Secrets to Farming Gold Efficiently in MMOs

How to Counter Common Enemy Tactics in MOBAs: Lessons from the Frontline

So, you’ve been playing your favorite MOBA for a while now, and you’ve probably had a moment where you’re just like, “What the heck? Why am I getting wrecked so hard?!” Maybe it’s an enemy champion, a tactic, or just a sneaky strategy that leaves you scratching your head. We’ve all been there. Honestly, it took me a while to get the hang of how to actually counter some of these tricks that enemy players pull. But after a lot of trial, error, and some angry keyboard slamming, I’ve picked up a few key tactics that’ll help you fight back and turn the tide in your favor. Here’s how you can counter common enemy tactics in MOBAs (with a little help from my past blunders).

1. Dealing with the “Unkillable” Tanks

Ah, the enemy tank. You know, that one champion who just seems to shrug off all your damage like it’s nothing? It’s frustrating, right? For the longest time, I didn’t understand why tanks were so tough to deal with. I’d waste all my abilities on them, and they’d just laugh and walk away. But then, I learned a few things.

Counter Tactic: Armor Shredders and Anti-Heal Items
Tanks typically build armor and health regeneration, which makes them almost impossible to kill in a straight-up damage duel. But there are ways to cut through that. Items like Lord Dominik’s Regards (if you’re ADC) or Void Staff (if you’re a mage) can help you reduce their defenses, making them more vulnerable. Additionally, consider items that apply Grievous Wounds, like Executioner’s Calling or Mortal Reminder. These items can help mitigate the insane health regen that tanks often have, especially if they’ve been stacking Warmog’s Armor or Spirit Visage.

Pro Tip: A great tank counter is positioning. If you stay at a distance and poke with your ranged abilities, or kite them in the right way, you can make sure they can’t engage you. Don’t go in head-to-head unless you have a significant advantage.

2. Handling Split Pushers (The “1v3 Split Pusher”)

Split pushers are the sneakiest. You know, the enemy player who’s off on the other side of the map just pushing towers while your team is busy fighting? This tactic can be so frustrating because it forces your team to choose between defending or committing to teamfights. It’s almost like they know exactly when your team is distracted.

Counter Tactic: Vision Control + 2v1 Ganks
The best way to stop a split pusher is to use vision control and get some backup. First, make sure you have wards placed in key spots on the map to spot when they’re pushing and when they might rotate. Then, gather your team for a quick gank—two or three of you should easily be able to take down the split pusher. If they’re constantly pushing lanes, try taking objectives (like Dragon or Rift Herald) to force them to make a decision between pushing and defending.

Also, and this is one of those “learn from your mistakes” lessons, don’t get caught in the “I’ll just clear this wave” mindset when you know the enemy is around. There were so many times when I thought I could push just one more wave before retreating and ended up getting caught.

3. Countering the Snowballing Assassin

Assassins are the high-risk, high-reward champions in MOBAs. They can decimate you if they snowball early. And trust me, I’ve been there. You’re ahead in the lane, you think you’ve got it, and then, boom—the assassin suddenly appears out of nowhere and takes you down in one combo. The problem? Once an assassin snowballs, they become almost impossible to handle without serious countermeasures.

Counter Tactic: Play with Awareness + Crowd Control
Here’s the thing about assassins: they rely on their mobility and burst damage. If you can shut down their key abilities or stop them in their tracks, they’re toast. This is where crowd control (CC) becomes your best friend. If you’re playing a tank or support, grab hard CC items like Frozen Heart or Zhonya’s Hourglass to prevent them from diving on you. Don’t hesitate to use your flash or escape abilities wisely if you see them lurking.

I remember one match where I played as a squishy mid-laner, and an assassin kept roaming around the map. I learned the hard way that if you don’t keep track of their movements, you’re going to get taken out every single time. Warding early and ensuring your team has control over vision and the jungle is crucial.

4. Dealing with the “5-Man Teamfight”

Okay, so you’re in the middle of a game, you’ve taken out a couple of towers, and you’re feeling confident. Then, out of nowhere, the enemy team decides to group up and start forcing teamfights. Suddenly, it’s 5v5 every minute. These types of engagements can be a nightmare, especially if your team doesn’t coordinate well.

Counter Tactic: Split the Fight + Use the Map
When you’re up against a team that’s good at grouping, you need to avoid clumping together and getting wiped in one big teamfight. Split your team up a bit and make them spread out. You can also bait them into overextending into your jungle or objectives. Teleport and teamwide engages can be useful here to make sure you don’t fall behind on objectives while they’re busy fighting.

I learned the importance of split pushing the hard way—one game, I was stuck with a team that couldn’t stop engaging without proper coordination. We kept losing 5v5 fights and never got objectives. The turning point came when I finally broke away to push another lane while the enemy was fighting my team. It worked out, and we secured the game.

5. Countering the Heavy CC Composition

We’ve all played against that team who has one goal in mind: keep you locked down for as long as possible. They’ve got stuns, roots, silences, and everything that stops you from even thinking about moving. Trust me, I used to rage so hard at this one. You just get stuck, and there’s nothing you can do.

Counter Tactic: Tenacity and CC Cleanse
This one’s pretty straightforward, but it took me a while to actually learn to incorporate these items. Mercury’s Treads (boots) and Quicksilver Sash (active cleanse) are essential against heavy CC. Combine those with champions that have natural mobility or CC immunity (like Lee Sin or Kassadin), and you’ll be way less vulnerable to the endless stuns. Another trick? If you see an enemy team with lots of CC, make sure you’re not the primary target by positioning well and sticking with your team.

I once made the mistake of playing a squishy champion against a team full of CC without buying Tenacity. Let’s just say it didn’t end well for me. I was constantly locked down, and I felt like I had no control over the game. Never again.

Conclusion

Countering common enemy tactics in MOBAs can seem like an overwhelming challenge, especially when you’re dealing with a team of players who know exactly what they’re doing. But, with a bit of knowledge, strategy, and the occasional mistake, you can start recognizing those common strategies and shut them down before they get out of hand.

The key is awareness, adaptation, and counterplay. Whether it’s dealing with the unkillable tanks, the snowballing assassins, or the 5-man teamfights, you can always turn the tables with the right items, positioning, and strategy.

So, don’t get discouraged when you feel like the enemy is dominating. Next time, be ready to counter their tactics and take charge of the game!

Table 1: Common Enemy Tactics and Counters

Table 2: Best Items for Countering Specific Tactics