Slark leashes a hero with Pounce and feeds on Essence Shift, converting stolen attributes into Agility, while Dark Pact purges debuffs and Shadow Dance hides him from detection. Break stops temporary Essence Shift stacks from forming, and silence stops Pounce and Dark Pact from being cast. Killing an affected hero inside his range makes the steal permanent, so a leashed target should be saved early.
Counter items
Silver EdgeBreak from its attack stops temporary Essence Shift stacks.
Black King BarAvatar makes the Pounce leash and Saltwater Shiv have no effect.
Orchid MalevolenceSilence blocks a Pounce leap or a Dark Pact purge before they start.
Checked for patch 7.41f
Matchup data updated Nov 14, 2026
TierB·Score change-0.04
Who Beats Slark
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HeroWin %AdvMatches
Who beats Slark at All Ranks
Grimstroke
59.7%+9.12,834
vs Slark2,834 games+9.1
Visage
60.3%+7.6567
vs Slark567 games+7.6
Night Stalker
57.3%+6.82,894
vs Slark2,894 games+6.8
Outworld Destroyer
56.7%+6.55,918
vs Slark5,918 games+6.5
Enigma
57.2%+6.41,504
vs Slark1,504 games+6.4
Techies
55.7%+5.54,696
vs Slark4,696 games+5.5
Riki
55.8%+5.42,994
vs Slark2,994 games+5.4
Invoker
54.9%+4.87,682
vs Slark7,682 games+4.8
Dawnbreaker
55.0%+4.73,757
vs Slark3,757 games+4.7
Phantom Lancer
54.9%+4.74,341
vs Slark4,341 games+4.7
Slark Counters
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HeroWin %AdvMatches
Slark counters at All Ranks
Nature's Prophet
42.0%-7.63,781
vs Slark3,781 games-7.6
Ember Spirit
42.2%-7.33,093
vs Slark3,093 games-7.3
Bristleback
44.0%-5.73,258
vs Slark3,258 games-5.7
Shadow Fiend
44.7%-5.03,262
vs Slark3,262 games-5.0
Alchemist
44.3%-4.91,256
vs Slark1,256 games-4.9
Monkey King
45.8%-3.92,313
vs Slark2,313 games-3.9
Treant Protector
45.3%-3.7696
vs Slark696 games-3.7
Morphling
45.9%-3.61,559
vs Slark1,559 games-3.6
Kez
46.0%-3.61,598
vs Slark1,598 games-3.6
Tiny
46.3%-3.31,735
vs Slark1,735 games-3.3
Top Allies for Slark
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HeroWin %SynergyMatches
Top allies for Slark at All Ranks
Luna
56.3%+6.31,594
Wraith King
55.1%+5.15,097
Bloodseeker
53.5%+3.5637
Visage
53.5%+3.5480
Spectre
53.3%+3.31,015
Juggernaut
53.0%+3.02,272
Sven
52.6%+2.61,345
Enigma
52.4%+2.41,612
Keeper of the Light
52.3%+2.31,244
Dragon Knight
52.2%+2.25,760
Positions Played
Positions: patch 7.41f
1 Carry50.0% WR1,948,803 matches
2 Mid54.2% WR393,227 matches
3 Off52.3% WR217,915 matches
4 Soft47.6% WR109,367 matches
5 Hard46.2% WR129,505 matches
Matchup data updated Nov 14, 2026
TierA·Score change+0.07
Who Beats Slark
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HeroWin %AdvMatches
Who beats Slark at Herald–Guardian
Grimstroke
63.2%+5.3136
vs Slark136 games+5.3
Techies
57.1%+4.5347
vs Slark347 games+4.5
Riki
55.8%+3.1224
vs Slark224 games+3.1
Necrophos
54.0%+2.7411
vs Slark411 games+2.7
Crystal Maiden
53.4%+2.5582
vs Slark582 games+2.5
Legion Commander
53.3%+2.3463
vs Slark463 games+2.3
Primal Beast
57.7%+2.278
vs Slark78 games+2.2
Wraith King
53.3%+2.2377
vs Slark377 games+2.2
Night Stalker
55.1%+2.0127
vs Slark127 games+2.0
Phantom Lancer
53.2%+2.0312
vs Slark312 games+2.0
Slark Counters
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HeroWin %AdvMatches
Slark counters at Herald–Guardian
Nature's Prophet
36.5%-8.2312
vs Slark312 games-8.2
Sniper
42.7%-5.8768
vs Slark768 games-5.8
Weaver
39.3%-5.4201
vs Slark201 games-5.4
Monkey King
36.9%-5.2130
vs Slark130 games-5.2
Doom
36.8%-4.8114
vs Slark114 games-4.8
Anti-Mage
43.2%-4.6426
vs Slark426 games-4.6
Shadow Fiend
