Earthshaker is a support and initiator who stuns enemies with a chain of abilities and deals heavy damage to grouped opponents. Blink Dagger helps him start fights unexpectedly, while Echo Slam can change their outcome. This article covers Earthshaker counters for every position, items against him, and tactics for different stages of the game.

Hero Characteristics

Aftershock stuns enemies near Earthshaker after he uses abilities. Fissure divides the battlefield and blocks passage, Enchant Totem empowers his next attack, and Echo Slam is especially dangerous when opponents are standing close together. The hero can quickly transition from initiation into a long chain of disables.

Earthshaker depends on mana and finding the right moment to start a fight. If you disable his Blink Dagger with damage or spot his movement in advance, it becomes harder for him to catch the team by surprise. Good positioning, magic resistance, and control after he dives in reduce the threat from his abilities.

Best Heroes Against Earthshaker

Earthshaker most often plays position 4 support, and sometimes position 3 offlane or mid. Heroes who can maintain their distance, disrupt his initiation, or survive his combo are useful against him.

Carry

  • Sniper can attack Earthshaker from a long distance and keep him from reaching a good position to initiate.
  • Wraith King can return to the fight with Reincarnation after Earthshaker has used his main abilities.

Mid

  • Viper slows Earthshaker and deals damage to him from a distance. Corrosive Skin helps him survive some of the magic damage.
  • Silencer can prevent Earthshaker from using Echo Slam with Global Silence and apply pressure with spells from a safe position.

Offlaner

  • Centaur Warrunner helps the team escape a dangerous position with Stampede and can stun Earthshaker with Hoof Stomp.
  • Underlord restricts Earthshaker's movement with Pit of Malice and helps the team stay together.

Support

  • Shadow Demon can save an ally with Disruption if he manages to cast it before the chain of stuns begins.
  • Oracle helps an ally survive damage with False Promise and dispels some negative effects from them.

Hard Support

  • Clockwerk can catch Earthshaker with Hookshot and restrict his movement with Power Cogs.
  • Disruptor restricts Earthshaker's movement with Kinetic Field and can bring him back with Glimpse if he tries to retreat after initiating.

What to Build Against Earthshaker

  • Black King Bar protects against many of Earthshaker's disables and magic damage.
  • Glimmer Cape helps protect an ally and reduce magic damage if the enemy team hasn't revealed them.
  • Force Staff lets you quickly leave a dangerous area and save an ally after an initiation.
  • Pipe of Insight reduces magic damage for its bearer and nearby teammates.
  • Lotus Orb helps dispel some negative effects from an ally and reflects targeted abilities.
  • Scythe of Vyse provides control and helps catch Earthshaker before he can use his combo.

How to Play Against Earthshaker at Different Stages

Laning

Don't stand next to an ally if Earthshaker can hit both of you with Fissure or a stun. Keep an eye on his mana and don't let him approach the lane for free. If he uses his abilities, take advantage of the lull to counterattack.

Mid Game

Place vision on approaches and don't bunch up in narrow passages. Save disables and defensive items for when Earthshaker jumps into the team. If damage disables his Blink Dagger, take advantage of that window and start the fight yourselves.

Late Game

Before a big fight, spread your heroes out so Echo Slam doesn't hit the whole team at once. Don't use defensive abilities before he initiates if Earthshaker hasn't shown himself yet. After he uses his ultimate, respond with disables or switch your focus to other opponents.