Balance master IceFrog also made the bounce radius smaller, but not to a point where the Shard is unusable.
Patch 7.29b has since brought him back down to a more reasonable level, removing the bonus cast range and reducing the illusion damage on Spirit Lance.
The Shard upgrade alone was enough to bring Phantom Lancer up to a near 56 percent win rate just a week ago from the time of writing. The fact that it bounces on top of that? Simply incredible. That kind of damage amplification on the Spirit Lance (Q) illusion? Amazing. His Aghanim’s Shard upgrade is just bonkers if we’re honest. If you’ve seen two-time International champion Anathan “ana” Pham play this DPC season, you’ll know just why Phantom Lancer is one of the best carries right now. Here are some of the top picks in the metagame for 7.29! Phantom Lancer
Radiance's burn aura helps destroy Phantom Lancer's illusions, and its blind chance provides some protection from Diffusal Blade's mana burn.Heaven's Halberd prevents Phantom Lancer from proccing Juxtapose places an undispellable debuff which helps identify the real Phantom Lancer.Battle Fury's cleave damage helps destroy Phantom Lancer's illusions.Both Aeon Disk and Crimson Guard will completely negate the damage of Phantom Lancer's illusions, even when Phantom Lancer has a considerable farm.Heroes with global nukes will target and hit Phantom Lancer regardless of his illusions: Zeus.Heroes that require burst damage to kill will be difficult for Phantom Lancer to take down: Timbersaw, Axe, Bristleback, Alchemist and Underlord.Monkey King's Jingu Mastery is undispellable and puts a big yellow Mark over his head.Shadow Demon's Demonic Purge is undispellable.
Doom's Doom marks Phantom Lancer with a highly visible effect, and also silences him.Heroes with undispellable debuffs will help identify the real Phantom Lancer through visual effects or debuff indicators, provided that it was cast on the real Phantom Lancer to begin with:.Maledict cannot be dispelled by Manta Style or Doppelganger, and can be used to mark the real Phantom Lancer.Phantom Lancer's lack of burst damage and disables makes it hard for him to stop Death Ward's channel.Aghanim's Scepter upgraded Death Ward kills Phantom Lancer's illusions very quickly.