How to Play DotA 2

Pay attention to character attributes. Attributes determine the effectiveness of the armor, the amount of health your hero has, and the amount of magical power (or mana) that they can draw from. Each character has a major attribute (one which is higher than the others) which greatly determines how they will play. Attributes increase with level. Strength, which builds health, is essential for heroes who will need to take a lot of damage. Agility, which builds defense, is essential for heroes who will carry the team (explained below). Intelligence, which builds mana, is essential for supporting heroes or those who intend to attack from a distance. 3 Purchase items. When you first enter the map, you will be placed next to the store, where you should buy some items. You can purchase consumables (potions and similar items), items which fortify your attributes, armaments to protect yourself with, and magical items (if your character is so inclined). You can also return to the shop during the match or buy a Courier which will take items back and forth for you. Use secret shops. There are also secret shops hidden in the jungles between the roadways (or lanes). These sometimes have items for sale which are not available in the regular shop. You will purchase these item with gold. Gold is earned passively (every few seconds) but also for things like killing enemy soldiers (called Creeps), destroying enemy towers, and various other accomplishments. 1 Choose a strategy to win. There are three main roadways on the game map. These are called lanes. During the game, you and your enemies will largely be positioned in these lanes, in varying numbers, where you will fight for control in order to reach and destroy each other’s towers. You and your teammates will need to figure out how you want to handle your lanes. Center Lane - The Center Lane, which go diagonally across the screen from base to base, is usually played with one hero versus one hero. This is why it is often called the solo lane. Players in these lanes will commonly move to the outer lanes to create uneven numbers and gank (or gang kill) the enemy heroes. 2 Work with your teammates. Work together with your teammates to slowly chip away at the enemy. Remember, the goal is not to kill them but to instead destroy their towers. Be strategic and play your hero well. There is no “i” in team but there is an “i” in dick: support your teammates and together you can all succeed. Creeps, the funny looking fellows that you can’t control, are also part of your team. Use them. Worship them. They are the key to your success. They will spawn every so often and come in waves down the lanes. There they will clash with enemy creeps and towers, protecting you from much damage. Stay behind the creep line of defense. Destroy the other team’s creeps to gain money, though. Those guys are jerks.