Best Ways To Counter Moskov In Mobile Legends

Hey guys! Let's talk about one of the most annoying marksmen in Mobile Legends: Moskov. Seriously, this guy can absolutely shred through your team if you don't know how to handle him. But don't worry, in this guide, we're diving deep into everything you need to know to counter Moskov effectively. We'll cover the best heroes, items, and strategies to make sure Moskov becomes a non-threat in your games. So, buckle up, and let's get you ready to shut down this slippery marksman!

Understanding Moskov's Strengths and Weaknesses

Before we even think about how to beat him, it's crucial to understand what makes Moskov so potent and where his vulnerabilities lie. Moskov's primary strength comes from his incredible attack speed and penetration. His passive, Abyssal Strike, allows his basic attacks to pass through targets, hitting enemies behind them. This is brutal in team fights, as he can hit multiple squishy heroes at once. Add to that his second skill, Spear of Destruction, which has a long range and can also pierce, and his ultimate, Spear of the World, which is a global poke – Moskov can deal damage from almost anywhere and hit a lot of people. His mobility skill, Abyssal Trap, while not a direct escape, allows him to reposition and slow enemies, making him surprisingly hard to pin down. These strengths mean he excels at bullying lanes, farming quickly, and dominating team fights with consistent, high damage output. He's a real menace when he gets going, especially if he can build up his core items.

However, every hero has a kryptonite, and Moskov is no exception. His biggest weakness? He's incredibly squishy. Without defensive items, Moskov can be bursted down very quickly. He also relies heavily on basic attacks and positioning. If you can disrupt his attack flow or catch him out of position, he becomes significantly less effective. His early game can also be a bit weak if pressured effectively, as he needs time to farm his crucial items. Furthermore, his skills, while powerful, have cooldowns. If he uses his abilities and gets caught without them, he's an easy target. Finally, his damage output, while high, is often sustained damage rather than burst. This means heroes with strong crowd control (CC) or immediate burst damage can neutralize him before he can deal significant damage. Recognizing these weaknesses is the first step in learning how to counter Moskov.

Top Heroes to Counter Moskov

Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty: which heroes are your best bet when facing Moskov? Picking the right hero can make or break your game against him. We're looking for heroes with strong CC, high burst damage, or the ability to quickly close the gap and shut him down. Some heroes are just natural counters, and knowing them can give you a massive advantage.

Assassins: The Burst Damage Specialists

Assassins are arguably the most effective against Moskov because they excel at diving the backline and eliminating squishy targets like him. Lancelot is a prime example. His invincibility during his dash (Skill 2) allows him to dodge Moskov's attacks and skills, and his high burst damage can take Moskov down before he can react. The key is to wait for Moskov to use his Abyssal Trap or Spear of Destruction, then dive in. Ling is another excellent choice. His agility and ability to jump between walls make him incredibly hard for Moskov to track and hit. Ling's high sustained damage, coupled with his ability to bypass Moskov's frontline, allows him to assassent him quickly. Hayabusa also fits the bill. His ultimate, Shadow Sickness, can lock onto Moskov and deal massive damage, especially if Moskov is isolated. The trick with Hayabusa is to use his other skills to bait out Moskov's abilities before unleashing his ultimate. Even Natalia can be a menace. Her ability to become invisible and surprise Moskov can lead to a quick kill, especially in the early to mid-game. Her silence also prevents Moskov from using his abilities, further disrupting his damage output. When playing assassins, the key is timing and positioning. You don't want to engage when Moskov has his full kit available. Wait for him to overextend or use his key abilities, then strike hard and fast. The goal is to eliminate him before he can even bring his piercing attacks to bear. Mastering these assassins is a fantastic way to counter Moskov.

Fighters: The Durable Divers

Fighters who can dive the backline and survive while doing so are also excellent picks. Chou is a classic counter. His Jeet Kune Do (Skill 1) can interrupt Moskov's attacks, and his ultimate, The Way of the Dragon, can kick Moskov out of position or even secure a kill if Moskov is weakened. Chou's mobility and tankiness allow him to survive long enough to deal with Moskov. Minsitthar, with his ultimate King's Calling, can literally trap Moskov in a zone, preventing him from escaping and allowing your team to focus him down. His crowd control is exceptionally good at locking down slippery targets. Paquito can also be a great pick due to his aggressive playstyle and ability to chain his enhanced skills. If Paquito can get on top of Moskov, he can often overwhelm him with a flurry of empowered punches and CC. The key for fighters is to be able to initiate and survive the dive. You need to be able to tank a few hits while dishing out enough damage or CC to neutralize Moskov. If you can disrupt his rhythm and prevent him from freely attacking, you've already won half the battle. These durable divers bring a different but equally effective approach to counter Moskov.

Tanks: The CC Powerhouses

While not dealing direct damage, tanks with heavy crowd control can be game-changers. Khufra is notorious for his ability to stop Moskov's dashes with his Bouncing Ball (Skill 2). If Moskov tries to blink away or engage aggressively, Khufra can shut him down instantly. His ultimate can also displace Moskov and set him up for your team. Tigreal and Atlas with their ultimate abilities can group Moskov and his allies, making him an easy target for your damage dealers. A well-timed Implosion from Atlas or Sacred Hammer from Tigreal can completely turn the tide of a team fight against a Moskov-centric lineup. Even Uranus, with his sustain, can sometimes be used to zone Moskov and make his life difficult, though he relies more on survivability than hard CC. The goal for tanks is to disrupt Moskov's positioning, peel him off your damage dealers, or lock him down for your team to finish. Your CC is your primary weapon against him, so use it wisely. Tanks might not get the kills, but they are essential in helping your team counter Moskov.

