Shiv’s main threat#
Shiv 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
Serrated Knives
Throws a knife that bleeds an enemy; each extra hit strengthens the bleed. At full rage, knives also deal current-health damage and slow.
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 Slows — Enduring Speed and Debuff Reducer help you walk out of it.
Ability 2
Slice and Dice
Dashes forward, damaging enemies along the path and reducing their spirit resist. At full rage an echo of the dash repeats.
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
Bloodletting
Takes part of incoming damage immediately and defers the rest over time. Activating it clears a portion of the deferred damage.
Play around it Respect its range and cooldown; fight when it’s been used.
Ultimate
Killing Blow
Leaps to strike the first enemy hero, executing them if they're below a health threshold. An execute fills rage and allows a quick recast.
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 Shiv#
- Slowing Hex disables Killing Blow and Slice and Dice.
- Dispel Magic removes the Serrated Knives bleed.
- Anti-heal reduces Bloodletting's healing.
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 Shiv guide, or open the counter-pick helper to plan against a whole enemy team.