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Dark Willow build, counters and guide for Dota 2 7.41
Dark Willow wins 50.4% of its 59,961 Divine+ games on patch 7.41f (games from 2026-09-15 to 2026-10-30). Dark Willow is played as Soft support (pos 4) in 52% of its 149 Divine+ games with a recorded position, and as Hard support (pos 5) in 46%. 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
Dark Willow at a glance
| Divine+ win rate | 50.4% over 59,961 games |
|---|---|
| Main position | Soft support (pos 4), Hard support (pos 5) |
| Primary attribute | Intelligence |
| Attack type | Ranged |
| Roles | Support, Nuker, Disabler, Escape |
Dark Willow abilities
The spells on the hero's ability bar and its innate ability, as the game lists them.
Which position Dark Willow is played in
| Position | Share of Divine+ games | Divine+ tier | Pro tier · picked / banned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid (pos 2) | 1% | – | – |
| Soft support (pos 4) | 52% | A | A · picked 35%, banned 33% |
| Hard support (pos 5) | 46% | B | – |
Share of the 149 Divine+ games with a recorded position (patch 7.41f). Tiers are this patch's tier list at that position, from Divine+ and pro games.
Dark Willow starting items
The most common whole starting basket of recent pro and Divine+ players at each position, with the newest games counted most.
Soft support (pos 4)
×2
Brought whole by 7% of the 5,569 players counted at this position.
Hard support (pos 5)
- ×2
Brought whole by 4% of the 1,082 players counted at this position.
Dark Willow 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.
Soft support (pos 4)
Divine+ players
74%
73%
59%
59%
38%
23%
23%
18%
78 Divine+ games at this position.
Pro games
- 90%
- 79%
- 74%
- 72%
- 68%
- 56%
42%
16%
630 pro games on this patch at this position, the newest counted most.
Hard support (pos 5)
Divine+ players
- 78%
- 71%
- 58%
- 49%
- 48%
- 45%
14%
14%
69 Divine+ games at this position.
Pro games
- 82%
- 70%
- 68%
- 64%
- 45%
- 40%
- 31%
18%
47 pro games on this patch at this position, the newest counted most.
When Dark Willow finishes core items
The game minute at which Divine+ players complete each key item: the median, and the range the middle half of them fall in.
Soft support (pos 4)
| Item | Median | Middle half | Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eul's Scepter of Divinity | 21:36 | 19:19–24:48 | 58 |
| Blink Dagger | 27:06 | 22:26–30:58 | 46 |
Hard support (pos 5)
| Item | Median | Middle half | Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eul's Scepter of Divinity | 20:45 | 18:47–24:04 | 49 |
| Blink Dagger | 27:30 | 24:35–30:48 | 40 |
Dark Willow 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 Dark Willow
Heroes Dark Willow is strong against
Laning against Dark Willow
- At level 3, Dark Willow deals about 479 damage to a typical laner in 8 seconds of fighting, mostly through spell burst – more than 95 of the other 126 heroes (items not counted).
Quick answers about Dark Willow
What is the best item build for Dark Willow?
Divine+ players at Soft support (pos 4) most often finish Eul's Scepter of Divinity, Magic Wand, Blink Dagger, Tranquil Boots.
What starting items should I buy on Dark Willow?
At Soft support (pos 4) the most common starting basket of recent pro and Divine+ players is Blood Grenade, Iron Branch, Circlet, Faerie Fire, Tango.
Who counters Dark Willow?
In Divine+ drafts Dark Willow struggles most against Leshrac, Elder Titan, Legion Commander.
Which position is Dark Willow played in?
Mostly Soft support (pos 4): 52% of its Divine+ games with a recorded position.
Play Dark Willow with a live coach in your ear
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