Best Counters to Play Against Briar in League of Legends

Turbosmurfs

Administrator

07 Apr

Briar is one of the strongest junglers in League of Legends. She is known for being aggressive and able to heal herself. This champion, who loves bloodshed, is great at long fights. She uses her special passive abilities to stay alive during battles while hurting her enemies.

When facing a skilled Briar player who knows how to use her healing abilities and aggressive playstyle effectively, you may often find it difficult to win.

Her ability to heal herself while dealing damage makes her especially tough to handle, particularly during important fights over objectives.

In this guide, you'll discover:

Effective Champion Counters - From Shen's defensive prowess to Taliyah's kiting potential
Strategic Itemization - Key healing reduction items and optimal build paths
Critical Gameplay Tactics - Essential strategies to neutralize Briar's impact
Objective Control - Smart approaches to securing objectives against Briar

Knowing these strategies won't just help you survive against Briar - it'll give you the tools to stop her aggressive plays and turn the game in your favor.

However, surviving against a Briar isn't solely reliant on knowing the right counter strategies. It also requires having a solid team composition and effective communication. That's where finding the right LoL Duo partner can make a significant difference. A well-coordinated duo can exploit Briar's weaknesses more effectively, turning the tables in your favor.

Additionally, if you're looking to improve your overall gameplay and learn more about effective strategies, consider investing in LoL coaching. Personalized coaching can provide you with expert guidance and in-depth strategies that can help you not just against Briar but in all your future games.

Understanding Briar's Strengths

Briar's power lies in her unique ability set and self-sustaining mechanics that make her a formidable force in League of Legends. Her passive, Blood Frenzy, allows her to gain increased attack speed and life steal when her health drops below 50%, creating dangerous situations for opponents who think they've gained the upper hand.

Core Abilities and Mechanics:

Bloodfeast (Q): Deals physical damage and heals Briar based on the target's missing health
Chilling Scream (W): AOE fear effect that grants bonus movement speed
Certain Death (E): Dash ability with damage amplification
Territorial Rush (R): Grants unstoppable status and increased size

Her jungle-focused kit enables her to maintain consistent pressure across the map. The natural sustain from her abilities allows her to clear camps efficiently while staying healthy, creating opportunities for aggressive ganks and invades. This sustained fighting potential makes her particularly dangerous in extended skirmishes where she can continuously heal through combat.

Team Fight Impact:

Excels at diving backline carries
Thrives in chaotic, prolonged engagements
Forces enemies to commit resources to stop her healing
Creates space for teammates through fear mechanics

Briar's aggressive playstyle becomes increasingly threatening as games progress. Her ability to dive deep into enemy lines while sustaining through damage makes her an excellent pick for teams looking to force decisive fights. The combination of crowd control, mobility, and self-healing allows her to disrupt enemy formations and create chaos in team fights, particularly around objective contests where extended fights are common.

In these situations, understanding the micro vs macro gameplay is crucial. While micro gameplay focuses on in-game mechanics such as Briar's abilities, macro gameplay involves map awareness and team coordination which can significantly enhance a team's overall performance.

Key Strategies to Counter Briar

Mastering specific counter strategies against Briar can significantly reduce her impact in your games. Here are the essential tactics you need to implement.

Utilizing Healing Reduction Items

The most effective way to diminish Briar's sustain comes from strategic item builds focused on healing reduction. Here are the key items you should consider:

Executioner's Calling (800 gold)
Perfect early-game purchase
Applies 25% healing reduction for 3 seconds
Builds into Mortal Reminder for AD carries
Oblivion Orb (800 gold)
Ideal for AP champions
Same healing reduction effect as Executioner's
Builds into Morellonomicon
Bramble Vest (800 gold)
Best for tanks and top laners
Applies healing reduction when taking damage
Builds into Thornmail for enhanced armor

The optimal timing for purchasing these items depends on your role and the game state:

Early Game (Before 15 minutes)

Buy healing reduction if Briar shows aggressive jungling patterns
Prioritize if she's successfully invading or securing early objectives

