The short version
- 1Ward for the next decision: Roshan, your carry's farm, or a gank route.
- 2When ahead, ward their jungle; when behind, ward your own.
- 3Wards in predictable spots die fast — and hand the enemy gold.
01Where to Place Observers
One Observer lasts about 6 minutes — enough for one big decision. Place it where it answers the question that matters right now:
- Early game — the routes the enemy uses to gank your lane.
- Before Roshan — near the Roshan pit.
- When ahead — in the enemy jungle, so your carry can farm and your team can hunt.
- When behind — in your own jungle, so you see them coming.
Coach's tips
- Wards on high ground are harder for the enemy to find.
- Ward stock is limited — take them as soon as they're available.
- Use the minimap Scan to check an area before walking in.
02Dewarding & Invisible Heroes
Enemy wards left standing mean your team plays in plain sight. Effective dewarding:
- Guess from where the enemy always seems to arrive first — their wards are usually there.
- Drop a Sentry on the suspected spot and destroy the ward it reveals. Killing an enemy ward also gives gold.
- Dewarding before Roshan or before a smoke is worth far more than at any other time.
Against invisible heroes such as Riki, Clinkz, Bounty Hunter or Nyx Assassin, carry a Sentry or Dust before they start winning.
Coach's tips
- Carry a Sentry or Dust when hunting invisible heroes.
- Gem of True Sight drops when its carrier dies — be careful.
- Guess enemy wards from where they always seem to arrive first.
03Reading the Map from Your Wards
A ward only helps if your team pays attention to it. When your ward spots movement:
- Ping it on the minimap so the team knows.
- If 3–4 enemies show up on one side, the other side is safe to farm or push.
- If your ward suddenly dies, the enemy is there — and may be setting something up.
Coach's tips
- One ward the team reads beats three it ignores.
- Replace wards in key spots before the old ones expire.
- Aggressive wards pay off most when your team is ready to move.
What's your call?
Decide what you'd do, then open the answer.
Your team wants Roshan in a minute, but the pit is still dark. What does the support do?Show the answer
Place an Observer (and a Sentry to check for enemy wards) near the pit before the team goes in. Never walk into Roshan blind.
An enemy Riki keeps killing you in the jungle.Show the answer
Carry a Sentry or Dust and move with a teammate; drop a Sentry on the path you usually take.
Try it next game
Every time you place a ward, name the question it answers.