How to counter Phantom Lancer

In lane

Dark Seer
• Phantom Lancer struggles to deal with Ion Shell in the lane. • Phantom Lancer is an illusion hero which means the illusions Dark Seer makes are very strong. • Dark Seer buys Shiva's Guard and Crella's Crozier usually, both good items against Phantom Lancer. • Dark Seer is great at pushing the lane and farming without showing his hero, potentially limiting Phantom Lancer's space and farm.
Tidehunter
• The damage block of Kraken Shell works extremely well against illusions. • Anchor Smash is a good spell to deal with illusions since it both damages and reduces their damage. • Tidehunter can buy Aghanim's Scepter to turn Gush into another AoE spell that is good at dealing with illusions.
Axe
• Counter Helix procs after a set number of attacks which is great since Phantom Lancer is an illusion hero. • If ever Axe catches the real hero and a couple of illusions with Berserker's Call it can be a big problem.

Necrophos
• All of Necrophos's spells are AoE which makes him great at dealing with illusions. • Necrophos buys Radiance which is a good item against Phantom Lancer. • Necrophos can turn ethereal with Ghost Shroud to stop being attacked by the illusions. • It is much easier for Necrophos to have a good game and he farms and hits his timings faster.
Sven
• Sven has a natural tool to deal with Phantom Lancer in the form of Great Cleave. • Due to Great Cleave, Sven farms way faster and hits his timings faster. • Warcry can provide much needed armor for his team.

Mjollnir
• This is a good item for your carry if you lack the AoE damage.
Shiva's Guard
• This is a great item as it provides armor to the wearer and deals AoE damage and slow.
Crella's Crozier
• This can be a good item to survive Phantom Lancer and his illusions. It will turn you ethereal and make you hasted as it steals movement speed from all of them.
Dust of Appearance
• You need detection if Phantom Lancer buys Aghanim's Shard so he does not slip away.