Mid Game (15-25 minutes)

Essential purchase before major objective fights
Required when Briar starts grouping with her team

Late Game (25+ minutes)

Complete your healing reduction items into their final forms
Consider having multiple team members build healing reduction

Vision Control Strategy

Controlling vision becomes crucial when facing Briar:

Deep Ward Placement Place wards at her buff camps
Control river vision near objectives
Ward common gank paths
Vision Timing Refresh wards before major objectives
Maintain vision control in your jungle quadrant
Track Briar's movement patterns

Team Positioning

Proper positioning can neutralize Briar's engage potential:

Stay grouped but not stacked
Position near terrain for escape routes
Keep track of your team's cooldowns before fights

Resource Management

Smart resource management helps counter Briar's abilities and sustain:

Cooldown Awareness
Potion Usage
Buff Control

By implementing these strategies, you'll be better equipped to handle Briar and minimize her impact on the game.

Avoiding Dragon IV Fights Against Briar

Dragon IV encounters present a significant risk when facing Briar due to her unique healing mechanics and burst potential. Her passive ability thrives in extended fights, making her particularly dangerous during these objective-focused battles.

Key Risk Factors:

Low health targets become prime opportunities for Briar's reset mechanics
The confined space around Dragon Pit limits escape routes
Her healing amplifies in prolonged fights

Essential Pre-Dragon Preparations:

Maintain health above 50% before engaging
Clear existing vision in the pit area
Set up deep wards in Briar's likely approach paths
Position your team in spread formation to avoid grouped damage

Smart Engagement Tactics:

Bait Briar into using her abilities before initiating the Dragon
Keep track of her ultimate cooldown
Designate a tank to zone her away from squishier targets
Save hard CC for when she attempts to dive into your backline

The optimal strategy involves forcing Briar to choose between joining the fight at a disadvantage or giving up the objective. Your team should either burst down Dragon quickly with proper vision control or disengage if Briar appears with full resources. Remember that sacrificing a Dragon is better than giving Briar multiple kills that could snowball the game.

Best Champion Counters to Play Against Briar

Selecting the right champion can make a significant difference in your matchup against Briar. Let's explore some of the most effective counter picks, starting with Shen - a champion who excels at neutralizing Briar's aggressive playstyle.

1. Shen - The Reliable Defender Against Briar's Damage Output

Shen's kit provides exceptional tools to shut down Briar's aggressive plays and protect your team from her burst damage. His defensive capabilities create a strong barrier between Briar and her intended targets.

Key Defensive Tools:

Spirit's Refuge (W) - Creates a protective field that blocks auto-attacks, reducing Briar's damage output during her all-in attempts
Shadow Dash (E) - Allows Shen to taunt Briar away from priority targets while providing a reliable escape mechanism
Stand United (R) - Global presence to counter Briar's ganks and protect teammates across the map

Strategic Advantages:

Built-in sustain through Twilight Assault (Q) helps match Briar's healing capabilities
Natural tankiness from items and abilities makes him difficult for Briar to burst down
Can build Thornmail early without compromising his core build path

Effective Trading Patterns:

Use Spirit's Refuge when Briar initiates with her ultimate
Time your Shadow Dash to interrupt her combo sequences
Save Stand United for protecting carries during team fights

Shen's presence forces Briar to play more cautiously, as his ability to shield allies and create protective zones disrupts her aggressive playstyle. His global ultimate pressure also means Briar must think twice before committing to fights, knowing Shen can turn the tide of any skirmish with his timely arrival.

Build Path Tips:

Rush Sunfire Aegis for additional tankiness and damage
Include Plated Steelcaps early to reduce auto-attack damage
Consider Anathema's Chains if Briar becomes the primary threat

2. Taliyah - Kiting Master Who Punishes Melee Champions Like Briar

Taliyah's kit perfectly counters Briar's aggressive playstyle through her exceptional kiting abilities and zone control mechanics. Her Threaded Volley (Q) allows you to maintain a safe distance while dealing consistent damage, making it challenging for Briar to close the gap without taking significant poke damage.

