Dota 2 is one of the most complex and exciting games out there, and if you’re new to it, the sheer number of heroes, items, and strategies can feel a bit overwhelming. But once you get the hang of it, it becomes a deep, rewarding experience where every match feels unique. One of the key things to understand is the Dota 2 positions and roles. Whether you’re casually playing with friends or grinding the ranked ladder, knowing where you fit in is essential for success.
So, let’s break down all the positions and roles in Dota 2, and what each one brings to the table. If you’re a beginner, this will give you a solid foundation. If you’re more experienced, you might pick up a few things you didn’t know. Ready? Let’s dive in.
What Are Positions in Dota 2?
In Dota 2, the game’s positions are more than just a simple lane assignment. Each position comes with its own set of responsibilities, strengths, and playstyles. The five positions are numbered from 1 to 5, with each number indicating the general order in which the heroes will “carry” the game.
Each position corresponds to a specific role in the team, and your main responsibility is to fulfill that role to help the team succeed. The roles can vary a bit depending on the situation, but the basic idea is that each position serves a unique purpose. Whether you’re securing objectives, initiating fights, or helping your team survive, each role has a crucial part to play.
Here’s a quick breakdown of each position:
- Position 1 (Carry)
- Position 2 (Mid)
- Position 3 (Offlane)
- Position 4 (Support)
- Position 5 (Hard Support)
Position 1: The Carry
The Position 1, often referred to as the Carry, is the most prominent and arguably the most important position in Dota 2. The carry hero is typically expected to carry the game in its later stages, especially after the early game has passed. This hero is responsible for dealing the most damage and often becomes the team’s focal point when it comes to securing objectives like towers, Roshan, and enemy bases.
Role & Responsibilities:
- Farming: The carry’s main task during the early and mid-game is to farm efficiently. They need to build up their gold and experience to become powerful enough to carry the team in late-game team fights.
- Team Fights: Once the carry is farmed, they should be the primary damage dealer in team fights. If all goes well, the carry can clean up after the initiation of a fight and finish off the enemy team.
- Positioning: Positioning is key for a carry. During team fights, the carry should remain at the back, avoiding getting caught or killed early. They need to be protected by their teammates, but also need to deal damage from a safe distance.
Who fits here?
Carry heroes are usually heroes that scale well into the late game. These heroes tend to be a little weaker early on but become powerful once they build up their items. Think Anti-Mage, Medusa, Terrorblade, and Luna. These heroes need a lot of farm and typically perform better the longer the game lasts.
Position 2: The Midlaner
The next Dota 2 positions and roles is the Position 2, also known as the Midlaner, plays a critical role in controlling the pace of the game. Midlaners are typically heroes who are strong in the early-to-mid game and can exert influence across the map. These heroes are responsible for setting the tempo, securing kills, and often being the first to rotate to other lanes when needed.
Role & Responsibilities:
- Solo Lane: Midlaners are often the only ones in the middle lane, making them relatively safe from harassment. This gives them the opportunity to farm and gain experience without interference from other heroes. However, they need to be careful of ganks.
- Ganking: Midlaners often have the flexibility to rotate and gank other lanes. With their strong abilities and mobility, they can help secure kills in other lanes, putting pressure on the enemy team and creating space for their allies.
- Tempo Setter: A good midlaner knows how to set the pace of the game. They can push lanes, create map pressure, or make plays to secure objectives. Midlaners are typically the ones that dictate whether the game is going to be passive or action-packed.
Who fits here?
Heroes like Storm Spirit, Queen of Pain, Invoker, Ember Spirit, and Puck are often picked for the mid lane. These heroes have strong individual power and can snowball early game success into late-game dominance. Mid heroes tend to be versatile and capable of both dealing damage and controlling the map.
Position 3: The Offlaner
The Position 3, or Offlaner, is typically the hero who has the most difficult time in the game’s early stages. Unlike the carry, the offlaner is placed in a more challenging position on the map (the “offlane” on the opposite side of the carry’s safe lane) and usually has to deal with multiple enemies. Despite these difficulties, offlaners are often the team’s initiators, and they play a huge role in the success of team fights.
