Pitfalls: common newcomer mistakes

The mistakes that cost the most games, and simple habits that fix them.

Playing the map

• Not watching the minimap means missing ganks. When enemies vanish from the map, they are probably coming for you.
• Walking alone into dark spots without vision makes you an easy target.
• Chasing a kill under an enemy tower or far into the fog.
• No teleport scroll — you can neither defend a tower nor escape.

Farm and items

• Hitting creeps instead of last-hitting them — the gold goes to the enemy.
• Buying the same build every game. Look at the enemies: against magic — Black King Bar or Pipe of Insight, against invisible heroes — Sentry Ward and Dust of Appearance.
• Saving up for an expensive item instead of buying what you need now.
• A support without wards: vision is the main job of position five.

Fights

• Starting a fight while your team is far away.
• Spending an ultimate on one low-health hero.
• Standing together against heroes with area damage.
• Dying in the late game without buyback gold.
• Tactics

Mindset and communication

• Flaming in chat almost never wins games. Mute a player who gets in the way — it is one button.
• Do not abandon games: it lowers your behavior score and can send you to the low priority queue.
• Losing streaks are normal. Take a break after two or three losses in a row.
• Compare yourself with your past self, not with the pros.