The short version
- 1Smoke with a target and a route decided, not to wander.
- 2Ganks work best when the enemy is overextended without a TP or just used an escape.
- 3After a successful gank, take an objective — don't go straight back to farming.
01Planning a Smoke
A smoke only helps if your team knows where it's going. Before popping it:
- Pick the target: which hero, which lane, or Roshan.
- Choose a route the enemy wards can't see — deward first if you need to.
- Split the jobs: who starts the fight and who cuts off the escape.
Smoke breaks when an enemy hero or tower gets close, so don't route past their towers.
Coach's tips
- Smoke is cheap — far cheaper than a death from being spotted.
- Group up before using it; everyone has to be in range.
- Decide who starts the fight and who cuts off the escape.
02When a Gank Works
A gank is most likely to work when:
- The enemy is overextended with no TP.
- They just used an escape, or their BKB isn't up.
- Your ganking hero has its ultimate or a key item such as Blink.
- A ward shows you the target.
If the enemy already saw you coming, call it off. A spotted gank just wastes time.
Coach's tips
- Ask the laner to hold the enemy (stun, slow) before you arrive.
- Ganking a lane whose wave sits near your tower is much safer.
- Count the walking time: a gank that's 10 seconds late often fails.
03After the Gank
The kill is only the start. After a successful gank:
- Push the wave in that lane and take the tower if you can.
- Place a ward on the route you just used.
- Rotate to another lane while the enemy is a hero down.
Gank failed? Don't chase into the enemy tower — reset, farm, and try again with better timing.
Coach's tips
- A gank that ends in a tower is worth more than two kills.
- Tell the other lanes when you leave so they play safe.
- Buy a TP before a long rotation.
What's your call?
Decide what you'd do, then open the answer.
You smoke to gank mid, but an enemy ward spots you and their midlaner retreats to his tower. Keep going?Show the answer
No. The target knows. Switch goals: take a camp, a rune, or another lane that hasn't seen you.
Your gank in the enemy safe lane works and two enemies die.Show the answer
Push the wave and hit the tower while they wait to respawn; don't go straight back to farming.
Try it next game
Buy one smoke before minute 15 and use it to rotate with at least one teammate.