DotaLeak › Heroes › Phantom Assassin
Phantom Assassin in Dota 2: counters, win rate and common mistakes
Phantom Assassin — Agility, melee; roles: Carry, Escape. Public match win rate — 51.3%. In short: Phantom Assassin is strong against Ogre Magi, Mars, Skywrath Mage but suffers against Rubick, Disruptor, Shadow Fiend.
Lost the game?Paste a match ID — we show who threw and why: deaths, lanes, items, map replay.
Phantom Assassin win rate by rank
public matches, OpenDota data · scale 40–60%Herald52.2%
Guardian51.9%
Crusader52.0%
Archon51.3%
Legend50.8%
Ancient50.2%
Divine49.8%
Immortal—
Phantom Assassin is strong against
hover a hero for a summary
Who counters Phantom Assassin
How to play Phantom Assassin against counters
items, your spells and what to fear — per enemy
vs RubickRubick locks you with Telekinesis and steals your spells — get BKB or Linken's and jump him first.42.7%
What to build against it
Black King BarTelekinesis and Fade Bolt don't pierce BKB, so you fight freely.
Linken's SphereLinken's blocks a unit-target Telekinesis or Fade Bolt before you jump.
BloodthornSilence stops Rubick from casting Telekinesis or a stolen spell.
Abyssal BladeInstant disable on a fragile support to kill him before he reacts.
How to use the spells of Phantom Assassin
Phantom StrikeStrike onto Rubick first, before Telekinesis lands on you.
Fan of KnivesDon't make Fan of Knives your last cast near Rubick — he'll steal it.
BlurApproach in Blur so Rubick can't spot and lift you early.
Watch out for Rubick
TelekinesisThe landing stuns nearby units too — don't clump with allies.
Spell StealSpell Steal pierces BKB: track which spell you cast last.
vs DisruptorDisruptor glimpses you back, traps you and silences with Storm — don't enter fights without BKB.43.6%
What to build against it
Black King BarGlimpse, Thunder Strike, Kinetic Field and Static Storm don't pierce BKB.
Linken's SphereBlocks a unit-target Glimpse or Thunder Strike.
Abyssal BladeStun Disruptor before he can cast Glimpse.
How to use the spells of Phantom Assassin
Phantom StrikeAfter Glimpse, strike right back in; escape Kinetic Field by striking a unit outside.
BlurIn Blur, Disruptor struggles to pre-aim Glimpse and Field.
Stifling DaggerFinish him with Dagger at range — big melee hits trigger Electromagnetic Repulsion.
Watch out for Disruptor
Static StormStorm silences — without BKB you can't Strike, walk out immediately.
GlimpseDon't start long chases without BKB — Glimpse sends you back.
vs Shadow FiendSF deals magic damage and shreds armor — pressure him with Dagger and avoid Requiem without BKB.48.4%
What to build against it
Black King BarRazes and Requiem are magical and don't pierce BKB.
Infused RaindropsSoftens raze damage in lane.
Abyssal BladeThe stun stops SF from casting Requiem or escaping.
How to use the spells of Phantom Assassin
Stifling DaggerHarass SF with Dagger and disrupt his soul farming.
Fan of KnivesBreak disables Presence of the Dark Lord — use it early in the fight.
Phantom StrikeStrike in close to skip raze spacing, and don't let him get a point-blank Requiem.
Watch out for Shadow Fiend
Requiem of SoulsIf SF closes in with souls, pop BKB or back off.
ShadowrazeRazes stack a damage amp — don't stand still at one range.
vs Skywrath MageSkywrath silences and bursts with magic — with BKB or Linken's he's an easy kill.51.2%
What to build against it
Black King BarNone of Skywrath's spells pierce BKB.
Linken's SphereBlocks Ancient Seal so you keep Phantom Strike.
Abyssal BladeStun the fragile Skywrath and kill him before his combo.
How to use the spells of Phantom Assassin
BlurBlur disjoints the slow Arcane Bolt — use it when the bolt is flying.
Phantom StrikeStrike Skywrath first before he applies Seal.
Stifling DaggerDagger slows Skywrath when he runs after his combo.
Watch out for Skywrath Mage
Ancient SealSeal silences and amps magic damage — keep BKB ready.
