Amalgamation of oxide dispersoids into high entropy alloys (HEAs) offers a pathway for designing structural materials with superior mechanical and tribological properties. This study reports synthesis of Ni-rich HEA and its oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) variant, reinforced with 3 vol.% Y 2O 3 nanoparticles, via mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering. Emphasis was placed on deciphering mechanical and wear behaviour, specifically subsurface deformation characteristics. ODS-HEA exhibited significantly lower wear rate and wear volume loss. Transition in dominant wear mechanism from plastic deformation and abrasion in pristine-HEA to oxidative and adhesive in ODS-HEA was observed. Slip activity dominated in pristine-HEA, while ODS-HEA exhibited reduced strain accumulation and constrained plasticity. Findings suggest wear in ODS-HEA was influenced by subsurface deformation characteristics, beyond just hardness.