Batrider Counters

Batrider is an initiator who builds up speed and drags a chosen target away from their team with Flaming Lasso. Firefly lets him fly over obstacles and leave a trail of fire behind him. In this article, we’ll look at Batrider counters for every role, useful items, and tactics against him at different stages of the game.

Hero Overview

Sticky Napalm increases Batrider’s damage against a target and slows enemies’ movement and turn rates. Firefly helps him chase enemies and take unusual positions, while Flaming Lasso lets him initiate a fight and drag a hero toward his allies. Batrider is especially dangerous in a fight when his team immediately follows up on his initiation.

Batrider needs items to initiate fights reliably. If he can’t catch a target with Flaming Lasso, it’s harder for him to capitalize on his advantage. Dispel Sticky Napalm, save an ally, and quickly disable him in response to prevent him from making a successful attack.

Best Heroes Against Batrider

Batrider often plays position 3—the offlaner—but also appears in mid and support positions. Against him, you need heroes who can dispel accumulated effects, disrupt his initiation, or save an ally he’s dragging away with Flaming Lasso.

Carry

• Slark can dispel Sticky Napalm with Dark Pact and, with precise timing, escape Flaming Lasso. Pounce helps him catch up to Batrider after he tries to retreat.

• Phantom Lancer dispels some effects with Doppelganger and creates illusions, making it harder for Batrider to choose a target to attack.

Mid

• Viper slows Batrider and can attack him from a safe distance. Constant damage makes it difficult for him to use Blink Dagger to initiate unexpectedly.

• Storm Spirit can quickly reach Batrider with Ball Lightning and dodge his attacks. He can also quickly join an ally who is being dragged away.

Offlaner

• Centaur Warrunner can save the team from an initiation with Stampede. Hoof Stomp provides control if Batrider flies too close.

• Legion Commander can initiate a fight with Duel and prevent Batrider from moving freely. Press the Attack dispels some negative effects from an ally and helps them survive.

Support

• Oracle saves an ally with False Promise and can dispel Sticky Napalm with Fortune’s End. It’s important to use protection before the target is dragged far away from the team.

• Shadow Demon temporarily removes an ally from the fight with Disruption if he can cast it before Batrider drags them away.

Hard Support

• Abaddon dispels some negative effects from an ally with Aphotic Shield and can help them survive being focused.

• Vengeful Spirit can swap places with an ally using Nether Swap and pull them out of a dangerous position. Wave of Terror helps reveal Batrider if he’s hiding nearby.

What to Buy Against Batrider

How to Play Against Batrider at Different Stages

Laning

1. Don’t stand near Batrider for long while Sticky Napalm stacks on you: each new stack makes the next trade more dangerous.

2. Move away from Firefly’s trail and use consumables after Batrider has used his abilities.

3. It’s important for the support to help an ally remove the accumulated effects.

Mid Game

1. Once Batrider gets Blink Dagger, he can initiate from the fog of war.

2. Place vision on approaches and don’t move around the map alone.

3. Save abilities that can rescue the hero caught by Flaming Lasso, and keep a disable ready for Batrider himself after he jumps in.

Late Game

1. Before a fight, assign roles: who will interrupt the initiation and who will save the target.

2. Don’t stand too far apart, or Batrider will be able to drag an ally out of reach of help.

3. If he uses Flaming Lasso without success, take advantage of its cooldown to counterattack.