I played in two bad games last night where the team I was on got completely destroyed. In both cases it was due to either terrible hero picks, or a failure to understand how the game would likely play out. Both of these are due to a basic lack of strategic understanding.

Strategic understanding sounds like some big, complicated morass of stats tables and figurines being pushed round a map in a dusty war-room somewhere...it's really just about common sense!

Team 1:

The opposition had picked early and gone with:

Centaur Warrunner
Death Prophet
Zeus
Leshrac
Io

We already had a Nature's Prophet and myself as Beastmaster. It's pretty obvious from their line up that they're going to have to go for a hard push strat - they have no real carry and at least 2 heroes who excel at taking towers. My team promptly picked up Nyx Assassin, Spectre and Lich. The last two especially are horrific picks against a push lineup.

Imagine how different the game would have been if we had …
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As a long term support player (it's my primary role) I have to say that some recent experience has really opened my eyes more to why many players get off playing this role in pubs.

While there's been some nice teams recently (who y'know, actually say thanks, even commend), but the last few games have been an absolute nightmare. Our team has actually won pretty comfortably, they've had wards all games, utility items, free salves and all the usual stuff.

Think the main problem in all these cases has been that I've been the only support on the team - hence you're still expected (and try) to do everything, but obviously some things take longer. Unless you're getting neutral stacks, assists or early towers then you end up having to make some tough decisions - which do you need first from Observer Ward, Flying Courier, Sentry Ward, Town Portal Scroll...and that's before you even get to the Bracer, Boots of Speed or Mekansm that you really need.

All of these things are managable i…
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Inspired by Angelo's example I decided to have a go at recording a short vid and uploading it for your amusement/information!

It's a game I played earlier on tonight and turned out as quite a nice example. Vid is below - comments welcome, but please be kind - this is my first go! :)
Play Video
Unfortunately I've only got the trial version of Bandicam and didn't realise it cut out after 10 minutes! Fortunately that was most of what I wanted to show you - the full game is here if you want to see the rest...
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I was trying to get an article together to follow up on the "pick a support" guide - but the sheer number and variety of carry heroes has made this extremely difficult. Even trying to get a Top 5 list together is taxing!

I originally wanted to do some comparison groups together that reflect groups of heroes who usually outcarry others...this is kind of in my head, but very difficult to get down on paper.

Trying to break down the situation using stats is of limited help - quite often the stats growth of some hard carries isn't that great - so this is more about passive skills, or extremely potent active right click skills.

This is my "top 5" list, vaguely in reverse order of who I consider the hardest (i.e. best hero with maximum farm and levels):

5. Morphling is a stats monster, growing strong and able to shift points to where they are most needed. 3 escapes give great mobility, and the ability to make a strong illusion of an enemy hero also helps with scaling.

4. Medusa lackl…
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Hand of Midas seems to be very popular with a lot of players - it gives you a bunch of extra gold and levels, so why wouldn't it be?

I can't state this strongly enough - MIDAS IS A SITUATIONAL ITEM!!!

It has quite a long payback time (i.e. before it's earned you more gold than you've spent on it), and basically commits you to playing a long game. This is great when you'll probably have time to make full use of it, but it's a terrible item when you need to be able to get involved earlier on in the game.

Look carefully at the situation and the teams before buying one - it can help lose you a game as easily as help you to win one!
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