Abaddon is one of the 126 heroes in Dota 2, and while each hero boasts a unique set of abilities, Abaddon stands out with a spell kit unlike any other. This makes him a fascinating hero to master.

Known as the Lord of Avernus, Abaddon wields a versatile set of spells that excel in sustainability. Not only can he heal himself, but he can also restore health to his allies. With a low-cooldown dispel and a potent right-click mechanic that slows enemies, Abaddon thrives in both support and core roles. However, his most distinctive ability is his ultimate, which transforms incoming damage into healing for a short duration, making him exceptionally difficult to take down.

In this guide, we’ll explore Abaddon’s recommended item builds, tailored to complement his skill set. Whether you’re playing him as a support or a core, we’ll break down the essential items for each role. So, whether you’re a newcomer eager to learn the intricacies of this captivating hero or a seasoned player looking to refine your Abaddon gameplay, this guide is here to help you excel!

Dota 2: Abaddon Build (Support)

Abaddon is mainly played as a support hero due to its powerful buffs and dispels that can significantly assist core heroes in game.

As a support, itemizing on Abaddon is relatively simple. You only need to focus on getting these few items to be strongly functional:

Best items for Abaddon Dota 2:

• Arcane Boots
• Solar Crest
• Force Staff
• Holy Locket
• Aghanim’s Scepter

Arcane Boots are essential for Abaddon, as his abilities demand a significant amount of mana to sustain his presence in fights. Solar Crest is another excellent addition, synergizing well with his Aphotic Shield. This item not only enhances the damage barrier provided to himself but also amplifies the protection granted to his allies. As a support, Force Staff is a reliable choice, offering much-needed mobility, escape potential, and additional stats to bolster his mana pool.

As the game progresses into the late stages, Abaddon’s item choices become more situational. A Pipe of Insight, Crimson Witness, and Guardian Greaves can be valuable additions to your item build. 

However, one high-value purchase that consistently proves effective is the Aghanim’s Scepter. This upgrade extends the duration of Borrowed Time, Abaddon’s ultimate, significantly boosting his survivability. But the Scepter’s true power lies in its added perk:

“While Borrowed Time is active, any ally within 900 range of Abaddon who takes more than 550 damage will automatically receive a Mist Coil, providing instant healing and damage mitigation.”

Dota 2 Abaddon Build (Tank)

Abaddon can also be played in the core position, mostly as an offlaner. If you plan to play Abaddon as a tanky position 3, you need to focus on heavier sustain items. 

Abaddon Dota 2 items (tank):

• Manta Style
• Blink Dagger
• Harpoon
• Lotus Orb

Other situational items for a tanking Abaddon include Boots of Travel, Moon Shard, and Shiva’s Guard. These powerful late-game choices not only enhance his durability but also boost his mobility, attack speed, and utility, allowing him to transition into a hybrid tank-damage dealer.

How to Play Abaddon Dota 2

Abaddon has a straightforward playstyle with minimal complexity. He requires very few button presses, and even his ultimate has an auto-trigger function, making him an easy hero to pick up. Additionally, most of his core items are relatively simple to acquire.

For a support Abaddon, your priority should be maximizing Aphotic Shield during the laning phase. This ability helps your core sustain health while also dispelling debuffs like poison and slows. Thanks to its low cooldown, you can frequently cast it, making it difficult for enemies to punish you and your lane partner. However, this heavy reliance on Aphotic Shield means you’ll need a strong mana source, so rushing Arcane Boots is essential.

As the game progresses and teamfights become more frequent, proper positioning is crucial. Abaddon needs to stay close to his core heroes to effectively provide buffs and healing, as his cast range is short. Staying near the action ensures you can react quickly and protect key allies.

Many players recommend choosing the second Facet, Mephitic Shroud, which enhances Aphotic Shield by increasing its damage absorption and reflecting damage back at attackers. However, it comes at a cost—the shield will no longer explode upon expiration, altering how you use it in fights.

Abaddon Counter-Picks

Now that you understand Abaddon's build and playstyle, it's equally important to recognize his weaknesses. Like any hero, Abaddon has counter-picks—heroes specifically effective at neutralizing his abilities and strengths. So, what counters Abaddon in Dota 2?

For example:

• Ancient Apparition's Ice Blast prevents healing, making Abaddon unable to sustain himself or his allies.
• Viper's Viper Strike applies Break, disabling Abaddon's passive abilities, including the auto-trigger function of his ultimate, Borrowed Time.

According to DOTABUFF, recent heroes that counter Abaddon most effectively are:

• Dark Seer
• Marci
• Elder Titan
• Anti-Mage
• Lone Druid
• Broodmother
• IO
• Undying
• Doom
• Outworld Destroyer

Abaddon’s Story: Lore in the Dota 2 Universe

Abaddon is one of the oldest heroes in the Dota universe. His first concept was introduced in 2005 in the original DotA AllStars, but he only made his official debut in Dota 2 in 2013.

This hero carries an enigmatic presence, with few direct connections to other heroes. According to his lore, Abaddon is the Lord of Avernus, hailing from House Avernus, a noble bloodline that draws power from the Font of Avernus—a mystical source that emits a dark, prophetic mist. 

Unlike his ancestors, who trained with traditional weapons, Abaddon was different from birth. Instead of following the expected path of a warrior, he meditated within the mist, forging a deep connection to its power. This granted him unparalleled mastery over life and death, surpassing even the greatest warriors of his lineage.

In terms of hero interactions, Abaddon has little attachment to others, but he does show particular disdain for Nyx Assassin. He claims to have defeated one of Nyx's emissaries before, hinting at a past confrontation between their forces.

Popularity in Pubs and the Pro Scene

Abaddon is a relatively popular pick in pub games, frequently appearing in ranked matches, even among professional players. In the current 7.37e patch, he remains one of the more favored heroes among Immortal-ranked players.

However, his presence in the professional scene tells a different story. Since October of last year, Abaddon has been picked only twice in tier-one tournaments, with zero bans - an incredibly low pick rate. This may be due to his stale playstyle, which is easily countered in high-level games. Additionally, his spell kit is weaker compared to other supports who offer more impactful abilities and stronger teamfight presence.

In Conclusion…

Abaddon is a straightforward hero to play, but success with him requires constant awareness of your allies' health and their need for healing. During team fights, you must keep a close eye on your teammates and provide timely support, whether by casting Aphotic Shield to remove debuffs or using Mist Coil to heal and sustain them.

In the early game, prioritize items that provide mana regeneration so you can frequently cast your spells without running out of resources. As with any hero, the key to improvement is practice—the more you play, the better you'll understand Abaddon’s strengths and role in different situations.

To accelerate your learning, consider watching experienced Abaddon players in pub matches, tuning into live games, or studying professional matches in upcoming tournaments. If Abaddon isn’t picked, you can always refer to clips and highlights online.

Keep an eye on support players like Whitemon from Tundra Esports, who frequently plays Abaddon in high-level pub games. With dedication, you’ll be mastering the Lord of Avernus in no time!