Invoker counter picks: who to choose against this hero in Dota 2

Invoker is a magical hero who can deal a lot of damage to multiple enemies at the same time. He is not used alone, but in a team game, Invoker can be a key character that will help win.

Invoker has 10 spells at his disposal, which are built on a combination of Exort, Quas, Wex spheres. This allows you to find a way to win against almost any opponent. But all this is possible only in the capable hands of a player who knows how, where and at what moment to use Invoker. He creates chaos on the battlefield. But even such a character has counterpicks. Below we will analyze them in order not only to neutralize the mage hero, but also to protect yourself if you decide to pick this character.

Who counters Invoker

Flexibility, versatility, a wide range of abilities (escape, control, high damage, attack speed, etc.) make this intelligent player hard to reach. But Invoker can be tamed, and he is very easy to stop on the lane. Some heroes do it on their own when going 1v1, while others need to build up some advantages when playing in the mid.

Let’s see who counters Invoker depending on the stage of the game. After all, at each stage, the strengths and abilities of the hero-mage are very different and only skillful characters will be able to resist him.

Counter picks for Invoker on the mid lane are:

• Zeus. Plays at a distance from the opponent. Cannot deal serious damage, but hinders farming. Using the Thundergod’s Wrath and Lightning Bolt skills helps reveal Invoker’s position if he is invisible. On the other hand,
• Templar Assassin. The character acts from afar, causing significant damage. Built-in damage and debuff protection helps counter attacks when combined with Psi Blades and Refraction. After the sixth level, he can easily kill Invoker.
• Viper. It’s hard to break through. At the same time, he deals a lot of damage from the first minutes of the game, hinders farming. Invoker can only buy Healing Salve to restore health. And if he falls under the slowdown, he will die.
• Nyx Assassin. Burns out the mana. Casting Spiked Carapace stuns Invoker and prevents him from making a full impact.
• Silencer. Annoying character. His abilities prevent the mage character from casting spells.

In the late game, killing a mage hero is more difficult, but possible. Invoker can be countered by:

• Anti-Mage. He has high resistance to magic, so the procast will not work on him. At the same time, he burns out mana, on which Invoker is highly dependent. Anti-Mage’s mobility prevents combos from being used on him. His ult allows you to blow up Invoker and his teammates.
• Doom. He is dangerous because when using the ultimate ability, he turns Invoker into a useless toy.
• Faceless Void. An unpleasant adversary. His ability can pause Invoker’s abilities cooldowns. Using the Chronosphere will allow you to kill the hero.
• Night Stalker. Good at night. Will bother Invoker with constant ganks. The abilities of this character do not give the hero-mage a chance to survive.
• Bounty Hunter and Slardar make it impossible for Invoker to hide. Even when using invisibility, the mage remains visible to other characters.
• Lifestealer, Juggernaut, Pangolin. All of this heroes are immune to magic (due to special abilities), so they become inaccessible to Invoker for a short period of time.

Other characters also perform well against our hero. For example, Pudge, Axe and Centaur Warrunner with Blade Mail can damage Invoker’s abilities and easily survive procast.

Items against Invoker

• Orchid Malevolence / Bloodthorn – Silences Invoker, making him useless.
• Black King Bar – Grants immunity to his spells.
• Pipe of Insight – Reduces his magic damage significantly.
• Eul’s Scepter of Divinity – Allows you to dodge Cold Snap and Tornado.
• Blink Dagger – Helps avoid his combos and initiate fights.

How to play against Invoker

Early Game

Apply pressure in the lane, he is weak early on, especially against aggressive heroes. Don’t let him freely gain experience and gold—harass him and force him to spend resources.

Mid Game

Gank him frequently, he needs time and space to farm his core items. Use crowd control and quick kills to prevent him from contributing to team fights.

Late Game

Focus him in fights,if he is out of position, he is vulnerable. Use silences and disables to remove him from the fight. If left unchecked, he can turn fights around with his powerful abilities.

Key principle when playing against Invoker

Invoker becomes dangerous if left unchecked. Play aggressively, deny him farm, and initiate fights before he reaches his full potential.