[Captain Fish]

I've been playing this for a while (200 games), and watching a bunch of Purge videos to learn the heroes.

I really need some different item hotkeys. I'd really rather not have to change my ability (QWER) or attack/stop keys, is there a better set up that works with those?

Recently I've been trying out Kunkka, and he's a ton of fun. There have been lots of hard swings though, with matches going super poorly when I can't predict movement. It seems I end up the only stun on the team more often than not as well.

[L0g1c]

Well...no actually it couldn't have been that. Razor do slow you and jolt you if you use an ability striking him, so maybe that just "interrupted" your Smoke Screen when you tried. Doubtful though. One thing is certain, you should not be silenced normally after Blinking. But they had no hero with silence, and no item to do so. Unless Blood Seeker actually used his skill on you, in which case he's the dumbest BS ever. That would actually silence you.

Nah I am telling you it was very often he could not have been silencing me every time and coincidentally after blink.

[Schweinehund]

I don't know how she's Zeus' upgrade. You can't play QoP like you play Zeus. In fact, they're complete opposites in that regard. Where Zeus only wants to hang around the outskirts of a battle like Sniper, QoP *needs* to run into the middle of the action in order to be relevant in any way at all. The only time she should ever be hanging around the outside of a fight is to bide time while waiting for enemies to exhaust their stuns...then she's blinking right to the center. She's played extremely aggressively (unique among low-health gankers with no stun) where Zeus is played much more shyly. I neither agree nor disagree with your recommendation for him to try QoP next, but QoP's game is nothing like Zeus', and he'd be disappointed if he started playing QoP thinking he could play her in a similar fashion to Zeus. Few heroes get kills and help team fights as easily as a mid-laning zeus.

She has a much easier time dominating rune control and farming than zeus does. Her attack range makes up for her close range she needs on her spells, and blink allows for superior positioning. Zeus may have range but he has a horrible auto attack range and slow ms. Their playstyles are different but I feel she is more fun and more effective than zeus in most games.

[cametall]

As a DOTA 2 nub I'm having issues taking on Spirit Breaker and Drow.

Drow seems to be a glass cannon, but it feels like at some point during the game she (along with lifesteal) is able to deal enough damage that she regenerates HP faster than my teams can DPS her down.

I felt like I had SB locked down mid using Enchantress (lawl) but I had to leave mid to help out top, I guess at that point he had free farm (mistake #1).

Are stuns the best way to beat these two? My less patient friends just scream OP and scamper back to that other MOBA game.

[xero273]

I've been playing this for a while (200 games), and watching a bunch of Purge videos to learn the heroes. I really need some different item hotkeys. I'd really rather not have to change my ability (QWER) or attack/stop keys, is there a better set up that works with those? Recently I've been trying out Kunkka, and he's a ton of fun. There have been lots of hard swings though, with matches going super poorly when I can't predict movement. It seems I end up the only stun on the team more often than not as well.

have you tried the alt qwer setup? that is what I have for items. just be careful when you do that because sometimes you might ping the map while using an item.

[I H8 Memes]

I'm really enjoying the game but even the guides are noob unfriendly. Get these items: *pictures with no link or name of items*. Fuck!

I've been using this site.

http://www.dota2wiki.com/wiki/Dota_2_Wiki

Maybe it isnt as complete as some of the other sites, but it does have the correct icons, as well as their names.

[CornBurrito]

Should have seen the weaver with Obsessed (post above you) and I. Wasn't taking crap from the newer players on our team :lol Also, Natures Prophet is tough to really take advantage of when you're starting out. He needs his farm, has to be aware of teammates fighting, has to teleport at correct times to push towers, and has to know when and how to effectively use his ult.

Then maybe I'll just stick with Pugna. Though he did not fit out lineup at all.

[Schweinehund]

As a DOTA 2 nub I'm having issues taking on Spirit Breaker and Drow. Drow seems to be a glass cannon, but it feels like at some point during the game she (along with lifesteal) is able to deal enough damage that she regenerates HP faster than my teams can DPS her down. I felt like I had SB locked down mid using Enchantress (lawl) but I had to leave mid to help out top, I guess at that point he had free farm (mistake #1). Are stuns the best way to beat these two? My less patient friends just scream OP and scamper back to that other MOBA game.

Drow is easy to gank, its a big mistake to let her free farm. Her high point is level 11+, before then she doesn't do much.

SB is one of those heroes that can take a few kills and go miles with it. If he has an Mask of Madness the best thing to do is focus fire him when he pops it. Other then that, lots of stuns/cc are recommended. Sven would be a good counter to him I think, lots of health and superior damage + stun. Viper is good too. Pick heroes that have lots of health and some sort of defense mechanism that applies even while stun locked.

[Captain Fish]

I've been using this site. http://www.dota2wiki.com/wiki/Dota_2_Wiki Maybe it isnt as complete as some of the other sites, but it does have the correct icons, as well as their names.

I'm not sure how good they are, but I use DOTAFire's guides usually. They go down skill builds and items, and they use all the correct iconography.

[Like2Drive]

How much exp are you getting by last hit compared to hanging around when creeps kill them or when other heroes do?

