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Shadow Shaman

How to counter Shadow Shaman in Dota 2

Best counters to Shadow Shaman: Hoodwink, Terrorblade, Primal Beast. Through BKB: Urnaconda, Mass Serpent Ward.

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Best counters to Shadow Shaman

win rate vs this hero in public matches
Hoodwink 62.4%157 gamesTerrorblade 62.3%53 gamesPrimal Beast 62.1%58 gamesDawnbreaker 61.5%65 gamesBatrider 61.0%82 gamesBeastmaster 60.7%107 gamesBounty Hunter 60.0%30 gamesMarci 59.7%62 games

Worst picks vs Shadow Shaman

Troll Warlord 33.3%42 gamesMedusa 37.0%46 gamesSven 38.6%57 gamesKunkka 39.7%63 gamesRazor 40.8%103 gamesRing Master 41.4%133 gamesCrystal Maiden 42.7%110 gamesSilencer 42.9%77 games

Shadow Shaman spells: BKB and dispel

what BKB blocks and what can be dispelled
Ether ShockBlocked by BKBInstant EffectMagicalCD 14 / 12 / 10 / 8

Creates a cone of ethereal energy that strikes multiple enemy units.

HexBlocked by BKBStrong Dispel OnlyCD 24 / 20 / 16 / 12

Transforms an enemy unit into a harmless creature, disabling their attacks and abilities.

ShacklesBlocked by BKBInterrupt with Stun / SilenceMagicalCD 14 / 13 / 12 / 11

CHANNELED - Magically binds an enemy unit so that it cannot move or attack, absorbing their life energy over time.

Fowl PlayPassive / BuffInstant EffectCD 120

When taking lethal damage, Shadow Shaman receives a strong dispel and survives as a 1 HP chicken with increased movement speed. Incoming damage is reduced to zero for a short duration and additional chickens are created to confuse the enemy. Cooldown resets when Shadow Shaman respawns. DISPEL TYPE: Strong Dispel

UrnacondaPierces BKBInstant EffectCD 50

Throw a snake jar at the target location, damaging all enemies in the AoE and creating a Massive Serpent Ward that has 4x the base Serpent Ward damage and health there that lasts 15s.

Mass Serpent WardPierces BKBInstant EffectPhysicalCD 110 / 105 / 100

Summons 10 Serpent Wards to attack enemy units and structures. The Wards are immune to magic. Creeps deal half damage to the Serpent Ward.

Items against Shadow Shaman

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

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What Shadow Shaman builds

popular purchases by stage
Early game
Boots of SpeedTranquil BootsArcane BootsVoid Stone
Mid game
Blink DaggerArcane BootsAether LensAghanim's ShardGlimmer Cape
Late game
Aether LensForce StaffBlack King BarGlimmer CapeBlink Dagger

When Shadow Shaman is strongest

Laning (0–12m)
4/5
Mid Game (12–28m)
4/5
Late Game (28m+)
2/5
A plan vs Shadow Shaman 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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FAQ

Who counters Shadow Shaman?

By public match stats, Hoodwink, Terrorblade, Primal Beast do best against Shadow Shaman.

Do Shadow Shaman's spells pierce BKB?

Through BKB: Urnaconda, Mass Serpent Ward. BKB blocks the rest.

Which heroes struggle against Shadow Shaman?

Troll Warlord, Medusa, Sven struggle the most against Shadow Shaman.

Which of Shadow Shaman's effects can be dispelled?

Dispellable: Hex.

Shadow Shaman: win rate by rank, builds and common mistakes →

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