Matchup · November 6, 2026
Apollo vs Graves
40.8%
Unfavoured114,436 matches
All Apollo matchups & countersUpdated · Patch Nov 4, 2026
Deadlock Bible take
How Apollo beats Graves
Assassin vs Mystic
Mystics are often fragile without their spells. Dive them right after they cast.
Your game plan as Apollo
A fencer. Apollo wins duels by deflecting your best shot and riposting into you.
Lane
Poke with Disengaging Sigil and use its leap to dodge trades. Save Riposte for a predictable incoming ability.
Mid game
Flank fights and look for heroes who blow their cooldowns early; Flawless Advance chains lunges into a kill.
Late game
Itani Lo Sahn is a long-range lockdown that also stops healing. Use it on the enemy carry or healer to open the fight.
How to beat Graves
A necromancer who gets stronger every time something dies near her.
- 01Don’t take long trades; Essence Theft steals your stats over time.
- 02Burst her before the Jar fills.
- 03Step around Grasping Hands rather than through it.
Respect
Punish
When the Jar is empty
Per match
Head-to-head
ApolloGraves
40.8%Win rate59.2%
0.90Kills per death1.04
+0Last-hit edge+28.8
+0Deny edge+2.4
+0Soul lead+3.1K
+0Objective damage edge+3.5K
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Laning
Win the lane: Apollo into Graves
- 01Graves wins the farm by ~28.8 last hits per match. Prioritise safe last hits and denies over trades, and let your lane partner zone.
- 02Graves denies ~2.4 more orbs per match — secure your orbs before they can.
- 03Graves deals most damage with abilities. Trade right after they’ve used their main spell, and consider early Spirit Shielding.
Skill order
Skill order for this matchup
This matchup
Usual
54.9% win rate over 29,973 matches
Early pointGraves wins the farm: an early point into Disengaging Sigil clears waves and keeps you in lane.
Graves’s kit
Threats
Grasping Hands
Root34s cd
Apollo’s kit
Your tools
Riposte
RootDisarmMobility22s cd
Disengaging Sigil
SlowMobility12s cd
Itani Lo SahnUltimate
SlowMobility145s cd
Flawless Advance
Mobility26s cd
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Mid & late game
Winning the fights after lane
- Apollo averages 0.90 kills per death against Graves.
- Apollo finishes 3.1k souls behind Graves on average — play for teamfights and scaling rather than lane kills.
- Apollo deals 3.5k less objective damage per match than Graves — let teammates take structures while you hold.
- Track Borrowed Decree (140s cooldown). The window right after Graves uses it is your best time to fight.
Also check
Who else beats Graves
FAQ
Matchup questions
Who wins Apollo vs Graves?
Apollo wins 40.8% of 114,436 recent matches against Graves — unfavoured.
How do I beat Graves as Apollo?
Graves wins the farm by ~28.8 last hits per match. Prioritise safe last hits and denies over trades, and let your lane partner zone. Track Borrowed Decree (140s cooldown). The window right after Graves uses it is your best time to fight.