[Archie]

Death Prophet picked 4 times in a row. New meta?????

[Lirlond]

How much exp are you getting by last hit compared to hanging around when creeps kill them or when other heroes do?

Unless the enemy hero kills his own creep you get full xp. I think its half from a deny.

[Ikuu]

Tobi showing excellent game knowledge there, having no idea how Rapier works.

I'm not sure how good they are, but I use DOTAFire's guides usually. They go down skill builds and items, and they use all the correct iconography.

They're usually pretty bad, which is a shame as the layout is pretty good.

[throwawayname]

I've been using this site. http://www.dota2wiki.com/wiki/Dota_2_Wiki Maybe it isnt as complete as some of the other sites, but it does have the correct icons, as well as their names.

http://www.dotahut.com/ is pretty good with some guides made by the compLexity guys and some other pros.

[cuevas, PhD.]

Complexity is still around? I remember their "manager" screaming at the counter strike team like 7 years ago like a basketball coach.

Thanks for the help guys.

[poppedcollar69]

I'm not saying that ints refusing to buy wards should be a bannable offense, but valve needs to keep them out of 'high' skill level matches, god. damn. it.

[Artanisix]

I'm not saying that ints refusing to buy wards should be a bannable offense, but valve needs to keep them out of 'high' skill level matches, god. damn. it.

uh what. that's one hell of a generalization, what int hero was it? there are lots of int heroes that shouldn't be buying wards. sounds like you don't belong in the 'high' skill bracket

[Wes]

"109 is terrible"

~ Anonymous from Mumble.

[poppedcollar69]

uh what. that's one hell of a generalization, what int hero was it? there are lots of int heroes that shouldn't be buying wards. sounds like you don't belong in the 'high' skill bracket

Yes, it's a generalization. I'm glad you picked up on that.

It happens a lot. This time, it was windrunner. The rest of the team was lucifer, invoker, OD, and pudge.

[Milabrega]

No one on GAF in a team playing in the Join Dota open?

[Haly]

Mathematically speaking, you should always buy wards if you need it.

Wards = Don't get ganked/Prevent someone else from getting ganked/Rune control to gank someone = Net gain for your team.

This is especially true if the one who needs ward protection is yourself and you are a carry.

[CornBurrito]

If a team only has 1 support character should that support character be bouncing around and warding all 3 lanes?

[Haly]

If they can do it without endangering themselves overmuch and still make an active contribution to their team, yes.

And usually not all 3 lanes need a ward. Early game it's just the rune spot and possible the jungle. Mid game it depends on how the game is moving, ditto for late game.

Also the support can just dump wards on a courier, tell someone it's on there, then let them ward their own lane.

[n0b]

Yes, it's a generalization. I'm glad you picked up on that. It happens a lot. This time, it was windrunner. The rest of the team was lucifer, invoker, OD, and pudge.

In that lineup, pudge should have bought wards as he was the least item dependent on your team. Warding has nothing to do with int characters. It has to do with carry potential and with item dependency.

"High" skill bracket. LOL.

[Drkirby]

Yes, it's a generalization. I'm glad you picked up on that. It happens a lot. This time, it was windrunner. The rest of the team was lucifer, invoker, OD, and pudge.

Personally, Pudge should of likely grabbed some if Wind Runner wasn't, he is roaming around the map and needs to be able to catch people out.

And in general if wards aren't being bought, suck it up and buy them. A few of the bigger comes back were helped due to me, even as a carry, buying wards and able to then safely farm the jungle and avoid/kill anyone who tried to stop me.

I do need to get better about counter warding and actually using smoke though. Smoke is so great as a ganker if you can also get a simi-carry/Stuner to come with you.

[poppedcollar69]

I'm just bitter because I never receive the quality of support that I provide when it is me playing support.

[orangecaramel]

I'm just bitter because I never receive the quality of support that I provide when it is me playing support.

Can't really expect much when you're solo queuing. If you're worried about a certain role, play with a friend or two that can play that role.

[SaberVulcan]

I'm just bitter because I never receive the quality of support that I provide when it is me playing support.

A good support player is the hardest thing to come by in this game. It is the only time I will attempt to befriend someone, when they are a superb support player.

They also need to embrace my Barathrum pick. Those two things will make them my BFF.

[Artanisix]

Solo queuing is a nightmare, avoid it whenever possible. Ask people in the gaf channel if they want to mm.

[PatzCU]

Solo queuing is a nightmare, avoid it whenever possible. Ask people in the gaf channel if they want to mm.

Will people in the gaf channel play with new players/how do I join the gaf channel?

[demented]

Solo queuing is a nightmare, avoid it whenever possible. Ask people in the gaf channel if they want to mm.

+1
did 2 this morning after long long time(of no solo) and wanted to kill myself.

[Guesong]

Apologies to Swift, procarbine, Bokr and Pillow.

Internet was really, really going haywire, so I absolutely had to take the abandon instead of trying and costing the game anyways.

Though apparantly the other team was en-route to winning, so in the end, all is well!

Hate seeing the "1" in Abandon Count though. Oh well, had to happen eventually.

