Greetings from Librarian Husky! Today, we are going to dive into some of the hero matchups and picks in game two of b boom versus Tundra. Tundra’s draft had several weaknesses, which ultimately led to a difficult match for them. The Timbersaw had an excellent performance, making some key decisions that heavily impacted the game. This discussion will be more general compared to my usual tier lists or hero guides. Instead, I will provide useful Dota 2 insights that you can apply to your own pub matches.

Bristleback Support Pick

Now, let’s talk about Bristleback as a support. This pick might sound unfamiliar, but it’s a legitimate option in the pro scene. Bristleback is often used as a flex pick, baiting the enemy into countering him, only to then play him as a support. One of the reasons this strategy works is because his “Goo” ability at level one reduces armor by 4.5, making him an effective early game presence.

Effectiveness of Bristleback’s Armor Reduction

The 4.5 minus armor from Bristleback is incredibly strong. For example, on a hero like Mars, it translates to -2 armor, and for a hero like Batrider, it essentially drops his armor to zero. Negative armor is a significant disadvantage in Dota, but to make it work, you need to be able to hit the enemy. This is where Bristleback struggles, as his movement speed of 295 isn’t great, and his attack speed is not particularly fast.

Challenges with Tundra’s Luna Pick

Tundra’s draft shows weaknesses with the Luna pick after Bristleback. They likely chose Luna thinking that Bristleback was countered since Dragon Knight (Dr) can be a tough carry for him. She outranges his quills and naturally buys Silver Edge and Pike, making her a strong choice against Bristleback. Additionally, she can go for anti-heal with an Aghanim’s Scepter, though I’m not a fan of that build in this context.

Mars and Timber Synergy Against Bristleback

Mars’ spear is another solid counter to Bristleback, as it turns the hero around when pinned to a tree. This completely negates Bristleback’s defensive capabilities. On top of that, they also drafted Timbersaw, which came after the Luna pick. In the lane, it’s crucial for Bristleback to have a laning partner who can commit to right clicks, and Luna simply isn’t that hero. Bristleback needs stronger synergy with his carries to thrive in the lane.

Effective Combinations with Bristleback’s Goo

One hero that pairs well with Bristleback is Gyrocopter. His Flak Cannon is much more effective against enemies with no armor, and with Bristleback’s goo, you can quickly reduce that armor. Goo is incredibly mana-efficient, costing only 12 mana with a 1.8 second cooldown, making it easy to apply to multiple heroes. This combo can be devastating in team fights, as the armor reduction from Bristleback maximizes Gyrocopter’s damage output.

Improving Efficiency in Laning

While Luna isn’t the worst choice, as she can contribute with beam clicks, the main issue here is not spreading the goo stacks efficiently. The first stack of Bristleback’s goo provides 4.5 armor reduction, with each additional stack reducing 2.5 armor. While focusing all the goo on Batrider is tempting, spreading it across multiple enemies, like Mars, would be more effective. This would help Luna secure last hits more easily, especially when facing Mars, as armor reduction on Mars is more impactful than on Batrider.

Additional Synergies with Other Heroes

Another hero that could benefit from this combo is Marcy, although she isn’t popular in the pro scene as a carry. In pub games, however, Marcy could jump in and deal significant damage, especially when an enemy’s armor is reduced by Bristleback’s goo. With a hero like Marcy engaging on an enemy with -9 armor, the damage potential increases drastically. While not common in professional games, this strategy could be surprisingly effective.

Potential Hero Combinations with Bristleback

In certain scenarios, heroes like Troll Warlord or even Phantom Assassin, despite my dislike for her, can work well with Bristleback. Phantom Assassin can conveniently connect with the hero that Bristleback has applied minus 9 armor to, making her damage more impactful. In one example, Bristleback applies goo to Mars, which is effective, but splitting it across multiple targets might have been better.

Misplay and Missed Kill Opportunity

At level two, Bristleback starts building up his quills, but here he likely misplayed. Instead of kiting to the right, away from Mars, he stayed in the fight. Running backward might have saved him, but instead, he was speared to a tree. His goo ran out on both Mars and Batrider, which forced him to reapply it. Unfortunately, they missed the kill because Luna wasn’t able to contribute much in that situation.

