Heroes Like Pudge

Heroes like Pudge share at least one of his three jobs: pulling enemies with a skillshot, moving enemies out of position, or walking into a fight as a durable initiator. Clockwerk, Mirana, Batrider, Vengeful Spirit and Spirit Breaker each cover part of that. No single hero copies Pudge, so pick by the part of his kit you enjoy most.

What makes a hero similar to Pudge?

Pudge's kit has a few clear pieces. Meat Hook is a long skillshot that drags the first unit it hits. Dismember is a channeled hold on one enemy. He is also a melee Strength hero that the provider data lists as a durable initiator and disabler.

So "similar" can mean different things. Do you love landing a skillshot from the fog? Do you love dragging a carry into your team? Or do you love being the big hero who starts every fight? The sections below group heroes by those answers.

Every ability named here was checked against the current hero data. Values change with patches, so we describe what a spell does, not its numbers.

Which heroes have a hook or pull like Pudge?

These heroes move an enemy, or themselves, along a line or a path.

• Clockwerk fires Hookshot at a location. If it hits a unit, Clockwerk launches himself to that target and stuns enemies around it. It is a reverse hook: you fly to them instead of pulling them to you.
• Batrider casts Flaming Lasso on an enemy and drags them behind him. The dragged hero cannot move, attack or use abilities, though teleporting or blinking breaks the lasso.
• Magnus has Shockwave, which pulls enemies in a line toward him, and Skewer, which drags heroes he runs through to where he stops.
• Hoodwink throws Bushwhack, which stuns enemies near a tree and pulls them toward that tree.

Clockwerk is the closest overall. He is also a melee Strength hero listed as a durable initiator, and Hookshot rewards the same aim and patience as a hook.

Which hero has a skillshot most like Meat Hook?

Mirana's Sacred Arrow is the nearest match in feel. It is a long-range arrow that stuns and damages the first enemy unit it strikes. Like Meat Hook, it instantly kills the first non-ancient creep it hits, so creeps block it the same way.

The skills you build on Pudge carry over. Reading movement, using the fog and waiting for a clean line all matter. Our hook prediction guide is useful for both heroes.

The role is different, though. Mirana is a ranged Agility hero, not a durable frontliner. Expect to play from further back.

Which heroes move enemies out of position?

Part of Pudge's appeal is moving the right enemy to the wrong place. A few heroes do that without a skillshot.

• Vengeful Spirit casts Nether Swap to swap places with any hero, friend or enemy. It also interrupts channeling on the target.
• Tiny uses Toss to grab the nearest unit, ally or enemy, and launch it at a target.
• Marci uses Dispose to grab an ally or enemy and throw them behind her.
• Earth Spirit uses Boulder Smash to send an ally or enemy in the direction he faces.

These are targeted spells, so there is no line to miss. You trade the thrill of a long skillshot for a move that usually lands once you are in range.

Which heroes copy Dismember's single-target hold?

If you like eating one hero while your team hits them, look at channeled holds.

• Bane channels Fiend's Grip, which disables one enemy and deals heavy damage over time. It pierces spell immunity.
• Shadow Shaman channels Shackles, which stops one enemy from moving or attacking.
• Primal Beast channels Pulverize, grabbing one enemy and slamming them into the ground again and again. It pierces spell immunity too.

The same lessons apply. Pick a target your team can kill, and watch out for enemies who can stun you mid-channel. The Dismember tips translate well.

What should you pick if Pudge is banned in ranked?

Start from the job your team needs. If you were going to roam as a support and look for picks, Clockwerk, Batrider or Vengeful Spirit fit that plan. If you wanted a tanky offlaner who starts fights, think about a durable initiator.

The provider data lists these heroes as durable initiators, like Pudge:

• Axe, whose Berserker's Call forces nearby enemies to attack him.
• Tidehunter, whose Ravage stuns all nearby enemies.
• Centaur Warrunner, whose Hoof Stomp stuns enemies around him.
• Spirit Breaker, whose Charge of Darkness sends him running at one enemy through everything in the way.

Spirit Breaker plays the most like a roaming Pudge. He picks a target, travels to them and bashes them, which creates the same pressure on the map.

Should you just learn a second hero?

It is a good idea if you play Pudge a lot. Bans and counter-picks happen, and a backup keeps your plan intact. Pick one hero from the group that matches your favorite part of Pudge and play them until they feel natural.

When Pudge is open, check whether he fits the game first. The Pudge counters page shows which enemy heroes do well against him in match data. Our guide to the best heroes with Pudge covers allies.

Checklist

• Decide which part of Pudge you enjoy: the skillshot, the pull or the frontline.
• Try Clockwerk for the closest overall feel and a reverse hook.
• Try Mirana if landing long skillshots is what you love.
• Try Bane, Shadow Shaman or Primal Beast for a channeled hold like Dismember.
• Try Spirit Breaker or another durable initiator when you need a tanky roamer.
• Learn one backup hero for games where Pudge is banned.