Pangolier in Dota 2: counters, win rate and common mistakes
Pangolier — Universal, melee; roles: Carry, Nuker, Disabler, Durable, Escape, Initiator. Public match win rate — 46.1%. In short: Pangolier is strong against Lina, Lion, Beastmaster but suffers against Largo, Juggernaut, Treant Protector.
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Pangolier win rate by rank
public matches, OpenDota data · scale 40–60%Herald43.6%
Guardian44.7%
Crusader45.8%
Archon45.3%
Legend45.8%
Ancient46.1%
Divine47.2%
Immortal—
Pangolier is strong against
hover a hero for a summary
Who counters Pangolier
How to play Pangolier against counters
items, your spells and what to fear — per enemy
vs LargoLargo sustains his team with heals, a dispel-pull and ministun frogs: cut the healing and never stand in Frogstomp outside your ball.39.2%
What to build against it
Linken's SphereBlocks Catchy Lick, the unit-target pull and dispel he uses to drag you out of position.
Spirit VesselCuts Island Elixir healing and the regen he gains from dispels or kills.
Black King BarProtects from Frogstomp ministuns and slow when your ball is on cooldown.
How to use the spells of Pangolier
Rolling ThunderThe ball grants debuff immunity: cross Frogstomp zones while in Rolling Thunder, not on foot.
SwashbuckleDuring his ultimate Largo is disarmed and near allies—slash through him with Swashbuckle to disrupt his songs.
Roll UpIf caught in Frogstomp without the ball, Roll Up grants debuff immunity and 80% magic resistance.
Watch out for Largo
Catchy LickThe pull also basic-dispels your slows off his allies; keep Linken's up against it.
FrogstompFrogs stomp every second with ministuns—leave the area immediately, don't fight inside it.
vs JuggernautDon't waste your ball into Blade Fury and survive Omnislash—afterwards Jugg is open to your combo.41.1%
What to build against it
Ghost ScepterEthereal form stops the physical hits of Omnislash and Swiftslash.
Aeon DiskSaves you from dying to Omnislash, which pierces BKB.
Spirit VesselReduces Healing Ward healing during extended fights.
How to use the spells of Pangolier
SwashbuckleSwashbuckle pierces debuff immunity with physical damage—hit Jugg during Blade Fury and reset his Bladeform stacks.
Rolling ThunderDon't roll into Blade Fury—he's debuff immune; wait for the spin to end, then stun.
Roll UpRoll Up gives 80% magic resistance against Blade Fury's magical damage if he jumps you.
Watch out for Juggernaut
OmnislashPierces BKB and Jugg is invulnerable; stay near allies to split the slashes and keep Ghost/Aeon ready.
Healing WardThe mobile ward heals by max HP—kill it first or you won't win the fight.
vs Treant ProtectorTreant catches you with BKB-piercing Overgrowth and heals his team—engage after his ult and cut healing.43.0%
What to build against it
Spirit VesselCuts Living Armor healing and Leech Seed pulses.
Eye of SkadiHeal reduction and slow against a tanky support with constant healing.
Black King BarCovers Leech Seed root-disarm and Nature's Grasp slow outside your ball.
How to use the spells of Pangolier
SwashbuckleMultiple quick swipes chew through Living Armor's block—use it before your main damage.
Rolling ThunderDon't start Rolling Thunder while Treant has ult nearby: Overgrowth pierces BKB and stops your engage.
Roll UpRoll Up grants debuff immunity against Leech Seed and Nature's Grasp while your ball is down.
Watch out for Treant Protector
OvergrowthPierces BKB, blocks moving and blinking; fight spread out so he can't catch everyone.
Nature's GuiseTreant goes invisible near trees—keep sentries by the forests you roll through.
vs Nature's ProphetProphet hits globally and traps with Sprout—trees don't stop your ball, catch him before he teleports.43.2%
What to build against it
Linken's SphereBlocks Sprout when it's cast on you as a unit target.
Orchid MalevolenceSilence stops him casting Teleportation or Sprout to escape.
MaelstromChain lightning clears Nature's Call treant waves.
How to use the spells of Pangolier
Rolling ThunderRolling Thunder passes through trees—Sprout and forests don't save Prophet from your ball.
Shield CrashIf trapped by Sprout, Shield Crash clears obstacles; in the ball it keeps your momentum.
