Dota 2: Best Puck Counters

Alright guys, let's talk about Puck in Dota 2. This elusive fae can be a real menace if you don't know how to deal with it. Puck excels at dodging spells, initiating fights with Dream Coil, and dishing out a surprising amount of magic damage. If you're finding yourself constantly getting phased out and Coil-ed, then this article is for you! We're going to dive deep into the best Puck counters in Dota 2, covering heroes, items, and general strategies to make Puck's life a living heck. Get ready to turn the tables on this slippery spellcaster!

Understanding Puck's Strengths and Weaknesses

Before we start naming names of heroes that can shut down Puck, it's crucial to understand why Puck is so annoying in the first place. Puck's main strength lies in its mobility and spell immunity. With Phase Shift, it can dodge nearly any targeted spell, making it incredibly difficult to lock down. Add to that Illusory Orb for escape or initiation, and Waning Rift for a quick silence and damage burst, and you've got a hero that's hard to catch and hard to kill. Then, of course, there's the infamous Dream Coil, which can completely control teamfights, stunning enemies caught in its radius. Puck also scales incredibly well into the late game with magic amplification.

However, every hero has a kryptonite, and Puck is no different. Its weaknesses often stem from its reliance on spells. If you can disrupt Puck's spellcasting, you're halfway to winning the engagement. Puck is relatively squishy without its abilities active, and it doesn't have the highest base armor. Furthermore, its effectiveness is heavily dependent on mana and cooldowns. If Puck runs out of mana or its key spells are on cooldown, it becomes significantly more vulnerable. Understanding these points will help you pick the right heroes and items to exploit these openings. We're talking about heroes that can silence, break spell immunity, deal high single-target damage, or provide global presence to counter Puck's map control. So, let's get into the nitty-gritty of who and what can make Puck regret picking a fight.

Top Hero Counters for Puck

When it comes to directly shutting down Puck, certain heroes just perform better than others. These guys have abilities that specifically negate or punish Puck's core mechanics. Let's break down some of the absolute best Puck counters you can pick in your Dota 2 matches.

Silencer

This dude is arguably Puck's worst nightmare. Silencer's Global Silence is devastating against a Puck that relies heavily on its spells. Imagine Puck trying to initiate with a Dream Coil, only to be met with a global silence that prevents it from casting anything for a significant duration. Even if Global Silence isn't ready, Silencer's Arcane Curse can punish Puck for casting spells, and Last Word can prevent Puck from using key abilities like Phase Shift or Dream Coil at crucial moments. The constant mana drain from his intelligence steal also makes it harder for Puck to sustain its spell usage. A well-timed Arcane Curse can make Puck so afraid to cast spells that it becomes useless. Silencer’s ability to interrupt channels and silence is just brutal. He forces Puck to play a completely different, much less effective, game. Think about it: Puck's entire game plan revolves around casting spells. Silencer removes that option entirely. Even if Puck phaseshift to dodge an attack, the curse keeps ticking, and eventually, the silence comes. It’s a constant pressure that Puck players absolutely hate dealing with. Furthermore, Silencer's Aghanim's Scepter upgrade can even steal an additional charge of an ability when an enemy hero dies within its ultimate's area of effect, making him even more potent in teamfights against spell-heavy lineups.

Doom

Another hero that Puck absolutely hates facing is Doom. His ultimate, Doom, is a single-target disable that not only prevents the enemy from casting spells but also makes them unable to use items and drains their health. Against a Puck, this is game-ending. If Doom manages to land his ultimate on Puck, Puck can't Phase Shift, can't use Illusory Orb to escape, and certainly can't cast Dream Coil. It’s an instant shutdown. Even before the ultimate, Doom's Devour can give him useful creep abilities, and Infernal Blade provides a nice damage boost and a mini-stun to disrupt Puck's movements. The sheer power of being able to negate an entire hero's kit with one spell makes Doom an incredibly strong counter. Puck relies on its agility and spellcasting to survive and control fights; Doom just rips that away. The constant damage from the Doom debuff also wears down Puck, which is relatively fragile. This makes Doom a fantastic pick if you want to ensure a specific enemy hero, like Puck, does not get to play the game. The threat alone forces Puck players to play far more cautiously and position themselves much better, which often means they are not contributing as much to the early or mid-game. His ability to farm jungle creeps for valuable buffs also makes him a strong hero throughout the game, ensuring he can remain relevant even if the initial laning stage doesn't go perfectly. The key is to get that ultimate off before Puck can react with Phase Shift, which is entirely possible with good positioning and maybe a bit of setup from allies.

