Monkey King

Ultimate Counter Guide

Primary Attribute: AGI | Attack Type: Melee

Roles: Carry, Escape, Disabler, Initiator

What are Monkey King's weaknesses?

The main weaknesses of Monkey King as a AGI hero usually appear when the game slows down and the hero is forced to play from behind. In competitive Dota 2, that often exposes issues such as limited escape tools, reliance on key spells, and difficulty converting isolated picks into meaningful objectives. If Monkey King cannot secure space early, opposing lineups can pressure towers, invade farming areas, and force inefficient reactions. Once that happens, the hero’s ability to dictate fights drops sharply, which is why understanding the timing profile of Monkey King is essential before drafting into it.

Best heroes to counter Monkey King

  • Select counters that can burst Monkey King quickly, since extended fights often allow a AGI hero to recover and re-enter combat.
  • Punish predictable positioning by collapsing with smoke plays and forcing Monkey King to respond without safe terrain.
  • Pair disables with silences or displacement effects to break the hero’s execution window and remove tempo from their side of the map.

Best items against Monkey King

  • Use defensive items that interrupt initiation patterns and reduce the value of Monkey King's first commitment.
  • Invest in mana sustain or mana burn prevention if Monkey King depends on repeated spell usage to stay active in fights.
  • Select utility items that protect backline heroes, because Monkey King often becomes far less threatening when forced to hit frontliners.