With Ringmaster recently joining the Dota 2 roster, players have quickly identified him as a formidable yet somewhat flawed support hero. While he kicked off with a strong 54% win rate, it has now settled around 51%. If you’re struggling against the newest circus-themed hero, here’s a guide to countering him effectively.
Understanding Ringmaster’s Weaknesses
Ringmaster thrives on positioning, much like Shadow Demon, Dazzle, and Oracle. His effectiveness is heavily reliant on staying behind a sturdy frontline. This dependence on positioning reveals his vulnerability: heroes that can bypass or ignore his frontline can exploit his weaknesses.
Best Heroes to Counter Ringmaster
- Queen of Pain
- Why She Works: Queen of Pain’s ability to silence enemies can neutralize Ringmaster’s defensive capabilities. Her burst damage and mobility make her an excellent choice for taking down Ringmaster before he can react.
- Storm Spirit
- Why He Works: Storm Spirit excels at quick, high-impact engagements. His ability to initiate, burst, and disable makes him a prime candidate for disrupting Ringmaster’s positioning and taking him out swiftly.
- Templar Assassin
- Why She Works: Templar Assassin relies on damage items to deal significant burst damage. Her ability to deal heavy physical damage makes her a strong choice against Ringmaster, especially if you can quickly reduce his health before he can counter.
- Why She Works: Templar Assassin relies on damage items to deal significant burst damage. Her ability to deal heavy physical damage makes her a strong choice against Ringmaster, especially if you can quickly reduce his health before he can counter.
- Morphling
- Why He Works: Morphling is another damage-oriented hero who benefits from a strong item build. Like Templar Assassin, Morphling’s burst potential can overwhelm Ringmaster if the right items are acquired.
- Micro-management Units
- Why They Work: Heroes like Beastmaster and Chen can summon units that distract and zone Ringmaster away from his team. This forces him to use his defensive spells on himself, reducing his effectiveness in team fights.
- Blink Dagger Initiators
- Heroes: Batrider, Tusk, and Pangolier
- Why They Work: These heroes can initiate fights and close the gap quickly. They are effective against Ringmaster but will need additional burst damage to ensure a swift takedown.
Recommended Builds for Countering Ringmaster
- Burst Damage Items: Items like Orchid Malevolence (for Queen of Pain), Bloodstone (for Storm Spirit), and Desolator (for Templar Assassin) are crucial for quickly eliminating Ringmaster.
- Mobility Items: Items such as Blink Dagger and Force Staff can help heroes like Batrider and Pangolier position themselves effectively to bypass Ringmaster’s frontline and engage him directly.
- Crowd Control: Stun and silence items like Eul’s Scepter or Scythe of Vyse can prevent Ringmaster from utilizing his defensive abilities during critical moments.
Conclusion
Ringmaster’s introduction has added a new layer of strategy to Dota 2. While he has strong abilities, his reliance on positioning makes him susceptible to certain heroes and tactics. By utilizing heroes that can bypass or quickly overwhelm his defenses, you can turn the tide in your favor and prevent the clown from taking the spotlight.
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