Disruptor

Disruptor is a fantastic choice for countering Puck's mobility and engagement. His Glimpse ability can pull Puck back to where it was a few seconds ago, effectively undoing its escape or initiation attempts. If Puck uses Illusory Orb to jump in, Glimpse can send it right back into danger. Kinetic Field provides a physical barrier that can trap Puck and its allies, preventing escapes or further engagement. The real showstopper, however, is Static Storm. This area-of-effect spell silences enemies within its radius and deals damage over time. If Puck gets caught in a Static Storm, it can't use any of its spells, rendering it vulnerable to follow-up attacks. The combination of Glimpse and Static Storm makes it incredibly hard for Puck to function. Imagine Puck trying to coil, but gets Glimpsed back out of position, and then caught in a Static Storm. It's a recipe for disaster for the Puck player. Disruptor offers a unique way to deal with Puck's high mobility and evasiveness. While other heroes might silence or stun, Disruptor can displace Puck, disrupting its entire flow of engagement and escape. His Kinetic Field acts as a great zoning tool, preventing Puck from easily diving your backline or escaping after a failed initiation. When you combine this with the AoE silence from Static Storm, Puck is essentially neutralized. The synergy between his abilities is what makes him such a potent counter. You can use Glimpse to reposition a Puck that has overextended, or to bring it back into the fight where your team can focus it down. The fact that Static Storm also deals damage means it’s not just a utility spell; it contributes to Puck's demise. This hero requires good timing and positioning, but when executed correctly, Disruptor can single-handedly dismantle a Puck's threat.

Nyx Assassin

For those who love to punish spellcasters, Nyx Assassin is a prime candidate. His Impale provides a stun and mana burn, which is painful for mana-reliant heroes like Puck. More importantly, his Spiked Carapace can reflect spells back at the caster. If Puck initiates with a spell like Illusory Orb or Waning Rift, and Nyx Assassin pops Spiked Carapace at the right moment, Puck will stun itself and take damage. This is incredibly disruptive to Puck's aggressive playstyle. Furthermore, Vendetta provides invisibility and bonus damage, allowing Nyx Assassin to scout and initiate on Puck. The mana burn from Impale is also a significant deterrent, making Puck think twice about spamming spells. The surprise element and the ability to punish Puck's own spells make Nyx Assassin a very strong counter. Puck players are always looking for opportunities to engage, and Nyx Assassin thrives on punishing such predictable aggression. Imagine Puck diving in, only to be met by a Spiked Carapace that stuns and damages them, followed by an Impale. It’s a nightmare scenario for Puck. The mana burn is a subtle but powerful tool; it prevents Puck from having the resources to use its escape spells or to re-engage. This forces Puck to play defensively or risk running out of mana entirely. The invisibility from Vendetta allows Nyx Assassin to get into the perfect position to intercept Puck's aggression, making it a high-risk, high-reward play that can pay off handsomely. The ability to deal burst damage while simultaneously disrupting Puck's spellcasting makes Nyx Assassin a unique and effective counter. His intelligence gain also makes him a formidable opponent in terms of raw spellcasting power, often out-scaling Puck in the late game if he focuses on the right items.

Other Notable Mentions

• Outworld Destroyer: His Astral Imprisonment can save allies from Dream Coil or isolate Puck. His Essence Flux and high intelligence gain make him a mana-fighting powerhouse, and his Sanity's Eclipse can deal massive damage to low-intelligence heroes like Puck.
• Skywrath Mage: High burst magic damage and a silence make him dangerous. His Ancient Seal prevents Puck from casting spells, and his ultimate, Concussive Shot, can deal huge damage.
• Lion: Reliable stuns and a silence. Hex and Earth Spike can lock down Puck, and Mana Drain can be used to sap Puck's mana pool.

Item Counters for Puck

Sometimes, you can't pick the perfect hero, but you can still build items to counter Puck effectively. These items can save you from Dream Coil, negate its magic damage, or help you catch it.

Black King Bar (BKB)

This is the go-to item for almost any core hero against a Puck. Black King Bar grants spell immunity for its duration. This means Puck's Phase Shift can't dodge your attacks, and its Dream Coil won't affect you. Popping BKB at the right time can completely negate Puck's initiation and damage output. It's essential for heroes who need to deal physical damage or escape Puck's control. Having a BKB means Puck can't just sit back and QWER its way to victory against you. You become a threat that it has to deal with, and it can't rely on its usual tricks. The timing is everything, though; using it too early means it runs out before Puck uses its big spells, and using it too late means you're already caught in the Coil or have taken too much damage. For heroes like Anti-Mage, Phantom Assassin, or Sven, a BKB is not just an item; it's a lifeline against Puck. It allows them to engage on Puck directly without fear of being instantly disabled or phased out. It turns the tide of a fight from Puck's favor to yours. The active nature of BKB means you are in control, rather than being a victim of Puck's spellcasting. It's the ultimate 'I'm not letting you play the game' button for physical damage dealers. Even support heroes that can afford it can use it to get off crucial spells or escape.

