One of the most important skills when playing Dota 2 is map control, because whoever owns the information owns the game. Since Dota is a strategic team game, each player, regardless of their role, should have a good understanding of the objects on the map, ways to access them, important points to control, keep track of timings, and have an overview of the map to see the movements of enemy heroes and determine their potential actions in order to take their own advantageous position and be ready to attack or defend.
Base and towers
The main objective of the game is to destroy the enemy Ancient, or as players call it, the “throne", which is reached by three lines with towers and groups of creeps that appear every 30 seconds. This makes it clear that enemy structures are some of the key points on the map for which you will have to fight to protect your own base or destroy the enemy's.
Depending on the stage of the game and their roles, players can react differently to clashes near towers. For example, in the early stages of the game, players are primarily focused on farming creeps and supporting carry. However, if the line feels won, then there is a need to consolidate this dominance by destroying the enemy's Tier-1 tower, and then move to another line or into the forest for further farming. If this does not happen, then you should expect that soon one of the lines may be fighting for the first tower. However, it is not always advisable to fight for your Tier-2, especially if the enemies are stronger. Because it will make it easier for them to instantly enter the base without resistance when your entire team or important heroes are in the tavern.
Lines
At the early stage of the game, winning each of the lines is important for the potential victory of the team. Conditions that determine a winning line:
- The enemy carry is unable to farm comfortably and dies frequently;
- the allied leader farms comfortably and can get the necessary items early;
- the enemy leader moves to the forest because he feels helpless on the line;
- the enemy mid has not received early artifacts and does not come to the aid of its allies.
At this stage, the most important role is played primarily by the heroes of the fourth and fifth positions. The roamer/ganker must keep an eye on the map and determine where his help will be most useful. For example, a player may come to help an allied midleader kill an enemy midleader. Or if the line between the support and the carry is quite complicated, then support from the fourth-position hero will be appropriate. The main thing is not to waste time running from line to line without bringing any benefit.
It is also necessary that the full support hero does not forget to buy and place wards that give a zone of visibility. You need to place them in places that will show possible ways of approaching enemy heroes who plan to attack you from the back.
If a Midlaner has found a rune that enhances his abilities, and there are abilities, such as ultimates, that will allow him to kill a weak target on another line in one cast. Then this opportunity should be used to support allies and give them more freedom. At the same time, get a frag.
Runes
Most often, players control runes in the early stages of the game, when they have the most value. For example, gold runes give all players the gold they need in the beginning to speed up the process of getting the first items for the carry, midlaner, and offlaner. Often, players even arrange a battle at the place where these runes appear, shedding first blood.
The power-up runes that appear on the river are important for the midlaner. He can use them to restore his health or get a boost to make it easier to stand on the line, kill an enemy midlaner, or go to the gank.
Wards and watchers
The main items that are important throughout the game are wards, as they give you the ability to get the information you need about a specific part of the map. Their availability in the store is limited and they regenerate over time after purchase. These items provide visibility with a radius of 1600 around, which allows you to freely see what is happening in that area of the map, and therefore the movement of the enemy team. In addition to observation wards, some allow you to see invisible units and enemy wards.
There are also watchers on the map, they perform the same function as wards, but with a smaller field of view and do not need to be purchased. Each team can capture a watcher to give them an overview.
Secret shop
The secret shop is located near shooting range 1 of each side's tower near the hardline. This location cannot be called strategically important, but it has its nuances that should be remembered and used to your advantage. For example, if in the early game, you see that the enemy is collecting an artifact that requires an item from a secret shop, then sappers can expect a courier to arrive there to be killed. Trying to fight the enemy hero there does not always make sense if there is a Tier-1 tower, as the enemy will simply go behind it and escape.
Outpost
There are only two outposts on the map, one for each team. Their function is to serve as an additional point for teleport scrolls, which is strategically important for easy control of the territory, initiating battles, and preparing for defense. If one side owns both outposts, it is easier to control the situation and react depending on the situation.
Twin Gates
Portal gates allow players to teleport from one gate to another, leading to the map's opposite side. They can be used for strategic purposes, such as a planned attack on the enemy team, or escape if the situation requires it. At low levels, players rarely control them and rarely fight near them. Higher-ranked players often plan ambushes or use these portals to get to Roshan faster, to boil the enemy forest, or to ambush.
Jungle
The forest is commonly referred to as the entire territory that lies outside the base and lines, including places where neutral creeps live. In the beginning, almost no one goes there, as more usefulness can be brought on the lines. However, the forest is a great place to farm when the main lines are too difficult for a basic carry or midlaner. But you shouldn't go there without wards, because if enemy heroes dominate the lines, then nothing prevents them from finding their victim in the forest to cut them off from any source of experience and gold. Therefore, having occupied more or less safe zones for farming, you should furnish them with wards to see enemy heroes trying to find their target.
Sometimes you can be tricky and farm creep camps on the enemy side of the forest, which can cause the opposing team to lose an additional source of farming. It is also possible to be tricky and block several important camps, including those with ancient creeps, with wards or controlled units to block the enemy carry's farm again.
Roshan's Lair
One of the key points on the map is Roshan's Lair, located in the upper left and lower right corners of the map. The team that manages to get Aegis of Immortal will have an advantage during a strategic attack on an enemy base or when there is a need to organize a massive battle without losing a key combatant.
Entering the lair should be done wisely, with the use of wards and under dusts, that is, so that the enemy team does not notice it. Otherwise, you should be prepared for the fact that your opponents will try to prevent you from taking Roshan, which could potentially result in a losing battle. Enemies may try to steal the Aegis or kill the owner of the artifact after receiving it, which simply negates this strategic move.
One of the signs that the team has gone to kill Roshan is their complete absence from the map for a certain period of time. This becomes a wake-up call to check the lair. Therefore, a good option would be to enter Roshan's lair in two or three, with the rest of the team members in a visible place so that the opponents can see them and draw attention to themselves.
Conclusion
Dota 2 is a very complex game, and winning matches depends on many factors, including the ability to adapt to the situation on the map. Understanding the terrain, controlling the map, setting up wards, safely moving around the map, and identifying key locations are important for effective play and gaining an advantage over the enemy.
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