i nolifed dota 3 summers ago for the whole summer with pretty decent players, i learned alot but sadly ive forgotten most of it.

there are obviously different ways to approach this game, but since alot can be calculated before a fight, im thinking i would develop pretty quickly if i learn some numbers

ive watched some higher level matches and it seems the better players have a very good grasp of timing and calculate the outcome on the go, like today i watched spectre with 20%hp take down full hp omniknight

Yes, but it's not like they are crunching numbers in their head to figure out whether or not they can win. Experience is enough for you to know if you can win any particular 1v1 battle. A calculator would be more or less worthless, since battles aren't just 2 heroes emptying out their spells and then autoattacking.

Just play for a while and you'll figure out what encounters are +ev very quickly. I think the real important thing is knowing all the heroes, and then of course keeping track of what items the enemy heroes have.

How important is it to buy a Magic Stick or Magic Wand? Sometimes I see it in the recommended build, but it doesn't really seem to add much in the way of +dmg or +stats. Is it more just for survivability against someone on the other team who is doing a lot of harassing?

I've been playing against some bots with a few of the heroes just to get a good feel for the game, but I always skip the magic stick/wand just because I play on Passive where they don't use any abilities.

hard support? no wonder you're QQ'ing so much. if you want to really win in pubs go solo mid every time.

First off, iron wood branch ain't called a GG branch for nothing. It's really worth the cost gold wise... consider this, for 159 gold you get +9 stats total (costing 17.67 gold per stat), whereas even a cost efficient 150 gold gauntlet of strength only gives you +3 stats. Change it to a reaver where for 3200 gold you get +25 stats, this time 128 gold per stat.

So clearly getting 3 branches at start is really cost efficient. Then you can transition this to a magic wand for 350 gold more. To me, I consider a wand an item that heals me for 225 hp and 225 mp, and for 350 gold, that's a really nice buy. I've been saved many times popping it while running away. Also, don't underestimate the amount of mana the wand can provide, before I used it I didn't really realize the mana benefit -- it makes the diff in casting that critical last spell, to get you over the hump in a depleted mana pool.

Ya, if you can't read the situation then you have nothing imo. You have to know where you can stand and where you can't. So definitely knowing the heroes and everything they can possibly do to you is really important (for a simple example, a bloodseeker in the game means be very careful about jungling if you are on low hp).

It's like a chess board filled with mini chess boards upon which over a hundred different pieces could appear, all with differing and for the most part unique skills -- and it's all happening in real time with mechanical skill a large part of it. Best game ever!

I've already lost 3 games where I had 10 kill bg streaks. Haven't even played 10 games yet.

matchmaking is rigged.

not when its SF viper morph lycan in front of me

duh

can't catch a break with this matchmaking.

ProDota 2 League

Mouz vs Infused, BO1 Loser's Bracket Finals currently playing: http://www.twitch.tv/beyondthesummit

Then afterwards is winner vs CLG, BO1.

Then Grand Finals of winner of that game vs. Potm Bottom, BO3 - (the website says BO5, but I just heard on stream it'll be Bo3).

To the guys above me complaining about matchmaking, go play with other people because solo que will make you want to blow your brains out.

Very true. Playing solo is really streaky. You'll own for 10 games then lose for 10 games. I made friends in game by using my mic and being on the good side of a pub stomp a few times.

One of my favourite moments recently was using the Lich ultimate right after the Faceless Void ultimate with 4/5 of the enemy team trapped in the bubble. I laughed pretty hard.

Standard combo.



As for the competitive scene right now, PB are on a hot streak. I don't think they are as good as their wins say they are. What they have done well is the surprise factor in picking heroes that don't see play or picking heroes for a different role. Which screws up lanes and strategy of the opposition pretty well.

NaVi and Zenith, I still think they are top 2, despite both on a patchy streak.

A hot streak? They won prodota2 and are still in The Defense. I rate teams as they are currently playing not on their reputation.

How is confusing opponents and getting them out of their comfort zone not a quality that should be respected equally or more than just rice farming two rapiers. We are on a poker forum after all.

Because it only works for a limited time. Once the surprise factor is gone, they will just be an ordinary team. I've seen this happen for over 5-6 years in the competitive scene over and over. By your logic, PB is the best team in the world. Chelsea is the best football team in the world etc etc. Which obv isn't true.

This has happened recently with Fire (now coL) who were unstoppable for about a month. They beat navi, eg, mouz over and over. Were like 21-1. Now they can't get a string of good games together. Happened with N9 (now aL), beat navi, every asian team, eg, mtw, m5, dts. Now they can't even take one game off any of them.

We will see.