What's up, MLBB fam! So, you're tired of seeing Claude dominate the gold lane, right? That slippery Marksman with his powerful Ultimate can be a real headache. But fear not, because in 2024, there are some seriously clutch heroes that can shut him down. If you're asking, "How do I counter Claude in the gold lane?" you've come to the right place. We're diving deep into the best picks and strategies to make sure Claude doesn't ruin your game. Let's get into it!

Top Hero Counters to Shut Down Claude

Alright guys, let's talk about who you absolutely need to consider when Claude is on the enemy team. Picking the right hero is half the battle, and when it comes to Claude, you want someone who can either burst him down before he can unleash his Art of the Thieving Magpie, or someone who can easily dodge his ultimate and retaliate. If you're looking for specific hero counters for Claude in the gold lane, here are some of the MVPs. First up, we've got Brody. This dude is an absolute menace. His passive, Rioses's Blood, deals insane damage based on the distance between him and the target. This means you can poke Claude down from afar before he even gets close enough to use his devastating ultimate. Plus, Brody's second skill, "Corrupting Strike," can slow him down, making it harder for Claude to escape or reposition. When Brody hits level 4, his "Oceanic Shard" ultimate can completely shred Claude if you manage to land it. Just remember, Brody needs a bit of space to shine, so positioning is key. Don't get caught out, and you'll be watching Claude's health bar plummet faster than you can say "Bandit." Next on the list is Popol and Kupa. These two are surprisingly effective against Claude. Popol's ability to summon Kupa allows him to create a presence on the lane and harass Claude. The real magic happens with Kupa's skills, especially when Popol can command him to attack. Kupa can provide crowd control, like stuns, which can interrupt Claude's animation or lock him down long enough for you to capitalize. Furthermore, Popol's traps can zone Claude out, limiting his movement and making it harder for him to farm safely. If Claude tries to go aggressive, Popol can use his ultimate, "Ring of Surprise," to create a burst of damage and a stun that can catch Claude off guard. Don't forget about Wanwan, if you're a skilled player. While Wanwan can be tricky to play, if mastered, she can actually dodge Claude's ultimate by activating her own passive and dashing. Her mobility is through the roof, and if she can hit her weaknesses, she can take Claude down quickly. The key here is execution and timing. Finally, consider Claude's direct counter, Kimmy. Kimmy's ability to constantly move and shoot makes her incredibly dangerous for heroes who rely on positioning like Claude. Her ultimate, "Energy Ejector," can also be used to finish off a weakened Claude or to secure kills from a distance. The sheer sustained damage Kimmy puts out can out-DPS Claude if played correctly, especially in the early to mid-game. Remember, the goal is to deny him farm and pressure him constantly. These heroes offer different ways to tackle Claude, whether it's through range, crowd control, or sheer DPS. Choose wisely based on your playstyle and team composition!

Understanding Claude's Strengths and Weaknesses

Before we dive into specific counter strategies, let's quickly break down why Claude is such a popular pick in the gold lane and what his Achilles' heel is. Understanding Claude's strengths and weaknesses is crucial for any MLBB player aiming to climb the ranks in 2024. His biggest strength, no doubt, is his Art of Thieving Magpie ultimate. When activated, he gains a massive attack speed boost and can deal continuous damage in an area around him. This is devastating in team fights, especially when combined with his passive, Battle Side-by-Side, which summons Dexter, his monkey companion, to attack alongside him. This dual attack output makes him a premier late-game carry. He also has incredible mobility thanks to his Dancing Gale skill, allowing him to dash and reposition, making him hard to catch. This mobility, combined with his high damage output, means he can often out-duel most heroes in a one-on-one situation, especially when he has his ultimate up. He excels at farming efficiently and scaling into a late-game monster. Now, for his weaknesses, and these are important, guys. Claude is extremely squishy. Like, paper-thin squishy. If you can catch him off guard or bypass his mobility, he goes down fast. His Art of Thieving Magpie ultimate, while powerful, requires him to stand still for a brief moment to channel it, leaving him vulnerable if he's caught out of position or CC'd. Furthermore, his Dancing Gale dash has a cooldown, and if he uses it poorly or it's on cooldown, his escape options are severely limited. He also relies heavily on his basic attacks and attack speed, making him susceptible to items that reduce attack speed or provide sustain/defense. Crowd control (CC) is his bane. Stuns, roots, and suppression can completely negate his damage output and prevent him from escaping. Heroes with strong CC or burst damage that can lock him down are his natural predators. Finally, while he scales well, he can be quite vulnerable in the early game if pressured heavily by strong laning opponents. Denying him farm during this crucial phase can significantly cripple his late-game potential. So, in summary: loves sustained fights, high attack speed, and mobility. Hates CC, burst damage, and being caught out of position with no escape.

