Dark Willow counter and synergy picks
Pick Dark Willow with Wraith King to increase win-rate from 48.8% to 55.1% or against Chen to increase win-rate to 57.8% in Patch 7.39b.
Good with...
...based on stats [7.39b]
| Hero | Change in Win Rate ▼ |
|---|---|
6.4% | |
6.3% | |
5.2% | |
4.1% | |
3.4% | |
3.3% | |
3.3% | |
3.3% | |
3.2% | |
3.1% | |
2.9% | |
2.8% | |
2.3% | |
2.2% | |
2.1% |
...based on gameplay [7.39b]
Mars and Dark Willow make a strong combo. Mars’s Arena of Blood traps enemies, making it easy for Dark Willow to land Brambles and Terrorize. Her Cursed Crown adds extra stun lockdown during Mars’s initiation. Inside Arena, Willow’s Bedlam deals massive damage to trapped enemies. Together, they offer strong teamfight control, chain stuns, and burst damage.
Dark Willow and Tiny make a potent combo. Tiny’s Avalanche and Toss provide burst damage and control, setting up Dark Willow’s Cursed Crown and Brambles. If timed well, Willow can chain-disable enemies right after Tiny’s combo. During fights, Bedlam deals high damage while Tiny holds targets in place. Together, they offer strong pick-off potential, crowd control, and teamfight impact.
Dark Willow and Nature’s Prophet work well together. Nature’s Prophet can teleport in to follow up on Dark Willow’s disables like Cursed Crown and Brambles, ensuring enemies stay locked down. His Treants help body-block and zone enemies into Willow’s abilities. Dark Willow provides strong crowd control during Prophet’s global ganks, and her Terrorize can force enemies into poor positions, setting up Prophet’s sprout or right-click damage. Together, they excel at global pick-offs, crowd control, and split-push pressure.
Abaddon and Dark Willow make a solid support combo with strong sustain and control. Abaddon’s Aphotic Shield can remove stuns and save Dark Willow or allies during her setup. His Mist Coil provides healing or finishing damage while she disables with Cursed Crown and Brambles. Dark Willow offers crowd control and zoning during fights, complementing Abaddon’s ability to front-line and protect cores. Together, they provide teamfight utility, survivability, and reliable lane presence.
Earthshaker and Dark Willow form a powerful crowd control duo. Earthshaker’s Fissure sets up easy Brambles and Cursed Crown stuns from Willow. His Echo Slam synergizes well with Willow’s Terrorize and Bedlam, dealing massive damage to clustered enemies. Dark Willow zones and disables, while Earthshaker follows up with heavy AoE burst. Together, they excel at controlling teamfights, punishing grouped enemies, and locking down key targets.
Dark Willow and Winter Wyvern make a strong defensive and control-oriented support duo. Winter Wyvern’s Winter’s Curse locks down grouped enemies, letting Dark Willow follow up with Brambles or Terrorize for extended crowd control. Wyvern’s Cold Embrace can save allies while Willow zones enemies with Cursed Crown and Bedlam. Both heroes offer strong teamfight presence, lane control, and the ability to reset or punish overextensions. Together, they excel in drawn-out fights and protecting their cores.
Kunkka’s X Marks the Spot sets up easy Brambles and Cursed Crown stuns from Willow. His Torrent and Ghostship provide AoE control and damage, which synergize well with Willow’s Terrorize to scatter and isolate enemies. During fights, Willow’s Bedlam deals heavy damage while Kunkka controls the frontline.
Willow’s Cursed Crown and Brambles help lock down enemies, making it easier for Witch Doctor to land Paralyzing Cask and channel Death Ward safely. Her Terrorize can push enemies . Both heroes excel in chaotic teamfights, offering zoning, disables, and high magical damage over time.
Willow’s Cursed Crown and Brambles help set up Lina’s Light Strike Array for reliable chain stuns. After crowd control, Lina can burst enemies down with Dragon Slave and Laguna Blade, while Willow’s Bedlam adds strong follow-up damage. Terrorize can force enemies into bad positions, lining them up for Lina’s AoE spells
Night Stalker and Dark Willow make a strong combo, especially during nighttime. Night Stalker excels at diving the backline and silencing key targets, while Willow provides lockdown with Cursed Crown and Brambles to trap fleeing enemies. During Dark Ascension, Night Stalker gains flying vision, helping Willow land perfect Terrorize casts. Willow’s Bedlam also synergizes well with Night Stalker’s aggression, adding burst damage during chases. Together, they offer vision control, teamfight disruption, and high pick-off potential.
. Puck’s Dream Coil traps enemies, setting up Willow’s Cursed Crown and Brambles for extended disables. Puck’s Illusory Orb and Waning Rift provide damage and silence, allowing Willow to safely cast Terrorize and follow up with Bedlam. Their combined mobility and control make them deadly in skirmishes and teamfights, with strong pick-off potential and lockdown.
