Looking to dive into Dota 2 but feeling lost? Let's kick off your journey with our Dota 101 guide. Today, we'll delve into the realm of item builds.
So, you've taken the plunge into the world of Dota 2, only to find yourself staring at a bewildering array of items in-game. What are all these items, and which ones should you be prioritizing?
The Easy Route:
First and foremost, it's crucial to understand that while choosing the right items is vital, many brilliant minds have already extensively pondered this aspect of the game. As Isaac Newton famously said, "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Therefore, consider utilizing Dota 2's in-game guide system. Simply click the guide button and select one of the top-rated guides tailored to the hero you're playing.
Chances are, you'll come across guides authored by either "Tortedelini" or "Immortalfaith," renowned for their comprehensive and dependable guides covering nearly every hero in the game. With these guides enabled you'll receive a curated selection of items to aim for at various stages of the game. Tooltips accompany these recommendations, offering additional insights into item usage and optimal timing for purchases.
Consumables:
However, at some point, we all yearn to chart our own course. Before relying on guides, it's essential to grasp the value of consumables. These items are expended upon use, such as Teleport Scrolls, Tangos, Healing Salves, and Clarity Potions. While they may appear to offer short-term benefits only, they play a pivotal role in the early game. With limited funds for larger sustain items early on, consumables provide crucial health and mana regeneration. Tangos excel at sustaining health, while Clarity Potions restore mana.
If patience isn't your strong suit, consider investing in Healing Salves and Enchanted Mangoes for immediate health or mana boosts, enabling swift re-entry into combat. And remember to always carry at least two teleport scrolls; mobility is paramount in Dota 2. Don't overlook boots either; movement speed is essential.
Magic Wand:
Among the game's most economical yet potent items is the Magic Wand. For a nominal cost, you acquire an item that accumulates charges whenever enemy spells are cast in your vicinity. Activating the Magic Wand allows for instant health and mana restoration based on the accumulated charges. While seemingly minor, this instant boost can turn the tide of early skirmishes. Stock up on charges, bait your opponents into engagements, and surprise them with a significant health boost when you're on the brink of defeat.
Core Items and Expansion Items:
Most Dota heroes excel in specific areas while lacking in others. Core items serve to address these weaknesses, effectively plugging the gaps in a hero's design. Take Phantom Assassin, for instance, boasting exceptional damage output but limited to single-target attacks and vulnerability. Essential core items for her include Battle Fury for efficient farming and Black King Bar for uninterrupted damage output in fights. Once you've secured these core items, consider additional items to counter specific adversaries in your matches, such as a Skull Basher to restrain the elusive Anti-Mage.
The key to crafting effective item builds lies in first addressing your hero's deficiencies with core items before adapting to counter your opponents. By dictating the pace of the game and compelling adversaries to respond to your strategy, you'll gain the upper hand and elevate your MMR score.