Brewmaster is an offlaner who starts fights and uses Primal Split to transform into several spirits. Each spirit has its own abilities, so during his ultimate the hero gains additional control and becomes a difficult target. In this article, we’ll look at Brewmaster counters for each role, items against him, and tips for different stages of the game.

Hero’s Strengths

Brewmaster excels in team fights. He can stun and slow enemies, while Primal Split lets him survive a dangerous moment and continue fighting as spirits. The summoned units also help pressure lanes and distract enemies from their main objectives.

Before getting his ultimate, Brewmaster is more vulnerable. During Primal Split, it’s important to know which spirit poses the greatest threat and not waste all your abilities on an inaccessible target. Area damage helps deal with the spirits faster, while silence and control prevent Brewmaster from starting a fight on his own terms.

Best Heroes Against Brewmaster

Brewmaster usually plays position 3—the offlane. He relies on team fights and the power of Primal Split, so heroes with area damage, control, or the ability to wait out his ultimate are useful.

Carry

  • Sven quickly clears the spirits with Great Cleave. Warcry helps the team withstand their attacks.
  • Medusa deals area damage and can stop the advancing spirits with Stone Gaze. Her durability helps her survive the start of a fight.

Mid

  • Leshrac deals area damage and helps quickly deal with the spirits. Before the ultimate begins, his stun can also prevent Brewmaster from charging into the fight.
  • Silencer prevents Brewmaster from using abilities with Global Silence. Use the ultimate when the enemy is about to start a fight.

Offlaner

  • Legion Commander can catch Brewmaster with Duel before he uses Primal Split. This gives the team a chance to quickly focus their damage on him.
  • Axe controls several enemies with Berserker’s Call if they have gathered nearby. This helps the team focus its attacks on a chosen target.

Support

  • Earthshaker gets a great opportunity to use Echo Slam when Brewmaster’s spirits gather nearby. Fissure and Enchant Totem help control enemies at the start of a fight.
  • Lion can take one of the spirits out of the fight for a long time with Hex and Earth Spike. His control prevents Brewmaster and the summoned units from attacking freely.

Hard Support

  • Shadow Shaman keeps Brewmaster locked down and can prevent him from using Primal Split if he gets the first move.
  • Witch Doctor deals heavy damage to grouped-up enemies with Maledict and Death Ward. Start channeling your ultimate after the enemies have used their control abilities.

What to Build Against Brewmaster

  • Black King Bar protects against many of the control effects used by Brewmaster and his spirits.
  • Force Staff helps you escape a dangerous position or save an ally from pursuit.
  • Glimmer Cape helps protect an ally from magic damage and buy time to retreat.
  • Scythe of Vyse provides reliable control before Primal Split is used.
  • Shiva’s Guard reduces the attack speed of nearby enemies and helps deal damage to multiple targets.
  • Heaven’s Halberd temporarily disarms Brewmaster and prevents him from attacking.

How to Play Against Brewmaster at Different Stages

Laning

Take advantage of the fact that Brewmaster is less able to survive focused attacks before he gets Primal Split. Don’t stand near creeps if he can hit you with his abilities, and keep an eye on your health. When Brewmaster uses his spells on the wave, try to respond with pressure.

Mid Game

Save your control abilities for the moment Brewmaster starts using his ultimate. During Primal Split, don’t use all your abilities on one target: assess which spirit is causing the most trouble for your team. If the ultimate ends without achieving anything, take advantage of the pause to launch a counterattack.

Late Game

In the late game, agree in advance on who will control Brewmaster and his spirits. Don’t group too closely if the enemy can stop several heroes at once. Save key abilities for after Primal Split begins instead of spending them on less important targets.