For those mek builders out there, why don't we chat about optimal build order. This discussion is partly inspired by a similar one on reddit (link below), and partly based on Gambit's suggested item builds. First, some math:

[item=235]
+2 Attributes -> 38 HP
+3 HP/s aura
Cost: 53 (branch) + 350 (ring) + 200 (recipe) = 603

[item=236]
+2 Attributes -> 38 HP
+5 Armor
+2 Armor activate
Cost: 53 (branch) + 550 (chainmail) + 200 (recipe) = 803

Some people in the reddit thread argue for building [item=239] first, then buckler, and disassembling the tranquils for the mek once you have enough for the headress and mek recipes. The argument here is that you keep the HP regen for yourself for lane/gank staying power, and the buckler activate can help in early ganks and tower pushes. This leaves you with a casual [item=67] that can either be sold or turned into a [item=234].

The argument for getting the headress first appears to be that it has an easier buildup and gives your lane partner some HP regen as well. One problem here is that it also gives your creeps HP regen, and will push the lane to a degree.

Now for personal preference. If I have a successful early gank and find myself with enough money for the [item=71], I usually go ahead and buy it. The thought process here is purely economic, knowing how hard money for a support can be to find and that death can make those "big" ticket items impossible to come by. I can respect that giving your lane partner some extra HP regen is useful, though. Thoughts?

Reddit thread:
http://www.reddit.com/r/DotA2/comments/10v3x7/which_is_better_to_get_first_when_building_a_mek/

Hmm, this is actually a pretty good question. At the end of the day I used to go Buckler, thinking that the armor buff would be nice when pushing. +2 armor isn't a ton, but it's nice on a squishy support.

Now, I almost always go Headdress first. The +2 stats is nice, but the +3 HP aura is fantastic in lane and when ganking. By the time I grab headdress, my regen is at about 1.1-1.3. Now it's at almost +5. Not only for myself, but for the carry I'm babysitting or the other teammate I'm roaming with.

Ninja Edit: I think I was watching a Purge video where he said the most important thing a hero can get early game is regen. Regen keeps you in lane, keeps you ganking, and keeps you at a high level than your opponents that have no regen.

Real men get the recipe first, and have it in your inventory to show the enemy team, watch as they get frustrated as nothing they can do will stop it

I see the sense of tranquil boots as it gives a lot more regen for the person carrying it. Headdress is really nice in lane though and the extra pushing is not significant in a sidelane in my experience. Also, it builds nicely with a GG branch, which frees up inventory space.
I think it depends on what kind of support you are going for. I feel that Tranquil is the superior choice if you are going around ganking, TP'ing and being mobile, while Headdress is probably better you are planning on staying in lane and supporting an ally or pushing with the team. I might change my builds to promote the tranquil option as it's really quite cheap and nice. The only problem with tranquil is that you cannot use it together with Arcane boots like you can with headdress.

I almost always go with Headdress first as well, I just really like the regen aura it provides a lot of utility in the lane. I think anytime I'm playing support in a lane, I feel comfortable when I have headdress and manaboots, because you now have the power to stay in the lane indefinitely (potentially).

Also, great use of the item tooltips I did away with the transparent backgrounds, made em too hard to read IMHO.

Yup, I can definitely see that. I am thinking about adding some general discussion to the custom builds page (http://www.dotanoobs.com/main/custom-item-builds/) that gives the broad ideas on how to build the various roles. At this point I only feel confident enough to talk about supports, but I have to start somewhere.



It is just too cool not to use.

Uno if your going to write up something like that, we can add the section to DotaUniversity, thats exactly what it's meant for. And the tooltips for items work on the main-site as well, I can show you how.