Countering Aldous: A Comprehensive Guide to Defeating the Soul Contractor

Aldous, also known as the "Contractor", is a formidable hero in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. With his incredible late-game scaling and devastating burst damage, he can be a nightmare for unprepared teams. However, every hero has weaknesses, and with the right strategies, Aldous can be effectively countered. This article will delve into various tactics, hero picks, and gameplay adjustments to neutralize Aldous and turn the tide of battle in your favor.

Understanding Aldous: Strengths and Weaknesses

Before diving into counter-strategies, it's essential to understand what makes Aldous a powerhouse and where his vulnerabilities lie.

Strengths:

• High Burst Damage: Aldous excels in dealing massive damage with his enhanced basic attacks, particularly when his "Contract: Soul Steal" passive is fully stacked.
• Late-Game Carry: His power spikes significantly in the late game, making him a formidable opponent in prolonged matches.
• Global Presence: Aldous's ultimate, "Contract: Chase Fate," allows him to target and chase down any enemy hero, providing excellent map control and pick-off potential.

Weaknesses:

• Early Game Vulnerability: Aldous is relatively weak in the early game and relies on farming to become a threat.
• Predictable: His playstyle revolves around stacking his passive and hunting down isolated targets, making his moves somewhat predictable.
• Crowd Control Susceptibility: Aldous is vulnerable to crowd control (CC) effects, which can hinder his ability to engage or escape.

Hero Counterpicks

Selecting the right heroes is crucial when countering Aldous. Here are some top picks that can effectively neutralize his strengths:

1. Minsitthar

Why Minsitthar?

Minsitthar's ultimate, "King's Calling," creates an area where enemy heroes cannot use dash skills. This is particularly effective against Aldous, preventing him from escaping or repositioning during fights.

2. Chou

Why Chou?

Chou's skill set includes numerous crowd control abilities. His ultimate, "The Way of Dragon," can knock up and isolate Aldous, disrupting his combos and making it easier for your team to eliminate him.

3. Khufra

Why Khufra?

Khufra's abilities, especially "Tyrant's Rage" and "Bouncing Ball," are excellent for locking down Aldous. His crowd control can prevent Aldous from getting close to your carries and dealing damage.

4. Kaja

Why Kaja?

Kaja's ultimate, "Divine Judgment," can suppress Aldous, making him an easy target for your team to burst down. This is particularly useful in preventing Aldous from using his ultimate to escape or engage.

5. Uranus

Why Uranus?

Uranus is incredibly tanky and can sustain himself in prolonged fights. His continuous healing and shields can outlast Aldous's burst damage, making it difficult for Aldous to secure kills.

Itemization Strategies

Proper itemization is another critical factor in countering Aldous. Here are some recommended items:

1. Dominance Ice

• Effect: Reduces the attack speed of nearby enemies and provides armor.
• Why: This item helps mitigate Aldous's burst damage by reducing his attack speed, making it harder for him to chain his enhanced basic attacks.

2. Blade Armor

• Effect: Reflects a portion of the damage received from basic attacks back to the attacker.
• Why: Since Aldous relies heavily on his basic attacks, Blade Armor can significantly reduce his effectiveness in fights by returning damage to him.

3. Antique Cuirass

• Effect: Reduces the attacker's physical attack when hit.
• Why: This item is useful in reducing Aldous's damage output, especially when he focuses you or your teammates in extended fights.

4. Immortality

• Effect: Revives the hero upon death with a portion of HP and a shield.
• Why: Immortality provides a second chance in team fights, making it harder for Aldous to secure kills and reset his abilities.

5. Winter Truncheon

• Effect: Provides immunity to all damage and debuffs for a short duration.
• Why: This item is particularly useful for mages and supports, allowing them to survive Aldous's burst and potentially turn the fight around.

Gameplay Strategies

Beyond hero picks and itemization, in-game strategies and teamwork are essential to countering Aldous effectively.

1. Early Game Aggression

• Focus on Denying Farm: Aldous needs to farm to become a threat. Aggressively invading his jungle and contesting buffs can slow down his progress. Assign a hero with strong early game presence to disrupt his farming.
• Rotations and Ganks: Coordinate with your team to gank Aldous early and often. Denying him kills and forcing him to play defensively will delay his power spike.

2. Vision Control

• Wards and Scouting: Place wards in key areas of the map to track Aldous's movements. Knowing his position allows your team to avoid isolated encounters and prepare for his ultimate.
• Map Awareness: Pay attention to the minimap, especially when Aldous reaches level 4. His ultimate provides global presence, so be mindful of overextending without proper vision.

3. Team Fights

• Focus Fire: In team fights, prioritize focusing down Aldous. Coordinated crowd control and burst damage can quickly eliminate him before he can deal significant damage.
• Peel for Carries: Assign tanks and supports to protect your squishy carries from Aldous's dives. Heroes with displacement abilities can push him away from your backline.

4. Split Pushing

• Pressure Side Lanes: Aldous is often forced to respond to split pushing due to his strong 1v1 capabilities. Use this to your advantage by pressuring multiple lanes, forcing him to reveal his position and reducing his impact in team fights.
• Teleport and Mobility: Utilize heroes with global mobility or teleportation spells to outmaneuver Aldous. This can create opportunities for advantageous fights or objectives while he's occupied elsewhere.

Communication and Team Coordination

Effective communication and teamwork are paramount when dealing with a threat like Aldous. Here are some tips to ensure your team is on the same page:

1. Callouts and Pings

• Alert Teammates: Use in-game pings to alert teammates of Aldous's position, especially when he uses his ultimate. This can help your team prepare for his engage or avoid potential ganks.
• Coordinate Objectives: Work together to secure objectives such as Turtle and Lord. Aldous's strength in isolating targets makes it crucial to stick together and avoid unnecessary skirmishes.

2. Role Assignment

• Assign Roles Clearly: Ensure each team member understands their role in countering Aldous. Tanks should focus on peeling, while damage dealers prioritize bursting him down.
• Designate a Shotcaller: Having a designated shotcaller can streamline decision-making and ensure timely responses to Aldous's actions.

Conclusion

Countering Aldous in Mobile Legends requires a combination of strategic hero picks, smart itemization, and effective gameplay tactics. By understanding his strengths and weaknesses, coordinating with your team, and staying vigilant throughout the match, you can significantly reduce his impact and secure victory. Remember, the key to defeating Aldous lies in early game aggression, vision control, and meticulous teamwork. With these strategies in hand, you’ll be well-equipped to face the Contractor head-on and emerge victorious.