In the landscape of Dota 2, ultimate abilities play a pivotal role in shaping the course of matches. These supremely impactful skills have the potential to shift the balance of power during crucial engagements and significantly influence the overall result of games. As of the latest update in July 2024, we are excited to present an extensive examination of the top 10 game-altering ultimates in Dota 2. This comprehensive analysis will delve into their far-reaching effects, provide intricate descriptions of their mechanics, and offer strategic insights into effectively mitigating their impact on the battlefield.
Black Hole (Enigma)
Enigma's Black Hole remains one of the most feared abilities in Dota 2. This ultimate creates a gravitational vortex that pulls in all nearby enemies, rendering them immobile and dealing massive damage over time. The ability to affect units with spell immunity (BKB) makes it incredibly potent. In professional matches, a well-timed Black Hole can wipe out an entire enemy team, making Enigma a high-priority target to neutralize.
Countermeasures
To counter Black Hole, teams should prioritize stuns and silences to interrupt Enigma before or during his cast. Heroes like Lion, Silencer, or Rubick (who can steal Black Hole) are effective choices. Maintaining proper positioning to avoid clumping can reduce the number of heroes caught in its AOE. Additionally, items like Black King Bar (BKB) and Aeon Disk can help key heroes survive the initial pull and retaliate once the ultimate ends.
Reverse Polarity (Magnus)
Magnus's Reverse Polarity is a powerful initiation tool that pulls all nearby enemies to his location, stunning them for several seconds. This ability sets up devastating follow-up damage from Magnus's team, often leading to game-deciding team wipes. It's particularly feared in combination with his Skewer ability, which can further reposition enemies into compromising positions.
Countermeasures
Effective countermeasures include using BKB to negate the stun, silences and disarm to prevent Magnus from initiating and maintaining high-ground vision to anticipate his movements. Heroes with displacement abilities like Puck or Storm Spirit can dodge the initiation or disrupt Magnus's approach.
Ravage (Tidehunter)
Tidehunter's Ravage is an ultimate that sends out massive tentacles, dealing damage and stunning all enemies in a wide radius. This ability facilitates and counter-initiates fights, providing a significant advantage in large-scale engagements. Its extensive AOE and long stun duration make it a critical tool in Tidehunter's arsenal.
Countermeasures
To counter Ravage, teams can utilize BKB and substantial dispel items like Lotus Orb to negate the stun. Spreading out during team fights can reduce the number of heroes affected. It is also crucial to keep Tidehunter under control with silences and stuns before he can initiate.
Chronosphere (Faceless Void)
Faceless Void's Chronosphere is a game-defining ability that freezes time within a large spherical area. Enemies caught inside are immobilized, while Void and his allies can freely attack them. Chronosphere's ability to disable enemies regardless of their BKB status makes it a formidable tool for initiating team fights and securing kills. The recent updates enhancing its effectiveness in locking spell cooldowns of affected enemies have solidified its place as one of the strongest ultimates in the game.
Countermeasures
Countering Chronosphere involves using Aeon Disk to survive the burst damage or Force Staff to push allies out of its range. Spread out during engagements to minimize the number of heroes caught in Chronosphere. Keeping a watchful eye on Void's positioning and utilizing heroes with global or long-range disables can disrupt his initiation.
Global Silence (Silencer)
Silencer's Global Silence is a disruptive ultimate that prevents all enemies from casting spells for its duration. This ability can ruin the enemy team's coordination and neutralize critical abilities during team fights. It's especially effective against heroes reliant on their spellcasting for impact.
Countermeasures
Counters to Global Silence include items like BKB and Manta Style, which can dispel the silence. Lotus Orb can also reflect the silence back onto Silencer. Initiating fights and eliminating Silencer before he can cast Global Silence is a highly effective strategy.
Primal Split (Brewmaster)
Brewmaster's Primal Split divides him into three elemental spirits, each with unique abilities that disrupt, damage, and control enemies. This ultimate makes Brewmaster exceptionally hard to kill, allowing him to exert significant control over the battlefield. Each spirit's unique skills contribute to turning the tide in team fights.
Countermeasures
To counter Primal Split, focus on killing Brewmaster before he can cast the ultimate. Silences effectively prevent him from using it. During Primal Split, coordinating to quickly eliminate one spirit at a time can reduce their overall effectiveness.
Supernova (Phoenix)
Phoenix's Supernova transforms the hero into a burning sun, dealing damage over time and stunning enemies if they fail to destroy the sun in time. Successfully casting Supernova forces the enemy team to focus their attacks on the sun, often diverting attention from other threats and setting up for counterattacks by Phoenix's allies.
Countermeasures
Countering a Supernova requires heroes with high attack speed to destroy the sun quickly. Coordinated focus fire from the team can prevent the stun from going off. Stuns and silences can also prevent Phoenix from positioning well for the ultimate
Song of the Siren (Naga Siren)
Naga Siren's Song of the Siren puts all nearby enemies to sleep, allowing her team to reposition, escape, or set up a perfect initiation. This versatile ability can be used defensively and offensively, making it incredibly powerful in various scenarios.
Countermeasures
Effective counters include silences to prevent Naga from casting Song of the Siren and split pushing to force her to use it defensively. BKB can keep crucial heroes active during the song, and initiating fights before Naga can react is a viable strategy.
Doom (Doom)
Doom's ultimate ability silences and deals damage over time to a single enemy hero, preventing them from casting spells or using items. This removes a key enemy hero from the fight, making it a game-changing ability against crucial targets. Its prolonged duration and ability to prevent spell and item usage make it extremely powerful.
Countermeasures
Countering Doom involves using Linken's Sphere to block the ultimate or Lotus Orb to reflect it onto Doom. Keeping key heroes far from Doom can minimize the risk of being targeted. Additionally, high burst damage can eliminate Doom before he can cast his ultimate.
Exorcism (Death Prophet)
Death Prophet's Exorcism summons a swarm of spirits that attack nearby enemies and structures, dealing significant damage over time and healing her at the end of the duration. This ultimate is excellent for both pushing towers and sustaining in team fights. The healing effect keeps Death Prophet alive through intense engagements, making her a valuable asset in prolonged battles.
Countermeasures
To counter Exorcism, teams should focus on burst damage to quickly kill Death Prophet and stop the ultimate. Silence and disarming can prevent her from staying close to critical targets. Kiting her and maintaining distance can also reduce the damage from the spirits.