Effective Laning Phase Strategies Against Claude

Now that we know who can take him on and what makes Claude tick, let's talk about how to counter Claude in the gold lane during the actual laning phase. This is where you can really make or break his game. The most critical aspect is denying him farm. Claude needs gold and experience to scale, just like any Marksman. If you can zone him out, prevent him from last-hitting creeps, and constantly pressure him, you'll significantly weaken his late-game potential. If you're playing a hero like Brody or Kimmy, harass him relentlessly. Use your poke damage whenever he tries to get close to the minions. Don't let him breathe! If you're using Popol and Kupa, use Kupa to zone him and control the bushes. Ambush him when he least expects it. Itemization is also super important. Against Claude, consider building items that offer sustain or anti-burst capabilities early on. Lifesteal items like Haas's Claws or Berserker's Fury can help you out-duel him in extended trades. If you're facing a lot of burst, items like Oracle or Athena's Shield can help you survive his ultimate. For physical attackers, Dominance Ice can slow down his attack speed, which is a major component of his damage. Be mindful of his Dancing Gale. Claude loves to use his dash to engage or disengage. Try to predict his dash direction and position yourself accordingly. If he dashes forward aggressively, be ready to retaliate with your burst or CC. If he dashes back, don't chase him blindly into dangerous territory. Map awareness is key. Keep an eye on the minimap. If the enemy jungler or a mid-laner rotates to gank you, be ready to use your escape skills or call for help. Claude often relies on his team to set him up or protect him, so punishing him when he's isolated is your best bet. Don't be afraid to trade. If you're playing a hero with good sustain or burst, don't shy away from trading damage with him. Claude's early game isn't his strongest, and you might be able to secure an early kill or force him back to base, giving you a significant advantage. Remember, the goal in the laning phase isn't always to get kills, but to control the pace of the game, deny the enemy carry their resources, and set yourself up for success in the mid and late game. Focus on pressure, farm denial, and smart trades. That's how you dominate the gold lane against Claude in 2024!

Mid to Late Game Team Fight Strategies

Okay guys, so you've survived the laning phase, maybe even shut Claude down a bit. But now the real chaos begins: team fights. This is where Claude, with his Art of Thieving Magpie, can absolutely turn the tide. So, how do we counter Claude in team fights? It all comes down to focusing him down quickly and effectively. Your primary goal should be to eliminate Claude before he can unleash his ultimate, or at least CC him the moment he tries to channel it. Initiation is crucial. If your team has a strong initiator like Tigreal, Khufra, or Chou, use them to start the fight by locking down Claude or his frontline. A well-timed crowd control ability on Claude can completely neutralize him. Target priority is non-negotiable. While it's tempting to dive the enemy backline, if Claude is alive and free-casting, he's the biggest threat. Designate a hero or two (ideally your assassin or burst mage) to specifically focus Claude. If you can burst him down in 2-3 seconds, his team fight potential is nullified. Positioning is everything for your team too. As Claude players, you want to bait him into a bad position. If he overextends to use his ultimate, your team should be ready to collapse on him. For heroes who counter him, like Brody, stay at your optimal range and continue to poke him down. For heroes with CC, be ready to peel for your carries or to lock down Claude the moment he becomes a threat. Item counters are still relevant. Building items like Dominance Ice on your tanks or supports can significantly reduce Claude's attack speed, making his ultimate much less impactful. Corrosion Scythe is also a great item for slowing him down and reducing his attack speed. Don't underestimate anti-heal. If Claude is building lifesteal items, ensuring your team has anti-heal items like Necklace of Durance or Sea Halberd can prevent him from sustaining through your damage. Communicate with your team. Call out Claude's position, tell your team when he's about to ult, and coordinate your crowd control. A coordinated effort is far more effective than individual heroics. If Claude is caught out of position without his ultimate or his dash, punish him immediately. Assassins like Lancelot or Fanny can dive him and burst him down before he can react. Even if you can't kill him instantly, forcing him to use his ultimate defensively or to escape buys your team valuable time and space. Remember, the key is to disrupt his rhythm, deny him the opportunity to shine, and eliminate him as quickly as possible. By focusing your efforts and coordinating your attacks, you can dismantle Claude's impact in any team fight, securing victory for your team. It's all about smart decision-making and teamwork, guys!

