Io tethers himself to an ally and helps them move faster, restore health, and deal more damage. Relocate poses a particular threat: it lets the hero and their partner suddenly appear in another part of the map. In this article, we’ll look at Io’s strengths and weaknesses, suitable counterpicks for each role, useful items, and tactics for different stages of the match.

Hero Characteristics

Io’s main strength lies in supporting one chosen ally. Tether amplifies healing and speeds up the tethered hero, while Overcharge increases their attack speed and resistance to effects. Spirits damage nearby enemies, so in close combat he can help his carry survive a trade. However, Wisp himself is vulnerable: he has little health, and without a partner and a well-timed relocation, it’s difficult for him to get out of a dangerous situation on his own.

Relocate lets Io quickly start a fight or save an ally, but the destination is signaled in advance and requires coordination. If you break Tether or force Io away from the tethered hero, the pair’s effectiveness drops considerably. Heroes who can close the gap, apply healing suppression, or interrupt Relocate are especially troublesome for him. At the same time, don’t spend all your abilities on Io while his ally is still dealing damage.

Best Heroes Against Io

Io is most often picked in position 4, as a support, or position 5, as a hard support. In some lineups, he can play carry or mid, so it’s best to choose a counterpick based on his role and the hero he is supporting. Below are options for all five positions.

Carry

  • Lifestealer can withstand some magical damage and quickly close in on Wisp with Rage. His attacks and health restoration help him fight Io and his tethered ally, while Wisp himself can’t easily stop him without help from his team.
  • Slark punishes Io for drawn-out fights and moving around alone. Pounce prevents him from escaping, while Dark Pact helps dispel some slows and disables. It’s important to wait for the right moment to attack rather than jumping into the entire enemy team.

Mid

  • Leshrac deals sustained damage to Io and his tethered target. Io struggles to withstand pressure from Diabolic Edict and Pulse Nova, especially if Leshrac’s team prevents him from retreating. Leshrac needs to choose the right moment to engage and avoid fighting under an enemy tower without support.
  • Huskar can quickly reach the support with Life Break and force the enemy team to protect him. Inner Fire can interrupt Io’s relocation if he uses Relocate near Huskar. Don’t initiate a fight alone without vision: Io often appears alongside an empowered ally.

Offlaner

  • Legion Commander can quickly initiate a fight with Blink Dagger and Duel. If the team manages to deal damage before Io saves the target, the pair loses its advantage. Press the Attack also helps an ally dispel some disables and keep fighting.
  • Primal Beast can charge into the backline with Onslaught and hold Io in place with Pulverize. His high tempo prevents Wisp from safely healing the carry from a safe position. To attack successfully, account for Io’s allies’ defensive abilities and don’t waste your disables.

Support

  • Disruptor makes it difficult for Io to move freely around the map. Glimpse can return the hero after Relocate if he is affected by the ability, while Static Storm prevents the use of abilities and items. Keep an eye on the pair’s movements and position yourself in advance for a counterattack.
  • Ancient Apparition reduces healing with Ice Blast. This is especially important when Io is trying to save an ally with low health. Cold Feet helps hold the target in place if the team can quickly close in and continue the attack.

Hard Support

  • Winter Wyvern protects an ally with Cold Embrace and can turn a fight around with Winter’s Curse. Io’s healing won’t save the target from coordinated team damage if the opponents choose the right moment to attack.
  • Oracle can protect an ally from magical damage and dispel negative effects with Fortune’s End. Fate’s Edict helps them withstand focus fire while the team kills Io or breaks the link between him and the carry.

What to Buy Against Io

  • Spirit Vessel reduces healing and health restoration. Buy it if your team doesn’t have a hero who can reliably stop Io from supporting an ally.
  • Shiva’s Guard reduces enemy healing in an area around its owner and helps withstand attacks from an empowered carry.
  • Orchid Malevolence and its upgrade, Bloodthorn, provide silence and prevent Io from using his lifesaving abilities if he hasn’t had time to protect himself.
  • Scythe of Vyse reliably takes Wisp out of the fight and gives the team time to quickly eliminate him or his partner.
  • Gleipnir helps catch Io and keep him within range of allied abilities.

How to Play Against Io at Different Stages

Laning

In lane, try to pressure Io when his main partner isn’t nearby. Don’t group up near an ally under Spirits, and keep an eye on your health and consumables: the pair can win a trade with Tether and Overcharge. Supports should save their disables for when Io tries to move the tethered hero or retreat under a tower. If Wisp leaves, use the time to secure last hits and prevent him from returning to lane unimpeded.

Mid Game

In the mid game, keep vision on key paths and don’t farm alone if Io has already gotten Relocate. When the enemy disappears from the map, warn your team and move away from dangerous areas. In a fight, first decide who is more advantageous to attack: Io himself or his empowered ally. If your team has healing suppression, apply it before the target restores health. Don’t group too closely, so Io doesn’t get an easy chance to start a fight against several heroes at once.

Late Game

In the late game, Io’s mobility can decide the outcome of a fight, so don’t start a siege without vision and ready Teleports. Save your disables for Wisp, and make sure he doesn’t stay out of your team’s reach. If Io brings an ally into the fight, don’t chase him alone: retreat to your team and focus your damage on an accessible target. After killing Io, immediately use your numbers advantage before the enemy can regroup.