...core items [7.39b]
A core 
Boots of Speed upgrade which fixes your movement speed and HP sustain issues. Enables you to roam around the map quickly to set up plays with your AoE control and damage. Can be upgraded to 
Boots of Bearing later in the game.
A core item that to set up your Cursed Crown and Bramble Maze on an enemy hero. Also lets you dispel yourself and buy time when in trouble. Can be upgraded to 
Wind Waker later in the game.
A core item that lets you close the gap on enemy heroes with Bedlam for solo kill potential. Also provides the possibility to blink out during Shadow Realm if you are not taking damage over time.
A core item to improve lower the cooldown of Cursed Crown and have extra AoE control with Brambles around the enemy target when the spell triggers or is dispelled. Also lets you do more damage with Cursed Crown with the Shattering Crown facet.
A mobility item to close the gap on enemy heroes and lock them down with your disabling spells to follow up with your damage for kills. Also lets you push yourself or one of your allies away from trouble.
A core item that decreases the cooldown on your items and spells. Especially useful to have close to no down time on Shadow Realm and spam it with 
Aghanim's Scepter.
A late game pick up that gives you instant lockdown against elusive enemy heroes to follow up with your damage and control spells. Also increases your damage through stats and provides mana regen to spam spells.
Good against...
...based on stats [7.39b]
| Hero | Change in Win Rate ▼ |
|---|---|
9.0% | |
6.6% | |
6.0% | |
5.9% | |
5.8% | |
5.5% | |
4.8% | |
4.7% | |
4.6% | |
4.3% | |
4.1% | |
4.1% | |
4.1% | |
4.1% | |
4.1% |
...based on gameplay [7.39b]
Her disables like Cursed Crown and Brambles can interrupt Io’s Tether and Relocate, limiting his ability to save allies or escape. Terrorize forces Io and his linked partner apart, breaking positioning and disrupting healing or saves. Willow’s burst damage can quickly punish Io, who is relatively squishy. Overall, Dark Willow’s control and damage make it hard for Io to effectively protect or relocate teammates.
Her crowd control spells like Cursed Crown and Brambles can stun both Lone Druid and his Spirit Bear, disrupting their attacks. Terrorize forces Lone Druid and his bear apart, reducing their combined damage potential. Willow’s burst damage and Bedlam can quickly wear down Lone Druid and his summons. Overall, Dark Willow’s disables and AoE damage make it difficult for Lone Druid to sustain or fight effectively.
Her disables like Cursed Crown and Brambles can stop Enchantress’s harassment and slow down her creep control. Terrorize can force Enchantress to disengage or be caught out of position. Willow’s burst damage quickly punishes Enchantress’s relatively low durability.
Her Cursed Crown and Brambles can disrupt Marci’s aggressive engages and combos.
Terrorize forces Marci to reposition, reducing her effectiveness in close fights.
However, Marci’s mobility and durability make it challenging for Willow to lock her down fully. With good positioning, Willow can control and punish Marci’s aggression in fights.
Dark Willow is slightly favored against Dawnbreaker.
Her crowd control with Cursed Crown and Brambles can interrupt Dawnbreaker’s aggressive engages. Terrorize can force Dawnbreaker out of position, limiting her impact in fights. However, Dawnbreaker’s sustain and burst damage pose a threat if Willow is caught out. With careful play, Willow can control the fight and punish Dawnbreaker’s cooldowns.
Her disables like Cursed Crown and Brambles can interrupt Dark Seer’s Vacuum and Ion Shell setups. Terrorize can break enemy positioning, disrupting Dark Seer’s teamfight control.
Her Cursed Crown and Brambles can interrupt TA’s attacks and remove her refraction stacks. Terrorize forces TA out of position, making it harder for her to engage or escape. Willow’s burst damage can quickly break through TA’s defenses if timed well.
Her disables like Cursed Crown and Brambles can trap Weaver and stop his mobility.
Terrorize forces Weaver out of position, limiting his escape options.
Willow’s burst damage can quickly punish Weaver’s relatively low durability.
With good timing, Dark Willow can control and burst Weaver effectively.
Her disables like Cursed Crown and Brambles can trap Clinkz preventing his mobility and escape.Terrorize forces Clinkz out of position making it harder for him to hit and run.Willow’s burst damage can quickly kill Clinkz who is fragile without his ultimate.Good crowd control and timing let Willow control Clinkz’s aggression effectively.
Her disables like Cursed Crown and Brambles can lock down Lycan and his wolves. Terrorize forces Lycan out of position reducing his damage potential. Willow’s burst damage can quickly punish Lycan before he gets close. With good control and positioning Willow can dominate Lycan in fights.
Bad against...
