Hero Mastery

Alchemist

The fastest-farming carry: Chemical Rage slashes cooldowns and adds big attack speed + regen, while Acid Spray and Unstable Concoction make you dominant from the lane.

Mastery parameters

Your GPM, last hits and damage per game against other Alchemist players — average vs Top 20%.

Members only

Learning journey

1 Know the kit
2 Win the lane
3 Timing & rotations
4 Win the fights
5 Master

5 stages, each with one target from your own games and one short quiz. Make Alchemist your mastery hero to start — progress shows on Home and Arcana.

Phase by phase

Laning: last hits above everything

You 80%Team 20%

Skills in lane — Pro cores max Acid Spray (Q) first — 99% of 388 games since patch 7.41, then Unstable Concoction (W). First talent at level 11.
Level 6 — Chemical Rage — Chemical Rage grants big attack/move speed and regen. This is your lane-kill timing and the fast track to your first item.

Skills 1–7

Starting items

Gauntlets of Strength25%
Iron Branch22%
Tango15%
Quelling Blade15%
Magic Stick11%
Faerie Fire4%

Pros buy this phase

Phase Boots87%
Power Treads11%
Tranquil Boots2%

The Carry (Safe Lane)'s job this phase

Aim for 45–50 last hits by minute 10 — check that number every game, it's your main KPI.
Don't over-harass: trade HP only when it doesn't cost you last hits.
Minutes 2 & 4: ask your support to pull so the lane stays near your tower.

Counters & weaknesses

Sustain hero (heals & lifesteal)

The items that shut Alchemist down, 3 heroes that trouble it, and your answer when you play it.

Members only

Why this way? How OpenAI Five learned

One hero, one role first
OpenAI's first bot played only Shadow Fiend, only mid, until it mastered it. Stay on Alchemist in one role before moving on.
Small, measurable rewards
OpenAI Five was rewarded for last hits and staying alive long before it understood winning. That's why each journey stage has one number to hit.
From yourself to the team
Its 'team spirit' rose over the game: early on, look after yourself; late, play for the team. Each phase's meter shows the split.
Use proven builds
OpenAI Five's builds were hand-written, not trial and error. Start from the pro build, then experiment.

Phase items: what pros buy on this hero (OpenDota). Parameters: percentiles of players on this hero (OpenDota). Item effects checked against Valve's own item data.