Windranger
The western forests guard their secrets well. One of these is Lyralei, master archer of the wood, and favored godchild of the wind. Known now as Windranger, Lyralei's family was killed in a storm on the night of her birth--their house blown down by the gale, contents scattered to the winds.
At a Glance
Core Principles
“The wind is not something you command. It is something you understand. Follow these principles, and you'll move unseen, strike true, and control the battlefield.”
Position is Power
Every ability depends on your position. Master Shackleshot angles, understand Powershot vision, and position where your Focus Fire is most effective.
Patience Prevails
Windrun has a long cooldown. Save it for moments when it truly matters. Sometimes the best play is waiting for the perfect angle.
Control the Map
Your Powershot isn't just damage - it's vision. Use it to farm, scout, deward, and keep enemies where you want them.
Adapt Your Role
You can be support, nuker, or carry. Read the game and adapt. Sometimes you disable, sometimes you execute. Be flexible.
Master the Mechanics
Understand the intricacies: Killshot calculations, Gale Force pull mechanics, Agh's invisibility quirks. Mastery gives you the edge.
Flow Like Wind
You're at your best when you're unpredictable. Mix aggression with retreat, damage with utility. Keep enemies guessing, always one step ahead.
Hero Overview
Windranger is the quintessential utility hero, capable of providing reliable crowd control, burst damage, and mobility from any position on the map. Her high base movement speed and versatile toolkit make her a formidable presence throughout all stages of the game.
Windranger's gameplay revolves around landing perfect Shackleshots to disable key targets, using Powershot for harassment and vision control, and melting priority targets with Focus Fire. A well-timed Windrun can save you from certain death or enable aggressive positioning. Her faceted gameplay allows adaptation to different situations - whether you need additional disable damage with Tangled or execute low-health targets with Killshot.
Pros
- Excellent single-target disable with Shackleshot
- Strong mobility and escape with Windrun
- Versatile farming with Powershot
- Powershot provides vision control
- Focus Fire melts tanky targets
Cons
- Shackleshot positioning requires practice
- Relatively squishy without items
- Mana intensive early game
- Windrun has long cooldown
- Dependent on positioning for effectiveness
Ability Analysis
Shackleshot
ActiveWindranger fires a shackling arrow that binds the target to an enemy unit, tree, or the ground behind them.
Notes: Perfect disable tool when positioned correctly. Calculates latch angles based on cast position, not your current location. CAN latch to units in fog and invisible units if you know their position. Tangled facet counts illusions as heroes for damage bonus.
Powershot
ActiveWindranger channels wind power, firing a precise arrow that cuts through trees and deals damage in a line.
Notes: Provides flying vision as projectile travels and vision lingers at endpoint. Use to stack camps from ~1800 range. Killshot facet adds nuke damage and checks kill threshold first, but can't kill units with HP-preventing buffs.
Windrun
ActiveGrants 100% evasion from attacks and bonus movement speed for a short duration.
Notes: 100% evasion works on all attacks including towers, calculated on projectile impact. Agh's Scepter adds invisibility but selection circle remains visible during attacks. Can be dispelled, countered by 'Cannot Be Dispelled' talent. Easy Breezy innate reduces move speed slow effectiveness.
Focus Fire
ActiveFocuses all of Windranger's power into a single barrage, attacking a target with increased attack speed but reduced damage.
Notes: Persist on enemies after death with Aegis/Reincarnation. Doesn't provide vision. Can be stopped with 'stop' key. Cannot target ward-type units. Damage vulnerable to Vanguard/Crimson Guard. Lotus Orb reflection requires melee range.
Gale Force (Shard Upgrade)
ActiveSummons a gust of wind that pulls enemies toward you and deals damage. Classified as 'pull' not forced movement.
Notes: Cannot interrupt abilities like Magnus's Skewer, Phoenix's Icarus Dive, Primal Beast's Onslaught, Spirit Breaker's Charge, Techies' Blast Off, or Templar Assassin's Meld due to pull classification.
Windrun (Aghanim's Scepter)
ActiveWindrun grants invisibility during the duration, allowing for surprise attacks and escapes.
Notes: Invisibility is somewhat jank - enemies can't see hero without true sight but can see selection circle during attacks. Useful for positioning Focus Fire or escaping dangerous situations.
Developer's Notes
Developer Insights
Windranger is one of the most versatile heroes in Dota 2, combining excellent disable, escape, and damage capabilities. Her Shackleshot is not just a stun - it's a game-changing ability that requires positioning mastery.
Key Insights:
- Positioning is everything for landing perfect Shackleshots
- Powershot provides both farming and burst damage
- Focus Fire melts tanky targets when timed correctly
Windranger rewards intelligent play and positioning awareness. Don't be afraid to be creative with your angles - that's where Windranger shines!