SwashbuckleSlash through treants and Prophet in one line for damage and Lucky Shot procs.
Watch out for Nature's Prophet
Curse of the OldgrowthThe curse slows and reveals you in fog, stronger near trees—fight away from forests.
TeleportationProphet joins any fight—carry silence and watch where he lands.
vs Monkey KingMK wins prolonged trades—knock him out of Wukong's Command ring and deny Jingu stacks.43.2%
What to build against it
Black King BarProtects from Boundless Strike stun and Primal Spring slow.
Spirit VesselReduces lifesteal from charged Jingu Mastery attacks.
Blade MailReturns damage from his and his soldiers' attacks, punishing melee aggression.
How to use the spells of Pangolier
Rolling ThunderThe ball's knockback pushes MK out of his ult ring—soldiers disperse when he leaves the area.
Shield CrashShield Crash's barrier soaks charged Jingu hits—pop it when the fight starts.
Lucky ShotLucky Shot's attack speed slow makes it harder for MK to land the four hits for Jingu.
Watch out for Monkey King
Boundless StrikeLine stun with True Strike; don't line up with allies, move sideways to dodge.
Wukong's CommandSoldiers only hit heroes—don't stay inside the ring, leave or knock MK out of it.
Tips are based on ability descriptions and matchup stats — a guideline, not a rule.
Pangolier builds by role
purchase popularity on the hero, split by item type; hover an itemStarting items
Iron Branch64%
Tango13%
Faerie Fire5%
Circlet4%
Magic Stick1%
Quelling Blade1%
Magic Wand0%Early game
Boots of Speed30%
Bottle25%
Blade of Alacrity20%
Power Treads15%
Falcon Blade3%
Diffusal Blade2%
Bracer2%Mid game
Blink Dagger15%Diffusal Blade15%Blade of Alacrity14%
Aghanim's Shard11%
Ogre Axe10%
Point Booster10%
Staff of Wizardry10%Late game
Aghanim's Scepter19%
Skull Basher14%
Soul Booster9%
Octarine Core9%
Eaglesong8%
Disperser8%
Sange4%Situational items on Pangolier: when to buy
red — heroes that counter PangolierBlack King BarAgainst heavy disables and magic damageEspecially vs heroes that counter Pangolier: Bane
Shadow Shaman
Zeus
Skywrath Mage
Earthshaker
Tidehunter
InvokerLinken's SphereBlocks single-target disables and ultimatesEspecially vs heroes that counter Pangolier: Bane
Doom
Legion Commander
Batrider
Pudge
Necrophos
Heaven's HalberdDisarms right-click carriesEspecially vs heroes that counter Pangolier: Juggernaut
Phantom Assassin
Troll Warlord
Ursa
Sven
Slark
Faceless Void
Drow Ranger
Shiva's GuardCuts attack speed and healingEspecially vs heroes that counter Pangolier: Juggernaut
Clinkz
Weaver
Alchemist
Monkey King BarAgainst evasion: pierces Evasion and Butterfly
Windranger
Brewmaster
Silver EdgeDisables passives (Break)
Spectre
Huskar
Timbersaw
Axe
Manta StyleDispels silences and roots
Silencer
Death Prophet
RikiOrchid MalevolenceSilence for slippery, spell-based escape heroes
Storm Spirit
Puck
Anti-Mage
Ember Spirit
Void SpiritDiffusal BladeBurns mana of mana-dependent heroes
Medusa
LeshracWhy players lose on Pangolier
from matches analyzed on DotaLeak: 12- Too many deaths and fed goldin 5 of 12 matches
- Dying right before losing Roshan or buildingsin 4 of 12 matches
- Lost lanein 3 of 12 matches
- Wrong items vs the enemyin 2 of 12 matches
- Low fight participationin 1 of 12 matches
- Dying first in deciding fightsin 1 of 12 matches
FAQ
Who counters Pangolier?
Pangolier loses most often against Largo, Juggernaut, Treant Protector. What to build and how to play vs them →
Who is Pangolier good against?
Best matchups: Lina, Lion, Beastmaster.
What is Pangolier's win rate?
In public matches — 46.1%. It varies by rank, see the table above.
What to build on Pangolier?
In the mid game players most often buy Blink Dagger, Diffusal Blade, Blade of Alacrity. Situational items depend on the enemy — see above.