Role & Responsibilities:
- Survival & Harassment: The offlaner’s primary job is to survive and secure some farm while making life difficult for the enemy carry and their supports. They often need to be tough and resilient, taking on a lot of damage but also dishing it back.
- Initiating Fights: Many offlaners have strong crowd control abilities or initiation skills. Whether it’s diving in with a blink or a stun, the offlaner is typically the one who starts the action.
- Tankiness: Offlaners are often the tankiest heroes on the team, absorbing damage for their squishier teammates. They can stand in the front lines and take the brunt of enemy attacks, giving the rest of the team the chance to deal damage.
Who fits here?
Heroes like Tidehunter, Centaur Warrunner, Mars, Dark Seer, and Timbersaw are the go-to picks for the offlane. These heroes are durable, disruptive, and can initiate team fights or soak up damage in engagements. They are essential to creating chaos in team fights, setting up kills, and making sure the team has a solid front-line presence.
Position 4: The Support (Roamer)
Position 4 is one of the more unique roles in Dota 2 positions and roles, as it’s about roaming around the map and making plays. The Position 4, also known as the Roaming Support, is a more active role than your typical “stay-in-lane” supports. These heroes usually don’t focus on building up their own farm; instead, they’re there to help their team by creating pressure, securing kills, and controlling vision.
Role & Responsibilities:
- Roaming: Position 4 heroes are known for their roaming abilities. They often move around the map, going from lane to lane to assist teammates, disrupt enemies, and control the game’s flow.
- Creating Space: The roaming support’s main job is to make sure the core heroes (Position 1, 2, and 3) can farm and develop. By creating pressure elsewhere, the Position 4 allows the other heroes to breathe and work towards their item progression.
- Disruption & Crowd Control: Many roaming supports specialize in crowd control or disabling enemy heroes, allowing for easy kills or escaping sticky situations.
Who fits here?
Heroes like Earthshaker, Lion, Tinker, and Nyx Assassin are commonly seen as Position 4 supports. These heroes are great at causing chaos on the map, disrupting enemy plans, and providing utility through disables and spells.
Position 5: The Hard Support
Last but certainly not least, the Position 5, or Hard Support, is the foundation of the team. Position 5 heroes are the selfless ones, always looking out for their teammates, providing heals, buffs, and crowd control. They’re the ones who make sure that the team has vision, that the carry is well-protected, and that the overall strategy goes smoothly.
Role & Responsibilities:
- Ward Placement: One of the most critical responsibilities of the Position 5 support is placing vision. They are the ones who control the map’s vision by placing Observer Wards and Sentry Wards, ensuring the team has information on enemy movements.
- Healing & Buffing: Position 5 heroes often have abilities that heal, shield, or buff teammates. This helps ensure that your core heroes stay alive in engagements and can perform optimally in team fights.
- Crowd Control & Utility: While the hard support might not deal much damage, they have crowd control abilities that can turn the tide of a fight. Stuns, slows, and disables can be crucial for both setting up kills and protecting teammates.
Who fits here?
Heroes like Dazzle, Witch Doctor, Crystal Maiden, and Lich are classic Position 5 heroes. These heroes often have abilities that either keep their team alive or make it easier for the team to secure kills. Their goal is to provide utility and support, not necessarily to carry the game.
Conclusion
Understanding Dota 2’s positions and roles is the key to improving your gameplay. Whether you’re dominating the lane as a carry, setting up ganks as a midlaner, or providing essential vision as a support, each role plays a crucial part in a team’s success. By learning how to fill these positions effectively, you’ll find yourself becoming a better, more strategic player.
Dota 2 is a team game, and no single player can win the game on their own. Every role, from the carry to the hard support, is necessary for a well-rounded, successful team. So, next time you dive into a game, remember your position and focus on playing your role to the best of your ability.
And don’t forget—teamwork makes the dream work!
Read also: Top 10 Heroes for Beginners in Dota 2