Watchers are neutral objectives introduced to Dota 2 that provide crucial vision control for the team that activates them. They are not 'bosses' in the traditional sense but are important strategic points.
Location:
- There are 7 Watchers scattered across the map: one in each base, one in each offlane jungle, one in each safe lane jungle, and one in the Roshan pit.
Activation:
- To activate a Watcher, a hero must channel on it for 1.5 seconds.
- Once activated, it provides vision in a large radius for 7 minutes.
- Activated Watchers can be deactivated by an enemy hero channeling on them for 1.5 seconds.
Strategic Importance:
- Map Control: Activating Watchers provides persistent vision in key areas, allowing your team to track enemy movements, prevent ganks, and secure objectives.
- Objective Pushing: Watchers near enemy towers or Roshan can provide crucial vision during pushes or Roshan attempts.
- Jungle Safety: Watchers in your jungle can protect your farming cores.
- Dewardinng: Activated Watchers can reveal enemy Observer Wards within their vision radius, allowing you to deward.
- Contested Objective: Watchers are often contested, especially those in neutral territory, as both teams vie for vision control.
Regularly activating and deactivating Watchers is a simple yet effective way to gain and maintain map control throughout the game. Supports should prioritize this task.