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Bristleback build, counters and guide for Dota 2 7.41
Bristleback wins 44.8% of its 14,916 Divine+ games on patch 7.41f (games from 2026-09-15 to 2026-10-30). Bristleback is played as Offlane (pos 3) in 96% of its 52 Divine+ games with a recorded position. Below: starting items, the item build and when its core items come, counters and lane notes – measured from recent pro and Divine+ games and rebuilt as the patch and the meta move.
Data through 2026-10-31 · patch 7.41f · page updated 2026-11-01
Bristleback at a glance
| Divine+ win rate | 44.8% over 14,916 games |
|---|---|
| Main position | Offlane (pos 3) |
| Primary attribute | Strength |
| Attack type | Melee |
| Roles | Carry, Durable, Initiator, Nuker |
Bristleback abilities
The spells on the hero's ability bar and its innate ability, as the game lists them.
Which position Bristleback is played in
| Position | Share of Divine+ games | Divine+ tier | Pro tier · picked / banned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid (pos 2) | 2% | – | – |
| Offlane (pos 3) | 96% | D | B · picked 1%, banned 1% |
| Hard support (pos 5) | 2% | – | – |
Share of the 52 Divine+ games with a recorded position (patch 7.41f). Tiers are this patch's tier list at that position, from Divine+ and pro games.
Bristleback starting items
The most common whole starting basket of recent pro and Divine+ players at each position, with the newest games counted most.
Offlane (pos 3)
×2
Brought whole by 7% of the 3,944 players counted at this position.
Bristleback item build
The items that Divine+ and pro players of this hero complete most often at each position, with the share of games that finished each one.
Offlane (pos 3)
Divine+ players
86%
76%
72%
50%
48%
48%
46%
38%
50 Divine+ games at this position.
Pro games
- 96%
- 85%
74%- 69%
- 66%
- 57%
- 48%
48%
21 pro games on this patch at this position, the newest counted most.
Bristleback counters and matchups
From the Divine+ draft tables the coach drafts with: each number is how many points of win chance the matchup moves when the two heroes meet, with both heroes' own win rates taken out. Only matchups that clearly stand out are listed.
Heroes that are hard on Bristleback
Heroes Bristleback is strong against
Laning against Bristleback
- At level 3, Bristleback deals about 767 damage to a typical laner in 8 seconds of fighting, mostly through spell burst – more than 125 of the other 126 heroes (items not counted).
Quick answers about Bristleback
What is the best item build for Bristleback?
Divine+ players at Offlane (pos 3) most often finish Magic Wand, Power Treads, Bracer, Soul Ring.
What starting items should I buy on Bristleback?
At Offlane (pos 3) the most common starting basket of recent pro and Divine+ players is Iron Branch, Gauntlets of Strength, Magic Stick, Tango.
Who counters Bristleback?
In Divine+ drafts Bristleback struggles most against Slark, Legion Commander, Viper.
Which position is Bristleback played in?
Mostly Offlane (pos 3): 96% of its Divine+ games with a recorded position.
Play Bristleback with a live coach in your ear
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