Axe counters, Axe is one of the most iconic and powerful initiators in Dota 2. Known for his ability to disrupt enemy teams with Berserker’s Call, sustain damage with Counter Helix, and finish off heroes with Culling Blade, Axe can dominate games if left unchecked. However, like all heroes, Axe has his weaknesses, and understanding how to exploit them is key to neutralizing his impact in matches. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the best hero counters, strategies, itemization tips, and more to effectively counter Axe in your Dota 2 games.
Understanding Axe – Strengths and Weaknesses
Before delving into counter strategies, it’s essential to understand Axe’s strengths and weaknesses. This knowledge will help inform hero picks, in-game decisions, and overall gameplay when facing this formidable hero.
Strengths
- Powerful Initiation: Berserker’s Call can disable multiple enemies, making Axe a highly effective initiator.
- Sustain Through Armor: Counter Helix synergizes with high armor gained from items like Blade Mail, Vanguard, and Crimson Guard.
- Effective Against Multiple Heroes: Axe thrives in the middle of team fights, punishing grouped opponents with Counter Helix.
- Finisher: Culling Blade provides Axe with a reliable execute mechanic that bypasses barriers like Shallow Grave or Oracle’s False Promise.
Weaknesses
- Reliance on Timing: Axe needs to have a good start to the game to farm core items like Blink Dagger or Vanguard and maintain momentum.
- Weak to Magic Damage: His high armor doesn’t mitigate magic attacks, making spellcasters significant threats.
- Disruption: Axe struggles against heroes that can kite, silence, or disable him, preventing him from using his abilities effectively.
Hero Counters to Axe
Certain heroes excel at countering Axe due to their unique abilities and playstyles. Picking these heroes in response to Axe can provide a significant advantage in both the laning phase and later stages of the game.
Batrider
Batrider is one of the most reliable counters to Axe because of his mobility and ability to control engagements. Here’s how Batrider works against Axe:
- Firefly: Lets Batrider fly over terrain,avoiding Axe’s Berserker’s Call and kiting him effectively.
- Sticky Napalm: Slows Axe and amplifies damage from other abilities, making it hard for him to close gaps.
- Flaming Lasso: Repositions Axe, even through Black King Bar (BKB), interrupting his initiation attempts.
Timbersaw
Timbersaw is another hero who fares well against Axe, thanks to his durability and Pure damage output:
- Whirling Death: Reduces Axe’s strength, lowering his tankiness and damage.
- Timber Chain: Offers an escape mechanism to avoid being pinned by Berserker’s Call.
- Pure Damage: Counter Helix and armor items are less effective against Timbersaw’s pure damage abilities.
Leshrac
Leshrac’s high magic damage output and ability to kite Axe make him a reliable counter:
- Magic-Based Abilities: Pulses and damage from Diabolic Edict and Lightning Storm bypass Axe’s armored defenses.
- Eul’s Scepter: Can cyclone Axe, preventing him from initiating and buying time for teammates.
- Split Earth: Disrupts Axe’s positioning and slows him down in team fights.
Other Notable Counters
- Outworld Destroyer: Astral Imprisonment and Sanity’s Eclipse deal significant damage to Axe while keeping him disabled.
- Venomancer: Plague Wards harass Axe in the lane, and Poison Nova slows and damages him over time.
- Doom: Doom’s ultimate shuts down Axe completely, silencing his abilities and rendering him unable to contribute in fights.
- Phoenix: Sun Ray and Fire Spirits make it hard for Axe to remain effective, while Supernova zones him out of fights.
General Strategies to Counter Axe
You don’t need to rely solely on hero picks to counter Axe. Implementing solid strategies and using specific item builds can also help contain him.
Item Choices
- Force Staff: A great utility item for supports, allowing allies to escape from Berserker’s Call.
- Lotus Orb: Reflects Berserker’s Call and helps mitigate magic damage from Blade Mail.
- Eul’s Scepter: Temporarily disables Axe, stopping his initiation or chasing capabilities.
- Glimmer Cape: Provides invisibility to escape from Axe’s focus, especially after he initiates.
Laning Phase Tips
- Harass with Range: Using ranged heroes or abilities to poke Axe in the lane can interrupt his farm and slow his Blink Dagger timing.
- Zone Him Out: Aggressively deny creeps to limit Axe’s experience gain, ensuring he doesn’t hit key level timings.
How-To Guide for Facing Axe
Here is a step-by-step guide for success against Axe, no matter your role in the game.
- Before the Game: Scout the enemy draft to identify if Axe will likely go offlane. Pick heroes that he struggles against, such as Timbersaw or Batrider.
- Laning Phase: Harass constantly to prevent Axe from securing easy farm, and ensure your support stacks camps for mid-game recovery.
- Mid Game: Play around your mobility and avoid grouping up to minimize the effectiveness of Berserker’s Call.
- Team Fights: Prioritize disabling Axe or kiting him with items like Force Staff and Eul’s Scepter to isolate him from his team.
- Late Game: Itemize wisely with armor-piercing or magic-based damage to drastically weaken Axe’s defensive capabilities.
FAQs About Axe Counters
What type of heroes are best against Axe?
Heroes with high magic damage, ranged abilities, or crowd control are highly effective against Axe. Spellcasters like Batrider and Timbersaw neutralize Axe’s physical damage-based playstyle.
What are the best items to counter Axe?
Items like Force Staff, Lotus Orb, Eul’s Scepter, and Glimmer Cape help you kite Axe or negate his attempts to disable your team.
How can I survive Axe’s initiation in fights?
Stay spread out as a team to minimize the impact of Berserker’s Call. Additionally, using mobility or invisibility items can help get away from his Counter Helix damage.
Are ranged heroes better against Axe?
Yes, ranged heroes often perform well as they can harass Axe from a distance, reducing his ability to land effective Berserker’s Calls.
How do I lane effectively against Axe?
Focus on denying farm and experience, harass with ranged abilities, and keep a sentry to block his jungle stacking efforts.
Can Phoenix ult counter Axe?
Yes, Phoenix’s Supernova can force Axe to disengage during team fights, as the risk of attacking the egg is often too high.
When is Axe most vulnerable in the game?
Axe is weakest in the early game if he is zoned out and unable to farm his Blink Dagger in a timely manner.
Should I avoid physical damage against Axe?
Yes, especially in the mid-game when Axe has items like Blade Mail and Crimson Guard. Focus on magic or pure damage for better results.
Is Doom a good pick against Axe?
Absolutely. Doom’s ultimate disables Axe entirely, preventing him from using Berserker’s Call or Culling Blade.
What are good team strategies against an Axe-heavy lineup?
Spread out to avoid AoE calls, pick supports with defensive saves, and focus on bursting Axe down quickly with disables and magic damage.
Conclusion
Axe can be a game-winner if left unchecked, but with the right heroes, strategies, and itemization, it’s possible to mitigate his impact in any match. By focusing on his weaknesses, counter-harassing him in the laning phase, and using effective teamwork, you’ll have all the tools necessary to turn the tide in your favor. With this guide, you’re now equipped to dominate Axe-heavy drafts in your Dota 2 games. Good luck, and happy gaming!
Source : Dota2HighSchool
Stay updated with reliable Dota 2 news sources. Visit dota2gamers.gg and for more insights about Dota 2.
