Doom is an offlaner who farms quickly and can keep an important enemy out of a fight for a long time. His ultimate prevents its target from using abilities or restoring health. In this article, we’ll look at Doom counters for each position, useful items, and ways to play against him at different stages of the match.
Hero Overview
Devour allows Doom to gain gold and abilities from neutral creeps, so he can quickly build items. Scorched Earth increases his movement speed and damages nearby enemies, while Doom prevents the selected target from using abilities. The hero is especially dangerous if he manages to use his ultimate on a carry or midlaner before a team fight begins.
In lane, Doom depends on the creep ability he chooses and his allies’ support. His ultimate has a long cooldown, so after he uses it, his team can play more boldly. The following are useful against Doom:
- saves;
- blocking targeted spells;
- heroes that can keep dealing damage with regular attacks.
Best Heroes Against Doom
Doom usually plays position 3—the offlaner. He tries to take one key hero out of the fight, so heroes with passive damage, the ability to protect allies, and the ability to keep fighting under his ultimate are useful against him.
Carry
| Hero | Counterpick |
|---|---|
| Wraith King | can return to the fight thanks to Reincarnation, even if Doom prevented him from using abilities before he died. |
| Phantom Lancer | creates illusions and makes it harder for Doom to choose the real target. Even under his ultimate, he can keep dealing damage with regular attacks. |
Midlaner
| Hero | Why They Counter Doom |
|---|---|
| Sniper | deals a significant amount of damage with regular attacks and can stay out of Doom’s reach. |
| Outworld Destroyer | can remove an ally from the fight with Astral Imprisonment if he uses the ability before Doom does. |
Offlaner
| Hero | Why They Counter Doom |
|---|---|
| Centaur Warrunner | helps the team retreat from Doom’s attack with Stampede and can stun him with Hoof Stomp. |
| Legion Commander | removes some effects from an ally with Press the Attack and can catch Doom himself with Duel. |
Support
| Hero | Why They Counter Doom |
|---|---|
| Oracle | can save an ally with False Promise if he uses the ability before Doom does. |
| Shadow Demon | temporarily removes an ally from the fight with Disruption if he reacts before the ultimate is used. |
Hard Support
| Hero | Why They Counter Doom |
|---|---|
| Abaddon | can remove some negative effects from an ally with Aphotic Shield. |
| Winter Wyvern | protects an ally from physical attacks with Cold Embrace. Her control helps the team buy time while Doom is active. |
What to Buy Against Doom
- Linken’s Sphere blocks targeted Doom, but the enemy can first remove the block with a less important ability.
- Lotus Orb helps remove some effects from an ally and reflects targeted spells.
- Black King Bar protects against many of Doom’s abilities if you use the item before his ultimate.
- Glimmer Cape helps reduce incoming magic damage and hide an ally if the enemies have not revealed them.
- Force Staff helps an ally reposition if they are not under the effect of Doom.
- Scythe of Vyse allows the team to catch Doom before he uses his ultimate.
How to Play Against Doom at Different Stages
Laning
Don’t stand near creeps that Doom can consume with Devour, and keep an eye on his health. If he uses Scorched Earth to attack or farm, move out of the fiery area and wait for the effect to end. Don’t spend all your abilities on a hero if he can quickly restore his health.
Midgame
Before a fight, identify who can save Doom’s target, and keep that hero out of reach of his initiation. Don’t move around the map alone. If Doom has used his ultimate, use the cooldown window to start a fight or take an important objective.
Late game
Distribute items that block targeted abilities among your key heroes. Don’t start a fight while Doom can freely pick off your carry or midlaner. If his ultimate has already been used, protect the ally affected by it and continue the fight with heroes who don’t rely on abilities.