The power of Taliyah's Seismic Shove (W) creates direct counterplay opportunities against Briar's engage attempts. You can disrupt her positioning and push her away from your team, nullifying her burst damage potential. This ability becomes particularly effective when combined with Unraveled Earth (E), creating zones that punish Briar's dash-heavy kit.

Your strategic positioning with Taliyah should focus on:

Using Worked Ground to maintain movement speed advantages
Creating choke points with Weaver's Wall (R) to split teamfights
Placing Unraveled Earth in predictable dash paths
Maximizing distance through proper Threaded Volley spacing

Taliyah excels in team compositions that emphasize kiting and objective control. Her ability to create terrain makes her invaluable for:

Securing neutral objectives by zoning Briar away
Protecting your backline carries during teamfights
Controlling jungle entrances to prevent Briar's flanks
Supporting allied rotations while denying enemy movement

Building Rylai's Crystal Scepter enhances your kiting potential by adding a slow effect to your abilities. This item synergizes perfectly with Taliyah's kit, making it nearly impossible for Briar to stick to her targets during engages.

3. Zac - The Blob Who Can Withstand Burst Damage From Anyone Including You Know Who…

Zac's unique blob-based mechanics make him a formidable counter to Briar's aggressive playstyle. His passive ability, Cell Division, allows him to split into four bloblets when taking fatal damage, giving him a second chance at life - a perfect counter to Briar's burst-heavy engage patterns.

The Secret Weapon's kit includes:

Stretching Strikes (Q): A double-hit crowd control ability that can disrupt Briar's positioning
Unstable Matter (W): AoE damage that scales with his health, making him stronger as he builds tank items
Elastic Slingshot (E): Long-range engage tool that can catch Briar off-guard
Let's Bounce! (R): Multi-knock-up ultimate that can separate Briar from her team

Zac's ability to collect blobs from his abilities restores 4% of his maximum health, creating a sustainable presence in extended fights where Briar typically excels. Building items like Sunfire Aegis and Spirit Visage amplifies his healing potential while providing necessary tankiness.

In team fights, Zac's crowd control chain can lock down Briar for up to 3.5 seconds when executed properly. This disruption gives your team valuable time to focus her down before she can utilize her healing mechanics. Your E-Q-R combo can effectively zone Briar away from crucial objectives like Baron pit or Dragon spawn.

The key to success lies in timing your engages when Briar's abilities are on cooldown. Position yourself between Briar and your backline carries, using your CC abilities to prevent her from reaching your team's vulnerable members. Your high sustain allows you to absorb her initial burst while your team capitalizes on her exposed position.

4. Ivern - The Tree Hugger Who Can Disrupt Engages And Keep His Allies Safe At The Same Time!

Ivern's unique kit makes him a powerful counter to Briar's aggressive playstyle. His ability to shield allies with Triggerseed (E) creates a protective barrier that absorbs Briar's burst damage while simultaneously slowing nearby enemies - perfect for disrupting her engagement attempts.

The Green Father's Rootcaller (Q) serves as a reliable tool to lock down Briar during her aggressive dives. When she attempts to dive your backline, a well-timed root can stop her dead in her tracks, giving your team precious seconds to reposition or counter-engage.

Daisy, Ivern's ultimate companion, adds another layer of disruption to your anti-Briar arsenal:

Acts as an additional frontline tank
Provides knock-up crowd control
Creates space between Briar and your vulnerable carries
Soaks up damage during team fights

Your role as Ivern against Briar focuses on defensive positioning and protective gameplay:

Stay close to your damage dealers
Time your shields to counter Briar's burst windows
Use Brushmaker (W) to create vision denial zones
Coordinate Daisy's knock-ups with your team's follow-up abilities

Building items like Moonstone Renewer and Staff of Flowing Water amplifies your protective capabilities, making it increasingly difficult for Briar to secure kills on your protected allies. The combination of healing, shielding, and crowd control creates a defensive wall that even the most aggressive Briar players struggle to breach.