Mystic FlareLeave Mystic Flare's area at once, especially if you're alone in it.
vs MarsMars ignores evasion with Rebuke and blocks frontal hits — attack from behind and break his passives.51.6%
What to build against it
Black King BarSpear of Mars and Arena of Blood don't pierce BKB.
Silver EdgeBreak shuts off Bulwark and Dauntless.
Abyssal BladeThe stun stops Mars from turning his shield or throwing Spear.
How to use the spells of Phantom Assassin
Fan of KnivesBreak disables Bulwark — cast it before you start hitting.
Phantom StrikeStrike to land behind Mars, outside his shield block.
BlurIn Blur avoid trees and cliffs so Spear can't pin you.
Watch out for Mars
God's RebukeRebuke has True Strike — Immaterial won't save you, avoid his front.
Spear of MarsDon't stand with trees or walls behind you — Spear pins and stuns.
Tips are based on ability descriptions and matchup stats — a guideline, not a rule.
Phantom Assassin builds by role
purchase popularity on the hero, split by item type; hover an itemStarting items
Iron Branch33%
Quelling Blade15%
Tango15%
Magic Stick12%
Faerie Fire9%
Circlet6%
Slippers of Agility3%Early game
Boots of Speed20%
Power Treads19%
Ring of Health19%
Broadsword13%
Void Stone12%
Perseverance10%
Wraith Band4%Mid game
Mithril Hammer25%Broadsword18%
Battle Fury12%
Desolator8%
Ogre Axe7%Perseverance7%Black King Bar4%Late game
Skull Basher13%
Reaver11%
Satanic10%Black King Bar9%
Sange7%
Sacred Relic7%Abyssal Blade6%Situational items on Phantom Assassin: when to buy
red — heroes that counter Phantom AssassinBlack King BarAgainst heavy disables and magic damageEspecially vs heroes that counter Phantom Assassin: Skywrath Mage
Lion
Shadow Shaman
Lina
Zeus
Earthshaker
Tidehunter
Invoker
Bane
Manta StyleDispels silences and rootsEspecially vs heroes that counter Phantom Assassin: Skywrath Mage
Silencer
Death Prophet
Riki
Drow Ranger
Diffusal BladeBurns mana of mana-dependent heroesEspecially vs heroes that counter Phantom Assassin: Skywrath Mage
Medusa
Storm Spirit
Leshrac
Eternal ShroudAgainst magic damageEspecially vs heroes that counter Phantom Assassin: Skywrath Mage
Queen of Pain
Pipe of InsightTeam-wide magic shieldEspecially vs heroes that counter Phantom Assassin: Skywrath Mage
Jakiro
Monkey King BarAgainst evasion: pierces Evasion and Butterfly
Phantom Assassin
Windranger
BrewmasterSilver EdgeDisables passives (Break)
Bristleback
Spectre
Huskar
Slark
Ursa
Timbersaw
AxeLinken's SphereBlocks single-target disables and ultimates
Doom
Legion Commander
Batrider
Beastmaster
Pudge
Necrophos
Orchid MalevolenceSilence for slippery, spell-based escape heroes
Puck
Anti-Mage
Ember Spirit
Void Spirit
WeaverWhy players lose on Phantom Assassin
from matches analyzed on DotaLeak: 23- Too many deaths and fed goldin 11 of 23 matches
- Dying right before losing Roshan or buildingsin 11 of 23 matches
- Ultimate or BKB not used in fightsin 7 of 23 matches
- Dying first in deciding fightsin 6 of 23 matches
- Lost lanein 5 of 23 matches
- Weak farmin 4 of 23 matches
FAQ
Who counters Phantom Assassin?
Phantom Assassin loses most often against Rubick, Disruptor, Shadow Fiend. What to build and how to play vs them →
Who is Phantom Assassin good against?
Best matchups: Ogre Magi, Mars, Skywrath Mage.
What is Phantom Assassin's win rate?
In public matches — 51.3%. It varies by rank, see the table above.
What to build on Phantom Assassin?
In the mid game players most often buy Mithril Hammer, Broadsword, Battle Fury. Situational items depend on the enemy — see above.
