Drow Ranger is a carry who deals high physical damage from a distance and tries to keep enemies at bay. Gust knocks enemies back and silences them, while Marksmanship empowers her attacks as long as there are no enemies nearby. In this article, we’ll cover Drow Ranger counters for every position, useful items, and ways to play against her.

Hero Overview

Drow Ranger usually plays in position 1 as a carry. She farms quickly and is dangerous when sieging buildings, with allies keeping enemies from getting close. Gust helps push away an initiator and interrupts ability casts, while Marksmanship increases her attack damage.

The hero is vulnerable to sudden engagements and control. She needs to keep her distance: if an enemy gets close, she loses some of Marksmanship’s advantage. Vision, mobile initiators, and saves help the team reach her and prevent her from attacking freely.

Best Heroes Against Drow Ranger

Drow Ranger almost always plays in position 1 as a carry. Heroes who can get through her defenses, quickly close the distance, or force her to reposition are useful against her.

Carry

  • Sven quickly closes in on Drow Ranger with Blink Dagger, while Warcry increases allies’ armor against her attacks.
  • Phantom Assassin can quickly reach the fragile Drow Ranger and deal her heavy damage.

Mid

  • Storm Spirit quickly dives into the back line and forces Drow Ranger to use Gust or a defensive item on herself.
  • Queen of Pain closes in on Drow Ranger with Blink and deals magic damage without engaging in a prolonged exchange of attacks.

Offlaner

  • Centaur Warrunner helps the team reach Drow Ranger quickly with Stampede and can stun her with Hoof Stomp.
  • Primal Beast starts an attack from a distance with Onslaught and holds the target in place with Pulverize.

Support

  • Clockwerk can catch Drow Ranger with Hookshot and restrict her movement with Power Cogs.
  • Nyx Assassin stealthily approaches Drow Ranger and stuns her with Impale, creating an opening for the team to attack.

Hard Support

  • Winter Wyvern protects an ally from Drow Ranger’s attacks with Cold Embrace and can stop her team with Winter’s Curse.
  • Disruptor restricts Drow Ranger’s movement with Kinetic Field and can return her to her previous location with Glimpse.

What to Build Against Drow Ranger

  • Heaven’s Halberd temporarily disarms Drow Ranger and reduces the threat from her attacks.
  • Ghost Scepter helps a support survive physical damage while allies come to help.
  • Glimmer Cape helps protect an ally and reduce the magic damage they take.
  • Force Staff helps you get closer to Drow Ranger or move an ally out of range of her attacks.
  • Crimson Guard reduces the physical damage the team takes from Drow Ranger’s attacks.
  • Blink Dagger helps you quickly initiate an attack if Drow Ranger appears without her team protecting her.

How to Play Against Drow Ranger at Different Stages

Laning

Don’t let Drow Ranger get last hits uncontested. Pressure her and use cover to reduce the number of attacks she can make from a safe distance. Watch out for Gust: after she casts the ability, there’s a brief window when she can’t knock back the next initiator.

Midgame

Don’t attack Drow Ranger one by one through her allies. Use vision and approach from multiple directions to make it harder for her to retreat. If she uses Gust, quickly close the distance and keep her controlled.

Late Game

Drow Ranger deals very high damage in the late game, so don’t stand in front of her without protection. Save your tools for closing the distance and applying control, and supports should stay near a hero who can save them. If Drow Ranger loses her position, focus your damage on her before she can fall back to her allies.