Apollo →His ultimate is finishing you after the slow-motion setup
Time Counterspell for the actual damage window of the ultimate.
Correct timing can negate the ability damage and effects even after the sequence has started.
CounterspellCounterspell Counter Guide
Counterspell rewards reading an enemy's commitment. By upgrading your parry to block ability damage and effects during its protection window, it lets you turn a predictable burst or control attempt into a missed opportunity for the opponent.
How to Use Counterspell
Who should buy Counterspell?
Players comfortable responding to a readable ability commitment with a prepared parry.
When to activate or apply it
Prepare the parry for the dangerous ability or damage window. The strongest use is blocking the part of the sequence that would otherwise decide the exchange.
Against Apollo: Time Counterspell for the actual damage window of the ultimate. Correct timing can negate the ability damage and effects even after the sequence has started.
Watch out for
Using the response too early can waste the window. Sudden catches and repeated control may require a different defensive plan.
When to Buy Counterspell in Deadlock
Buy it when a readable ability repeatedly decides your fights and you can react with parry. If the catch happens before you can respond, compare automatic control protection instead.
Average purchase: 23.5 minutes
Game-stage ranges are approximate, and average purchase times are a guide rather than a deadline. Buy sooner when this item would change your next fight.
Purchase timing data & context
| Stage | Average purchase |
|---|---|
| Early game · 0–10 min | Not available |
| Mid game · 10–20 min | 19.1 min |
| Late game · 20+ min | 24.4 min |
Best Against
Telegraphed burst or control sequences where you can read and react to the commitment.
Apollo →
Billy →His ultimate grab keeps converting into a kill
Counterspell the pull or use Unstoppable/Ethereal Shift.
The ultimate is telegraphed enough to answer if you keep the defensive tool available.
Drifter →His ultimate is about to land on you
Preemptively Counterspell the obvious ultimate timing.
The animation is readable enough to protect yourself before the burst and effects connect.
Infernus →His ultimate stun is deciding teamfights
Counterspell the telegraphed explosion or Warp Stone out of range.
The wind-up gives you a real reaction window if you preserve the defensive tool.
Ivy →Stone Form is stunning you for easy follow-up
Counterspell the Stone Form impact.
The ability is telegraphed enough to parry, removing both the damage and the control that normally sets up the next hit.
Lady Geist →She is low health but threatens a fight-winning health swap
Counterspell the swap or silence her before she can cast it.
Chasing a low Geist is dangerous specifically because Soul Exchange can reverse the health bars instantly.
All 21 recommended hero matchups
These hero guides recommend Counterspell. Check the individual matchup for the build, situation, and timing.
ApolloPriority situation answer
BebopSituational counter optionBillyPriority situation answer
CelesteSituational counter optionDrifterPriority situation answer
Grey TalonSituational counter option
HollidaySituational counter optionInfernusPriority situation answerIvyPriority situation answerLady GeistPriority situation answer
LashPriority situation answer
Mo & KrillSituational counter option
ParadoxPriority situation answer
PocketPriority situation answer
RemPriority situation answer
ShivPriority situation answer
SinclairSituational counter option
The DoormanPriority situation answer
VindictaPriority situation answer
WraithSituational counter option
YamatoPriority situation answerAlternatives & Comparisons
Indomitable
Indomitable provides an automatic response to the next qualifying control effect, then adds a barrier and cooldown relief. It is valuable against catches that leave little time to press a defensive active, provided its protection is ready for the important event.
Compare this option →
Unstoppable
Unstoppable protects a planned commitment from crowd control. Activate it before the dangerous control sequence begins, especially when repeated disables would stop you from completing an engage or dealing damage. You still need a position that survives the incoming damage.
Compare this option →
Ethereal Shift
Ethereal Shift lets you sit out a dangerous moment through brief invulnerability and untargetability. Against a committed burst or a short ultimate window, the goal is to waste the enemy's investment and return with a plan for your next position.
Compare this option →