How to Stop Pudge Dismember

To stop Pudge Dismember, interrupt Pudge or use a strong dispel on the ally he is eating. Dismember is a channeled spell, so a stun, hex, cyclone, sleep or silence on Pudge ends it. On the target's side, only a strong dispel removes it. A basic dispel does nothing.

This guide is for the player who has to break the channel, most often a support. For hook avoidance and the wider matchup plan, see how to avoid Pudge hooks and how to counter Pudge.

What exactly does Dismember do?

Dismember targets a single enemy unit. While Pudge channels it, the target is disabled and takes damage over time, and Pudge heals. The exact damage, duration and cast range change with patches, so check Pudge's ability values.

Two facts shape everything below. First, Dismember pierces spell immunity, so Black King Bar on the target does not prevent it. Second, the target is disabled. Your caught teammate cannot press their own buttons to escape. The save has to come from someone else, or from a passive item.

How do you break a channel as a support?

A channel ends when the caster loses the ability to cast. For Dismember, that means any of these on Pudge:

• A stun.
• A hex.
• A cyclone.
• A sleep.
• A silence, since Dismember is an ability.

Slows and roots are not on that list. A slowed or rooted Pudge can keep eating. Pick a spell that takes away casting.

Pudge also ends the channel himself if he gives any other order. Some players cancel early when help arrives. That is still a win for you, since your ally walks away alive.

Which items and abilities can cancel Pudge's ult?

Here are some verified examples. Each one affects Pudge, not the caught ally.

• Scythe of Vyse turns him into a critter, which is a hex.
• Eul's Scepter of Divinity sweeps him into a cyclone.
• Orchid Malevolence and Bloodthorn silence him.
• Abyssal Blade stuns him, and its active pierces debuff immunity.
• Lion and Shadow Shaman each have a Hex.
• Bane's Nightmare puts him to sleep.
• Vengeful Spirit's Nether Swap interrupts channeling abilities on the hero she swaps with.
• Night Stalker's Void interrupts channeling, but only at night.

You do not need all of these. You need one, ready, with someone who knows it is their job.

What if Pudge has Black King Bar?

Then most of the list stops working. Lion's Hex, Shadow Shaman's Hex and Night Stalker's Void do not pierce spell immunity, so a spell-immune Pudge ignores them.

A few tools still work. Abyssal Blade's active pierces debuff immunity. Nether Swap pierces spell immunity as well. If the enemy Pudge often buys Black King Bar, think about these options early. A strong dispel on your ally is the other way out, covered next.

How do you break Dismember with a dispel?

Only strong dispels remove Dismember from the target. Weaker dispels that clear many other effects will leave your ally stuck. Lotus Orb, for example, applies only a basic dispel.

Verified strong dispels you can put on a caught ally:

• Oracle's False Promise, which also delays the damage taken.
• Legion Commander's Press The Attack.
• Abaddon's Aphotic Shield, which also adds a barrier.

There is one passive option too. Aeon Disk applies a strong dispel to its owner when it triggers. A carry who holds it can be freed by the item itself once their health drops far enough.

Can you stop Dismember before it starts?

Yes, in two ways. The first is to never get grabbed. Most Dismembers follow a landed Meat Hook, so the best defense is often good positioning before the fight.

The second is Linken's Sphere. It blocks most targeted spells, and Dismember is a targeted spell. Its active can also lend that block to an ally for a while. That makes it a real tool for a support whose carry Pudge keeps catching.

Note that a Linken's block only works when it is ready. The enemy team may try to pop it with another targeted spell first.

How should a support time the interrupt?

Watch Pudge, not the hooked ally. The moment Pudge starts to channel is the moment to act. Every second you wait is damage your ally takes and health Pudge regains.

Stay within range of your teammates in lane and in fights. A Hex is useless if you are too far away to cast it. Moving a little closer to your carry when Pudge is missing can make the difference.

Talk before the fight. Decide who holds the interrupt. Two supports throwing two disables at once waste a cooldown the team may need a moment later.

Checklist

• Keep one stun, hex, cyclone, sleep or silence ready for Pudge.
• Remember slows and roots do not stop the channel.
• Against a spell-immune Pudge, rely on Abyssal Blade, Nether Swap or a strong dispel.
• Use a strong dispel on the caught ally; a basic dispel will not free them.
• Consider Linken's Sphere or its transfer for a carry Pudge keeps catching.
• Watch Pudge and act the instant the channel begins.