| Inkarnate Canada. September 06 2012 02:39. Posts 797 | Profile Blog # |
Introduction
I apologize in advance for terrible formatting.
+ Show Spoiler [Disclaimer] +Obviously this is not the only way to play DotA, and should not be taken as such. This is an overview of a popular team composition. Many heroes can be played in many roles, and item builds are just as diverse
Previously a Chinese system, the 1-to-5 system is a general model of how a DotA team is structured. The structure itself is pretty simple, the lower the number, the higher priority they have on farming gold and experience. 1 being the highest priority and 5 being the lowest.
Where it gets interesting, is how do you know which position a hero should play, and how to play that position effectively. This post won’t talk about how to lane your composition correctly, I might do a post about that some other time.
Positions:
1
A hero in the 1 position means that they have the highest priority for levels and gold on your team. This is your ‘hard carry’. Heroes that fall into this category are the most item and level dependent on your team. They deal a ton of damage later in the game, and generally build towards damage and survivability.
Common Heroes
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/GMDSy.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/gHhjY.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/QpCds.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Jj2K6.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/XKbML.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/XiPYc.jpg)
Common Major Items
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Hx2WN.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/azyxQ.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/GGjGP.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/xEutD.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/4pp1Z.jpg)
2
The 2 position means that they have the second most need for gold and levels. The reasons can vary, but in general they should be farming any lane that isn’t occupied by your 1. The 2 generally builds toward initiation and survivability items, though some heroes benefit from damage items as well
Common Heroes
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/e97ob.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/9nnjR.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Ndb5O.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/nP5mk.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/T5Fg8.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/UojSo.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/s6T7y.jpg)
Common Major Items
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Cs1u6.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/9dGPf.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/rh540.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/Ui6Ce.jpg)
3
The third most farm dependent on your team, generally builds toward team fight/support items such as Pipe/Drum or initiation items. 3 is generally item independent for most damage.
Common Heroes
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/B75nk.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/SpEPs.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/3J336.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/YZf8h.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/gGsSy.jpg)
Common Major Items
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/7aI6J.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/iBekv.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/saeHb.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/WiMgB.jpg)
4
As secondary support on the team, the 4 will build towards the cheaper team fight items like Drum/Mek. The 4 helps on pure support items such as wards, smoke, dust when the 5 cannot afford it.
Common Heroes
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/9pqbi.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/fR9Sa.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/BfbAE.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/qeF1e.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/s7hra.jpg)
Common Major Items
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/yH9bx.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/VJH9l.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/am5pn.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/UckPR.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/H57Vj.jpg)
5
The 5 mainly uses money on pure support items such as wards, smoke, dust, and sometimes regen and teleports for the 1-2 heroes. It is not uncommon to see a 5 hero purchase nothing more than a boots and a wand for themselves the entire game.
Common Heroes
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/voID4.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/hQvPe.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/7DJwJ.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/WRBfD.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/rahZE.jpg)
Common Major Items
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/pkKIW.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/7ON9w.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/mYwxP.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/TAPtI.jpg)
EDIT: This is just an overview, not intended as a thorough guide. Most heroes can be played in multiple positions. Position does not always correspond 1:1 with role. The 1-to-5 is the priority on gold and experience, which can shift during the game. Once your Sand King or Tidehunter hits level 6, and/or gets blink, their priority drops significantly. This is often seen with running AA mid (not too common anymore). Once AA hits 6, he will rotate out of mid, and another hero will take the solo gold/experience.
Leave ideas for next guide!Last edit: 2012-09-06 07:28:48 |
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 Implenia Austria. September 06 2012 02:42. Posts 1972 | Profile # |
| Thanks, very helpful article. |
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| EchelonTee United States. September 06 2012 02:42. Posts 3403 | Profile # |
Glad to see a thread on this. I would mention where the positions commonly lane; for example the general 1-1-2+jungler will put the 3 on the offlane, 2 on mid, 4 in the jungle, and 1/5 in safelane.
A large portion of games I see people just lose because they put a hardcarry on the suicide lane, or put two supports on their safe lane for no particular reason.Last edit: 2012-09-06 02:43:16 |
| | learn lots. dont judge. laugh for no reason. be nice. seek happiness. -D[9] || Na`Vi - LGD - Dignitas - Liquid - Fnatic |
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 TheYango United States. September 06 2012 02:43. Posts 15762 | Profile # |
| Minor quip: Mek is significantly more common on 3rd position heroes than 4th. |
| | Tongfu icon until xiao8's back on a ganker role. |
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| Asway Canada. September 06 2012 02:49. Posts 33 | Profile # | |
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| Bisonte Portugal. September 06 2012 02:50. Posts 34 | Profile # |
| Very usefull thread here, since in interviews some of the asian players told: " Hi, im [insertnamehere] and play position 1 for [insertteamhere]". So for the ones who were confused about this here we have a nice explanation. Good job. |
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| Sliver United States. September 06 2012 02:52. Posts 363 | Profile # |
| Playing position number 5 is just no fun, to be honest. Great guide though. |
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| Inkarnate Canada. September 06 2012 02:54. Posts 797 | Profile Blog # |
On September 06 2012 02:43 TheYango wrote:
Minor quip: Mek is significantly more common on 3rd position heroes than 4th.
Depends on the lineup. In a push strat, 3 or 2 will pick it up. In a later game oriented (chinese style) often a 4 will grab it. |
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| Heh_ Singapore. September 06 2012 02:54. Posts 2245 | Profile Blog # |
A few things I feel differently about:
CK doesn't really belong in position 1, he seems better for position 2/3. It's true that he has monstrous late game potential due to his ulti, but he is a disgustingly good ganker at low levels. If you're just afk farming with CK, you're missing out on his ganking potential.
