Venator’s main threat#
Venator is a carry: scales into the most dangerous gun on the map with items.
The kit is weapon-leaning, so bullet resistance and weapon shields do the most to blunt it.
Abilities to play around#
Ability 1
Consecrating Grenade
Fires a bouncing grenade that deals weapon damage and sets enemies on fire; burning enemies take pure damage over time and heal less.
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.
Ability 2
Gutshot
A shotgun blast that deals weapon damage and pushes enemies back; enemies near a wall are stunned and take bonus damage.
Play around it Disable or displacement — this is what starts kills. Track its cooldown and punish the window after it’s used; Debuff Reducer shortens it, and Unstoppable or Indomitable answer the biggest ones.
Ability 3
Hex-Lined Snap Trap
Kicks a trap that arms briefly, then springs on the first enemy to touch it — damaging, immobilizing and revealing nearby enemies.
Play around it Disable or displacement — this is what starts kills. Track its cooldown and punish the window after it’s used; Debuff Reducer shortens it, and Unstoppable or Indomitable answer the biggest ones.
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.
Ultimate
Ira Domini
Loads the crossbow with heavy stakes; the final stake is blessed, adding pure damage and executing low-health enemies.
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.
Counter items, with reasons#
Specific answers to this kit
Dispel Magic
Vitality · 3,200 souls
Dispel Magic removes the Consecrating Grenade burn and Snap Trap effects.
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 Venator#
- Shoot the Snap Trap to disarm it — abilities, items and melee can't.
- Plated Armor can block Ira Domini's on-hit effects.
- Dispel Magic removes the Consecrating Grenade burn and Snap Trap effects.
Mistakes to avoid
- Letting them farm undisturbed in the early game.
- Fighting them late with no bullet resistance.
Want to see the hero from the other side? Read the Venator guide, or open the counter-pick helper to plan against a whole enemy team.