Best Dota 2 role for beginners

Dota 2, like League of Legends, requires players to master at least one of multiple roles if they want to properly contribute to their teams. However, the role system in Dota 2 is slightly different compared to Riot Games’ MOBA, which is why players migrating from that game could find themselves struggling a lot.

Today, we’re here to go through what you need to know about the best role for beginners in Dota 2. This includes us highlighting why exactly Position 5 is the ideal role for beginners as well as going through the role’s responsibilities to ensure players know what to expect. We’ll finish things off by highlighting some of the best heroes to play in that position.

So, if you’ve been struggling to decide which role to play in Dota 2, keep reading because we have you covered.

Why Position 5 is ideal for beginners

Position 5, the Hard Support, is the perfect role for players starting Dota 2. Unlike other roles that require good farming, mechanical skill, and game knowledge, Hard Support focuses on helping teammates and providing them with vision. 

Doing these allows beginners to learn the game slowly. Instead of worrying about last-hitting and complex itemizations, they can focus on map awareness, warding, and positioning. It minimizes pressure since Hard Supports can’t carry the game, so mistakes are more forgiving. Also, they can contribute to the team despite not having a high net worth because they can help their team win fights through stuns, heals, and wards.

Responsibilities of a Position 5 player

1. Helping with the lane for their Carry

The duty of a Hard Support in the early stages of the game is to ensure their Carry can safely farm. These responsibilities involve things like harassing enemy offlaners through auto-attacks and spells to zone them out, pulling neutral camps to deny enemy XP and reset equilibrium if the wave is pushed, and trading regen efficiently using tangoes, salves, and mana posts to sustain themselves and their Carry.

2. Warding and vision control

Vision is essential for winning games in Dota 2, and Position 5 players are responsible for placing observer and sentry wards. Key warding spots include:

• Rune spots (for bounty control)
• Enemy jungle (to track rotations)
• Roshan pit (important for late-game)
• High-ground areas (to prevent ganks)

Another essential component is dewarding, so players must carry sentries or a Gem of True Sight if the enemy has invisible heroes.

3. Stacking neutral camps

Stacking camps allows the player’s cores to farm faster. Good stacking spots include Ancient camps for late-game carries and medium camps near lanes for mid-game farming.

4. Sacrificing for the team

Good Hard Supports are usually the poorest players in the team because they often have to buy support items like Wards, Dust, Smoke of Deceit, die to save cores by body-blocking or using spells to delay enemies or give farm priority by letting their carries take last-hits and neutral camps.

Positioning and Team fighting

Since Hard Supports are usually squishy, they must learn how to position themselves. They must stay at the backline and cast spells from a safe distance, focus on disabling key enemies by locking down their Carry or saving teammates with items like Force Staff or Glimmer Cape, and avoid feeding because dying provides gold and XP to the enemy.

Itemization for Position 5

Hard Supports don’t have a lot of gold, so they need to pick the right items. They should have Observer & Sentry Wards during the early game because vision is key. They must have a Magic Stick/Wand because it provides burst survivability. Finally, they should have Boots of Speed for mobility.

They should get the Force Staff because it allows them to reposition allies or escape enemies, Glimmer Cape to protect teammates from magic damage, and Aether Lens to increase spell cast range for mid-game utility items.

Hard Supports should get the Aghanim’s Scepter/Shard to upgrade their spells and Scythe of Vyse if they’re rich enough to provide a hex for lockdown during the late game.

Easiest Position 5 heroes for beginners

Although the role is forgiving, some heroes are easier to use than others, such as:

1. Crystal Maiden

• Strengths: Strong early-game poking, global mana aura, and an incredible ultimate.
• Key spells: Frostbite (root), Crystal Nova (slow), Freezing Field (AoE damage).

2. Ogre Magi

• Strengths: Tanky, simple spells, and high burst damage with Fireblast.
• Key spells: Ignite (slow), Fireblast (stun), Bloodlust (faster attack speed).

3. Lich

• Strengths: Easy lane management with Frost Blast and the ability to deny enemies XP with sacrifice.
• Key spells: Frost Blast (nuke), Chain Frost (team fight ultimate).

4. Witch Doctor

• Strengths: Strong heal, stun, and a powerful ultimate.
• Key spells: Paralyzing Cask (bouncing stun), Maledict (damage over time), Death Ward (high damage).

5. Lion

• Strengths: Reliable disables and mana drain.
• Key spells: Earth Spike (stun), Hex (disable), Finger of Death (burst damage).

Tips for new players

Position 5 players must communicate with their team and call out information such as missing enemies. Players can become toxic towards their Hard Support, so they should try not to tilt if they get flamed. Finally, watch replays and learn from high-MMR supports to improve warding and positioning.

Once they master Position 5, beginners can build a strong base that will work with other roles in Dota 2.

FAQs

What is the main goal in Dota 2?

The main goal in Dota 2 is to destroy the enemy team's Ancient. The Ancient is a large structure in the center of the enemy base. To reach it, teams must fight through lanes, defeat enemy heroes, and destroy defensive towers along the way.

How do heroes work in Dota 2?

Dota 2 has over 100 heroes, each with their own abilities and playstyles. Some heroes are strong early in the game, while others become powerful later. Players choose a hero at the start of the match, and teamwork is key since heroes fill different roles like support, carry, or tank.

What should beginners focus on first?

Beginners should start by learning basic mechanics like last-hitting creeps, using the shop, and understanding the minimap. It's also helpful to try different heroes to see which playstyle feels comfortable. Watching tutorials and playing with friends can speed up learning too.