Kez counters, Countering Kez, one of the most versatile and formidable heroes in Dota 2, can be a challenging task for even the most seasoned players. Known for his robust spells, incredible versatility, and ability to dominate fights, Kez often proves to be a menace in competitive play. However, like every hero in Dota 2, Kez has his weaknesses, and with the right strategy, hero selection, and item builds, he can be effectively neutralized. This article dives deep into countering Kez, covering the best hero counters, strategies, itemizations, and FAQs to ensure you’re well-prepared to face this formidable foe.
Hero Counters – Who Neutralizes Kez the Best?
When facing Kez, strategically selecting heroes designed to exploit his weaknesses can significantly turn the tide of the game. Below is a detailed analysis of the top hero counters for Kez:
Axe – The Durable Initiator
Axe is widely regarded as one of the best counters to Kez due to his ability to withstand and retaliate against physical damage. Axe’s Counter Helix and Berserker’s Call are highly effective against Kez’s strength-based fighting style. Additionally, with items like Blade Mail, Axe can reflect the incoming damage back to Kez, punishing him for engaging recklessly. Acquiring an Aghanim’s Scepter upgrades Counter Helix, further amplifying his effectiveness in fights.
- Key Items: Phase Boots, Blade Mail, Vanguard, Blink Dagger, Black King Bar (BKB), Aghanim’s Scepter, Assault Cuirass
- Playstyle Tip: Use Berserker’s Call to force Kez into prolonged engagements where Counter Helix and Blade Mail shine.
Riki – The Silent Assassin
Riki is another excellent counter to Kez due to his capacity to silence and burst down opponents. Riki’s Smoke Screen silences Kez and prevents him from casting his abilities. Moreover, with items like Diffusal Blade and Abyssal Blade, Riki can drain Kez’s mana and disable him, leaving him vulnerable to follow-up attacks. Tricks of the Trade enhances Riki’s survivability and ensures he can deliver consistent backstab damage.
- Key Items: Phase Boots, Diffusal Blade, Abyssal Blade, Daedalus, Black King Bar, Aghanim’s Scepter
- Playstyle Tip: Position Smoke Screen wisely to isolate and silence Kez during critical engagements.
Ursa – The Fury Unleashed
Ursa proves to be a significant threat to Kez thanks to his defensive Enrage, which mitigates Kez’s spell damage. Ursa’s ability to burst down opponents with Fury Swipes and items like Diffusal Blade ensures that Kez cannot escape or recuperate during fights. By maintaining aggression, Ursa can quickly overwhelm Kez.
- Key Items: Phase Boots, Diffusal Blade, Battle Fury, Blink Dagger, Black King Bar, Abyssal Blade
- Playstyle Tip: Activate Enrage during Kez’s ultimates to reduce incoming damage and counter-initiate aggressively.
Legion Commander – The Duel Specialist
Legion Commander is a versatile counter to Kez, offering lockdown through her ultimate Duel. With items such as Blade Mail, she can turn Kez’s own damage against him. Additionally, her ability to purge debuffs with Press the Attack can help save allies from Kez’s silencing abilities.
- Key Items: Phase Boots, Blade Mail, Blink Dagger, Black King Bar, Assault Cuirass, Heaven’s Halberd
- Playstyle Tip: Prioritize Kez with Duel in teamfights to eliminate him early and swing the fight in your team’s favor.
Shadow Shaman – Disable Specialist
Shadow Shaman is a reliable support hero who can disable Kez for extended periods using Hex and Shackle. With items like Force Staff and Blink Dagger, Shadow Shaman can skillfully position himself to catch Kez off guard.
- Key Items: Force Staff, Glimmer Cape, Eul’s Scepter of Divinity, Blink Dagger, Ghost Scepter
- Playstyle Tip: Use Shackle to hold Kez in place and allow your carries to finish him off quickly.
Burst Damage and Mana Drain – Strategies to Counter Kez
Strategy 1 – Disable and Lockdown
Disabling Kez is one of the most effective strategies in countering him. Heroes with silences and stuns are essential when tackling Kez. Spells like Duel (Legion Commander), Hex (Shadow Shaman), and Smoke Screen (Riki) ensure that Kez remains immobilized during critical moments in fights.