Game Strategy
Early Game
Timeframe: 0-15 minutes Objective: Harass enemies and secure farm with Powershot Key: Use Powershot to harass from safe distance; Position for Shackleshot opportunities using creeps; Farm jungle camps with Powershot from lane; Maintain vision control with Powershot Items: Arcane Boots (Mana sustainability); Magic Wand (Against casters); Wind Lace (Positioning) Tips: Practice Shackleshot angles on creeps before targeting heroes; Use Powershot to stack camps when lane is pushed; Be aggressive with Windrun to trade hits advantageously; Watch enemy positioning for perfect shackles
Mid Game
Timeframe: 15-30 minutes Objective: Disable key targets and provide teamfight control Key: Use Focus Fire on tanky priority targets; Control vision with Powershot; Position aggressively with Windrun; Initiate with well-angled Shackleshots Items: Dragon Lance (Range advantage); Silver Edge (Break effect); Force Staff (Mobility) Tips: Save Windrun for critical moments - cooldown is long; Use Powershot to reveal invisible enemies; Practice Focus Fire micro to avoid Blade Mail; Coordinate pushes with vision from Powershot
Late Game
Timeframe: 30+ minutes Objective: Execute high-value targets and provide utility Key: Melt carry heroes with Focus Fire + damage items; Use Aghanim's invisibility for positioning; Control fight flow with tactical Shackleshots; Provide vision over objectives with Powershot Items: Aghanim's Scepter (Invisibility utility); Bloodthorn (Evasion counter); Scythe of Vyse (Hard control) Tips: Focus Fire persists through BKB - use this advantage; Invisibility from Agh's allows perfect positioning; One good Shackleshot can win the fight alone; Powershot vision crucial for Roshan and high ground
Tips & Strategies
Shackleshot Mastery
- Practice casting Shackleshot from unexpected angles - good Windrangers use creeps frequently.
- Shackleshot can latch to units in fog and invisible units if you know their position.
- The ability calculates angles from cast position, not your current location.
- Tangled facet converts illusion hits to hero bonus damage - great against PL.
Powershot Utility
- Use Powershot to discover enemy farming - be careful with angles in dangerous areas.
- Stack neutral camps from ~1800 range with Powershot - further and neutrals won't aggro.
- Killshot facet checks damage before threshold but can't kill through HP-prevention buffs.
- Provides flying vision and lingers at endpoint - great for dewarding and map control.
Focus Fire Execution
- Stop Focus Fire with hotkeys before Blade Mail procs, then resume attacking.
- Focus Fire persists on enemies after death with Aegis - you'll immediately resume attacks.
- Cannot target ward-type units like Supernova or Tombstone.
- Position yourself during Focus Fire by clicking movement commands - you'll face click direction.
Item Guide
Starting Items
Mana regeneration and intelligence for early spell casting. Iron Branch provides cheap stats and can be placed for improved ward vision.
Null Talisman, Tangos, Clarity, Iron Branch
Core Items
Arcane Boots solve mana issues completely. Magic Wand essential against casters. Wind Lace enhances positioning ability. Dragon Lance improves range for safer positioning.
Arcane Boots, Magic Wand, Wind Lace, Dragon Lance
Situational Items
Silver Edge provides break for evasion heroes. Bloodthorn deals with Windrun counters. Holy Locket for sustain. Force Staff for additional mobility and save potential.
Silver Edge, Bloodthorn, Holy Locket, Force Staff
Counter Guide
Good With
Windranger excels when paired with heroes who can capitalize on her positioning control and follow up on disables. Axe provides perfect initiation with Berserker's Call, setting up easy Shackleshots. Invoker can land devastating combos on Shackled enemies with Cold Snap and EMP. Magnus creates synergy with Reverse Polarity into Focus Fire targets. Crystal Maiden can safely channel Freezing Field while Windranger controls the fight with Shackleshot. Enigma benefits from Windranger's ability to group enemies for Black Hole. Shadow Shaman provides additional lockdown through Hex and Shackles, ensuring targets cannot escape. The key is heroes who need enemies to be positioned precisely - Windranger delivers perfect control through her kit.
Bad Against
Windranger struggles against heroes who can neutralize her core advantages or exploit her squishy nature. Viper and Silencer apply break effects, completely disabling Windrun evasion and making Windranger vulnerable. Ursa and Lifestealer burst through Windrun with overwhelming physical damage. Bloodseeker's Thirst bonuses make escaping impossible, negating Windrun's mobility. Spectre and Phantom Assassin with high burst damage can kill through Windrun. Shadow Demon provides strong dispels andaghan's_Scepter_disruptor_ability_counters Windranger's positioning. Pudge can hook Windranger out of position, making her vulnerable to chains. The pattern is clear: heroes with break effects, high burst damage, vision control, or strong dispels all pose serious threats to Windranger's game plan.
Good Against
Windranger dominates heroes who rely on positioning, are vulnerable to disables, or depend on physical attacks. Illusion heroes like Phantom Lancer and Naga Siphoner suffer immensely - Shackleshot denies positioning and Focus Fire melts the real hero. Melee carries such as Ursa and Lifestealer find their damage completely negated by Windrun's 100% evasion. Squishy supports without escape mechanisms like Crystal Maiden, Witch Doctor, and Shadow Shaman are easy prey for Shackleshot into Focus Fire combos. Position-dependent heroes like Sniper and Drow Ranger lose their safety when suddenly disabled at close range. Attack-speed carries like Juggernaut find their damage nullified by Windrun evasion. Utility heroes dependent on channels like Enigma and Black Hole become sitting ducks when Shackled mid-cast. Windranger's ability to control positioning, negate physical damage, and execute targets makes her a nightmare for these hero types.