Grit counter guide
Grit provides a short barrier to absorb a readable damage window. This affordable lane purchase helps when surviving one burst lets you reach cover, return a manageable trade or keep contesting farm.
- Counter role
- Reactive Defense
- Buy at
- Early game / Mid game
- Avg. purchase
- 9.3 min
- Matchups
- 16
How to use Grit
Who should buy it
Players who need inexpensive immediate protection and can time an active before damage arrives.
When to use it
Activate just before the important hit, then reposition. Cover and dodging remain the first response when available.
Watch out
Protection lasts briefly and does not remove debuffs or prevent control. If a disable leaves no usable self-cast window, compare automatic protection.
When to buy Grit
Buy when a short, predictable trade is costing farm. Its sample supports lane and mid-game tags; later on, upgrade into the defense matching the actual threat.
What it does: Vitality · Tier 1 · Active · 800 souls. +1 non-combat regen; 200 barrier for 4 seconds; 60-second cooldown. Upgrades to Guardian Ward, Reactive Barrier, Spirit Shielding or Weapon Shielding. The three passive alternatives do not retain Grit’s manual barrier active.
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.
| Early game · 0–10 min | 6.8 min |
|---|---|
| Mid game · 10–20 min | 11.9 min |
| Late game · 20+ min | Not available |
Best against
Readable lane bursts you can see coming and shield just before they land.
BebopOne readable Sticky Bomb detonation costs too much lane health.Activate shortly before detonation, then reposition. It does not remove the bomb.
Alternative: Dispel Magic for bomb removal; Reactive Barrier for damage after a qualifying catch.
Lady GeistA readable bomb burst keeps forcing you out of lane.Barrier before the explosion and leave its damage area. It does not prevent Soul Exchange.
Alternative: Spirit Shielding for repeated spell sequences; cast denial for the swap.
Grey TalonA telegraphed charged shot costs you farm or forces a recall.Use cover first; activate before an unavoidable shot rather than after it lands.
Alternative: Spirit Shielding for repeated spirit bursts; Rusted Barrel for lane gun pressure.
Deadman DannyA visible missile or landing burst forces you out of lane.Activate before damage and leave the follow-up angle. It does not prevent a landing stun or grab.
Alternative: Spirit Shielding for spell follow-up; Reactive Barrier for qualifying catches.
YamatoA telegraphed Power Slash cannot be avoided safely.Use cover first; time the barrier for the slash rather than its windup.
Alternative: Spirit Shielding for sustained spell pressure; it does not answer her ultimate.
LashA visible dive creates one predictable damage window.Activate before the landing, then move out of follow-up range.
Alternative: Spirit Shielding for repeated spell damage; Ethereal Shift for a larger committed burst.
All 16 recommended hero matchups
Apollo
Baba
Billy
Calico
Holliday
Paradox
Rat King
Sinclair
Solomon
The DoormanAlternatives & comparisons
Other items that help in similar situations.
Reactive BarrierReactive Barrier (1,600) gives automatic protection after qualifying control, including silence. It does not remove the control.
Compare this option
Spirit ShieldingSpirit Shielding (1,600) gives an automatic barrier after concentrated spirit damage and adds spirit resist.
Compare this option
Weapon ShieldingWeapon Shielding (1,600) gives an automatic barrier after concentrated weapon damage and adds bullet resist.
Compare this option
Guardian WardGuardian Ward (1,600) adds speed and can protect an ally, at half cooldown on allies.
Compare this option
