Abaddon is a melee hero who protects his allies and can withstand long fights. He can remove some negative effects from himself or an ally, and his ultimate turns incoming damage into healing. In this article, we’ll look at which heroes work well against Abaddon in each role, which items can help your team, and how to play against him at different stages of the match.

Hero Features

Abaddon helps his allies with Mist Coil and Aphotic Shield. The first ability heals an ally or damages an enemy, while the shield absorbs damage and removes many negative effects from its target. Borrowed Time triggers automatically when his health is low, as long as the ability isn’t on cooldown: incoming damage starts healing the hero. Abaddon can also activate his ultimate manually.

The hero is especially useful in long fights: he saves allies, removes some forms of control, and forces enemies to spend time trying to kill him. However, Abaddon has few ways to quickly close the distance, and he has no reliable stun of his own. Healing reduction, abilities with Break, and control that prevents him from activating Borrowed Time in time are effective against him.

Best Heroes Against Abaddon

Abaddon is most often picked in position 5—as a hard support—or position 4—as a support. Sometimes he plays as a carry or offlaner. The counterpick depends on which role the opposing team’s Abaddon is playing. Below are two options for each position.

Carry

  • Anti-Mage quickly closes in on Abaddon with Blink and burns his mana with attacks. Without mana, it’s harder for Abaddon to use Mist Coil and Aphotic Shield frequently.
  • Slark excels in long fights, and Pounce helps keep Abaddon from getting away. Dark Pact removes some of the effects the enemy uses to stop Slark.

Mid

  • Viper slows Abaddon and deals damage from a distance. Viper Strike, upgraded by Aghanim’s Scepter, applies Break, temporarily disabling passive abilities.
  • Outworld Destroyer can remove Abaddon or an ally from the fight with Astral Imprisonment. This can buy time until Borrowed Time ends or prevent Abaddon from protecting a target in time.

Offlaner

  • Doom uses Doom to prevent Abaddon from casting abilities, including manually activating Borrowed Time. It’s easier for the team to focus their damage on him while he can’t defend himself.
  • Primal Beast quickly initiates fights and holds a target in place with Onslaught and Pulverize. This control helps the team prevent Abaddon from turning the fight in his favor.

Support

  • Shadow Demon saves an ally from being focused with Disruption. Demonic Purge slows Abaddon, and its Aghanim’s Scepter upgrade applies Break.
  • Hoodwink can immobilize Abaddon with Bushwhack and keep him at a distance. Acorn Shot can cancel Blink Dagger if the hero is preparing to initiate unexpectedly.

Hard Support

  • Ancient Apparition prevents health restoration with Ice Blast. This stops Abaddon from healing through Mist Coil and Borrowed Time, and the shield does not remove the ultimate’s effect.
  • Oracle removes positive effects from enemies with Fortune’s End and can save an ally from being chased. Be careful not to heal Abaddon while Borrowed Time is active: healing will make him even harder to kill.

What to Buy Against Abaddon

  • Spirit Vessel reduces health restoration and helps the team deal with Abaddon faster.
  • Silver Edge applies Break and temporarily disables the hero’s passive abilities.
  • Eye of Skadi reduces healing and health restoration from attacks.
  • Nullifier removes many positive effects from its target, including Aphotic Shield.
  • Scythe of Vyse provides reliable control and prevents Abaddon from using abilities while Hex is active.
  • Orchid Malevolence or Bloodthorn apply silence, preventing Abaddon from manually using abilities.

How to Play Against Abaddon at Different Stages

Laning

Don’t use all your abilities on Aphotic Shield right away: the shield absorbs damage and removes a number of negative effects from its target. Wait for Abaddon to use it, then take advantage of the pause to attack. Keep an eye on his mana and consumables: using abilities frequently is expensive for him.

Midgame

Don’t start a fight by trying to kill Abaddon quickly. Make him activate Borrowed Time, then retreat for a few seconds or switch your focus to his allies. Once the ultimate ends, use control and healing reduction to prevent the hero from restoring his health.

Late Game

Before an important fight, find out whether Borrowed Time is ready. Don’t direct all your damage at Abaddon while his ultimate is active. If he’s protecting the carry, you can attack other enemies first and then turn your attention back to him. Save Break and silence for when Abaddon tries to activate his abilities manually.