Vision is one of the most critical, yet often underestimated, aspects of Dota 2. Having superior vision allows your team to make informed decisions, secure objectives, and avoid ganks.
Types of Vision:
- Observer Wards: Provide static vision in an area for 6 minutes. Supports are primarily responsible for buying and placing these.
- Sentry Wards: Reveal invisible units and Observer Wards in a small area for 8 minutes. Used for dewarding and detecting invisible heroes.
- Hero Vision: Each hero has a vision range, which can be affected by day/night cycle and terrain.
- Creep Vision: Allied creeps provide limited vision along their lane.
- Tower Vision: Towers provide vision in a large radius around them.
- Shrine Vision: Shrines provide vision in their immediate vicinity.
Strategic Uses of Vision:
- Gank Prevention: Wards placed in key jungle paths and rune spots can alert you to incoming enemy heroes.
- Objective Control: Vision around Roshan, Outposts, and enemy towers allows you to monitor enemy movements and plan pushes.
- Farming Safety: Wards in your jungle or safe lane can protect your cores while they farm.
- Dewardinng: Using Sentry Wards to destroy enemy Observer Wards denies them vision and grants your team gold.
- High Ground Defense: Wards on your high ground can prevent enemy smoke ganks and provide crucial vision during base defense.
A well-warded map is a powerful weapon. Supports should prioritize vision, and all be aware of ward placements.