Choosing a neutral item isn't always guided by your hero's needs. Sometimes it's better to consider the enemy picks and find answers for specific opponents. We've compiled 5 neutral items that excellently counter certain heroes.
Gossamer Cape against Doom and Templar Assassin
Both Doom and Templar Assassin heavily rely on burst damage. The former extends stun duration or initiates fights with Infernal Blade, while the latter erases supports in the backline with Meld. Both value speed and surprise, otherwise Ghost Scepter, BKB, Force Staff, or Eul's Scepter can save them.
Gossamer Cape provides just that time! Doom is forced to re-cast his ability, and Templar Assassin with Meld completely misses her target. Moreover, it's a remarkable coincidence: the cooldown of Gossamer Cape coincides with the cooldowns of the softened Meld and Infernal Blade!
Best neutrals in Dota by tiers. Without Telescope and Philosopher's Stone.
Light Collector against Nature’s Prophet
By the 20th minute, you don't want to carry a Quelling Blade or a pack of Tangos - it's much better to have Smoke, vision, a Stick, or an extra Wraith Band. But against Furion, there's always a risk of being trapped among trees, so instead of an enhanced Wraith Band, you have an item worth a hundred gold. Light Collector, which destroys trees around its owner, solves all problems.
Firstly, getting rid of Sprouts is just one click; it helps not only you but also your allies. Secondly, the neutral item doesn't occupy the main inventory, so the game against Furion doesn't turn into perpetual item management. Wraith Band or Stick aren't sold before they should be. And Light Collector itself is good, movespeed is power!
Doubloon against Anti-Mage
It's not the most popular item, but it definitely has potential against Anti-Mage. On particularly mana-dependent heroes who repeatedly run out of mana in fights, we pull off the following trick. We enter with Doubloon for mana, ensuring we can cast spells, and then switch Doubloon to health.
The logic is simple: less maximum mana means less damage from the ultimate. It works especially well in teams with healers - they fill in the missing mana from the new maximum, making you even stronger! Good luck to Anti-Mage trying to kill you.
Ninja Gear against Zeus
Ninja Gear is the ultimate fear of magical Zeus. The hero casts spells from afar and doesn't dream of being in the center of the fight. And if the enemy goes into the fog, Zeus finds himself in a tough spot: neither casting spells nor finishing off with his ultimate. Running away and dispelling is too risky: if you spend Heavenly Jump, there's a risk of dying. And without the jump, he can't even catch up to a cripple. You have to forgive the enemy and let them go.
Even outside of fights, Ninja Gear often saves your life. The enemy Zeus respawned, and you have just enough health for one of his ults? Press the button and run to the fountain. Or knock out the useless ult and keep farming. It's simple and elegant.
Vindicator’s Axe against Slardar
If a hero with Vindicator’s Axe gets stunned, they gain +20 armor - exactly the amount Slardar's third ultimate removes. Moreover, in the case of Slardar, the stun is applied first, and then the damage. So we don't feel Slithereen Crush (the ability deals physical damage) and the hit with Bash of the Deep even under its debuff.
Furthermore, Vindicator’s Axe provides +20% resistance to slows, so here too, we weaken Slithereen Crush, which slows after the stun. The best item against the pesky Slithereen!