41.7%-4.5235
vs Slark235 games-4.5
Lina
43.6%-4.3404
vs Slark404 games-4.3
Ember Spirit
37.7%-4.3106
vs Slark106 games-4.3
Slardar
42.3%-4.2241
vs Slark241 games-4.2
Top Allies for Slark
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HeroWin %SynergyMatches
Top allies for Slark at Herald–Guardian
Spectre
66.2%+16.271
Primal Beast
66.0%+16.050
Brewmaster
Few games64.5%+14.531
Batrider
Few games64.3%+14.314
Arc Warden
63.6%+13.699
Pangolier
Few games63.6%+13.633
Bane
Few games63.3%+13.349
Luna
62.8%+12.8121
Oracle
62.7%+12.759
Wraith King
62.2%+12.2288
Positions Played
Positions: patch 7.41f
1 Carry52.6% WR145,053 matches
2 Mid59.5% WR35,373 matches
3 Off52.5% WR33,899 matches
4 Soft47.5% WR19,626 matches
5 Hard47.2% WR26,474 matches
Matchup data updated Nov 14, 2026
TierB·Score change+0.23
Who Beats Slark
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HeroWin %AdvMatches
Who beats Slark at Crusader–Archon
Grimstroke
58.6%+6.9814
vs Slark814 games+6.9
Outworld Destroyer
56.2%+5.51,544
vs Slark1,544 games+5.5
Riki
56.1%+5.11,027
vs Slark1,027 games+5.1
Night Stalker
56.0%+4.7752
vs Slark752 games+4.7
Legion Commander
55.1%+4.72,312
vs Slark2,312 games+4.7
Dawnbreaker
55.5%+4.6958
vs Slark958 games+4.6
Wraith King
54.9%+4.52,193
vs Slark2,193 games+4.5
Crystal Maiden
54.6%+4.22,414
vs Slark2,414 games+4.2
Shadow Shaman
53.9%+3.62,558
vs Slark2,558 games+3.6
Sand King
54.7%+3.5579
vs Slark579 games+3.5
Slark Counters
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HeroWin %AdvMatches
Slark counters at Crusader–Archon
Nature's Prophet
41.6%-7.21,215
vs Slark1,215 games-7.2
Ember Spirit
41.8%-6.4689
vs Slark689 games-6.4
Bristleback
44.5%-4.81,428
vs Slark1,428 games-4.8
Alchemist
43.6%-4.4440
vs Slark440 games-4.4
Weaver
45.5%-3.6813
vs Slark813 games-3.6
Monkey King
45.3%-3.6629
vs Slark629 games-3.6
Centaur Warrunner
45.7%-3.5817
vs Slark817 games-3.5
Ringmaster
45.4%-3.3511
vs Slark511 games-3.3
Bane
45.0%-2.9278
vs Slark278 games-2.9
Tidehunter
46.8%-2.91,787
vs Slark1,787 games-2.9
Top Allies for Slark
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HeroWin %SynergyMatches
Top allies for Slark at Crusader–Archon
Naga Siren
60.8%+10.851
Luna
56.8%+6.8482
Phoenix
55.5%+5.5409
Kez
55.4%+5.4202
Wraith King
54.6%+4.61,642
Dragon Knight
54.1%+4.11,607
Keeper of the Light
53.7%+3.7363
Abaddon
53.7%+3.7300
Muerta
53.7%+3.7136
Juggernaut
53.0%+3.0692
Positions Played
Positions: patch 7.41f
1 Carry50.2% WR717,012 matches
2 Mid55.2% WR148,995 matches
3 Off52.3% WR90,896 matches
4 Soft47.7% WR41,330 matches
5 Hard46.4% WR55,448 matches
Matchup data updated Nov 14, 2026
TierC·Score change-0.07
Who Beats Slark
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HeroWin %AdvMatches
Who beats Slark at Legend–Ancient
Grimstroke
61.1%+9.71,375
vs Slark1,375 games+9.7
Night Stalker
58.8%+7.71,415
vs Slark1,415 games+7.7
Outworld Destroyer
57.9%+7.43,046
vs Slark3,046 games+7.4
Techies
57.5%+6.92,121
vs Slark2,121 games+6.9
Enigma
59.0%+6.8632
vs Slark632 games+6.8
Visage
62.4%+6.8245
vs Slark245 games+6.8
Disruptor
57.4%+6.71,781
vs Slark1,781 games+6.7
Phantom Lancer
56.8%+6.21,971
vs Slark1,971 games+6.2
Riki
56.7%+5.81,353
vs Slark1,353 games+5.8
Pugna
56.6%+5.51,018
vs Slark1,018 games+5.5
Slark Counters
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HeroWin %AdvMatches
Slark counters at Legend–Ancient
Ember Spirit
42.3%-6.81,565
vs Slark1,565 games-6.8
Bristleback
42.4%-6.51,140
vs Slark1,140 games-6.5
Nature's Prophet
42.8%-6.41,690
vs Slark1,690 games-6.4
Shadow Fiend
44.1%-5.21,545
vs Slark1,545 games-5.2
