Lycan counterpicks: who to choose against this hero in Dota 2

Lycan is a strength melee hero. He usually plays as an offlaner. Lycan is a variable hero. His abilities allow him to be either a summoner or a carry focused on basic attacks.

Good picks against Lycan are heroes who:

• Can apply pressure in lane, preventing him from farming neutral creeps
• Can slow and control him, even during Shapeshift (his ultimate)
• Can limit his pushing potential

Some of the best heroes against Lycan:

• Kunkka - Due to the abundance of control effects such as Torrent, X Marks the Spot, and Ghostship, he can keep Lycan locked down for a long time, even during his ultimate.
• Naga Siren - Great at standing a line against Lycan and, later in the game, can immobilize him with Ensnare and Song of the Siren. Her passive ability, Rip Tide, affects her own illusions, reduces enemies' armor, and deals additional damage to them.
• Legion Commander - Thanks to Duel, LC can catch Lycan off guard, and if she has Blade Mail active, Lycan has a low chance of surviving.

Other strong heroes against Lycan: Axe, Earthshaker, Warlock, Tinker, Bloodseeker, Tidehunter, Winter Wyvern, Bristleback, Timbersaw, Phantom Lancer, Enigma, Disruptor, Medusa, Underlord, Keeper of the Light, Dark Willow, and Lina.

Items effective against Lycan:

• Crimson Guard - Reduces Lycan's attack damage, which is helpful in team fights and for defending structures.
• Shiva’s Guard - Slows down attack and movement speed, and increases the owner's armor.
• Heaven’s Halberd - Disables his ability to attack.
• Ghost Scepter/Ethereal Blade - Avoids physical damage by making the user immune to attacks.
• Radiance/Butterfly - Causes his attacks to miss.
• Eul’s Scepter of Divinity/Scythe of Vyse/Skull Basher/Abyssal Blade - Provides control against Lycan.

How to counter Lycan:

Early Game:

At the start of the game, it is essential to prevent Lycan from free-farming. He needs to gain experience and gold to reach his power spikes and acquire his core items as soon as possible. Apply early pressure in the lane to interfere with his last-hitting. Also, if possible, block jungle camps.

Mid Game:

In the mid-game, be wary of Lycan's ultimate ability. During Shapeshift, he becomes highly dangerous due to his speed and mobility. Wait for Shapeshift to go on cooldown before initiating a fight. In some cases, you should not forget about his controlled units, as they are a significant source of damage.

Late Game:

In the late game, Lycan becomes a serious threat to your structures. Focus on controlling and slowing him. If there are heroes on the enemy team who can save Lycan, make sure to deal with them first.

Overall Strategy:

It’s crucial to maintain positioning and prevent him from getting close to your core heroes. Mass control and reducing physical damage are key aspects of countering him in the late game.