Shadow Fiend, SF, the Ghoul of pickable heroes in Dota 2. Tactile strategist, and even play a supportive role if the situation calls for it. The character feels equally confident both in one-on-one duels and in fights against several opponents at once.
However, you don’t often see Ghouls in amateur-level matches. It is difficult to manage it: you need precision, a sense of timing and a competent selection of artifacts. A mistake — and the hero becomes an easy prey.
It’s not easy to play against SF. It is usually taken by experienced players from the first lvl to open the “Soul Eater”. Therefore, Shadow Fiend counter-peaks are one of the key ways to increase the chances of winning.
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Who is Shadow Fiend in Dota 2
Shadow Fiend is a ranged hero capable of dealing both physical and magical damage. He got the nickname “Soul Eater” for a reason: with each defeated enemy, he takes his soul and then uses the ulta.
In the first minutes of the game, SF is vulnerable and farms slowly. He usually prefers to act alone to collect the right amount of gold and acquire key artifacts faster.
Dexterity is the best, the hero’s health reserve is small, while ganging up on the MFA will kill you with an aggressive attack. At the first level, it is pointless to take a counter-peak against the SF — it is too weak. But from the second level, having received the necessary items, the hero confidently enters the MFA, and by the third he is able to crush enemy lines and intimidate opponents.
Shadow Fiend Magic and Abilities
The hero has six magical skills, each of which can be enhanced.:
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Shadowraze (Shadow Strike) — releases accumulated mana energy by hitting enemies in the distance.
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Necromastery (Necromancer) — passive, has the properties to absorb the souls of fallen enemies.
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Presence of the Dark Lord – reduces the defense of nearby enemies and increases damage to them.
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Requiem of Souls – release of energy from accumulated souls, which hits enemies around; it is activated even after the death of SF.
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Necromastery II — allows you to use collected souls for critical attacks.
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Necromastery III — allows you to accumulate up to 10 souls and release an enhanced energy stream during the Requiem.
The combination of “Shadow Strike” and “Requiem” will give a preview to the future ulta — it is able to suddenly burst in, inflict damage on the area and slow down enemies. When Necromancer III is activated, it becomes extremely difficult to defeat SF, especially in team battles.
To survive, Shadow Fiend collects artifacts that enhance health and restore energy. He doesn’t need any support and often plays alone.
Shadow Fiend’s Counter-Peaks in Dota 2
The SF counter-peak must be chosen according to the rules. To defeat the Soul Eater, you need to stop him from farming. Deprive him of gold and experience, and he will weaken and lose his strength. Without artifacts, SF loses most of its potential, and then even a Ghoul can be defeated by any member of the team.
Zeus is one of the pretenders to the best counter-peaks against SF: his abilities deal damage from a safe distance and interfere with the use of magic.
Counter Shadow Fiend at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
On the MFA, it’s best to counter SF with controlled heroes, gangers, and characters who can knock down castes.:
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Zeus — uses silence, preventing SF from casting spells.
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Viper — poisons and slows down the enemy, which prevents SF from approaching.
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Templar Assassin — strikes fast and destroys the hero in seconds.
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Lina — attacks from afar, constantly keeps her distance.
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Tinker, Ember Spirit, and Pudge also show good results, being able to neutralize key SF abilities.
Contra on the line
On the line, SF gains strength over time and with further caution. It is necessary to deliver short blows and quickly retreat, avoiding retaliatory damage. It is most effective to use mobile heroes who can quickly get close and get out from under attack.
Due to the constant lack of mana, SF often switches to physical attacks, which are not too dangerous at the beginning of the game. Three or four quick attacks and the hero falls, especially if there is no support nearby.
Passive SF ability: is it possible to shoot down?
Shadow Fiend has three passive abilities with an advantage over his opponent. The main advantage of SF is that its passivity cannot be removed — neither by magic, nor by artifacts, nor even by dispels. This is what makes the hero especially dangerous in the later stages of the game.
Who’s going to counter Shadow Fiend in Dota 2
There are enough counter-peaks against Nevermore. Some of them include Pugna, Sniper, Zeus, Ursa, Faceless Void and Bane.
If you look at the win rate, then Zeus and Centaur Warrunner win more often than others. The latter is considered to be the sworn enemy of the Soul Eater, and will survive even a full CF procast.
Shadow Fiend’s average winning percentage is about 50%, which makes him a hero who requires experience and accurate decisions.
Who is SF particularly strong against
Despite the presence of counter-peaks, an experienced SF is able to turn the game around even against uncomfortable enemies. He feels especially confident against low—mobility heroes who depend on magical protection – Meepo, Anti-Mage, Warlock, Necrophos, Silencer.
In the presence of key items, the hero becomes a universal killing machine, capable of adapting to any situation.
What subjects counter SF
Collecting artifacts exclusively against Shadow Fiend is not a good idea. The hero deals both magical and physical damage, so it’s worth choosing flexible items.
The most useful ones are:
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Black King Bar (BKB) — absolute protection from magic;
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Dagon — powerful magic damage at a critical moment;
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Sentry Ward — helps slow down the SF and weaken its defenses in battle.
Choose items based on the composition of the enemy team: sometimes it is more important to weaken other heroes than to try to directly counter Nevermore himself.
General Tips against Shadow Fiend
SF is one of the strongest miders in the game. Defeating him 1 on 1 is almost impossible. The best way to stop him is to gang up early. It will make life easier for your middleman and deprive the SF of control over the line.
Even after winning the MFA, don’t relax. Shadow Fiend is easily regenerated by farming the forest with the help of “coils”. Block stacks, break timings, and no pharma under Smoke of Deceit. Without artifacts, SF is extremely vulnerable.
Avoid Shadowraze (middle distance) on the line. If you have already been hit by a series of “coyotes”, it is better to step back a little — one extra move and you will find yourself in a tavern.
Experienced SF players often use a trick: they leave a creep with a small amount of health to provoke the enemy to finish off, and then instantly release a combo of “coyotes”. To avoid falling into a trap, move unpredictably, especially if you have low HP.
Conclusion
Shadow Fiend is a strong but demanding hero. It only reveals its potential in the hands of players who can sense timing and space. You can defeat him if you act as a team, choose your counterpikes wisely, and don’t let Nevermore pick up the pace.
