Shiv
Bleeds out foes, then goes in for a kill.
- Win rate
- 44.8%
- Pick rate
- 25.3%
- KDA
- 2.65
- Matches
- 1.31M
Updated · Patch Nov 4, 2026
Shiv abilities
Serrated Knives
Throw a knife that bleeds an enemy. Each additional hit adds a stack and refreshes the bleed duration, causing the bleed to increase per stack.
Slice and Dice
Perform a dash forward, damaging enemies along the path. Hit Enemies have their spirit resist reduced. This debuff can stack.
Bloodletting
Take only a portion of incoming damage immediately and defer the rest to be taken over time. Activate to clear a portion of the deferred damage.
Killing Blow
Ability text lands on release day.
Shiv skill order
Max Serrated Knives first, then follow the grid point by point.
Most played
49.3% win rate · 51,603 matches
| Ability | Point 1 | Point 2 | Point 3 | Point 4 | Point 5 | Point 6 | Point 7 | Point 8 | Point 9 | Point 10 | Point 11 | Point 12 | Point 13 | Point 14 | Point 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | |||||||||||
 | 3 | 6 | 15 | ||||||||||||
 | 4 | 11 | 12 | 13 | |||||||||||
 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 14 |
Highest win rate
53.5% win rate · 3,364 matches
| Ability | Point 1 | Point 2 | Point 3 | Point 4 | Point 5 | Point 6 | Point 7 | Point 8 | Point 9 | Point 10 | Point 11 | Point 12 | Point 13 | Point 14 | Point 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | |||||||||||
| 3 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |||||||||||
| 4 | 11 | 12 | 14 | |||||||||||
| 6 | 13 | 15 |
How to play Shiv
Shiv has zero interest in playing fair, which is why he relies on hit and run tactics to weaken enemies before he dives in for the kill.
Winning Shiv players open with Mystic Regeneration and Restorative Shot, spike in the mid game with Radiant Regeneration and Hunter's Aura and close it out with Arctic Blast or Express Shot.
Shiv game plan
A dirty fighter who bleeds you, defers his own damage and finishes you with an execute.
How to beat Shiv
- Burst him during Bloodletting’s deferred damage window.
- Stay above execute range when Killing Blow is up.
- Anti-heal his sustain.
Respect Killing Blow. Punish after Slice and Dice.
Strong & weak against
Shiv questions
Who counters Shiv?
In recent matches Shiv wins least often against Graves (36.9%), Paige (38.5%), Seven (39.7%). See the Matchups tab for the full list.
What should Shiv build first?
The most-bought early items are Mystic Regeneration, Restorative Shot, Close Quarters. Mid game, players move into Radiant Regeneration and Hunter's Aura.
Is Shiv good for beginners?
Not really. Shiv is rated Hard, so learn the basics on a simpler hero first.
What role does Shiv play?
Shiv's official class is Brawler, and in fights they play frontline / carry: a hero who bleeds out foes, then goes in for a kill. Shiv has zero interest in playing fair, which is why he relies on hit and run tactics to weaken enemies before he dives in for the kill.