Calico’s main threat#
Calico is a assassin: finds isolated targets, deletes them and leaves before the enemy team can answer.
The kit is hybrid-leaning, so a mix of bullet and spirit defence do the most to blunt it.
Abilities to play around#
Ability 1
Gloom Bombs
Throws a cluster of bombs that detonate after a short delay for spirit damage. Enemies hit by multiple bombs take reduced damage.
Play around it Respect its range and cooldown; fight when it’s been used.
Ability 2
Leaping Slash
Dashes forward, then slashes all enemies in a circle for melee damage. Hitting a hero restores some health.
Play around it Healing or sustain — buy healing reduction (Healbane, Toxic Bullets or Decay) so it’s worth less, and focus burst damage rather than chip damage.
Play around it Mobility — it’s also the escape. Don’t chase it into their team; force it out first, then commit. Slowing Hex shuts down many movement abilities.
Ability 3
Ava
Possesses her cat, gaining growing move speed and hiding from the minimap. Damage from an enemy hero resets the bonus.
Play around it Respect its range and cooldown; fight when it’s been used.
Ultimate
Return to Shadows
Becomes untargetable in shadows with bonus speed and spirit damage, then returns after a delay to deal spirit damage again. Completing it heals Calico.
Play around it Healing or sustain — buy healing reduction (Healbane, Toxic Bullets or Decay) so it’s worth less, and focus burst damage rather than chip damage.
Play around it Mobility — it’s also the escape. Don’t chase it into their team; force it out first, then commit. Slowing Hex shuts down many movement abilities.
Counter items, with reasons#
Specific answers to this kit
General answers
General answers are our editorial reading of the kit. Counter items only help if you’re the one being hit — buy for the threat you actually face.
How to beat Calico#
- Slowing Hex disables Leaping Slash, Ava and Return to Shadows.
- Healing reduction cuts her healing from Leaping Slash and Return to Shadows.
- Damaging Calico in Ava form resets her speed and puts Ava on cooldown.
Mistakes to avoid
- Walking alone through the districts when they’re missing from the map.
- Using your escape before they’ve committed.
Want to see the hero from the other side? Read the Calico guide, or open the counter-pick helper to plan against a whole enemy team.