Ethereal Blade

This item is fantastic for magical damage dealers who want to lock down Puck. Ethereal Blade can cast Ethereal Jaunt on an enemy, making them ethereal. While ethereal, they take increased magic damage and cannot be targeted by physical attacks. This is perfect for punishing a Puck that just jumped in. If Puck is ethereal, it takes double magic damage from your spells and attacks, and it can't use Phase Shift to dodge. It also prevents allies from targeting Puck with physical damage, forcing them to rely on magic. For heroes like Storm Spirit, Invoker, or Zeus, this is a massive power spike. It allows you to essentially one-shot a Puck if you have enough damage output. The interaction is simple: Puck dives in, you cast Ethereal Jaunt, then unload your magic spells. It turns Puck from a slippery menace into a sitting duck that amplifies the magic damage it takes. It’s a high-risk, high-reward play because if Puck survives the initial burst, it can potentially turn on you. However, the sheer damage amplification makes it worth the risk. It's also a great way to secure kills on Puck that might otherwise escape. The active ability, combined with your own hero's spells, creates a synergy that can be devastating. It’s the ultimate tool for magic-focused heroes looking to specifically counter Puck’s magic immunity and evasiveness. The mana cost is also relatively low, making it spammable in longer engagements. The proactive nature of Ethereal Jaunt means you can even use it to initiate on Puck yourself or save an ally from Puck's combo. It’s a versatile item that offers both offensive and defensive capabilities in the right hands.

Orchid Malevolence / Bloodthorn

These items are excellent for disrupting Puck's spellcasting. Orchid Malevolence and its upgrade, Bloodthorn, apply a silence and a debuff that increases magic damage taken by the target. This is incredibly effective against Puck. The silence prevents Puck from using its spells, and the bonus magic damage amplification makes it vulnerable to your team's magic damage. Bloodthorn even adds a critical strike chance for attack damage, making it a versatile item. If Puck can't cast spells, it can't Phase Shift, it can't Illusory Orb, and it certainly can't Dream Coil. This forces Puck into a vulnerable state where it can be easily focused down. For heroes like Queen of Pain, Storm Spirit, or any agility carry that can afford it, this is a must-have item against Puck. It provides a direct answer to Puck's spell reliance. The ability to silence an enemy for a prolonged period is always powerful, but against a hero like Puck, it’s absolutely critical. It stops Puck's momentum dead in its tracks and allows your team to capitalize. Bloodthorn's additional benefits, such as the attack speed and the auto-proc silence, make it even more potent. The key is to catch Puck out of position or during its engagement, and then unleash the Orchid/Bloodthorn silence. This item punishes Puck players who are too aggressive or who misposition themselves. It’s a proactive item that allows you to control the engagement and dictate the terms of the fight. The intelligence steal from Orchid also helps mana-dependent heroes, which can be beneficial in lane or during prolonged fights. It's a staple item for many mid-lane heroes and can be surprisingly effective on certain carries as well. The sheer power of a guaranteed silence against a spell-dependent hero cannot be overstated.

Linken's Sphere

If you're playing a hero that needs to be protected from single-target spells, Linken's Sphere is a great option. It blocks the next targeted enemy spell. This means Puck's Illusory Orb or a targeted stun from an ally won't hit you. While it doesn't stop Dream Coil (which is an AoE spell), it can prevent Puck from initiating on you with its Orb or using other targeted spells. It's particularly good on heroes that are vulnerable to Puck's initial engagement or need to be positioned aggressively without being instantly locked down. For example, a core hero who needs to be in the front lines but is susceptible to being focused by Puck. The ability to negate one spell gives you breathing room to react or for your team to provide support. It's a defensive item that allows you to dictate engagements rather than being dictated by Puck's initiation. While not as flashy as BKB, Linken's Sphere provides a consistent defensive buff against targeted abilities. It's a strategic pick that allows you to counter specific threats without compromising your overall build too much. The mana regeneration it provides is also a nice bonus. It allows you to sustain your own spell usage while being protected from Puck's direct magical assaults. This is especially useful for heroes who might not have escape mechanisms themselves and rely on their team to peel for them. Linken's Sphere gives them a degree of self-sufficiency against targeted spells.

Aeon Disk

This item is a lifesaver against burst damage and stuns, which Puck often dishes out. Aeon Disk activates a shield when your health drops below a certain threshold. This shield absorbs damage and makes you invulnerable for a short duration, crucially interrupting any stuns or follow-up damage from Puck. It can save you from a nasty Dream Coil into Waning Rift combo. It gives you a chance to survive and potentially escape or fight back. Aeon Disk is especially valuable for supports or squishy cores who are often the primary targets for Puck's aggressive plays. It buys precious seconds, which can be the difference between life and death. The shield's damage absorption and invulnerability period are critical for surviving Puck's burst combos. It allows you to reset the fight or create an opportunity for your team to turn the tables. For supports who often lack escape mechanisms, this item can be a game-changer, allowing them to survive dives and continue providing crucial utility. The health and mana regeneration it provides also contributes to overall survivability and sustain. It's a proactive defensive item that rewards players for staying alive and disrupting the enemy's ability to burst them down. Puck players often rely on quick, decisive kills, and Aeon Disk directly counters that strategy by providing a sudden surge of survivability.

