Hard support guide

A patient spellcaster with a sharp sense for spacing, Lich makes clustered enemies regret standing together.

560 HP411 manaLevel 1

LichDota 2 hero

Lich protects his lane partner with Frost Shield and punishes clustered opponents with Chain Frost.

IntelligenceRanged

#35of 127 heroes
by pick rate

Pick rate: 10.3%
Hero win rate: 52.6%

Our game-phase read Editorial · impact 1–5

Source & our read · Sep 12, 2026

OpenDota · retrieved Sep 12, 2026. 391,068 Lich picks and 205,514 wins in approximately 3,780,175 rank-classified public matches. Excludes Turbo and pro stats. This is a sample, not all players.

Pick rate = hero picks ÷ estimated matches; win rate = hero wins ÷ hero picks. Estimated matches = all hero picks ÷ 10, following OpenDota’s calculation. Tied pick counts share a rank. The API does not provide observation timestamps.

Our impact scores · 1 low, 5 high
Early · 4/5	Reliable lane slows and defensive shielding create strong trading windows.
Mid · 4/5	Save items and Chain Frost make small fights dangerous around grouped units.
Late · 3/5	He remains useful through protection and control, but needs careful positioning.

The Dota2Freaks take Editorial

Why pick Lich?

Pick Lich when an ally needs protection against physical attacks and your team can keep enemies close together.

When to think twice

Avoid relying on Lich as the only initiation when enemies can spread before fights begin.

The usual mistake

Do not throw Chain Frost into a lone target without a nearby unit or a planned Ice Spire bounce.

Our picks · Hard support

Lich item builds

Choose for the game in front of you.

Standard

Default hard support path for protecting a core through lane pressure and ordinary team fights.

01Starting
Trade safely and maintain vision
02Lane
Bring mana to your lane partner
03First core
Protect a focused ally
04Mid game
Reposition allies from danger
05Late game
Hide a threatened teammate
06Luxury
Survive the first jump

Force StaffMoves an ally or Lich away from danger and into better spacing.Guide ↗

How to use these builds

These are our editorial build paths. Labels describe their purpose, not measured popularity or win rate. Click an item for its use. Each stage is an inventory snapshot: keep earlier items, use consumables, upgrade components, and replace small items as space runs out. Boots, defenses, and late slots can change with the draft.

More match and build examples: Dota 2 Pro Tracker. Item names and images: Valve.

The draft check

Friends & counters

Our picks, based on how the spells work together.

5 friends to play with

Juggernaut

Frost Shield helps Juggernaut stay active when enemies attack him during close combat.

Sven

Storm Hammer can hold enemies near each other for Chain Frost bounces.

Drow Ranger

Lich slows pursuers and shields Drow while she attacks from range.

Axe

Berserker's Call gathers opponents into a strong Chain Frost area.

Earthshaker

Fissure and stuns can trap enemies beside each other for repeated bounces.

5 counter picks to watch

Anti-Mage

Blink escapes Lich's slow pressure, while Mana Break limits repeated defensive casts.

Pudge

Meat Hook can pull Lich out of his safe position before he saves an ally.

Slardar

Guardian Sprint closes distance quickly and Corrosive Haze exposes hidden positioning.

Lion

Hex and Earth Spike can stop Lich before Frost Shield or Force Staff is used.

Sniper

Long range attacks pressure Lich from outside his preferred spell spacing.

About these picks

These are useful ability interactions, not a statistical ranking or guaranteed matchups. Positioning, items, and cooldowns change the result. Hero links open a full guide when available, otherwise the directory.

Ability references from Valve: Juggernaut · Sven · Drow Ranger · Axe · Earthshaker · Anti-Mage · Pudge · Slardar · Lion · Sniper. Checked 2026-09-21.

The buttons

QWER + D · open for spell values

Frost BlastUnit targetDamages and slows enemies around the target. The primary target takes both the direct and area damage.

Mana: 110 / 120 / 130 / 140
Cooldown: 7s
Area damage: 80 / 120 / 160 / 200

Frost ShieldUnit targetApplies a magical frost shield around the target, reducing damage from attacks against it.

Mana: 100 / 110 / 120 / 130
Cooldown: 30 / 25 / 20 / 15s
Attack damage reduction: 45 / 50 / 55 / 60%

Sinister GazeUnit targetCHANNELED - Hypnotizes an enemy unit, causing it to move towards a point between the two of you and drains a percentage of its current mana.

Mana: 25
Cooldown: 24 / 22 / 20 / 18s
Channel duration: 1.1 / 1.4 / 1.7 / 2s

Chain FrostUltimateReleases an orb of frost that bounces between nearby enemy units up to 10 times, slowing and damaging each time it hits.

