Sniper
Kardel Sharpeye was born deep in the mountains of Knollen where, since time immemorial, Keen Folk have survived by hunting the strange, cliff-dwelling steepstalkers above their village, shooting them from a distance and collecting the carcasses where they fell. Sharpeye was among the best of these strange mountain keens for whom projectile weapons are but another appendage, and to shoot is as natural as to touch. On his day of summoning, when he was to gain full standing in his village, Sharpeye took the ancient test: a single shot from the valley floor to strike a beast down from the cliffs. To miss was to be dishonored. With his entire village standing vigil, Sharpeye took his shot. A steepstalker fell; the crowd cheered. But when the carcass was collected, the village grew silent, for the elders found that the bullet had pierced its glittering central eye then fallen to be clenched i…
Hero lore
Kardel Sharpeye was born deep in the mountains of Knollen where, since time immemorial, Keen Folk have survived by hunting the strange, cliff-dwelling steepstalkers above their village, shooting them from a distance and collecting the carcasses where they fell. Sharpeye was among the best of these strange mountain keens for whom projectile weapons are but another appendage, and to shoot is as natural as to touch. On his day of summoning, when he was to gain full standing in his village, Sharpeye took the ancient test: a single shot from the valley floor to strike a beast down from the cliffs. To miss was to be dishonored. With his entire village standing vigil, Sharpeye took his shot. A steepstalker fell; the crowd cheered. But when the carcass was collected, the village grew silent, for the elders found that the bullet had pierced its glittering central eye then fallen to be clenched i…
Compact stat and ability fields shown here were checked against patch 7.41e where this model represents the changed field. Talents and full mechanics remain in the official notes.
Sniper abilities
Consumes a charge to launch a ball of shrapnel that showers the target area in explosive pellets. Enemies are subject to damage and slowed movement. Reveals the targeted area. Shrapnel charges restore every 35 seconds.
Sniper increases his accuracy, giving him a chance to deal 20 extra damage and knock back his enemies. Knockback distance increases based on how close the enemy is to Sniper. Headshots briefly slow enemy movement and attack speed by -100%.
Passive
Passively increases Sniper's attack range by 160. On cast, Sniper gains increased vision, Headshot chance, and attack range. Slows you by 65% for the duration and restricts your vision to a frontal cone.
Launches a grenade at the target area, dealing damage to enemies and knocking them and Sniper back. Enemies affected are disarmed and have their movement slowed after the knockback.
Sniper’s attacks deal bonus damage for every 100 units of distance Sniper is from the target.
Passive
Sniper locks onto a target enemy unit and, after a short aiming duration, fires a devastating shot that deals Sniper's attack damage plus bonus damage at long range and mini-stuns the target. Whenever Sniper kills an enemy hero, Assassinate is refreshed.
Popular items by game phase
OpenDota professional-match aggregate as of Jul 21, 2026, 9:50 PM UTC. Popularity rows are independent phase totals, not a coherent build, sequence, or win-rate advice.
Starting
6 items- 1
Iron Branch121 selections · 22.1% - 2
Slippers of Agility110 selections · 20.1% - 3
Circlet99 selections · 18.1% - 4
Observer Ward71 selections · 13% - 5
Tango60 selections · 10.9% - 6
Faerie Fire42 selections · 7.7%
Early
6 items- 1
Wraith Band124 selections · 25.5% - 2
Boots of Speed100 selections · 20.5% - 3
Power Treads98 selections · 20.1% - 4
Javelin33 selections · 6.8% - 5
Blade of Alacrity25 selections · 5.1% - 6
Morbid Mask22 selections · 4.5%
Mid
6 items- 1Blade of Alacrity103 selections · 12.6%
- 2
Dragon Lance80 selections · 9.8% - 3
Mithril Hammer64 selections · 7.8% - 4
Maelstrom52 selections · 6.4% - 5
Staff of Wizardry51 selections · 6.2% - 6
Claymore38 selections · 4.7%
Late
6 items- 1
Demon Edge30 selections · 13.2% - 2
Black King Bar18 selections · 7.9% - 3
Crystalys15 selections · 6.6% - 4
Force Staff11 selections · 4.8% - 5
Daedalus11 selections · 4.8% - 6
Silver Edge11 selections · 4.8%
More heroes to explore
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Sniper — frequently asked
What are Sniper's abilities in Dota 2?
Sniper's abilities are Shrapnel, Headshot, Take Aim, Concussive Grenade, Keen Scope, Assassinate. It is a Agility ranged hero played as Carry, Nuker.
What is Sniper's primary attribute?
Sniper is a Agility hero, starting with 19 strength (+2/lvl), 27 agility (+3.2/lvl) and 15 intelligence (+2.6/lvl), and a base move speed of 285.
What do the popular Sniper item phases mean?
The saved OpenDota aggregate is dated 2026-07-22. The phase lists summarize professional-match item popularity; they are not one coherent build, a recommended sequence, or win-rate advice.