Item Builds to Counter Claude

Let's talk bling, baby! Specifically, item builds that counter Claude in 2024. Because let's be real, just picking the right hero isn't always enough. You need the right gear to back you up. When facing Claude, your itemization strategy should focus on a few key areas: reducing his damage output, surviving his burst, and enabling your own offensive pressure. For tanks and fighters, Dominance Ice is your absolute best friend. Seriously, this item is Claude's worst nightmare. It provides physical defense, HP, and a passive that reduces nearby enemies' attack speed and cooldowns. Lowering Claude's insane attack speed is paramount, and Dominance Ice does just that. Another great option is Corrosion Scythe. While it might seem odd on a tank, its passive slows down the target's attack speed and movement speed with basic attacks, making it perfect for chasing down or peeling for your carries against a slippery Claude. For damage dealers, if you're a mage, Necklace of Durance is a must-have if Claude is getting significant lifesteal. Its magic power and cooldown reduction are decent, but the passive that reduces enemy HP regen and shield effects is what truly counters his sustain. If you're a physical damage dealer or assassin, Sea Halberd offers a similar anti-heal effect with physical attack and attack speed. If you're a Marksman yourself, and you're not picking a direct counter hero, you need items that allow you to duel him or survive. Malefic Roar is essential for shredding through any armor Claude might build. Items that provide survivability like Wind of Nature (for physical burst) or Immortality (for that second chance) can be lifesavers. Against his Art of Thieving Magpie ultimate, items that grant burst damage or instant CC are incredibly valuable. If you're playing a hero like Chou, ensure your Triton's Bite or Demon Hunter Sword can help you burst him down. If you're a support, items that provide shields or crowd control can be game-changing. A well-timed Purify battle spell can negate his ultimate's stun, and items like Aegis can provide a timely shield. Remember, Claude's core strength lies in his sustained damage and mobility. Therefore, items that disrupt his attack speed, provide anti-heal, offer burst damage to eliminate him quickly, or grant survivability to withstand his onslaught are your best bet. Don't just blindly build; adapt to the game state and what Claude is building. Smart itemization can turn a losing game into a glorious victory, guys!

Final Thoughts on Countering Claude

So there you have it, guys! Countering Claude in the gold lane is totally achievable in 2024. It's not about blindly banning him or hoping he doesn't get picked. It's about understanding his kit, knowing your own hero's strengths, and executing a solid game plan. We've covered the top hero counters, the importance of understanding his strengths and weaknesses, effective laning phase strategies, crucial mid to late game team fight tactics, and the essential item builds to shut him down. Remember, Claude is a strong hero, but he's not invincible. With the right knowledge and execution, you can absolutely neutralize his threat and secure those wins. Key takeaways: Deny him farm early, pressure him constantly, focus him down in team fights, and build items that specifically counter his strengths. Don't be afraid to experiment with different heroes and strategies. The most important thing is to stay adaptable and communicate with your team. Good luck out there on the battlefield, and may your Claude counters always be on point!