Lion counter and synergy picks
Pick Lion with Wraith King to increase win-rate from 49.5% to 57.1% or against Chen to increase win-rate to 55.8% in Patch 7.38c.
Good with...
...based on stats [7.38c]
| Hero | Change in Win Rate ▼ |
|---|---|
7.6% | |
3.9% | |
3.8% | |
3.7% | |
3.6% | |
3.4% | |
3.0% | |
2.9% | |
2.8% | |
2.6% | |
2.5% | |
2.3% | |
2.2% | |
2.1% | |
2.0% |
...based on gameplay [up-to-date]
Soul Bind allows Hex, Finger of Death and Mana Drain to affect 2 targets simultaneously. Phantom's Ebrace pairs well with Earth Spike and Hex as it prevents targets from attacking the phantom and removing it.
Leshrac's abilty to turn mana into damage at a whim makes him one if the best targets for Mana Drain as it keeps him active on the map so he can keep fighting and farming. Earth Spike is great at setting up Split Earth.
Zeus' abilty to turn mana into damage at a whim makes him one if the best targets for Mana Drain as it keeps him active on the map so he can keep fighting and farming. Earth Spike and Hex are amazing at locking targets down within Nimbus (Aghanim's Scepter upgrade) or for Zeus to get multiple volleys of his spells of.
Mana Shield is most of Medusa's effective HP, turning Mana Drain into essentially a strong 'heal' for her. Earth Spike and Hex are great at locking targets down for Medusa to follow-up with Gorgon's Grasp and Split Shot.
Storm's abilty to turn mana into damage at a whim makes him one if the best targets for Mana Drain as it keeps him active on the map so he can keep fighting and farming. Earth Spike and Hex are amazing at locking targets for Storm to follow up with Ball Lightning into Electric Vortex or vice versa
...counter items [up-to-date]
A core Boots upgrade that provides HP sustain to keep you active on the map and high movement speed to get in range for your lockdown and damage spells.
A core item that allows you to initiate fights by Blinking in and locking down enemy heroes with your disables. You can follow up with Finger of Death to secure kills.
A core item to drain the mana of multiple units and gain debuff immunity while channeling Mana Drain in fights to avoid most disables. Works well to instantly clear multiple illusions.
A core mobility item to close the gap on enemy heroes and lock them down. Also lets you push yourself or one of your allies away from trouble.
A core item to lock down enemy heroes from a distance as well as improving the cast range on your Finger of Death.
A late game pick up to apply Finger of Death in an area for massive burst damage in teamfights. Also lets you instantly clear entire creep waves.
A core item that maintains your pickoff and teamfight potential on the map more often by reducing the cooldown of your spells and items.
Good against...
...based on stats [7.38c]
| Hero | Change in Win Rate ▼ |
|---|---|
6.3% | |
5.4% | |
4.7% | |
4.6% | |
4.4% | |
4.4% | |
4.4% | |
4.3% | |
4.1% | |
4.1% | |
3.9% | |
3.8% | |
3.7% | |
3.6% | |
3.1% |
...based on gameplay [up-to-date]
Mana Drain provides a low cooldown hard counter for Mirror Image Illusions as it destroys them instantly, crippling Naga's ability to do significant damage, splitpush lanes and flash farm, which can further be upgraded with Aghanim's Shard. Earth Spike provides AOE control against Naga's Illusions and Finger of Death is effective against her high armor. Hex also destroys Illusions.
Mana Drain provides a low cooldown hard counter for Conjure Image Illusions as it destroys them instantly, crippling TB's damage output and ability splitpush lanes and flash farm, which can further be upgraded with Aghanim's Shard. Earth Spike and Hex provide long duration stuns to prevent TB from Sundering and Finger of Death is effective against his high armor. Hex also destroys Illusions.
Earth Spike can be timed and positioned to instantly stun any targets that are exiting Snowball in order to prevent any Snowball saves or initiations. Hex's instant cast additionally allows to control any targets upon exiting Snowball.
Earth Spike and Hex provide reliable lockdown to prevent Morph from healing up with Attribute Shift(STR) and dishing out immense damage with his rightclicks. Hex silences, preventing Morphling from Attribute Shifting during it even with Aghanim's Shard. Mana Drain is key against Morph as he is struggles greatly without Mana and Finger of Death is effective at bypassing his high armor.
