I'm sorry!
- Oh, wait. Default response at the moment.

Hello there!

The name's Bandit, and I'm what you might call one of the 'MOBA uninitiated'. DotA2 is my first MOBA (discounting a 3-day experience of HoN which shattered my fragile mind and put me off MOBAs for years), and despite my efforts to watch every piece of guidance on youtube I can find, I'm finding DotA to be an extremely difficult game for newbies to get a handle on.

Match making at the moment seems to random me with MOBA-converts (level 1, 2 wins but 8 years of previous MOBA experience... Razza fraz!) and I'm sick of being yelled at for things I don't even realise I'm doing wrong (usually in Russian).

In short, I'm looking for a friendly environment that will help me improve at DotA, and I believe this may be the place.

Looking forward to getting some games with everyone on here!

Bandit

(Apologies in advance for the teams I'll end up being on )

Well, I'm definitely looking forward to getting in some games with everyone. Question: Where are the majority of the Doobs games played?

I'm from the UK you see, so I'm wondering partly about a time zone clash, and partly about the fact that I don't need to add 200 ping onto my terrible games lol

I actually did that today, attempting the same thing

Glad to hear there's plenty of EU-ers! I'll be frequenting the mumble channel tonight. Hope to game with you all soon!

First world problems, eh?

As a newbie to Dota, I downloaded this straight away. A really big thank you to Gambit for all the work he's put into this - it's *uber* amounts of help when I'm in game and have enough on my plate trying to last hit and not die xD

I don't think I'd be able to offer much insight into critical analysis of gameplays, but I'd definitely be up for sitting in the channel and listening to a Doobs version of NSFF

Usually I get that message when I'm having internet connection troubles? If you want to add me on steam, I'd be more than happy to walk you through the process of connecting and setting yourself up.

The name's dakheva

Good luck for tonight, chaps! Sorry I can't make it but will look forward to seeing the replay IDs!

You're behind the times, dude! Shane's had a group of us buying battle bonuses for the past few days before he'd even consider playing with us.

I honestly thought this thread was going to reference Shane's item-whoring. He's like the Robin Hood of Dota, except in his mind, charity begins at the home

You had the choice of inserting 'top' and/or 'bottom' lane in that sentence, and you chose *side* lane!?
We need to get you a girl so you can familiarise yourself with better female anatomy euphemisms

Baby steps, dear. Baby steps.

I don't know if you're already a follower, but there's a really good podcast for all things paranormal called "Mysterious Universe". The guys that run it are really professional about it, and I really respect the thorough approach to the researching of show content before the show. Couldn't recommend it highly enough if you're into the paranormal!

Crimewatch doesn't count, Shane.

What you've written here, Zap is almost identical to where I feel my strengths and weaknesses lie in game. So if there's any tuition going about, perhaps coaches could do a 2 for 1 special?

I didn't know you could last hit *and* deny either. Wow!

This video is brilliant! It's amusing to players who are familiar with DotA 2, but it's also really heartwarming to see that a) the community was accepting enough to let two casters who don't know the game cast a competitive match and b) that the comments on the YouTube video are just as accepting - using the same names the casters created to explain some of the concepts to those who aren't in the know.

Awesome link, thanks Atlas

I have it, though only phone-based internet until the end of this week.

For those of you who have played with me, you'll know I tend to favour the thankless task of warding and remembering to feed the courier before bed. Why? Probably down to my masochistic tendencies, but that's beside the point.

My short-term goal is to learn, and be able to play competently, every support hero. My question, however is how do you know which support is best off a certain line up? I've tried googling this, but due to the situational nature of DotA (or possibly because I'm using my phone to look) I can't seem to find anything.

The basics I understand:
Channelling ulti on the opposite team? Grab venge
Want pushing and support? Lesh, rhasta KotL and possibly DP
Want disables and push? Shadow shaman (although he's pretty much my go-to guy for everything in games)
Team fight assistance and crowd control? Rhasta, undying, AA, earth shaker, tide

I know picking the right support matters, as I played AA in a team without a single stun and had a horrible time of it. But when is a warlock the best support? Or a crystal maiden over a windrunner?

Thanks for the replies both of you

I'll take what you've said on board, Fallen and try some of the support combos you've mentioned. Omni isn't one of my most confident support picks, since I hate melee supports (even ogre can compensate for it with the excitement of the multi-cast lottery) but I'm not going to get good at every support if I just pick my favourites.