OD can win trades with several empowered attacks, hide a dangerous target in the astral realm, and end a fight with a powerful ultimate. Simply buying armor won't solve the problem: a significant portion of his damage is dealt in another way. Let's look at which heroes prevent OD from attacking and saving his allies, what to build against him, and how to approach team fights.

Hero Overview

Arcane Orb adds pure damage to OD's attacks based on his mana pool. Astral Imprisonment temporarily removes a target from the fight: he can use it to isolate an enemy or protect an ally. His innate ability, Essence Flux, helps sustain his mana, while Sanity's Eclipse deals AoE magic damage and is especially dangerous when there is a large difference between mana pools.

OD is strong in one-on-one trades when he can freely get within attack range. His weaknesses are limited range and no built-in jump. Silence prevents him from using empowered attacks and Astral Imprisonment, while several controllable units force him to constantly choose whom to attack and whom to temporarily disable. Even a durable hero can quickly lose health to pure damage, so durability alone isn't enough.

Best Heroes Against Outworld Destroyer

OD is usually picked in position 2—the mid lane. Heroes with ranged attacks, illusions, silences, and abilities that help them survive his focus or punish him for using Astral Imprisonment are useful against him.

Carry

  • Phantom Lancer creates more illusions than OD can comfortably kill with individual attacks. With Diffusal Blade, he also drains the enemy's mana and makes it harder for him to keep fighting.
  • Drow Ranger attacks from a distance and silences with Gust. She should stay behind her allies so OD can't close the gap with Blink Dagger.

Mid

  • Sniper takes advantage of his range and prevents OD from approaching the wave for free. Shrapnel makes it difficult to stand in one place and complicates retreating after Astral Imprisonment.
  • Templar Assassin absorbs individual powerful hits with Refraction. This helps her withstand OD's damage in lane, and she can play more aggressively after Astral Imprisonment has been used.

Offlaner

  • Brewmaster keeps fighting with multiple units after Primal Split. OD can't banish them all into the astral realm at once, and Cyclone can temporarily disable OD himself.
  • Doom prevents OD from using abilities with Doom. This takes away his ability to quickly hide or save an ally while the team deals damage.

Support

  • Nyx Assassin punishes OD for his large mana pool with Mind Flare. With Spiked Carapace, he can respond to spell damage if he times it correctly.
  • Rubick can steal Astral Imprisonment and use it to save allies. This gives the team an additional answer to powerful attacks and OD's attempts to isolate a target.

Hard Support

  • Pugna protects an ally from OD's regular attacks with Decrepify. Nether Ward also punishes spell usage, but you still need to account for his magic-damage ultimate.
  • Silencer prevents OD from activating Astral Imprisonment in time and dealing ability damage with Global Silence. It's especially useful to silence him as soon as the team starts its attack.

What to Build Against Outworld Destroyer

  • Black King Bar protects you from enemy Astral Imprisonment and Arcane Orb's pure damage while active. It reduces the ultimate's magic damage, but you can't rely on it to fully protect you from every attack.
  • Orchid Malevolence prevents OD from using abilities. After he buys defensive items, you'll need to wait for the silence to be dispelled or keep him controlled.
  • Heaven's Halberd temporarily prevents OD from attacking. Keep his Black King Bar in mind, and don't use it when the target is already protected.
  • Linken's Sphere blocks targeted uses of Astral Imprisonment. This gives you a chance to hold your position until the block is triggered by another spell.
  • Lotus Orb reflects Astral Imprisonment and targeted items. However, your own target can still be affected by them.
  • Force Staff helps move an ally out of OD's attack range. Often, creating distance is more useful than trying to withstand a few more Arcane Orb attacks.
  • Glimmer Cape helps against Sanity's Eclipse's magic damage and hides an ally from targeted attacks when there is no detection. Magic resistance alone won't protect you from pure damage.

How to Play Against Outworld Destroyer at Different Stages

Laning

Keep in mind that OD can banish you into the astral realm before you last-hit an important creep. Don't give up health for a trade you're bound to lose, and use your range if you have it. After Astral Imprisonment has been used, he temporarily loses his main defensive tool. This is a good opportunity to attack with support.

Mid Game

Don't use your entire set of spells on a hero OD can immediately hide. Find OD himself, force him to use Astral Imprisonment, or keep him isolated. If he uses Astral Imprisonment on himself, prepare disables for when he emerges, but account for the possibility that he may immediately reposition with Blink Dagger. Don't group the whole team together as you approach a fight, or you'll be vulnerable to Sanity's Eclipse.

Late Game

Watch for Blink Dagger and Scythe of Vyse: they make it easier for OD to reach backline heroes. Don't use Black King Bar too early, before he has entered the fight. Once your protection ends, move out of his attack range and wait for help. If he used Astral Imprisonment on an ally, use the brief pause to catch OD himself.