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

Earthshaker — Strength, melee; roles: Support, Initiator, Disabler, Nuker. Public match win rate — 50.5%. In short: Earthshaker is strong against Dragon Knight, Shadow Fiend, Hoodwink but suffers against Snapfire, Lion, Ember Spirit.

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Earthshaker win rate by rank

public matches, OpenDota data · scale 40–60%

Herald

49.5%

Guardian

49.9%

Crusader

50.1%

Archon

50.3%

Legend

50.6%

Ancient

51.1%

Divine

51.1%

Immortal

—

Earthshaker is strong against

hover a hero for a summary

Dragon Knight52.4%66 games

Shadow Fiend50.6%104 games

Hoodwink49.6%73 games

Ogre Magi48.5%72 games

Rubick48.3%118 games

Disruptor48.2%79 games

Puck48.0%67 games

Tusk47.2%65 games

Who counters Earthshaker

Snapfire41.6%89 games

Lion45.2%66 games

Ember Spirit45.6%65 games

Disruptor48.2%79 games

How to play Earthshaker against counters

items, your spells and what to fear — per enemy

vs SnapfireSnapfire punishes you from range and slows your engage — jump from fog and interrupt Mortimer Kisses immediately.41.6%

What to build against it

Blink DaggerLets you instantly reach Snapfire during Mortimer Kisses, since she has minimum range and slow turn rate.

Force StaffPushes you out of firespit pools and point-blank Scatterblast.

Glimmer CapeReduces magic damage from Scatterblast and Mortimer Kisses while you reposition.

Magic WandSnapfire spams Scatterblast in lane, so Wand stocks charges for an emergency heal.

How to use the spells of Earthshaker

FissurePlace Fissure to cut Snapfire's escape after her Cookie hop.

Enchant TotemClosing on Snapfire, use Totem's bonus range — Aftershock stuns and cancels her ultimate.

Echo SlamAvoid Kisses pools; wait for enemies to group, then Blink-Echo.

Watch out for Snapfire

Firesnap CookieCookie on an ally can stun-stop your engage — blink after Snapfire used it.

Mortimer KissesLeave the zone sideways; her turn rate is reduced — then hit her up close.

vs LionLion hexes you before you blink — engage out of his vision and carry a save vs targeted disables.45.2%

What to build against it

Linken's SphereBlocks Hex or Finger of Death, both Unit Target spells.

Lotus OrbReflects Lion's Hex or Mana Drain back, opening a Fissure window.

Black King BarNone of Lion's spells pierce BKB, so you can safely Echo after Blink.

Blink DaggerInstant engage denies Lion time to pre-emptively Hex.

How to use the spells of Earthshaker

FissureStun Lion first with Fissure before he gets into Hex range.

AftershockEach cast stuns nearby — break Mana Drain by casting Totem next to Lion.

Echo SlamDon't sit on Echo near an undisabled Lion — his Hex will cancel your engage.

Watch out for Lion

HexHex disables your spells; stay out of range before Blink and bait it out.

Finger of DeathExpect Finger after Earth Spike — keep HP and don't stand first in the spike line.

vs Ember SpiritEmber escapes via Remnants — catch him after Sleight of Fist and burst through Flame Guard.45.6%

What to build against it

Black King BarProtects from Searing Chains and Ember's magic, but Sleight of Fist pierces BKB.

Force StaffGets you out of Chains range as Ember starts dealing damage.

Aether LensExtra cast range lets Fissure reach Ember after his Remnants.

Ghost ScepterBlocks physical damage from Sleight of Fist and his attacks.

How to use the spells of Earthshaker

FissureCast Fissure where Ember returns after Sleight of Fist to stun him.

Enchant TotemUse Totem and Aftershock after Flame Guard is broken, or damage gets absorbed.

Echo SlamUse Echo when Ember is stunned and can't jump to a remnant.

Watch out for Ember Spirit

Searing ChainsChains root you — don't approach Ember closely without allies.