5. Nocturne - The Shadow Assassin Who Thrives On Isolating Targets Like No Other!

Nocturne's kit perfectly counters Briar's aggressive playstyle through his unique ability to isolate and eliminate key targets. His spell shield provides crucial protection against Briar's crowd control abilities, allowing him to maintain pressure without fear of interruption.

Key Strengths Against Briar:

Spell Shield Mastery: Nocturne's W ability blocks incoming crowd control, neutralizing Briar's engage potential
Ultimate Isolation: Paranoia cuts off Briar from her team, preventing coordinated responses
Fear Mechanics: His E ability disrupts Briar's positioning and combo execution

Nocturne's assassination potential shines brightest during objective contests. When Briar attempts to contest Baron or Elder Dragon, Nocturne can force her into unfavorable 1v1 situations. His darkness mechanic removes allied vision, creating panic and confusion in Briar's team.

Tactical Advantages:

Early Game Pressure: Nocturne's clear speed matches Briar's, preventing her from free farming
Mid Game Dueling: His spell shield negates Briar's burst potential
Late Game Impact: Ultimate ability creates pick opportunities before major objectives

Nocturne's build path naturally counters Briar's sustain-heavy playstyle. Items like Serrated Dirk into Eclipse provide the burst damage needed to eliminate her before she can utilize her healing mechanics.

Combat Tips:

Save spell shield for Briar's primary engage tools
Track her position to maximize ultimate value
Coordinate with the team to capitalize on isolation opportunities
Build armor penetration to cut through her defensive stats

Nocturne's presence forces Briar to play more cautiously, limiting her aggressive options and creating space for your team to secure objectives safely.

6. Jax vs Melee Champions

Jax stands as a formidable opponent against Briar, thanks to his unique ability set that punishes aggressive melee champions. His Counter Strike (E) creates a defensive zone where he dodges all incoming basic attacks - a perfect counter to Briar's auto-attack-heavy combat style.

The key to mastering this matchup lies in Jax's timing:

Use Counter Strike when Briar initiates with her dash
Save Leap Strike (Q) for escaping rather than engaging
Activate Grandmaster's Might (R) during extended trades

Jax's power spike hits particularly hard against Briar after completing Divine Sunderer. This item's passive perfectly complements his kit, allowing him to:

Burst through Briar's sustain
Match her healing capabilities
Maintain pressure in extended fights

The ward-hop technique proves invaluable when facing Briar. This advanced mechanic lets you:

Create distance when needed
Bait out her abilities
Set up unexpected engages

Your primary goal as Jax isn't to constantly fight Briar - it's to control the pace of engagements. Wait for her to commit to an aggressive play, then punish her with your superior counter-attacking abilities. The matchup favors Jax players who understand the importance of patience and calculated aggression.

Remember to build Blade of the Ruined King early - its combination of lifesteal and damage makes you a nightmare for Briar to deal with in side lanes. The item's active also provides crucial mobility for either chasing her down or creating distance.

7. Volibear - The Thunder's Roar Against Briar

Volibear's abilities make him a strong counter to Briar's aggressive playstyle, especially in the early game when his self-healing is most effective. His Thunder Claws (Q) ability lets him chase and stun Briar, interrupting her combo.

Key strengths against Briar:

Built-in sustain through Chosen of the Storm passive
Strong early game presence before Briar hits her power spikes
Natural tankiness that helps withstand burst damage

Optimal engagement patterns:

Initiate with Thundering Smash (E) to slow Briar
Follow up with Thunder Claws (Q) for the stun
Use Frenzied Maul (W) to deal sustained damage
Save Sky Splitter (R) for when Briar tries to escape

As the game goes on, timing these engagements becomes crucial. Volibear is most effective in the early to mid-game, so it's important to think carefully before fighting against a late-game Briar.

Build recommendations:

Rush Sunfire Aegis for extra tankiness
Include Thornmail to counter Briar's healing
Consider Spirit Visage to boost your own healing

Make sure to control vision and keep an eye on Briar's movements. Your success as Volibear depends on taking advantage of early opportunities before Briar becomes fully powerful.