By Civenge
Looking to counter Harbinger? Harbinger is a 7 mana cost legendary flying card that packs a serious punch. Here are some of the top cards to counter this legendary minion. These are listed in order of best to worst, but all of which are viable.
It is important to note I see a lot of bad counter play against Harbinger. But there are some strategies that will generally be successful and allow for a good mana efficient trade. Unless you have a Beam of DOOM! or another card to finish off an already wounded Harbinger, let it get to the middle of the field.
Best Counter Cards
Before we talk about the cards to use, the most important strategy is to make sure you get Harbinger as close to your side of the field as possible. You need it to be close enough that ranged units can shoot it from across the chasm. Once Harbinger is near the center chasm, he will be in range of your ranged units. This is where you want him to be for maximum kill efficiency.
Wall
Wall by itself can only slow Harbinger for couple hits. Once Harbinger is at the chasm, play this as close to the center edge of the chasm as possible. For only 2 mana, there is room to play some cheaper units like Crossbow Dudes or Drone Buzzers to kill Harbinger while it is distracted.
Paired with your choice of:
Crossbow Dudes
With a quick summon right after Wall, place these right behind it for protection. So long as they aren’t countered, you can kill Harbinger before the Wall Dies. Other good options are: Crystal Archers, Drone Buzzers or Plasma Marines.
Magma Storm
Magma Storm is often referred to as “meme storm” and for good reason. Sometimes Magma Storm hits right where and how you want, and sometimes it totally misses everything. For Harbinger, you’ll need 2 hits to finish it off. If Harbinger isn’t moving and won’t be for a short period of time, center it on the unit. Otherwise, lead Magma Storm about halfway to the front of the radius. Generally you will get the 2 hits needed to kill it, but not always. This works even better if other enemy units are in range for maximum efficiency.
A.I.M. Bot
Quite possibly my favorite ranged unit along with Succubus due to the extreme range and high DPS. It is a drone walker that is juiced up with a shield. Definitely worth the extra 1 mana over Drone Walker to give that spell protection or in a pinch take a Cleaver hit. Also, since Harbinger is so slow at attacking, that shield will keep it alive for the first hit and allow for a re-engagement. This bot will lose the shield, but can solo Harbinger. Just watch out for ground units that could pop the shield early.
High-Mage Leiliel
Leiliel on her own can take out a harbinger so long as she has mana surge. The reflected range damage will practically kill Harbinger by itself. Protect Leiliel and she puts out fairly consistent damage. Keep a wall or tanky unit in front of her for maximum effect. Also note that you want at least 9 mana when you play her because the mana freeze will lock you out of mana surge for a while otherwise.
Beam of DOOM!
While not a great trade at 7 mana, at least it will get the job done. Bonus points if you can also get a few other units or hit base for a free 300 damage on face. Beam has a narrow area of effect, so be sure to factor that in so units don’t move out of range.
Summary
This is not an exhaustive list of all of the units that counter Harbinger. Anything ranged will do a good job so long as it is protected and gets the damage in. Remember, the most important thing to do is let Harbinger get close enough to your side of the field that ranged units can hit it over the chasm. Just like in the Colossus Guide don’t try to engage Harbinger on the enemies side of the field where they can easily support it. Cheers!