Warlock Counters & Build

Tidehunter 1,011 matches

−2.0%

WhyTidehunter clearly loses the lane to Warlock's ranged harass and Fatal Bonds, but he secures the advantage in later teamfights. Anchor Smash and Kraken Shell effectively neutralize the physical attack threat of Chaotic Offering Golems, while Ravage provides massive area-of-effect initiation that easily cancels Upheaval channels.

Sven 1,239 matches

−1.8%

WhyWhile the laning stage is roughly even, Sven gains the upper hand in teamfights where God's Strength provides slow resistance and Warcry adds movement speed to push through Warlock's Upheaval. Furthermore, Sven's high-damage Great Cleave easily tears through summoned Golems and eliminates Eldritch Summoning minor imps without allowing them to explode upon death.

Slardar 1,073 matches

−1.2%

WhySlardar clearly loses the lane to Warlock, but his advantage emerges later in the game. With Guardian Sprint, Slardar can rapidly close the distance to disrupt Warlock's channeled Upheaval using Slithereen Crush and Bash of the Deep. Additionally, Corrosive Haze drastically cuts armor to amplify physical damage, allowing Slardar to swiftly eliminate Warlock and melt his Chaotic Offering Golems, which only resist spell damage.

Shadow Fiend 3,020 matches

−1.1%

WhyShadow Fiend wins the lane heavily, establishing an early advantage by punishing Warlock's lack of mobility with stacking Shadowraze damage. Warlock is especially vulnerable while channeling Upheaval, making him an easy stationary target for Shadowraze combos and Requiem of Souls. Furthermore, Shadow Fiend's area damage safely clears Eldritch Summoning imps, preventing their explosion damage since they are killed directly by a hero.

Wraith King 1,244 matches

+3.2%

WhyWarlock takes an early lead in lane by punishing the melee Wraith King with Fatal Bonds and Shadow Word. In teamfights, Wraith King's Reincarnation makes him highly vulnerable to being immediately locked down upon reviving by Chaotic Offering's stun and the massive slow from Upheaval. Furthermore, any skeletons summoned by Wraith King's Bone Guard can trigger Eldritch Summoning upon death and amplify Fatal Bonds damage back onto him.

Phantom Lancer 1,032 matches

+2.6%

WhyWhile the laning stage is roughly even, Warlock punishes Phantom Lancer in mid-to-late game teamfights by casting Fatal Bonds across his clustered illusions, which rapidly amplifies damage dealt back to the real hero. Additionally, as fragile Juxtapose and Doppelganger illusions expire or die under area damage, Eldritch Summoning triggers repeatedly to spawn waves of exploding minor imps that automatically seek out the real Phantom Lancer.

Hoodwink 1,612 matches

+1.3%

WhyThe lane is roughly even, but Warlock gains an advantage in teamfights where his abilities counter Hoodwink's positioning and mechanics. Chaotic Offering destroys trees in its area of effect upon impact, which can free allies caught by Bushwhack and strip away trees needed for Mistwoods Wayfarer. Furthermore, Fatal Bonds and Upheaval's heavy area slow severely punish Hoodwink's positioning and low durability in grouped engagements.

Ogre Magi 1,819 matches

+1.1%

WhyWarlock gains an early advantage in lane by leveraging his ranged attacks and using Fatal Bonds with Eldritch Summoning to heavily punish the melee Ogre Magi whenever creeps die around him. In teamfights, Chaotic Offering's Golem has natural spell damage reduction and slow resistance, making it highly resilient against Ogre Magi's magic nukes and Ignite slows.