Dota 2: How to Rank Up as Support

Ranking up as a support player in Dota 2 might seem daunting, as many assume that playing support limits their ability to climb the competitive ladder. Contrary to popular belief, however, many players have successfully ascended to high ranks and even topped leaderboards specializing solely as support.

In this article, we’ve gathered invaluable insights from professional Dota 2 support players to help you elevate your game. Our experts share strategic advice tailored specifically for support roles within Valve’s complex MOBA environment. Here are the tips and tricks that can transform your support play, enabling you to make a significant impact in your matches and effectively climb the ranks. Let’s dive into how you can master the art of support and become a pivotal player on your team.

Always Be Doing Something

One common mistake among lower-ranked support players is assuming that their role is solely to be in the immediate vicinity of teammates, leading them to remain idle when alone. This is a significant misstep; as a support, your actions are crucial to tipping the scales in your team’s favor, no matter how small those actions might seem.

Here’s what you should consider doing instead:

• Engage in Creep Manipulation: Always look for opportunities to pull or stack creeps. If the enemy contests your pulls, adopt a more aggressive stance to redirect the aggro back to yourself.
• Harass and Zone Opponents: Keep constant pressure on your lane adversaries. Your job is to make their attempts to farm or control the lane as difficult as possible, which includes disrupting their own pulling or zoning strategies.
• Initiate Smoke Ganks: Utilize smoke of deceit with your team to orchestrate surprise attacks and ganks. This not only shifts momentum but can also lead to key pick-offs that pave the way for objective control.
• Warding and De-warding: If you find yourself unsure of the next best action, revert to warding and de-warding. Vision control is a critical aspect of Dota 2 and can lead to advantageous fights and strategic decisions.

By staying proactive and continually seeking ways to contribute, you’ll maximize your impact as a support player and increase your chances of climbing the ranks effectively.

Master Communication

Effective communication is a cornerstone of success in Dota 2, especially for support players whose role inherently involves coordinating team efforts and strategies. While the importance of using a microphone for real-time voice communication cannot be overstated, there are situations where this might not be feasible.

To navigate around potential limitations, it’s essential to develop proficiency in alternative communication methods:

• Hotkeys for Quick Messaging: Customize hotkeys for quick access to essential phrases that can relay your message clearly and promptly to teammates. This helps in delivering strategic commands or alerts efficiently.
• Map Drawing: Utilize the map drawing tool judiciously to highlight critical areas or signal potential threats. A simple circle or exclamation mark can effectively communicate your concerns without cluttering the map.
• Strategic Pinging: Use pings to draw attention to urgent issues or targets. However, it’s crucial to use this tool sparingly to avoid overwhelming your team with unnecessary alerts.

Effective communication is reciprocal; pay attention to cues and signals from your teammates as well. By mastering both verbal and non-verbal forms of communication, you can greatly enhance your team’s synergy and responsiveness, making your role as a support more impactful and your games more successful.

Purchase the Dota Plus

While we’re not fans of pay-to-win dynamics, it’s worth mentioning that investing in Dota Plus or a Battle Pass can provide substantial benefits, especially for support mains looking to enhance their gameplay in ranked matches.

Subscribing to Dota Plus offers a suite of automated support features that can significantly improve your decision-making and strategic planning:

• Ability Build Suggestions: Tailor your hero’s abilities to the match at hand with data-driven advice.
• Item Build Suggestions: Receive guidance on which items to purchase that best suit your current game.
• Lane Strategy Suggestions: Get recommendations on how to approach your lane setup based on team compositions.
• Ward Placement Suggestions: Learn optimal spots for placing and dewarding to maximize vision and game impact.
• Friends and Foes Analysis: Utilize statistical insights to identify which opponents and allies have historically impacted your gameplay positively or negatively.
• Creep Pull Timers: Perfect your creep pulls with timers, enhancing your lane control.
• Incoming Damage Type Breakdown: Understand the types of damage you’re receiving to adjust your defensive strategy accordingly.

While these features might not directly increase your MMR after each match, they equip you with the tools to make smarter plays and avoid common pitfalls. For instance, being able to analyze the damage types you encounter can significantly influence your itemization and positioning, which can be a game-changer in avoiding deaths and targeting the right opponents. This level of insight can be a huge advantage, especially for support players aiming to optimize their impact and climb the ranks.

Play With Good Teammates

Playing as a support in Dota 2 is greatly influenced by the caliber of your teammates. It’s ideal to queue with friends or trusted players who consistently perform well, as your role inherently supports and amplifies their gameplay.

However, not everyone has the luxury of a reliable team. For those looking to elevate their gameplay without dependable teammates, consider using a service like 1v9. This platform allows you to team up with professional players. You even have the flexibility to select the role your professional teammate will play, ensuring you can make the most of their expertise and experience. This can be a game-changer, particularly for support players looking to learn and improve their game by closely observing and interacting with seasoned players in real match settings.

Keep a Strong Mindset

Maintaining a strong mental attitude is crucial in Dota 2, a point often reiterated but vitally important. Whether you’re having an off day or performing well while your teammates struggle, it’s essential to avoid frustration. The psychological aspect of Dota 2 is profound, and losing faith in yourself or your team can be more detrimental than any in-game mistake.

To guard against tilting, which can escalate from stress or fatigue, it’s advisable to steer clear of ranked matches when you’re not feeling up to par—be it from a challenging day or general tiredness. Playing in a clear-headed state not only enhances your performance but also improves your ability to support your team effectively, keeping morale high and games competitive.

Conclusion

Ranking up as a support in Dota 2 is a challenging yet rewarding endeavor that requires strategic thinking, tactical execution, and a strong mental approach. By optimizing your hero choices, leveraging tools like Dota Plus for enhanced game insight, playing with competent teammates, and maintaining a positive mindset, you can significantly improve your chances of climbing the ranks. Embracing these practices not only enhances your individual skill set but also maximizes your impact as a crucial member of your team. Remember, the role of support is pivotal in shaping the flow and outcome of the game, making your contributions invaluable. With dedication and the right strategies, ascending the Dota 2 competitive ladder as a support player is not only possible but also highly gratifying.