Mana: 180 / 300 / 420
Cooldown: 100 / 80 / 60s
Initial bounce damage: 250 / 400 / 550

Ice SpirePoint targetRequires Aghanim’s Shard. Creates an Ice Spire at the target spot, slowing enemies around it.

Mana: 150
Cooldown: 25s
Spire duration: 15s

Base stats & innate Level 1 · no items

Strength20+2.1 / lvl

Agility17+1.7 / lvl

Intelligence28+3.4 / lvl

Attack damage: 52–61
Armor: 1.8
Move speed: 290
Magic resist: 25%
Attack range: 550
Base attack time: 1.7s
Health regen: +2.5/s
Mana regen: +0.39999998/s

SacrificeInnate · active

Sacrifice an allied creep to convert its current health into mana for Lich and give Lich its experience bounty.

DOTA2FREAKS GUIDE · REVIEWED Sep 21, 2026

Dota 2 Lich guide: hard support builds, abilities and tips

Lich protects his lane partner with Frost Shield and punishes clustered opponents with Chain Frost.

What role does Lich play in Dota 2?

Lich is a ranged Intelligence hero. Our recommended role is hard support.

Lich is a hard support who protects the ally enemies choose first, then punishes the chase with slows and Chain Frost. Pick him beside a core that fights near creeps or frontline allies. His impact falls when opponents spread, so treat positioning as a resource rather than chasing damage.

How to play Lich in Dota 2

Lich laning and early decisions
In lane, use Frost Blast when the primary target stands near another enemy, because the target takes both parts of the blast. Put Frost Shield on the ally receiving attacks instead of reflexively shielding yourself. Sacrifice a safe allied creep for mana and experience, while respecting that nearby enemies may receive deny experience.
Lich positioning and teamfights
Before a fight, stand behind the ally most likely to be jumped. Frost Shield that target as enemies commit, then use Frost Blast to slow their followup. Sinister Gaze pulls one unit toward the space between you, so channel from safety or use it to disrupt a retreating opponent.
Dota 2 Lich item build decisions
Buy mana and movement first because Lich needs repeated saves rather than attack damage. Force Staff is a practical first core when enemies threaten a stationary ally or your own position. Add Glimmer Cape for another save, detection for hidden threats, and personal survival items when divers consistently reach you.

Dota 2 Lich tips and ability interactions

D2F ADVICE

Lich: Double up Frost Blast

Aim Frost Blast at the enemy standing closest to another enemy whenever a lane trade begins. The primary target receives base and area damage, while both units are slowed. That makes a short commitment more valuable than blasting a distant target who cannot be followed by your partner.

Lich: Shield the intended victim

Cast Frost Shield before the enemy attack sequence fully begins, especially on the ally holding the dangerous ground. It reduces damage from attacks and slows nearby enemies over time. The spell also works on buildings, letting Lich help defend a structure while staying outside immediate danger.

Lich: Give Chain Frost neighbors

Release Chain Frost when enemies are close to other enemy units or an Ice Spire from Shard. Each bounce damages and slows, and later bounces gain damage. If no bounce is available, it lingers on its last target, so a nearby arrival can restart the threat.

Dota 2 Lich ability mechanics

Key Lich mechanics · Valve snapshot Sep 21, 2026
Detail	What it means in your game
Frost Blast	Damages and slows enemies around the target. The primary target takes both the direct and area damage.
Frost Shield	Applies a magical frost shield around the target, reducing damage from attacks against it.
Sinister Gaze	CHANNELED - Hypnotizes an enemy unit, causing it to move towards a point between the two of you and drains a percentage of its current mana.

Dota 2 Lich FAQ

Which role should Lich play in Dota 2?

Lich is usually a hard support because his spells offer protection, slows, lane trading, and team fight disruption without needing farm. Stay near the ally most likely to receive attacks, carry wards and detection, and spend gold on mana, repositioning, and defensive tools instead of personal damage.

Which items should Lich buy in Dota 2?

Start with inexpensive regeneration, vision, and mana tools, then prioritize Arcane Boots and a repositioning item such as Force Staff. Choose Glimmer Cape when invisibility can save a focused ally. Consider Lotus Orb against repeated targeted spells, while Aeon Disk helps when enemies can immediately eliminate Lich.

Is Lich suitable for Dota 2 beginners?

For a beginner, make Frost Shield your first defensive thought whenever an ally is about to absorb attacks. Use Frost Blast on clustered enemies, not merely the closest one. Keep a safe distance before channeling Sinister Gaze, and avoid wandering alone where a simple stun can remove your saves.

How should you use Lich's ultimate in Dota 2?

Chain Frost is strongest when several enemy units remain close enough for repeated bounces. Cast after allies trap opponents, or use Ice Spire from Shard as another bounce option. It cannot be disjointed and lingers on its last target, but isolated enemies greatly reduce its immediate value.

Next pick?