General Strategies to Counter Puck

Beyond specific heroes and items, there are general strategies you can employ to make Puck's life difficult.

Vision and Map Control

Puck thrives on surprise and mobility. Warding effectively to provide vision around common ganking paths and Roshan can help you spot Puck rotations early. If you see Puck moving towards your lane, you can prepare to back off or set up a gank of your own. Sentries are crucial for revealing Puck's allies who might be trying to set up a kill, and also for countering Puck's potential Blink Dagger usage if it’s used to initiate from fog. Denying Puck vision and controlling the map puts it on the defensive. If Puck can't find isolated targets or safe places to farm, its impact is severely diminished. Think about aggressive warding in the enemy jungle or placing observer wards in common Puck hiding spots. This proactive approach allows you to dictate the pace of the game and avoid unfavorable engagements. Information is power, and when it comes to Puck, knowing where it is (or isn't) is half the battle. Even a simple observer ward can reveal a gank attempt before it even begins, saving your team precious resources and potentially turning a losing situation into a favorable one. Furthermore, controlling the runes and objectives can limit Puck's movement options and force it into predictable paths, making it easier to intercept.

Itemization Against Magic Damage

Since Puck is a magic damage dealer, building items that provide magic resistance or spell absorption is key. Besides Linken's Sphere and Aeon Disk, consider Glimmer Cape for supports or cores needing a quick escape, or Pipe of Insight for the team if you're facing a heavy magic damage lineup. Even a simple Cloak early on can make a difference in the laning stage. These items reduce the effectiveness of Puck's burst and sustained magic damage, allowing your team to survive its combos and potentially turn fights. Prioritizing magic resistance means Puck has to commit more resources or more spells to take down targets, which can drain its mana and cooldowns faster. A well-timed Glimmer Cape can save an ally from a fatal combo, or even allow them to reposition and counter-initiate. Pipe of Insight is a team-wide buff that significantly reduces the impact of magic damage, making Puck's ultimate much less threatening. Even components like Cloak can provide a noticeable defensive advantage in the early game, forcing Puck to focus on other targets or spend more time farming. This strategic itemization ensures that Puck's primary damage source becomes less effective, forcing it to adapt its playstyle or find alternative ways to secure kills, which it often struggles to do.

Punish Overextensions and Bad Engagements

Puck relies on finding opportune moments to strike. If a Puck player overextends in lane, gets caught out of position, or initiates a fight when your team is stronger or better positioned, punish them hard. Coordinate with your team to focus fire on Puck when it's vulnerable. Don't let it use Phase Shift to escape easily; use stuns and slows to lock it down. If Puck initiates a Dream Coil and your team is spread out, focus the Puck itself if possible, or try to bait out its Phase Shift before committing your disables. Reacting quickly and decisively to Puck's mistakes is crucial. This means communication with your team. Ping targets, call out when Puck is isolated, and coordinate your disables. Puck players are often confident and can be punished for being overly aggressive. If Puck dives your backline without support, it's often a death sentence. Learning to recognize these situations and capitalize on them is key to shutting down Puck effectively. The more Puck players are punished for their aggressive plays, the more hesitant they will become, leading to a less impactful Puck overall. It's about creating a snowball effect where Puck's mistakes lead to its demise, rather than allowing it to recover and continue its harassment. This also involves understanding the cooldowns of Puck’s abilities. If you know its Phase Shift is on cooldown, it’s a prime opportunity to engage. If its Illusory Orb is on cooldown, it has limited escape options. Your team’s objective should be to identify and exploit these windows of vulnerability. Sometimes, the best counter is simply patience, waiting for Puck to make a mistake, and then capitalizing ruthlessly.

Conclusion

Puck is a formidable hero in Dota 2, but by understanding its strengths and weaknesses, picking the right heroes and items, and employing smart strategies, you can effectively counter it. Heroes like Silencer, Doom, Disruptor, and Nyx Assassin offer direct counters, while items like BKB, Ethereal Blade, and Orchid Malevolence provide crucial tools for survival and control. Remember, countering Puck is all about disrupting its spellcasting, negating its mobility, and punishing its aggression. So next time you see a Puck on the enemy team, don't despair! You now have the knowledge to turn that fae menace into a sitting duck. Go forth and dominate!