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

One of the strongest characters in Dota 2 is the red-breasted initiator Mogul Khan, or Axe in the game. He is the «one man in the field» of the Dota 2 world with a double-sided axe that easily breaks armies, while he remains safe and sound.

Who counters Axe

• Viper disable Axe’s passive skills, deal damage over time through ranged attacks.
• Undying. It is a hero who takes away the enemy’s power and reduces health.
• Jakiro. He will stun and slow down our character, he has good magical abilities.
• Bounty Hunter. The abilities of this character help to avoid a head-on meeting, because he can track the movements of the hero of our article.

Items Against Axe

• Force Staff – Allows you to quickly escape from Berserker’s Call and save allies.
• Eul’s Scepter of Divinity – Can be used on yourself or Axe to disrupt his initiation or buy time.
• Mekansm / Guardian Greaves – Healing helps survive Axe's initiation, especially if he relies on finishing off with Culling Blade.
• Sange and Yasha – Provides status resistance, reducing the duration of Berserker’s Call, and increases survivability.
• Scythe of Vyse (Hex) – Instantly disables Axe, removing his ability to initiate or escape.

How to Play Against Axe

Early Game

Axe is dangerous in the lane, but his power depends on aggression. Keep your distance and avoid standing too close to creeps to prevent taking too much damage from Counter Helix. Heroes with ranged attacks or magical damage can easily push him off the lane. If he buys Vanguard, focus on other targets for the time being. It’s important to place wards to spot his rotations early – a good Axe can appear unexpectedly and turn the early game around.

Mid Game

Axe is one of the best initiators, so keep your distance and avoid clustering in fights. Force Staff and Eul’s will help avoid Berserker’s Call. If Axe dives deep, focus on him after he uses Call – without it, he is less dangerous. At this stage, it’s important to prevent him from farming – if Axe manages to buy items like Black King Bar or Blade Mail, he becomes much tougher in battle.

Late Game

In the late game, Axe isn’t as scary if you have control and items against him. He becomes less effective if his jumps don’t result in kills. Don’t let him reach weaker heroes, play through mobility and save items. It’s also important to note that in prolonged games, Axe often picks up Aghanim’s Shard, which makes Battle Hunger even more dangerous. Therefore, magical damage and the ability to quickly burst down before aggro becomes crucial.

Key Principle Against Axe

Don’t let Axe dictate the fights. Use mobility, control, and defensive items to avoid his initiations. If Axe can’t land his Call and Culling Blade, he becomes useless in fights. Knowing his timings and positioning well is key to defeating him.