Morphling
43.6%-5.1801
vs Slark801 games-5.1
Templar Assassin
45.3%-3.8867
vs Slark867 games-3.8
Void Spirit
45.3%-3.8794
vs Slark794 games-3.8
Alchemist
45.4%-3.4588
vs Slark588 games-3.4
Earth Spirit
45.9%-3.4945
vs Slark945 games-3.4
Pangolier
45.9%-3.1654
vs Slark654 games-3.1
Top Allies for Slark
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HeroWin %SynergyMatches
Top allies for Slark at Legend–Ancient
Bloodseeker
57.2%+7.2297
Luna
56.8%+6.8739
Terrorblade
56.5%+6.5138
Elder Titan
55.9%+5.9127
Wraith King
55.1%+5.12,615
Visage
53.3%+3.3195
Spectre
52.7%+2.7448
Sven
52.6%+2.6565
Grimstroke
52.6%+2.61,549
Juggernaut
52.5%+2.51,104
Positions Played
Positions: patch 7.41f
1 Carry49.1% WR834,665 matches
2 Mid52.4% WR160,762 matches
3 Off52.0% WR65,327 matches
4 Soft46.7% WR29,316 matches
5 Hard44.4% WR30,926 matches
Matchup data updated Nov 14, 2026
TierB·Score change+0.06
Who Beats Slark
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HeroWin %AdvMatches
Who beats Slark at Divine–Immortal
Enigma
60.9%+6.6304
vs Slark304 games+6.6
Techies
57.5%+5.9757
vs Slark757 games+5.9
Invoker
56.6%+5.81,427
vs Slark1,427 games+5.8
Lycan
65.0%+5.6120
vs Slark120 games+5.6
Visage
63.5%+5.5137
vs Slark137 games+5.5
Grimstroke
57.0%+5.0509
vs Slark509 games+5.0
Night Stalker
56.0%+4.5600
vs Slark600 games+4.5
Outworld Destroyer
54.9%+4.11,079
vs Slark1,079 games+4.1
Dawnbreaker
55.1%+4.0764
vs Slark764 games+4.0
Disruptor
54.7%+3.5592
vs Slark592 games+3.5
Slark Counters
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HeroWin %AdvMatches
Slark counters at Divine–Immortal
Shadow Fiend
41.0%-5.9390
vs Slark390 games-5.9
Tidehunter
43.0%-5.7841
vs Slark841 games-5.7
Ember Spirit
43.0%-5.5733
vs Slark733 games-5.5
Storm Spirit
42.4%-5.1417
vs Slark417 games-5.1
Bristleback
40.2%-5.1219
vs Slark219 games-5.1
Nature's Prophet
43.1%-5.1564
vs Slark564 games-5.1
Kez
42.6%-4.7350
vs Slark350 games-4.7
Queen of Pain
44.5%-4.2656
vs Slark656 games-4.2
Terrorblade
42.4%-4.2243
vs Slark243 games-4.2
Timbersaw
44.5%-4.1604
vs Slark604 games-4.1
Top Allies for Slark
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HeroWin %SynergyMatches
Top allies for Slark at Divine–Immortal
Chen
Few games62.1%+12.129
Visage
61.6%+11.6125
Meepo
60.5%+10.586
Morphling
58.1%+8.186
Keeper of the Light
58.0%+8.0238
Enigma
57.7%+7.7357
Arc Warden
55.2%+5.2290
Troll Warlord
Few games54.8%+4.842
Sven
54.2%+4.2201
Dazzle
54.1%+4.1410
Positions Played
Positions: patch 7.41f
1 Carry50.3% WR226,548 matches
2 Mid51.6% WR40,296 matches
3 Off52.0% WR15,887 matches
4 Soft46.4% WR7,617 matches
5 Hard44.8% WR5,889 matches
Bracket Divergence
Matchup data updated Nov 14, 2026
Lycan only ranks as a top counter to Slark in Divine–Immortal.
Primal Beast only ranks as a top counter to Slark in Herald–Guardian.
Pugna only ranks as a top counter to Slark in Legend–Ancient.
Grimstroke's raw advantage against Slark swings by +6.20 between Herald–Guardian and Divine–Immortal.
Sand King only ranks as a top counter to Slark in Crusader–Archon.
About Slark
Grimstroke is Slark's strongest counter, with a +9.70 raw advantage.
Slark is most contested in Herald–Guardian and least contested in Crusader–Archon.
Lycan only shows up as a top counter to Slark in Divine–Immortal.
Luna is Slark's strongest ally, with a +6.30 raw synergy advantage.
Silver EdgeBreak from its attack stops temporary Essence Shift stacks.
Black King BarAvatar makes the Pounce leash and Saltwater Shiv have no effect.
Orchid MalevolenceSilence blocks a Pounce leap or a Dark Pact purge before they start.
