Lich is picked in 12.2% of Very High matches, 11.4% of High and 10.3% of Normal, and is one of the stronger supports of the patch: 52.3% / 52.7% / 53.2%. Frost Blast damages and slows, Frost Shield reduces the damage an ally takes from attacks, Sinister Gaze pulls an enemy toward him, Sacrifice turns an allied creep into mana and experience, and Chain Frost bounces between enemies with growing damage. His team gains more XP in 55.4% of games before minute 15 and 53.1% up to minute 35, and he wins 50.1% of games under 25 minutes, 52.9% at 25–50 and 52.8% past 50.
Countered by BristlebackLich wins the lane: Bristleback's team gains more XP in only 45.8% of games before minute 15. Frost Blast and Sacrifice give Lich's lane levels and control.
Lich has no hard counter: Bristleback's +6.09 comes against a hero who wins more than most. What works for Bristleback is that his damage doesn't come from attacks. Frost Shield reduces damage from attacks, but Quill Spray and Viscous Nasal Goo are spells, so the shield does little against them. Bristleback takes less damage when hit from the side or behind, which blunts Chain Frost and Frost Blast as he walks through the fight. His team gains more XP in only 46.7% of games between minutes 15 and 35.
Bristleback's team reaches 49.4% of games ahead on XP after minute 35. He wins 48.7% of 25–50 minute games (5,507 games) and 49.1% past 50 (1,638 games). He doesn't win most games against Lich, 47.3% / 46.8% / 49.6% (Very High / High / Normal), but that is above or level with his usual 46% / 46.9% / 49.8% against a hero who beats most others. The edge is +7.19 in Very High, +5.22 in High and +6.11 in Normal.
Best teammate: HuskarThis pair dominates the lane: their team gains more XP in 64% of games before minute 15. Frost Blast slows the target Burning Spear is stacking on, and Frost Shield protects Huskar, who spends his own health to fight.
Berserker's Blood gives Huskar more attack speed, magic resistance and regeneration the lower his health goes, and Frost Shield keeps the attacks against him small while he sits at low health. Sinister Gaze pulls an enemy toward Lich, into Life Break range, and Chain Frost bounces through the group Huskar is fighting. The XP-gain share falls to 52.4% between minutes 15 and 35.
The pair should win before the late game: their XP-gain share falls to 47.6% after minute 35, and they win 52.3% of games under 25 minutes (132 games), 50.7% at 25–50 (3,134 games) and 49.9% past 50 (713 games). Huskar is weak in this patch on his own (45.9% / 45.9% / 45.3%), and with Lich the pair wins 52.1% / 50.1% / 50.1% (Very High / High / Normal). The pairing is strongest in Very High (+7.72), with +2.97 in High and +3.14 in Normal.
Based on 2,111,000 public ranked matches of patch 7.41, played 30 September – 14 October 2026. Advantage is the win-rate difference from what the two heroes' own win rates predict, times two (+6 is about 3 win-rate points), weighted over the skill brackets. The live numbers on the Lich page update every few hours. More guides: Dota 2 counter guides.
