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

Marci is a melee universal hero. Despite the character's carry-potential, Marci most often acts in a support role and relies on allies in combat. She is able to break the enemy's position and effectively set up kills for her team.

A good choice against Marci will be heroes that:

• Reduce lifesteal, healing and health regeneration
• Can escape from physical attacks
• Have a lot of control

Some of the best heroes against Marci:

• Winter Wyvern - Can effectively harass Marci on lane with Arctic Burn. WW is also able to save herself or an ally from Marci under Unleash with Cold Embrace, or redirect Marci's ultimates into her ally with Winter's Curse.
• Necrophos - Marci relies heavily on Sidekick's lifesteal for survivability, which when combined with Unleash restores a huge amount of health. However, when playing against Necrophos, losing some health can make Marci an easy victim for Reaper's Scythe before she can regenerate health. Necrophos can also escape physical attacks with Ghost Shroud.
• Outworld Destroyer - can kite Marci under his ult, or escape Rebound with Astral Imprisonment. OD is also good against Marci because of its ultimates, which deal huge damage to heroes with low manapool.

Other good choices against Marci are Ancient Apparition, Bane, Pugna, Muerta, Shadow Demon, Slark, Rubick, Oracle, Dark Willow, Razor, Drow Ranger, Lich, Windranger, Ursa, and Axe.

In addition to heroes, the following items will be effective against Marci:

• Guardian Greaves/Crimson Guard/Assault Cuirass/Heaven's Halberd - against physical damage.
• Crella's Crozier/Spirit Vessel/Eye of Skadi - reduces the victim's healing, health regeneration and lifesteal.
• Nullifier - helps against Pavise and Solar Crest, which are often purchased on Marci, as well as other save items often taken by supports, such as Glimmer Cape, Aeon Disk, Eul's Scepter of Divinity, and Force Staff.
• Ghost/Ethereal Blade/Force Staff/Hurricane Pike/Eul's Scepter of Divinity/Wind Waker is a good save against Marci.

How to counter Marci:

Start of the game:

On ranged characters, laning against Marci will not give you much trouble, while on melee characters it is important to be careful, as you can become an easy victim for Marci and her ally already in the first minutes. Do not approach an enemy tower when there are no allied creeps there, as Marci can throw you into its attack radius with Dispose, causing you to lose a significant amount of resources or die. You should also always keep your distance from Marci if her ally is a character who can perfectly implement her initiation with Rebound and Dispose, such as Shadow Fiend.

Mid-game:

Marci is extremely strong against single targets, so it's important to stay close to allies who can save you, don't stay in dangerous areas, and ensure you have a good vision.

Late Stage:

After acquiring Aghanim's Scepter Marci will become quite effective in teamfights as well. During active Unleash Marci needs to kite, and recharging her ultimates is a great opportunity to impose the battle.

Overall strategy

Against Marci, maintaining distance is key to avoiding her Dispose. Disables and silences will prevent her from freely using Rebound and Unleash. Armor and physical resistance items help mitigate her damage. Avoid grouping with teammates to minimize the impact of her attacks. Punish her after she commits to a fight, as she becomes vulnerable without her abilities.