Strategy 2 – Mana Burn
Kez relies heavily on his mana to cast devastating spells. Draining his mana pool with items like Diffusal Blade can significantly impair his ability to contribute in fights.
Strategy 3 – Burst Damage
Heroes that can dish out high burst damage can quickly neutralize Kez before he has a chance to retaliate. Riki, Ursa, and Shadow Shaman are notable options for dealing massive damage in a short duration.
Key Items to Counter Kez
- Diffusal Blade: Drains Kez’s mana and slows him, limiting his ability to cast spells.
- Blade Mail: Reflects damage back to Kez, punishing his aggressive playstyle.
- Abyssal Blade: Provides additional lockdown, ensuring that Kez cannot escape or cast spells.
- Black King Bar (BKB): Prevents Kez from affecting you with his crowd control and spell abilities.
- Aghanim’s Scepter: Enhances abilities like Counter Helix (Axe) and Enrage (Ursa), making them more effective against Kez.
How-To Guide – Steps to Counter Kez
- Step 1 – Understand Kez’s Abilities: Study Kez’s skillset to understand his strengths and weaknesses. Recognizing his heavy reliance on spells like Kazurai Katana and Shodo Sai can help you predict his moves.
- Step 2 – Choose Counter Heroes: Draft heroes such as Axe, Riki, and Ursa, which directly counter Kez’s strengths.
- Step 3 – Prioritize Key Items: Equip your heroes with items like Diffusal Blade to drain mana, Blade Mail to reflect damage, and BKB to negate his spells.
- Step 4 – Focus on Early Game Pressure: Kez lacks wave-clear and pushing capabilities. Capitalize on this by pressuring his lane with strong laning heroes and high tower damage.
- Step 5 – Control Team Fights: Use silences, stuns, and disables to prevent Kez from unleashing his full potential in team fights.
FAQs – Everything About Kez Counters
What are the best heroes to counter Kez?
Axe, Riki, Ursa, Legion Commander, and Shadow Shaman are top counter-picks to Kez thanks to their abilities to disable, burst down, or sustain in fights against him.
How does Diffusal Blade counter Kez?
Diffusal Blade drains Kez’s mana, rendering him unable to cast his powerful abilities during engagements.
Is Kez weak to silences?
Yes, silences such as Riki’s Smoke Screen prevent Kez from utilizing his spells, significantly reducing his impact in fights.
What items are crucial for countering Kez?
Blade Mail, Diffusal Blade, Abyssal Blade, and Black King Bar are critical items that counter Kez’s abilities and playstyle.
Does Axe hard counter Kez?
Yes, Axe’s Counter Helix and Berserker’s Call, coupled with reflective damage from Blade Mail, make him a strong counter to Kez.
Should you prioritize targeting Kez in team fights?
Yes, focusing on Kez early in team fights can prevent him from using his spells to control and damage your team.
Can support heroes counter Kez effectively?
Yes, support heroes like Shadow Shaman and Disruptor can disable or control Kez, creating opportunities for their team to capitalize.
Is Kez vulnerable to burst damage?
Yes, burst damage from heroes like Riki and Ursa can quickly eliminate Kez before he becomes a factor in fights.
What heroes should avoid fighting Kez?
Heroes with weak survivability or low mobility should avoid direct confrontations with Kez without proper support.
How do mobility heroes counter Kez?
Mobility heroes like Ember Spirit and Storm Spirit can outmaneuver Kez, avoiding his spells while dealing consistent damage.
Conclusion
Countering Kez in Dota 2 requires a mix of strategic hero picks, itemization, and gameplay tactics. By understanding Kez’s weaknesses, selecting effective counter heroes, and employing strategies such as mana drain, burst damage, and disabling spells, you can significantly neutralize his impact. With the knowledge from this guide and dedicated practice, you’ll be well-prepared to dominate Kez on the battlefield.
Source : hOlyhexOr
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