Hex provides instant lockdown for an elusive Puck that can further be followed up with Earth Spike. Earth Spike can be timed and pre-casted under Phase Shift or Ethereal Jaunt in hopes of stunning Puck upon exiting them.
Bad against...
...based on stats [7.38c]
| Hero | Change in Win Rate ▲ |
|---|---|
-8.3% | |
-4.6% | |
-3.5% | |
-3.4% | |
-3.3% | |
-3.2% | |
-2.9% | |
-2.9% | |
-2.8% | |
-2.7% | |
-2.7% | |
-2.4% | |
-2.3% | |
-2.3% | |
-2.3% |
...based on gameplay [up-to-date]
Blubber can dispel both Earth Spike and Hex without a cooldown essentially, as long as Tide is taking sufficient damage and can survie it. This makes Tide impossible to initiate on without a Break as upon dispelling the crowd control with Blubber he can instantly "turn the tide" with Ravage.
Shadow Step allows Spectre to consistently get on top of Lion and dirsupt him from efficiently using his Earth Spike and Hex. Spectral Dagger allows Spectre to track him down even in Glimmer Cape and Dispersion makes it hard for Lion to fight back with Finger of Death.
Rubick takes Lion's kit and turns it against him and his team, but better. Spell Steal increases the duration of both Earth Spike and Hex, while Arcane Supremacy increases the damage of Earth Spike and Finger of Death. Might and Magus provides additional Magic Resistance to Rubick making him suprisingly tanky versus Lion's exclusive magic damage kit.
Gravekeeper's Cloak makes it hard for Lion to burst down Visage with Finger of Death. Visage tends to pressure towers early with his Familiars, which Lion struggles with due to his lack of strong wave clear. Most importantly, Visage can just go "Sic 'em, boys!" and unleash his Familiars on Lion as he lacks the innate damage block to mitigate their high frequency of attacks as he a ranged hero.
Rage prevents Lion from controlling Lifestealer with Earth Spike or Hex, while mitigating most of his damage. Infest can be used to save an ally from being bursted by Finger of Death or to heal back Lifestealer up and reset his resources to keep fighting.
...counter items [up-to-date]
Helps you sustain HP and mana as Lion frequently uses his spells to harass and set up kills.
Lets you counter Mana Drain and have a tool to instantly gain mana to cast your spells when needed.
Gives you HP sustain to stay in the lane and not get zoned by Lion's damage from spells and right clicks.
Lets you absorb a massive instance of damage from Earth Spike and Finger of Death.
Lets you counter Mana Drain and have a tool to instantly gain mana to cast your spells when needed.
Gives you magic resistance to significantly reduce the damage taken from Lion's magic heavy toolkit.
Lets you counter Mana Drain and have a tool to instantly gain mana to cast your spells when needed.
Lets you reflect all four single target Lion spells and disrupt his initiation. Can possibly let you kill Lion by reflecting Finger of Death or Hex.
Gives you and your team magic resistance and barrier to significantly reduce the damage taken from Lion's magic heavy toolkit.
Gives you magic resistance to significantly reduce the damage taken from Lion's magic heavy toolkit.
Gives you debuff immunity and magic resistance to avoid the Lion's lockdown as well as reduce the damage taken from his magic heavy toolkit.
Reduces the duration of Lion's lockdown with status resistance.
Gives you magic resistance and barrier to significantly reduce the damage taken from Lion's magic heavy toolkit as well as save yourself or an ally caught by his lockdown.
Lets you block one of Lion's lockdown spells to give you time to react. Can also let you block a massive chunk of damage from Finger of Death.
Lets you survive and never get bursted by Finger of Death or under Lion's lockdown spells.
Bad with...
...based on stats [7.38c]
| Hero | Change in Win Rate ▲ |
|---|---|
-6.4% | |
-5.8% | |
-5.0% | |
-4.6% | |
-4.3% | |
-4.3% | |
-4.0% | |
-3.9% | |
-3.7% | |
-3.6% | |
-3.4% | |
-3.1% | |
-3.1% | |
-3.1% | |
-3.0% |
