Grimstroke creates opportunities for his team to control enemies and unleash powerful spell combos. Ink Swell helps an ally charge into battle, while Soulbind links two enemies and lets you affect them at the same time. This article covers Grimstroke counters for every role, items to build against him, and tactics for different stages of the game.
Hero Overview
Grimstroke slows enemies with Stroke of Fate, while Phantom’s Embrace prevents its target from using abilities as the spirit attacks it. Ink Swell speeds up an ally and stuns enemies near them, while Soulbind links two targets. If you use a targeted ability on one of them, it can also affect the other.
Grimstroke is dangerous when paired with heroes who have suitable targeted abilities. He is vulnerable to burst damage and heroes closing the gap, and his combos can be disrupted with:
- a save;
- a dispel;
- breaking the Soulbind link.
Don’t stand near an ally if the enemy is ready to use their ultimate.
Best Heroes Against Grimstroke
Grimstroke most often plays position 4—support—or position 5—hard support. He supports his team with control and enhances its combos, so heroes with saves, mobility, and burst damage are useful against him.
Carry
- Sniper attacks Grimstroke from a safe distance and forces him away from his team.
- Lifestealer uses Rage to protect himself from many effects and quickly get to the fragile Grimstroke.
Mid
- Zeus deals heavy magic damage and can quickly finish off Grimstroke if he is caught without support.
- Storm Spirit quickly dives the back line and forces Grimstroke to use abilities defensively.
Offlaner
- Centaur Warrunner helps allies escape a dangerous position with Stampede if they have been linked by Soulbind.
- Legion Commander can catch Grimstroke with Duel and prevent him from supporting his allies with control.
Support
- Rubick can steal a useful ability from Grimstroke and use it against his team.
- Shadow Demon saves an ally with Disruption and helps disrupt the combo if the enemy has chosen a target for Soulbind.
Hard Support
- Vengeful Spirit can break the Soulbind link with Nether Swap and pull an ally out of a dangerous position.
- Omniknight protects allies from physical damage and removes some negative effects from them with Heavenly Grace.
What to Build Against Grimstroke
| Item | Effect |
|---|---|
| Black King Bar | protects against many of Grimstroke’s magical abilities and control |
| Pipe of Insight | reduces magic damage for its wielder and nearby allies |
| Lotus Orb | dispel some negative effects from an ally and reflect targeted abilities |
| Wind Waker | lets you lift yourself into the air and break the Soulbind link if you time it right |
| Linken’s Sphere | blocks Soulbind if Grimstroke casts it directly on the item’s wielder |
| Force Staff | helps create distance between linked targets and escape a dangerous position |
How to Play Against Grimstroke at Different Stages
Laning
Grimstroke often comes to lane with a hero who can quickly dive in under Ink Swell. Keep an eye on his ally and don’t let them get too close. Try to hit Phantom’s Embrace with attacks so the spirit doesn’t return to Grimstroke and the ability doesn’t go on cooldown sooner.
Mid Game
Don’t stand near an ally if Grimstroke is ready to use Soulbind. Save your dispel and save for Ink Swell and linked targets. If Grimstroke shows on the map, attack him quickly: he is vulnerable without his team’s support.
Late Game
Spread out before a fight and decide in advance who will help an ally caught by Soulbind. Watch which hero Grimstroke is trying to link the targets to, and don’t let him pull off the full combo. If he uses his ultimate without getting a result, take advantage of its cooldown to counterattack.