Butterfly is really good, but few heroes get it. The only hero I can think of that uses butterfly as a core item is luna. If it's the super late game and you have 10k gold to spare, then sure.
Rubick can play as position 2, but also works as position 4/5. It depends on the rest of the lineup. Many heroes have this flexibility, but it's just more apparent on rubick. |
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| NaZa September 06 2012 02:55. Posts 963 | Profile Blog # |
Nice post.
Quick read and informative. |
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| NB Canada. September 06 2012 02:57. Posts 6997 | Profile Blog # |
| enigma also is more commonly used at 4th position as the farming power is significantly reduced when put on 3rd position. A hero that could easily level as equal if not faster than lycan. Another special case could also be lycan/furion who often cause line up rotation to put they into 4th slot due to jungling power. Naga should be category as 2nd slot, a commonly mistake that most teams use her as hard carry then she got out DPS entering late game phase. This is also why radiance should never be the #1 choice on naga but it is a whole new topic. |
| | Kappa Kappa Kappa Kappa...... Kappa | |
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| Inkarnate Canada. September 06 2012 02:57. Posts 797 | Profile Blog # |
On September 06 2012 02:42 EchelonTee wrote:
Glad to see a thread on this. I would mention where the positions commonly lane; for example the general 1-1-2+jungler will put the 3 on the offlane, 2 on mid, 4 in the jungle, and 1/5 in safelane.
A large portion of games I see people just lose because they put a hardcarry on the suicide lane, or put two supports on their safe lane for no particular reason.
Might do a new post for this. |
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| duoform Spain. September 06 2012 02:57. Posts 2783 | Profile # |
| Great read for newcomers! |
| | "I really like Marauders and Marines." - Flash |
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| TheYango United States. September 06 2012 02:59. Posts 15762 | Profile # |
On September 06 2012 02:54 Inkarnate wrote:
Show nested quote +On September 06 2012 02:43 TheYango wrote:
Minor quip: Mek is significantly more common on 3rd position heroes than 4th.
Depends on the lineup. In a push strat, 3 or 2 will pick it up. In a later game oriented (chinese style) often a 4 will grab it.
No, even in Chinese games, it was far more frequent for the off-lane DS/Beastmaster/Furion to get Mek to wait for the 4th position to get it, unless that 4th position was Chen.
Even in a slower game, the midgame Mek timing is absolutely critical, whether for pushing or for teamfighting.Last edit: 2012-09-06 03:02:09 |
| | Tongfu icon until xiao8's back on a ganker role. |
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| vurt United States. September 06 2012 03:02. Posts 32 | Profile Blog # |
| Very cool guide. This helps immensely for spectating. Thanks OP! |
| | obviously you're not a golfer |
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| Inkarnate Canada. September 06 2012 03:06. Posts 797 | Profile Blog # |
On September 06 2012 02:59 TheYango wrote:
Show nested quote +On September 06 2012 02:54 Inkarnate wrote:
On September 06 2012 02:43 TheYango wrote:
Minor quip: Mek is significantly more common on 3rd position heroes than 4th.
Depends on the lineup. In a push strat, 3 or 2 will pick it up. In a later game oriented (chinese style) often a 4 will grab it.
No, even in Chinese games, it was far more frequent for the off-lane DS/Beastmaster/Furion to get Mek to wait for the 4th position to get it, unless that 4th position was Chen. Even in a slower game, the midgame Mek timing is absolutely critical, whether for pushing or for teamfighting.
In many lineups the offlane solo is the 4, at least in the early game while there is a jungle or pulling hero. But as mentioned, this is an overview, there are a lot of different variations.Last edit: 2012-09-06 03:09:05 |
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| EchelonTee United States. September 06 2012 03:19. Posts 3403 | Profile # |
On September 06 2012 02:52 Sliver wrote:
Playing position number 5 is just no fun, to be honest. Great guide though.
I main 5, and like playing it a lot. Depends on your preference  |
| | learn lots. dont judge. laugh for no reason. be nice. seek happiness. -D[9] || Na`Vi - LGD - Dignitas - Liquid - Fnatic |
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| d0da United States. September 06 2012 03:42. Posts 101 | Profile # |
On September 06 2012 03:19 EchelonTee wrote:
Show nested quote +On September 06 2012 02:52 Sliver wrote:
Playing position number 5 is just no fun, to be honest. Great guide though.
I main 5, and like playing it a lot. Depends on your preference
I also enjoy the 5 spot. It's pretty rewarding knowing you set up a good environment for the team to succeed. It definitely is for the people who are more about the team than the glory.Last edit: 2012-09-06 03:43:15 |
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| Sliver United States. September 06 2012 03:48. Posts 363 | Profile # |
On September 06 2012 03:42 d0da wrote:
Show nested quote +On September 06 2012 03:19 EchelonTee wrote:
On September 06 2012 02:52 Sliver wrote:
Playing position number 5 is just no fun, to be honest. Great guide though.
I main 5, and like playing it a lot. Depends on your preference
I also enjoy the 5 spot. It's pretty rewarding knowing you set up a good environment for the team to succeed. It definitely is for the people who are more about the team than the glory.
Yeah but in situations like that I'm denying creeps like a mad man, pushing the people we're laning against away just to see my lane partner mess up every single last hit. It just doesn't feel rewarding to me. |
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| Ognam United States. September 06 2012 03:51. Posts 393 | Profile # |
Good post. I disagree with CK and DK being in the 1 spot however.
Also you should probably indicate that there is a lot of fluidity between the higher numbers (ex. some of the 2 spot heroes can be played as 3/4 and some 4s can be played as 5, etc) |
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