...based on stats [7.39b]
| Hero | Change in Win Rate ▲ |
|---|---|
-6.8% | |
-5.6% | |
-5.4% | |
-4.9% | |
-4.1% | |
-3.8% | |
-3.5% | |
-2.8% | |
-2.6% | |
-2.6% | |
-2.5% | |
-2.4% | |
-2.3% | |
-2.1% | |
-2.1% |
...based on gameplay [7.39b]
Blade Fury makes him magic immune, allowing him to avoid Willow’s disables and burst damage. His Healing Ward provides sustain for himself and allies during fights, countering Willow’s poke. Juggernaut’s Omnislash can quickly burst Willow down if she gets caught out
Berserker’s Call forces Willow to attack him, disrupting her spellcasting. His Counter Helix punishes Willow’s close-range attacks and summons. Axe’s high durability and tankiness allow him to survive Willow’s burst damage. With Culling Blade, he can finish Willow off quickly if she gets low.
Duel locks Willow in place preventing her from escaping or casting spells freely.Legion’s high burst damage can quickly take down Willow during the duel.Willow’s disables are less effective when caught in Duel limiting her teamfight impact.Legion’s Press the Attack can also remove Dark Willow Brambles or Cursed Crown.
His multiple illusions can absorb Willow’s disables like Cursed Crown and Brambles making it harder to control him. Terrorize is less effective against illusions. Phantom Lancer’s mobility and dispersion allow him to evade Willow’s burst damage. With good positioning he can overwhelm Willow in fights.
Warlock’s Shadow Word provides sustain against Willow’s poke.His Chaotic Offering stuns and deals AoE damage disrupting Willow’s positioning.Warlock’s teamfight presence and healing give him an edge over Willow in prolonged fights.
His Reincarnation allows him to survive Willow’s burst damage. Wraith King’s passive lifesteal and stuns help him sustain and control fights. Willow’s disables are less effective against his durability and second life .In fights Wraith King can outlast Willow and punish her cooldowns.
His high magical damage and Diabolic Edict quickly burn Willow. Leshrac’s disables like Pulse Nova and Lightning Storm can disrupt Willow’s spells. His strong lane presence and push make it hard for Willow to control the game. Leshrac’s burst and sustain overpower Willow in fights.
Puck’s Illusory Orb and Waning Rift silence and damage Willow, preventing her from casting spells. Puck’s high mobility and Dream Coil control limit Willow’s movement and escape. Puck can outmaneuver and burst Willow down effectively.
Her high burst damage and mobility allow her to quickly kill Willow before she can react.QoP’s Blink helps her dodge Willow’s disables and reposition in fights.Her Scream of Pain and Shadow Strike pressure Willow in lane and teamfights.
His Echo Stomp can stun Willow, preventing her from casting spells.
Natural Order reduces Willow’s armor and magic resistance, increasing damage taken.
Elder Titan’s Astral Spirit provides vision and damage to pressure Willow.
His teamfight presence disrupts Willow’s control and burst potential.
...counter items [7.39b]
Helps you sustain HP and mana as Dark Willow frequently uses her spells to harass, set up kills, and secure last hits.
Gives you HP sustain to stay in the lane and not get zoned by Dark Willow's high damage spells.
Lets you absorb a massive instance of damage from the Shadow Realm hit.
Gives you magic resistance to significantly reduce the damage taken from Dark Willow's magic heavy toolkit.
Lets you dispel Bramble Maze and Cursed Crown before it triggers. Also lets you reflect Cursed Crown back on Dark Willow.
Gives you and your team magic resistance and barrier to significantly reduce the damage taken from Dark Willow's magic heavy toolkit.
Gives you magic resistance to significantly reduce the damage taken from Dark Willow's magic heavy toolkit.
Lets you counter Dark Willow's Aghanim's Scepter by reflecting her high damage and possibly kill her if she does not stop attacking you.
Gives you debuff immunity and magic resistance to not get caught by Dark Willow's lockdown and reduce the damage taken from her magic heavy toolkit.
Reduces the duration of Dark Willow's lockdown with status resistance.
Lets you dispel Bramble Maze and Cursed Crown before it triggers. The illusions also help you tank Bramble Maze as you run through it.
Gives you magic resistance and barrier to significantly reduce the damage taken from Dark Willow's magic heavy toolkit as well as save yourself or an ally caught by her lockdown.
Gives you a repositioning tool to push yourself or an ally to safety when caught by Dark Willow's lockdown spells.
Lets you dispel Bramble Maze and Cursed Crown before it triggers. Can also be used to dodge the Terrorize fear and some of the Bedlam damage.
Lets you counter Dark Willow's Aghanim's Scepter by dodging some of her attacks with evasion.
Lets you dispel Bramble Maze and Cursed Crown before it triggers. Also helps you survive through Dark Willow's burst damage by lifestealing off your attacks.
Bad with...
...based on stats [7.39b]
| Hero | Change in Win Rate ▲ |
|---|---|
-6.2% | |
-6.1% | |
-5.3% | |
-5.2% | |
-5.0% | |
-4.7% | |
-4.5% | |
-4.5% | |
-4.0% | |
-3.9% | |
-3.5% | |
-3.5% | |
-3.4% | |
-3.3% | |
-2.8% |
