conditions: when to buy and which of Kez’s spells each one shuts down. Tailored to your hero and role.

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What Kez builds

popular purchases by stage
Early game
Boots of SpeedPower TreadsRing of HealthVoid StonePerseverance
Mid game
Mage SlayerDesolatorBlack King BarAghanim's ScepterYasha
Late game
Aghanim's ScepterCrystalysBlink DaggerDaedalusBlack King Bar

When Kez is strongest

Laning (0–12m)
3/5
Mid Game (12–28m)
4/5
Late Game (28m+)
4/5
A plan vs Kez for your hero and rolePick your hero and position — the coach lays out laning, mid and late game, how to play around each spell and when to buy counter items.
Build my plan →

FAQ

Who counters Kez?

By public match stats, Enigma, Lone Druid, Keeper of the Light do best against Kez.

Do Kez's spells pierce BKB?

Through BKB: Kazurai Katana, Raptor Dance, Shodo Sai, Raven's Veil. BKB blocks the rest.

Which heroes struggle against Kez?

Sand King, Disruptor, Lifestealer struggle the most against Kez.

Which of Kez's effects can be dispelled?

Dispellable: Kazurai Katana, Falcon Rush, Shodo Sai, Raven's Veil.

Kez: win rate by rank, builds and common mistakes →

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