First off, thanks fallenelf for agreeing to take time out of your day to do this. Secondly, I think if we took one particular topic such as last hitting or ganking or warding and really went in depth into it with some guides then maybe that weekend, put all that we have learned into a bot match then we could really start building a foundation of knowledge that we can apply in a game. I think having one thing to focus on a week and really getting comfortable with that one thing will make the games so much better for each of us as well as making the game funner because we will win more often.

I'm interested in taking part in this. My ingame name is the same as my forum name and I'm availabe from 7-9pm on Weedkdays and almost always availalbe on weekends. My timezone is EST.

The biggest problem is we just lobbied up and started playing. There was really no effort to impart knowledge at all and we just kinda focused on getting our faces stomped in both games . A little more organization and it can really be a solid idea, but for now its a bit rough around the edges

I have been through guides etc and think i have an ok idea of some of the things that need to be done, that being said i dont remember the last time i played anywhere near as bad as i did on the weekend. I played terribly and was completely out played by their two guys down in the bottom lane. Live and learn though hey.

I think maybe having a captain for the team would be beneficial, someone that can lead a strategy discussion and try to steer game in whatever direction it needs as you move through the different phases of the game.

Also they may not have had players with 100+ wins but i know there was at least 2 players that were level 10 in the first game, dont know about the other guys but i was level 4 so they still had a decent amount more playing experience.

I think with a bit more organisation though could be good

I agree. I was just saying that in order to really learn, we need someone to teach and direct not just grade our work. I think that if we really want to learn different roles, we can work at that through guides and practice. It might be best to do it one step at a time rather than lobby and get our rears handed to us. It's definitely rough though. That will take time but we can really do I believe.

I agree with the captain idea. Leading can be difficult though. I don't know what fallenelf or uno will have to say on being a captain. I just think that if we can work on one particular skill a week then we will see a dramatic increase in our play.

Skyop, if you want I would be happy to captain if they can't, that is if you would have me.

It is up to you, fallenelf, and uno. I'm here if you need me.

I think you would be good in that role

I think having a newer guy Captain is a better idea. A more experienced player, be it myself, lemon, or Uno, can give advice, but figuring out why certain heroes work together on your own will benefit more in the long run. I think a rotation of roles is also the best way to go about things. Mainly, rotating through positions 1-5 that way everyone works on a different role on a weekly/bi-weekly basis, seeing why certain heroes work with certain builds, etc.

Willing to do whatever the group thinks is best though.

I think that is a great idea. Were you thinking going into captains mode games?

I don't mind this idea. It sorta forces us to think a bit more critically. Generally when I play bot games, I'm concentrating more on how to play the specific hero effectively, not so much teamwork. That's where I need to improve a whole lot. That and the 1 & 2 roles. However, it would be nice to have a captain who knows when to do things. I probably have the most games under my belt as the new group goes, but I still have no idea when to gank, gather for teamfights or any of that timing stuff.

I have one concern with the captain thing for one reason. With an inexperienced player leading it might become frustrating if results don't come. Learning will come with time whatever the circumstance with the captain the road to the fun, well learned times of dota might be a much longer and somewhat painful path.

With the role comment I can't say I have a problem with that at all. I think migglypuff said that everybody felt comfortable with support, but a real game can't really have all supports in practicality. Spreading out comfort among roles should be explored.

That makes a lot of sense but a lot of the time, moving out of that comfort zone will produce unexpected results that can really fun or very effective. As newer players, we want to move into that secondary role and let the big bad vets stomp the bad guys but one day, we might want to stomp as well. Moving around roles will help to develop all skills too and will help to make each player a more rounded and adaptable player.

Personally I gravitated towards carry more when I first started (why you guys all like support over carry kinda threw me off a bit) but when everybody started picking the more fun hard carries I learned to support out of the need not really wanting to do it. Now I still prefer #1 or 2 role, but being versatile is important and it keeps the game kinda new because your stepping out of a comfort zone or what is fun to do something different

Yeah. If at the end of all of this and we still suck, I want it at least to be a fun time sucking. From here we can really do something right and learn a ton.

For me half the fun of dota is being able to blow up somebody in one hit/combo so if I can impart that joy into the new players (and believe me its enjoyable) then I'm down for helping out when and where I can

I can only imagine that. I haven't been able to build up a carry to do that yet but I'm sure its epic.

Lol I did that in our first game when I played morph. Shotgun morph is so much fun to play because its 1 item and 2 skills and you can insta-kill any support

Given enough time to farm up and get your items almost any agi carry can kill somebody in less than 5 hits

Damn you guys post a lot. Let's try to get a game going around 7 PM EST tonight. I'll make a teamspeak channel, something like "Doobs Learning Match." I can stream the game so Lemon or someone else can also give advice.

Sounds like fun to me

I might be a bit delayed 30 minutes max

Edit: Yes we post alot isn't that's what a forum is for?

Don't hate, appreciate. We must be cool. We will have our own channel! Im super glad we can learn some more. Any prep we should do before?