Essential Items for Shutting Down Moskov

Beyond heroes, item builds play a massive role in neutralizing Moskov's threat. Certain items are designed to counter his strengths, like his high attack speed and penetration, or to amplify your own ability to deal with him.

Defensive Items: Surviving the Assault

Since Moskov deals a lot of physical damage, building physical defense is key. Blade Armor is a fantastic item against him. Not only does it provide a significant amount of physical defense, but it also reflects a portion of the damage back to the attacker. If Moskov is auto-attacking you, Blade Armor will hurt him significantly, forcing him to rethink his target. Antique Cuirass is another great choice, especially against heroes who rely on sustained damage. It reduces the damage taken from basic attacks and also reduces the target's physical attack power for a short duration after being hit by skills. For magic defense, Radiant Armor is essential against magic-heavy compositions, but if Moskov is the primary threat, you might opt for items like Cursed Helmet for aura damage if you're a tank, or focus primarily on physical defense. If you're a squishy hero like a mage or marksman yourself, consider items like Wind of Nature. This item grants a temporary immunity to physical damage for a few seconds, which can be a lifesaver against Moskov's relentless assault. Knowing when to build these defensive items can make the difference between surviving and being deleted.

Offensive Items: Turning the Tables

Sometimes, the best defense is a good offense. Items that allow you to quickly burst down Moskov or shut him down with CC are invaluable. For assassins and fighters, items like Blade of Despair and Malefic Roar are crucial for maximizing your damage output. Malefic Roar, in particular, is important because Moskov often builds some physical defense, and its true damage penetration will help you bypass it. Hunter Strike provides both physical attack and cooldown reduction, allowing for more frequent skill usage to lock him down. If you're a mage, items like Winter Truncheon can provide a similar defensive burst to Wind of Nature, allowing you to survive his attacks and retaliate. For heroes reliant on crowd control, items that enhance CC duration or effectiveness, like Ice Queen Wand for mages, can make your stuns and slows last longer, giving your team more time to eliminate him. The goal is to either kill him before he can deal his damage or to survive his initial onslaught and then retaliate with overwhelming force. Utilizing the right offensive items is key to efficiently counter Moskov.

Strategic Gameplay: How to Outplay Moskov

Hero picks and item builds are important, but smart gameplay is what truly separates the good players from the great ones. When facing Moskov, you need to be strategic in how you approach the game.

Early Game Pressure: Starving Moskov

Moskov needs farm and experience to become a threat. Applying early game pressure is one of the most effective ways to counter Moskov. This means invading his jungle, harassing him in lane, and denying him farm. If you're playing a jungler or an aggressive laner, focus on objectives that deny Moskov resources. Heroes like Martis or Alice in the jungle can invade effectively. In lane, heroes with strong poke and sustain can keep Moskov at bay. The goal is to keep him behind in levels and gold, making it much harder for him to come online in the mid and late game. A Moskov who is struggling to farm is a Moskov who can't carry your game. Don't let him free farm!

Positioning is Key: Don't Be the Easy Target

This is perhaps the most critical piece of advice when facing Moskov: your positioning matters. Moskov's entire kit revolves around hitting multiple targets with his piercing attacks. Never stand directly behind your teammates when Moskov is around. Spread out during team fights. If you're a squishy hero, always try to stay behind your tanks and fighters. Be aware of his Spear of Destruction and ultimate; they have significant range. Don't get caught out alone or in predictable positions. If you're a tank or fighter, your job is often to disrupt Moskov's positioning by engaging him, forcing him to move, or peeling him off your carries. Listen for his skill cues and be ready to dodge or counter. Good positioning can negate a huge portion of Moskov's effectiveness, even if he's farmed.

Target Prioritization in Team Fights

In team fights, Moskov is often a high-priority target. If you have assassins or burst damage heroes, your primary goal should be to eliminate Moskov as quickly as possible. He can single-handedly win team fights with his sustained damage. Don't let him free fire. Coordinate with your team to focus him down. If you can't get to him directly, focus on disrupting him. Use your CC abilities to interrupt his attacks or prevent him from repositioning. If Moskov is left unchecked, he will shred your entire team. Remember, he might be squishy, but if he gets his damage off, it doesn't matter how many hits he takes. Eliminating him first is often the most efficient way to win a fight. This strategic focus is crucial to counter Moskov.

Countering His Abilities

Understanding Moskov's abilities and knowing how to counter them is vital. His Abyssal Strike (passive) means you need to be mindful of your positioning, especially if you're in a tight formation. His Spear of Destruction has a piercing effect, so avoid standing directly behind minions or other heroes when he uses it. His Abyssal Trap can slow and stun if you step on it, so be observant and try to bait it out or avoid it. If you have CC immunity or cleanse effects, use them wisely to negate his crowd control. For example, Purify on a marksman or mage can save them from his stun and allow them to escape or retaliate. If you're playing a hero with a dash or blink, use it to dodge his skills or close the gap after he's used his Abyssal Trap. Being aware of his cooldowns is also key. If Moskov has just used his Abyssal Trap and Spear of Destruction, he's more vulnerable.

Conclusion: Master the Moskov Matchup

So there you have it, guys! Countering Moskov is all about understanding his kit, picking the right heroes, building the correct items, and playing smart. He's a powerful marksman, no doubt, but he's far from unstoppable. By applying early pressure, maintaining good positioning, prioritizing him in team fights, and strategically countering his abilities, you can turn the tables on even the most fed Moskov. Remember, practice makes perfect! Try out different heroes and strategies, and you'll soon be shutting down Moskovs like a pro. Go out there and dominate those matches! Good luck!