Dazzle is a support hero who heals allies, weakens enemies, and helps his team survive lethal damage. Shallow Grave temporarily prevents the selected target from dying, so a quick focus may not work. In this article, we’ll cover Dazzle counters for each position, items to use against him, and tactics for different stages of the game.

Hero Traits

Poison Touch slows an enemy and deals damage, while Shadow Wave heals allies and hits nearby opponents. Shallow Grave prevents the selected ally from dying for the duration of the effect. Nothl Projection separates the soul from the body, and the soul can both attack and use abilities and items.

Dazzle is vulnerable to quick engagements and silences. If you force him to use Shallow Grave or prevent him from casting abilities, your team will have an easier time finishing off the target. Heroes with control, the ability to isolate Dazzle, or damage that can continue after the protection ends are useful.

Best Heroes Against Dazzle

Dazzle is most often picked in position 5 as a hard support, and sometimes in position 4 as a support. He tries to stay behind his allies and save them with Shallow Grave. That’s why heroes who can reach the backline, apply silence, or wait out his defensive ability are useful against him.

Carry

  • Slark removes some negative effects with Dark Pact and grows stronger in prolonged fights thanks to Essence Shift.
  • Riki quickly closes in on Dazzle and prevents him from casting abilities with Smoke Screen. Diffusal Blade also drains his mana.

Mid

  • Outworld Destroyer can temporarily remove a target under Shallow Grave from the fight with Astral Imprisonment and attack Dazzle himself with heavy damage.
  • Skywrath Mage silences with Ancient Seal and deals magical damage quickly, forcing Dazzle to retreat.

Offlaner

  • Legion Commander can catch Dazzle with Duel and prevent him from saving his allies.
  • Night Stalker quickly reaches the backline and prevents Dazzle from casting abilities by silencing him with Void.

Support

  • Nyx Assassin can approach Dazzle undetected and stop him with Impale before he casts Shallow Grave.
  • Disruptor restricts Dazzle’s movement with Kinetic Field and can pull him back with Glimpse if he tries to retreat.

Hard Support

  • Ancient Apparition prevents health restoration with Ice Blast. The effect also stops Dazzle from healing allies.
  • Silencer prevents Dazzle from casting abilities with Global Silence and can stop him from saving an ally.

What to Build Against Dazzle

  • Nullifier removes many positive effects from a target, but does not cancel Shallow Grave by itself.
  • Orchid Malevolence or Bloodthorn apply silence and prevent Dazzle from using defensive abilities.
  • Scythe of Vyse provides reliable control and prevents Dazzle from helping an ally in time.
  • Spirit Vessel reduces healing and health regeneration for enemies.
  • Black King Bar protects you from many of Dazzle’s spells while attacking him.
  • Dust of Appearance helps reveal Dazzle if he hides using invisibility from an item or ability.

How to Play Against Dazzle at Different Stages

Laning

Account for the damage and slow from Poison Touch, and don’t spend all your resources in a single trade. Pressure Dazzle when he has used Shadow Wave or moved away from his carry. Keep an eye on his mana: without it, he won’t be able to heal his ally often.

Mid Game

Before attacking an important target, try to force Dazzle to use Shallow Grave or catch him himself. Don’t stop focusing the target as soon as he uses his protection: prepare control for when the effect ends. Silence and vision will help prevent the support from freely taking up a position in the backline.

Late Game

In the late game, Shallow Grave can foil an attempt to quickly kill the carry. Keep an eye on Dazzle and save your control to prevent him from using his defensive ability. If he has already used his key abilities, keep attacking the chosen target or switch to the support himself.