Lone Druid - Middle fire

Introduction

Hello everyone. Well... what to say , I haven't seen anything similar to this here, and since Lone Druid is one of my "Most played" heroes decided to write a guide , for a non-standart way of playing this amazing hero, well , at least I think this in non-standart since I really have to explain that this way is ok in almost every game.

So what's so "non-standart" here? As a hard carry , as a hero with almost no way to run from danger at first levels , as a hero with extremely low hp at start ... you go to a middle lane.

And I will try to explain why , and what it will take from you to succed in this competition , how-to .

Let's take it step by step :

1) Why

Well , it's not an easy question. But I'll try to explain.
1.1) We get fast level : we get stronger bear meaning we can push lanes , we get more hp , more income , well basicly everything that comes with a higher lvl is very usefull for us.
1.2) We CAN survive middle lane against any other middle hero. ( I've tried it a LOT of times , no matter who is against you - if you have what it takes to go this way and if you do it right - you will survive , even more - you will most likely take FB or at least 2-3 kills before you destroy the middle tower ( i.e. 10-12 minute ) EVEN if someone will come to gang you - you have a chance of taking DK or even (but really hard to ) TK. )
1.3) If we do everuthing right we can get much more gold and REALLY help our team to gank-fight even in early and middle game leaving almost 0 chances to oposing team.

2) What it will take from you .
1)Good micro skill.
Since Lone Druid doesn't have any insane skill to run away , or anything like that , you will need to have a good micro skill , to block with your bear , control both units separately , harras , lasthit and deny almost at the same time. I can say that good micro skill it the key ability needed to "win" your middle lane.
2)Some courage .For example it is needed to run into a full hp pudge with 200hp yourself ;)
3)Concentration . This is not easy. You have to react fast , and react properly.

3)How-to.
This is an answer to the question "Why the hell would I take Lone to a middle instead of taking jungle and rush my items without any problems and leave middle to a good ganger?!"
Here is why. From the very moment you take venom orb(with a descent micro you will do it very fast - Lone is an easy to lasthit hero) you can kill your opponent.You can harras him mercilessly , and then just pick a moment - and kill is in your pocket.With slow from VO and with damage from you and bear - no hero will survive for a long time. But once you get lvl 5 and a bear with roots - that is the time for you to really own your lane. Just controll you bear well - and it will work. Harras your enemy everytime you can , and once he gets entangled - go for your kill. 90% guarantee that you will kill him. Don't be afraid to go to tower 1 , tower 2 , or EVEN in some cases tower 3. Don't be afraid of someone coming to gang you - tangles will do their job. Just try it - the amount of damage your enemy gets from tangles and bear (not even counting your main hero) on early levels is just INSANE.So this is why - to get an opportunity to use the potential of entagle on early levels - you will easily come out with 2-3 kills , tower and lvl at 10-12 min , and you will be able to go for more kills at other lanes due to higher lvl and to fast push atleast all tier 1 towers. (4 - 5 minuntes is the usual maximum ) .

Items

You can see most information in the build but I'll write some things here :

• Take PT and Phase after Midas. That will help a lot.
• Give Midas to your bear - he needs AS.
• Timing for Radiance is 22 min for "everything goes perfect" and 25 min for standart game and 28 min if you have some problems. If you cannot do that in time - skip radiance. (I know this might seem late but count that when you get radiance you already have Phase , PT and midas )
• After radiance - get maelstorm and basher for your bear. It will turn him into a really devastating weapon , so you will be able to help your team even if you have 100hp just by standing in trees and only atacking with your bear.
• After that - think of getting batterfly if you are having troubles with surviving or maelstorm + basher for youself - it will make you more durable and the damage will be even better + you will already have a really permanent stun ability for 1 hero if you need it if the oposing team has a single carry that creates a lot of problems.

Skills

The main thing that may worry you here is that you don't take your ultimate for a long time. But if you make everything right , you should be able to avoid most of the damege , but concider taking it at least once on lvl 10 if you are in danger of a huge amount of burst damage ( for example - if you are fighting lion on middle lane ).The reason why not to take ulti early is because of insane damage and movespeed in normal form you get from rabid ,and counting that you should have a leverage (level , items) in most situations you have enought hp to fight.

Summary

This is my first guide , I've tried to explain why and how to go here , just show me if I forgot something or if I am wrong somewhere.
Just remember to be brave - you can have a really low hp yourself , but you have a really awesome pet that will protect you from almost any danger if you control it wisely =)


Oh , oh , I almost forgot .
"YES !! LONE DRUID goes mid. Against Bat rider. AND against pudge, and nevermore. I am not insane , chill." - copy it and paste when after you say that you are going middle - trust me , they will try to keep you out from middle ;)

Good luck and Have Fun =)