Counterlock
Heroes / Calico
Case file · Sep 29 patch

Calico

Tricksy · Slippery · Burst Damage

How to play CalicoHow to counter Calico

Win rate49.7%
Pick rate23.2%
Ban rate6.9%
Rank#20 of 44
Matches28k

Updated 2026-10-30 01:21 UTC · n = 119,406 matches

Build path · Sep 29 patch

Early
Mid
Late

From this patch's purchase data and the top public builds. Hover an item for its timing.

How to play against Calico

Combo: Calico approaches unseen as Ava (hidden on the minimap), leaps in with Leaping Slash, which heals her if it hits, then throws Gloom Bombs that explode after a delay.

Beware: If she’s missing from the map, assume she’s coming; hitting Ava resets her speed. Return to Shadows makes her untargetable to escape a failed dive.

Heroes and items that counter Calico →

Builds graded by real games

In-game builds, best win rate first. Win rates are adjusted for games played (a build needs 100+ games) and graded S+ to D against Calico's average this patch. Open one for its notes and how to import it.

#1 Билд в кулак, спирит и грин 3 в 1S
51.3% win rate · 2,028W–1,926L · +2.9 pp vs average

Билд строится на заполнении всех инвестов и последующей игрой через кулаки, спирит и скорость. Бегаем по линиям помогаем союзникам, при возможности отпушиваем л

on Return to Shadows
Open build · import ID 663560 →
#2 2bStron9er ~ [PRO] ~ META CALICO ~ [ENG] [RU]S
51.0% win rate · 1,023W–981L · +2.5 pp vs average

by 2bStron9er ~ Deadlock Aura YT twitch.tv/2bStron9er >>>[RU] - "изменить", листаете описание вниз<<< ~[ENG] MeleeLifesteal = 2nd spell heals 150, harass enem

Open build · import ID 777197 →
#3 主玩欧服现已不朽 个人对猫的一些理解 装备半注释A
51.1% win rate · 422W–404L · +2.3 pp vs average

个人对猫的一些理解 欧服ping高 1技能命中不了不是你的问题 结论 后期不是经济碾压C不了 队里缺T就玩肘击流 肘击流优先升满大招然后升t2 2技能 3技能不升级 出装变为龙心黄拳 C不动就买功能装当挂件

Open build · import ID 853990 →
#4 ThuhBigA Melee CalicoA
50.2% win rate · 4,125W–4,094L · +1.9 pp vs average

Melee Calico That Doesn't die (TTV/ThuhBigA)

Open build · import ID 362706 →
#5 ABL BOMBS (TWITCH ABLKZ)A
50.0% win rate · 2,951W–2,956L · +1.6 pp vs average

TWITCH ABLKZ

Open build · import ID 340342 →
#6 I love cat[girl]s! Skelly's Spirit Assassin BuildA
49.8% win rate · 9,463W–9,539L · +1.5 pp vs average

Fully annotated! This is a spirit build! Check out my melee bruiser Calico build (not updated as frequently): 209974

Open build · import ID 266497 →
#7 psdDL's SPIRIT Calico (QUEUEABLE)A
49.9% win rate · 1,257W–1,263L · +1.5 pp vs average

PERMA GANK. USE TELEPORTERS. GO PROXY THE WAVE AT ~4:20 AND GO BRIDGE BUFF. ON SINNERS SPAWN BUY REBUTTAL AND GO LOOK FOR A PARRY ON ENEMY SINNERS. GET RICH IN

Open build · import ID 498953 →
#8 Natan's CalicoA
49.3% win rate · 5,594W–5,745L · +1.1 pp vs average

If you think melee is only good in low ranks you are self exposing, Melee OP, sneak up on people in cat form and heavy melee them no one reacts in time with par

on Return to Shadows
Open build · import ID 257501 →
#9 OLHA O GATINHO PRETINHOA
49.6% win rate · 350W–356L · +1.0 pp vs average

Olha o pretinh- EITA CARALHO! Anotaçoes nos itens, basicamente L > R

Open build · import ID 732094 →

Who beats Calico

−5.5 ppKelvin
2.5k games−5.0 ppGraves
3.8k games−4.7 ppRat King
13k games−3.8 ppPaige
4.0k games−3.2 ppDynamo
2.7k games

Calico beats

+6.9 ppWarden
856 games+4.8 ppMirage
1.2k games+4.7 ppDeadman Danny
5.3k games+4.6 ppGrey Talon
2.5k games+4.5 ppSolomon
3.6k games

Win-rate change for Calico in matches with that enemy, against Calico's own average. Full counters and counter items →

Best teammates

Rat King
57.0% togetherPaige
54.8% togetherGraves
55.0% togetherKelvin
53.9% togetherSeven
53.7% togetherWraith
53.0% together

Ability order

10m22m33m43m54m66m76m88m912m1013m1115m1219m1325m1427m1530m
Gloom BombsGloom BombsAbility 1IIIIII
Leaping SlashLeaping SlashAbility 2III
AvaAvaAbility 3IIIIII
Return to ShadowsReturn to ShadowsUltimateIIIIII

unlock I II III upgrade tiers · column labels are the average minute of each step

The most common skill-point order this patch (74k matches).

Patch history

Items Calico buys

ItemBought inWin ratevs averageAvg. time
Melee Lifesteal99%49.7%−0.01:19
Spirit Strike97%49.7%+0.05:32
Cold Front97%49.7%+0.09:20
Stalker97%49.8%+0.14:57
Spirit Snatch96%49.9%+0.212:56
Arctic Blast89%51.7%+2.021:28
Sprint Boots82%49.8%+0.17:51
Trophy Collector71%50.3%+0.68:12
Improved Spirit63%52.9%+3.223:11
Mystic Vulnerability52%52.8%+3.123:25
Boundless Spirit52%57.6%+7.828:29
Dispel Magic49%50.7%+1.020:41
Hunter's Aura44%51.1%+1.417:28
Extra Spirit43%54.4%+4.622:06
Torment Pulse42%51.6%+1.820:09
Superior Cooldown39%57.5%+7.628:40
Enduring Speed37%50.0%+0.313:30
Compress Cooldown33%55.4%+5.525:07
Scourge30%58.5%+8.530:42
Spirit Shredder28%50.9%+1.216:17
Spirit Burn27%60.3%+10.231:24
Escalating Exposure23%59.8%+9.733:25
Transcendent Cooldown21%61.5%+11.234:11
Mystic Shot21%51.2%+1.414:32
Lifestrike19%50.9%+1.221:30
Slowing Hex15%48.0%−1.616:21
Counterspell15%50.5%+0.723:11
Melee Charge14%50.7%+0.915:23
Healbane14%45.5%−3.918:25
Focus Lens13%57.7%+7.428:59

Where Calico fights

Kills and deaths for Calico over the last 14 days, all ranks.