A red and white logo with the word 'Dota Coach' in a stylized font.
Dota Coach logoDota Coach logoDota Coach logoDota Coach logo

Shadow Shaman

Get the in-game guide

Select Role

Ability Build

1
Ether Shock
2
Shackles
3
Shackles
4
Hex
5
Hex
6
Mass Serpent Ward
7
Hex
8
Hex
9
Shackles
10
Shackles
11
Ether Shock
12
Mass Serpent Ward
13
Ether Shock
14
Ether Shock
Talet tree backgroundTalent tree branchesTalent tree branch
15
+10 Hex Damage Amplification
Talet tree backgroundTalent tree branchesTalent tree branch
16
+1s Shackles Duration
17
Attribute Bonus
18
Mass Serpent Ward
19
Attribute Bonus
Talet tree backgroundTalent tree branchesTalent tree branch
20
+1 Serpent Wards Max HP
21
Attribute Bonus
22
Attribute Bonus
23
Attribute Bonus
24
Attribute Bonus
Talet tree backgroundTalent tree branchesTalent tree branch
25
+25 Wards Attack Damage

Disables, Buffs and Passives

AbilitiesDisablesDispellable BuffsBreakable Passives
Interrupts ChannelingSilencesRoots
Ether Shock
Hex
Shackles
Mass Serpent Ward

Item Build

Starting
Tango
10
Blood Grenade
Enchanted Mango
Wind Lace
Iron Branch
1
Observer Ward
1
Sentry Ward
Early Game
Boots of Speed
15
Magic Wand
Ring of Basilius
7
Infused Raindrops
Mid Game
55
Arcane Boots
Aether Lens
15
Blink Dagger
Aghanim's Shard
19
Force Staff
Late Game
Aghanim's Scepter
180
Refresher Orb
Octarine Core
105
Aeon Disk
Situational
95
Black King Bar
22
Ghost Scepter
14
Glimmer Cape
15
Lotus Orb
23
Eul's Scepter of Divinity
Boots of Travel
Neutral
Faded Broach
60
Arcane Ring
Philosopher's Stone
Eye of the Vizier
20
Psychic Headband
40
Ogre Seal Totem
Telescope
60
Ninja Gear
60
Seer Stone
8
Force Boots

Hero Strategy

Make use of Shadow Shaman's high base damage to secure last hits and denies.

A good Combo is to use Hex followed by Mass Serpent Ward with Shackles.

You can pull nearby neutral or lane creeps to your Mass Serpent Wards after you made a move to get some extra gold.

If opponents are farming your Mass Serpent Wards, try to deny individual Serpent Wards with other Serpent Wards.

Take your time to farm up Aether Lens or Blink Dagger, so that you can cast you spells more easily in fights.

Initiate on enemies with your long lasting disables, so your allies can follow-up for a kill.

In certain games, Black King Bar can be great to get off full Shackles durations.

Aghanim's Scepter and a Refresher Orb in late game allow you to breach high ground and end the game.

Use portals to move around the map and setup kills with your lengthy disables.

Counter Strategy

Shadow Shaman has high base damage and a great nuke in Ether Shock. Avoid trading with him.

Shadow Shaman has long lasting stuns but short cast range disables. Keep distance from him.

Shadow Shaman has high solo kill potential on level 6 with Mass Serpent Ward.

Shadow Shaman takes buildings down fast with Mass Serpent Ward. Organize defense quickly.

Focus Shadow Shaman in the fights as he provides a lot of control for his team.

Black King Bar, status resistance items, Linken's Sphere and Lotus Orb are great against Shadow Shaman.

Shadow Shaman is good at ratting your base especially with Aghanim's Scepter and Refresher Orb.

Counter Items for Core Players

Laning Phase
17
Magic Stick
Ring of Regen
7
Infused Raindrops
Armor items
Ring of Health
Mid Game
15
Lotus Orb
18
Orchid Malevolence
95
Black King Bar
Sange and Yasha
Kaya and Sange
Late Game
14
Linken's Sphere
Assault Cuirass

Counter Items for Support Players

Laning Phase
17
Magic Stick
Ring of Regen
7
Infused Raindrops
Armor items
Mid Game
15
Lotus Orb
19
Force Staff
14
Glimmer Cape
Late Game
14
Linken's Sphere
95
Black King Bar