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Shadow Fiend build, counters and guide for Dota 2 7.41
Shadow Fiend wins 40.7% of its 47,915 Divine+ games on patch 7.41f (games from 2026-09-15 to 2026-10-30). Shadow Fiend is played as Carry (pos 1) in 64% of its 414 Divine+ games with a recorded position, and as Mid (pos 2) in 34%. 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
Shadow Fiend at a glance
| Divine+ win rate | 40.7% over 47,915 games |
|---|---|
| Main position | Carry (pos 1), Mid (pos 2) |
| Primary attribute | Agility |
| Attack type | Ranged |
| Roles | Carry, Nuker |
Shadow Fiend abilities
The spells on the hero's ability bar and its innate ability, as the game lists them.
Which position Shadow Fiend is played in
| Position | Share of Divine+ games | Divine+ tier | Pro tier · picked / banned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carry (pos 1) | 64% | C | D · picked 3%, banned 2% |
| Mid (pos 2) | 34% | C | – |
Share of the 414 Divine+ games with a recorded position (patch 7.41f). Tiers are this patch's tier list at that position, from Divine+ and pro games.
Shadow Fiend starting items
The most common whole starting basket of recent pro and Divine+ players at each position, with the newest games counted most.
Carry (pos 1)
×2
Brought whole by 24% of the 5,609 players counted at this position.
Mid (pos 2)
×2
Brought whole by 18% of the 5,523 players counted at this position.
Shadow Fiend 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.
Carry (pos 1)
Divine+ players
100%- 94%
80%
80%
71%
66%
56%
55%
263 Divine+ games at this position.
Pro games
- 98%
- 94%
- 90%
- 88%
- 73%
- 64%
- 64%
- 63%
306 pro games on this patch at this position, the newest counted most.
Mid (pos 2)
Divine+ players
- 91%
89%
86%
86%
70%- 57%
53%- 51%
142 Divine+ games at this position.
Pro games
100%- 98%
- 95%
- 93%
- 90%
- 90%
- 80%
- 80%
23 pro games on this patch at this position, the newest counted most.
When Shadow Fiend 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.
Carry (pos 1)
| Item | Median | Middle half | Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yasha | 14:22 | 11:57–16:42 | 168 |
| Yasha and Kaya | 14:45 | 14:09–16:35 | 46 |
 Manta Style | 19:30 | 17:13–21:52 | 114 |
 Shadow Blade | 20:40 | 18:22–25:13 | 124 |
| Blink Dagger | 21:08 | 17:42–35:08 | 48 |
| Force Staff | 23:02 | 20:06–27:17 | 112 |
Mid (pos 2)
| Item | Median | Middle half | Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yasha | 11:06 | 9:33–13:31 | 102 |
| Kaya | 12:42 | 10:09–14:47 | 64 |
| Yasha and Kaya | 14:54 | 13:10–16:26 | 122 |
| Blink Dagger | 16:33 | 14:10–18:14 | 127 |
 Boots of Travel | 18:29 | 15:10–28:30 | 51 |
| Black King Bar | 25:16 | 23:22–28:22 | 99 |
Shadow Fiend 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 Shadow Fiend
Heroes Shadow Fiend is strong against
Laning against Shadow Fiend
- At level 3, Shadow Fiend deals about 399 damage to a typical laner in 8 seconds of fighting, mostly through spell burst – more than 52 of the other 126 heroes (items not counted).
Quick answers about Shadow Fiend
What is the best item build for Shadow Fiend?
Divine+ players at Carry (pos 1) most often finish Power Treads, Magic Wand, Dragon Lance, Falcon Blade.
What starting items should I buy on Shadow Fiend?
At Carry (pos 1) the most common starting basket of recent pro and Divine+ players is Faerie Fire, Magic Wand.
Who counters Shadow Fiend?
In Divine+ drafts Shadow Fiend struggles most against Dragon Knight, Brewmaster, Medusa.
Which position is Shadow Fiend played in?
Mostly Carry (pos 1): 64% of its Divine+ games with a recorded position.
Play Shadow Fiend with a live coach in your ear
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