Sleight of FistIt pierces BKB, so don't rely on it vs Ember's damage — stand behind creeps.

vs JakiroJakiro zones you with Ice Path and Macropyre — engage from the side, not along his lines.46.2%

What to build against it

Blink DaggerLets you jump over Macropyre and Ice Path and catch Jakiro.

Black King BarJakiro's magic doesn't pierce BKB — you can Echo safely after Blink.

Pipe of InsightReduces team magic damage from Dual Breath and Macropyre.

Magic WandJakiro casts often in lane — Wand offsets the damage.

How to use the spells of Earthshaker

FissureFissure Jakiro before Ice Path — the stun stops his combo.

AftershockGet close and cast Totem — Aftershock interrupts his casts.

Echo SlamDon't Echo along Macropyre's line — the fire will kill you fast.

Watch out for Jakiro

Ice PathIce Path catches engages — move across it and bait it out.

MacropyreExit the fire sideways immediately, don't stay for a stun.

vs MarsMars traps teams in Arena — play around his ult and Echo enemies inside.47.1%

What to build against it

Blink DaggerLets you blink into Arena from outside for a surprise Echo.

Force StaffGets you out of Spear's path before you're pinned to a tree.

Glimmer CapeReduces magic damage from Spear and Arena.

Aeon DiskSaves you from instant burst inside Arena.

How to use the spells of Earthshaker

FissureFissure can cut Mars off from allies and delay his engage.

Echo SlamWhen Arena traps enemies in a group — blink in and Echo.

Enchant TotemHit Mars from behind with Totem, where Bulwark doesn't block.

Watch out for Mars

Spear of MarsDon't stand by trees or cliffs in line with Mars — Spear pins you.

Arena Of BloodLeave during Arena's formation time or you'll get trapped.

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

Earthshaker builds by role

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

Starting items

Iron Branch49%

Tango15%

Observer Ward11%

Faerie Fire6%

Clarity3%

Blood Grenade3%

Sentry Ward2%

Early game

Boots of Speed38%

Bottle29%

Power Treads11%

Blink Dagger7%

Soul Ring5%

Mid game

Blink Dagger15%

Aghanim's Shard14%

Staff of Wizardry13%

Ogre Axe10%

Blade of Alacrity8%

Late game

Yasha8%

Kaya4%

Boots of Travel4%

Situational items on Earthshaker: when to buy

red — heroes that counter Earthshaker

Aeon DiskSaves you from burst and single-target combosEspecially vs heroes that counter Earthshaker: Lion

Glimmer CapeSave an ally from magic and focusEspecially vs heroes that counter Earthshaker: Jakiro

Force StaffPush an ally out of hooks, cogs or fieldsEspecially vs heroes that counter Earthshaker: Disruptor

Disruptor

Pudge

Clockwerk

Lotus OrbReflects targeted spells and dispelsEspecially vs heroes that counter Earthshaker: Lion

Pipe of InsightTeam-wide magic shieldEspecially vs heroes that counter Earthshaker: Jakiro

Heaven's HalberdDisarms right-click carries

Spirit VesselCuts healing and regeneration

Dust of AppearanceReveal invisible heroes

Sentry WardReveal invisible heroes and deward

Why players lose on Earthshaker

from matches analyzed on DotaLeak: 33

Too many deaths and fed goldin 20 of 33 matches
Dying right before losing Roshan or buildingsin 14 of 33 matches
Ultimate or BKB not used in fightsin 12 of 33 matches
Dying first in deciding fightsin 11 of 33 matches
Lost lanein 7 of 33 matches
Wrong items vs the enemyin 4 of 33 matches

FAQ

Who counters Earthshaker?

Earthshaker loses most often against Snapfire, Lion, Ember Spirit. What to build and how to play vs them →

Who is Earthshaker good against?

Best matchups: Dragon Knight, Shadow Fiend, Hoodwink.

What is Earthshaker's win rate?

In public matches — 50.5%. It varies by rank, see the table above.

What to build on Earthshaker?

In the mid game players most often buy Blink Dagger, Aghanim's Shard, Staff of Wizardry. Situational items depend on the enemy — see above.

Similar heroes

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