[Schweinehund]

Built shadowblade on kunkka for the first time, instead of bfury. Much easier to assemble and really does a put a dent in the other team. Not as good for farming jungle but in my opinion, kunkka should always be looking to get kills with his team, not farming, same with BH. Plus the utility it provides is great, can play much more risky early game until they start buying dust.

[1.09]

"109 is terrible" ~ Anonymous from Mumble.

istrumenyfax

Bfury kunkka is stupid, b/c he already has quite an easy time farming waves with tidebringer. Shadow Blade grants him like an extra 150ish damage on his opening swing, which is huge if it hits everyone on the enemy team, as well as a pseudo escape mech. Armlet's another under appreciated item on him, as it grants him huge constant dmg, hp, and AS.

[I H8 Memes]

Cant connect to the dota 2 network?

[Corum]

What matchmaking option generally contains more informed (better) players?

It's frustrating when the team doesn't play as a team but with my play schedule matchmaking is the only option for me.

[Milabrega]

Absolute Legends/Aussie's (No Surprise) and Orange/Malaysia (Not playing very well lately) announced for The International.

[CornBurrito]

Maybe I should just not play a support character. Warding seems to get far too complex. There's no way I can memorize all of the warding spots and their niche uses.

[Renoir]

Will people in the gaf channel play with new players/how do I join the gaf channel?

There is a noob gaf channel as well
you can add me. Usually play late night.
Renoir_sacripan

[Hylian7]

Maybe I should just not play a support character. Warding seems to get far too complex. There's no way I can memorize all of the warding spots and their niche uses.

Don't worry about trying to memorize all of them at once. Part of it is just getting a feel for what works with wards and what doesn't.

[CornBurrito]

Don't worry about trying to memorize all of them at once. Part of it is just getting a feel for what works with wards and what doesn't.

I'm not sure I am getting a good feel for it. How do you know if you placed a ward right, but your team just isn't taking advantage of it?

Unrelated: What happens if a neutral creep kills you? Do you lose gold, and have to wait for a long respawn? I remember reading some trick in DOTA1 where after farming creep camps you let them kill you. I can't see why that would be a good idea unless it didn't have the same penalties as regular death.

[cametall]

I'm not sure I am getting a good feel for it. How do you know if you placed a ward right, but your team just isn't taking advantage of it? Unrelated: What happens if a neutral creep kills you? Do you lose gold, and have to wait for a long respawn? I remember reading some trick in DOTA1 where after farming creep camps you let them kill you.

You bury your head in shame (at least that's what I do). Seppuku is also an option to consider.

[Lirlond]

You bury your head in shame (at least that's what I do). Seppuku is also an option to consider.

Nah man, before level 5 dying to a neutral with no gold is quicker than running back to base.

[Ikuu]

Valve and Blizzard have reached a agreement over their trademark case.

According to the agreement, Valve will continue to use DOTA commercially, including DOTA 2, while Blizzard will preserve noncommercial use of DOTA for its community with regard to player-created maps for Warcraft III and StarCraft II.

Blizzard are also renaming their Dota game to Blizzard All-Stars.

[KScorp]

Unrelated: What happens if a neutral creep kills you? Do you lose gold, and have to wait for a long respawn? I remember reading some trick in DOTA1 where after farming creep camps you let them kill you. I can't see why that would be a good idea unless it didn't have the same penalties as regular death.

Early on, the respawn timer is very small. So what you do is kill yourself to save yourself the time of walking back to base when you run out of HP or mana. You'll lose a bit of gold, but the time you save can be used to get yourself a few extra neutral camps than you normally would.

To offset gold loss, you usually spend all your unreliable gold on items you need, like TPs or some other core items. That way you don't lose any gold.

[Tenck]

I'm not sure I am getting a good feel for it. How do you know if you placed a ward right, but your team just isn't taking advantage of it? Unrelated: What happens if a neutral creep kills you? Do you lose gold, and have to wait for a long respawn? I remember reading some trick in DOTA1 where after farming creep camps you let them kill you. I can't see why that would be a good idea unless it didn't have the same penalties as regular death.

You want to ward the runes and possibly their jungle to know where they are.

If we play again today I'll take the support role and show you some ward spots.

[Schweinehund]

What matchmaking option generally contains more informed (better) players? It's frustrating when the team doesn't play as a team but with my play schedule matchmaking is the only option for me.

All pick in my experience. I use to queue for ap/sd/rd, but sd gives you a wider range of players and RD usually gave me teams.

[BeesEight]

Valve and Blizzard have reached a agreement over their trademark case. Blizzard are also renaming their Dota game to Blizzard All-Stars.

So Blizzard realized they had no case and didn't want to get their EULA challenged in court?

Glad to see Valve gets to keep their title. It would have been really stupid if they had to change.

[cametall]

Nah man, before level 5 dying to a neutral with no gold is quicker than running back to base.

Seppuku it is!

[Drkirby]

Absolute Legends/Aussie's (No Surprise) and Orange/Malaysia (Not playing very well lately) announced for The International.

Good to hear, AL is one of my favorite teams.