Ancient Apparition is a ranged support mage who deals damage and prevents enemies from healing. His ultimate works over a long distance and can affect a fight anywhere on the map. In this article, we’ll look at who performs well against Ancient Apparition in each position, which items can help counter him, and how to play against him in lane and team fights.

Hero Characteristics

Cold Feet stuns an enemy if they fail to move away from the spot where the ability was cast. Ice Vortex slows enemies and increases the magic damage they take. With Ice Blast, Ancient Apparition deals damage from a distance and prevents affected heroes from healing or regenerating health for the duration of the effect.

The hero’s strengths are safe play from a long distance and powerful spells in team fights. His weaknesses are a small health pool, low mobility, and dependence on landing his abilities. If you quickly reach Ancient Apparition and apply control, it’s difficult for him to escape. Mobile heroes and protection from magic damage help reduce his impact in a fight.

Best Heroes Against Ancient Apparition

Ancient Apparition is usually picked in position 5—as a hard support—and less often in position 4—as a support. He tries to stay behind his team, so heroes who can quickly reach the backline or protect allies from his damage are useful. Below are options for each role.

Carry

  • Anti-Mage quickly closes the distance with Blink, while Counterspell helps him survive targeted spells. His attacks also burn mana, making it harder for Ancient Apparition to cast his abilities frequently.
  • Spectre can reach Ancient Apparition with Haunt and attack him even in the backline. This forces the support to be more careful about positioning.

Midlaner

  • Storm Spirit quickly jumps on a distant target with Ball Lightning. This lets him catch Ancient Apparition before he can safely cast all his abilities.
  • Puck dodges attacks and spells with Phase Shift, while Illusory Orb helps him close in quickly. Silence prevents Ancient Apparition from responding with his abilities.

Offlaner

  • Primal Beast quickly initiates a fight with Onslaught and holds his target in place with Pulverize. Ancient Apparition will have a hard time surviving this attack without his team’s help.
  • Centaur Warrunner withstands magic damage and can stun an enemy with Hoof Stomp. Stampede helps the team quickly reach Ancient Apparition.

Support

  • Earth Spirit quickly reaches the backline with Rolling Boulder and can lock down Ancient Apparition with disables.
  • Nyx Assassin can sneak up on the fragile support and stun him with Impale. Vendetta helps initiate an attack while Ancient Apparition is unprepared for a fight.

Hard Support

  • Oracle can protect an ally with False Promise and dispel some negative effects from them. However, Ice Blast still requires caution: the ultimate prevents health regeneration.
  • Dazzle can save one ally from a lethal blow under Ice Blast with the Shallow Grave ability.

What to Build Against Ancient Apparition

  • Black King Bar protects against most magical abilities and disables, but does not cancel an Ice Blast that has already been applied.
  • Pipe of Insight reduces magic damage taken by its owner and nearby allies.
  • Glimmer Cape helps an ally survive magic damage and escape from a dangerous position.
  • Force Staff lets you quickly move away from Cold Feet or reposition during a fight.
  • Lotus Orb dispels some negative effects from an ally and helps against targeted spells.
  • Magic Wand and Infused Raindrops help you survive early damage and trades in lane.

How to Play Against Ancient Apparition at Different Stages

Laning

Don’t stand still after being hit by Cold Feet: immediately move away from the spot where the ability was cast on you. Pressure Ancient Apparition when he has used his spells on creeps or in a trade. He is vulnerable if you manage to get close to him.

Mid Game

Don’t group your whole team in one spot: Ice Blast can hit several heroes at once. Watch the icy projectile’s flight and prepare an escape route in advance. If your team has mobile heroes, try to catch Ancient Apparition before the fight starts.

Late Game

Before a team fight, keep in mind that Ice Blast can arrive from far away. Don’t rely solely on healing: the ultimate’s effect prevents health regeneration. Keep defensive items ready and try to eliminate Ancient Apparition or force him to use his abilities before the main fight begins.