Ward Placement Tips for Dota 2

In Dota 2, vision is power, and one of the most critical aspects of gaining an edge over your opponents is proper ward placement. Whether you’re a newbie trying to improve or a seasoned player aiming to master map control, understanding where and when to place wards can make all the difference in a match. Warding is often overlooked by players, but it’s a game-changer. In this article, we’ll dive deep into warding strategies and give you the lowdown on how to make the best use of your wards.

Let’s be real: bad ward placement can cost you the game, and not having enough vision might leave you blind to key movements from the enemy team. So, let’s break down some ward placement tips that will take your Dota 2 game to the next level.

1. The Basics of Ward placement

Before diving into fancy strategies, let’s first review the basics ward placement. There are two primary types of wards in Dota 2:

  • Observer Wards: These are your standard vision wards. They grant vision of an area for a specific duration and are your go-to tool for spotting enemy rotations, securing objectives, or keeping an eye on jungle movements.
  • Sentry Wards: These bad boys help you deward the enemy’s Observer Wards or provide true sight to reveal invisible units or wards. If you’re hunting for enemy wards, these are your best friends.

Understanding these types of wards is crucial for controlling vision around the map and knowing where to place them.


2. Where to Place Wards: Key Areas to Focus On

Now that we know the types of wards, it’s time to talk about placement. The map in Dota 2 is huge, and placing your wards in the right spots can be the difference between seeing the enemy coming or getting ambushed out of nowhere. Here are some prime spots for ward placement:

The Jungle Entrances

Jungle entrances are key chokepoints where enemy heroes are likely to pass through. This includes the entrances to both Radiant and Dire jungles, so make sure to place Observer Wards around these areas.

  • Radiant Jungle: Consider placing wards near the mid-lane entrance to the jungle or the top-right corner near the small camp. These spots will give you vision of enemy rotations and early ganks.
  • Dire Jungle: Place wards near the mid-lane entrance to the Dire jungle and around the top-left corner. These areas provide you with crucial information about where the enemy team might be farming or rotating from.

High Ground Wards

High ground wards are some of the most valuable spots for gaining map control. The reason they’re so effective is that they give you vision over large areas while keeping you out of the enemy’s sight. Warding the high ground near objectives like Roshan or T1/T2 towers can be game-changing.

  • On Radiant, placing a ward on the high ground near Roshan’s Pit or near the mid lane can let you track enemy movements, especially when they’re aiming for the Rosh kill.
  • For Dire, the high ground near the mid lane, and especially around the top lane, can give you insights into enemy rotations. High ground wards are perfect for tracking enemy supports and cores as they push out lanes or move between camps.

Near Key Objectives (Roshan & Towers)

Knowing the positioning of objectives like Roshan and the enemy’s towers can massively influence the flow of the game. If you don’t know where the enemy is, it’s almost impossible to make a proper play around these objectives.

  • Place wards around Roshan’s Pit to catch out any sneaky attempts at killing Roshan, particularly in the early game when the enemy might try to sneak a fast kill.
  • Additionally, always place wards in or near the laning towers to ensure you don’t get caught out when you’re pushing objectives or contesting the enemy’s tower push.

The River (Mid-Lane Vision)

The mid lane is often the most contested lane in the game, and controlling vision here can give you massive advantages. Warding the river at key points can help you spot rotations, ganks, or the enemy mid-laner trying to make moves.

  • Always place wards around the river near the mid lane to have vision on both your and the enemy’s movements. This gives your mid-laner a much-needed advantage in reacting to enemy ganks or setting up for kills.

Behind Enemy Lines

Sometimes, placing wards in enemy territory is a great way to disrupt their vision and gather critical intel. This isn’t an every-game tactic but can be incredibly useful when you’re trying to predict enemy movements.

  • If you’re ahead or your team has strong map control, place a ward behind the enemy’s Tier 1 or Tier 2 towers. It gives you insight into rotations and lets your team avoid unexpected ganks.

3. How to Effectively Use Sentry Wards

Sentry Wards are crucial for clearing enemy vision, especially in high-stakes moments. Here’s how to use them effectively:

  • Before pushing an objective: Before attempting to take a tower or secure Roshan, deward the area with Sentries to ensure the enemy doesn’t have vision in key spots. It’s also a good way to check if the enemy has placed Observer Wards nearby.
  • During the laning phase: If you’re in a position where the enemy has a lot of vision around their jungle or the river, a Sentry placed in key areas will help you deny their vision and keep them guessing about your next move.
  • Choke points & neutral camps: Sentries placed in areas like the enemy jungle entrances, top or bottom neutral camps, or near the river will help you catch out any enemy Observer Wards and give your team a chance to control the map.

4. Warding During Different Phases of the Game

The importance of warding changes as the game progresses. Early-game, mid-game, and late-game warding all require a different mindset.

Early Game: Lane Control and Gank Prevention

At the start of the game, your main goal is to secure safe farm and prevent ganks. Placing wards in key areas like the river, jungle entrances, and mid-lane will help you do this. Remember, vision wins lanes, so keeping track of the enemy’s movements is key during these phases.

Mid Game: Map Control and Objective Awareness

Once the laning phase is over, the map opens up, and vision is needed for rotations and objectives. Place wards around Roshan, in the enemy jungle, and in the river to track movements. Denying enemy vision in these critical spots is essential to maintaining map control.

Late Game: Deep Wards and Anticipating Enemy Moves

Late in the game, placing wards behind enemy lines or deep in their jungle can be the key to catching out enemy heroes who are trying to farm or split-push. At this stage, both teams are likely fighting around Roshan and other objectives, so having deep vision will help your team anticipate enemy movements and make better decisions.


5. Ward Placement Mistakes to Avoid

While warding is critical, there are some common mistakes that players make when placing wards. Here are a few things to avoid:

Placing Wards Too Close Together

Placing multiple wards in the same area or in close proximity can be a waste. If the enemy dewards one, they’ll take out your whole vision in that area. Spread your wards out, and don’t cluster them in one spot.

Warding Only for One Lane

Only placing wards on one side of the map limits your vision. Always try to get vision in multiple locations—top, bottom, and mid. This ensures that you’re prepared for any rotations from the enemy team.

Forgetting to Ward Objectives

Don’t forget to ward around Roshan or key objectives like towers and shrines. These areas are often the site of intense team fights, and lacking vision can lead to costly mistakes.


Conclusion: Ward Like a Pro!

Warding in Dota 2 is all about anticipation, awareness, and strategy. It’s not just about throwing wards down randomly; it’s about making smart, informed decisions that will help your team gain a competitive edge. Whether you’re playing for fun or trying to climb the ranks, mastering ward placement is one of the most essential skills to learn in Dota 2.

So, remember these tips, get creative with your ward placements, and you’ll soon find yourself dominating the map with vision that will leave your opponents in the dust. Happy warding!

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