Hero Mastery

Marci

A close-range playmaker: Dispose throws + slows, Bodyguard shares lifesteal + damage and a barrier with an ally, Rebound leaps into a stun, and Unleash turns her into an attack blender.

Mastery parameters

Your GPM, last hits and damage per game against other Marci 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 Marci your mastery hero to start — progress shows on Home and Arcana.

Phase by phase

Laning: pressure their carry, don't feed

You 50%Team 50%

Skills in lane — Max Bodyguard (E) for the lifesteal + damage you share with an ally, plus a barrier; value Rebound (W) for the leap-stun engage. Dispose (Q) throws an enemy behind you + slows.
Level 6 — Unleash — Unleash gives rapid attack combos + a big slow — you become a blender. Pop it then stick to a target.

Skills 1–7

Starting items

Iron Branch33%
Tango14%
Blood Grenade10%
Sentry Ward8%
Faerie Fire7%
Circlet of Nobility6%

Pros buy this phase

Phase Boots66%
Helm of the Dominator17%
Power Treads8%
Perseverance4%
Skull Basher2%

The Offlaner's job this phase

Your goal isn't perfect farm — it's making sure THEIR carry doesn't farm. Contest every last hit.
Secure range creeps with a spell if needed; XP matters more than gold for you.
If the 1v2 is rough, hug your tower and ask the soft support to help zone.

Counters & weaknesses

Tank (big HP & armor)

The items that shut Marci 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 Marci 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.