More Effective Hero Choices

The issue with Luna in this setup is that she doesn’t offer much impact in these kinds of situations. A hero like Troll Warlord, who can slow the enemy, or Gyrocopter, who could double down with his damage, would have been far more effective. Gyrocopter could fully commit and deal massive damage, especially with Bristleback reducing the enemy’s armor, creating a much stronger combination.

Effective Hero Combinations with Bristleback and Luna

Gyrocopter, with abilities like Afterburner, can stick to enemies and continuously deal damage with Rocket Barrage. While Luna is popular and safe in the meta, particularly against Mars, due to her ability to bypass his Bulwark with Eclipse and Lucent Beam, there are other heroes that could work better in certain scenarios. Luna is a strong early BKB carrier, and her shorter attack range avoids some of the issues that longer-range heroes, like Medusa or Gyrocopter, face in Mars’ Arena.

Marcy as a Viable Alternative

Marcy may not be a common pick in the current meta, but she could have been a fantastic alternative in this game. Marcy excels against heroes like Drow Ranger and Mars, and her synergy with Bristleback in the laning phase would have been strong. Despite being a niche pick, Marcy would have contributed significantly as a response to specific drafts, making her a solid choice in this situation.

Timbersaw’s Gameplay and Patience

One aspect of the game that stood out was Timbersaw’s performance. His understanding of his timing and ability to remain patient throughout the match was impressive. This allowed him to capitalize on opportunities and make key plays when needed, further demonstrating his impact on the game and his well-executed gameplay decisions.

Timbersaw’s Level Six Timing and Kill Execution

One common mistake that players make on Timbersaw is overplaying their hand. Let’s examine a specific scenario where Timbersaw played his level six timing perfectly. He applied multiple Q stacks, with the stat loss duration lasting 14 seconds and the cooldown of the ability being 6.5 seconds. By continuously using the ability, he effectively reduced the enemy’s HP pool. Once he hit level six, he kept the ulti active, set up for the Twisted Chakram, hit another Q, and the Chakram finished off the enemy with great execution.

The Haste Rune: A Free Kill Opportunity

At the six-minute mark, many Timbers make the mistake of overextending after their early kill. When you secure a Haste rune as a mid hero, it’s practically a guaranteed kill on a side lane. The Haste rune is one of the best early-game runes, often viewed as a free kill opportunity. In this case, Timbersaw secured the rune, got the kill, and played wisely from there without overextending or taking unnecessary risks.

The Value of Kaya on Timbersaw

Timbersaw’s next item choice was Kaya, which is by far the best farming item for him. However, Kaya is not a great fighting item, and players often misunderstand its role. While on heroes like Storm Spirit, the item’s mana boost helps sustain mobility and survival in fights, Timbersaw should use it mainly for farming. Overcommitting to fights with Kaya can lead to poor results, and Timbersaw players should recognize its true value lies in enhancing farming efficiency rather than combat effectiveness.

Timbersaw’s Farming and Positioning Strategy

After clearing the triangle, Timbersaw returns to mid to farm the wave and contest the power rune. Securing a regeneration rune allows him to farm the enemy jungle, even though it’s somewhat risky. However, with a 10-charge wand and the regen rune active, Timbersaw feels safe from threats like Sand King and Tiny. The regeneration rune’s mechanic, which continues to provide healing even after cancellation, makes this a highly efficient early-game play, ensuring Timbersaw can safely farm while burning all his mana before reactivating the rune.

Safe Kill and Map Control

Timbersaw secures a kill, taking advantage of vision and understanding that the only potential threat is Tiny, which is minimal due to his regen rune and the open space far from enemy towers. It’s a beautiful, calculated play that allows Timbersaw to remain active without overcommitting to unnecessary fights. His decision-making here shows great map awareness, avoiding dangerous engagements while maximizing his farm efficiency.

Farm Prioritization and Fight Avoidance

What stands out in Timbersaw’s gameplay is his ability to resist joining unnecessary fights. For example, he avoids teleporting to the bottom lane, realizing that farming the deep jungle offers better opportunities. He remains in a position where he can react to any nearby engagements without overextending. By clearing midwaves and pushing naturally, he sets himself up to contest the next power rune, maintaining control over the tempo of the game while staying farm-efficient.

Timbersaw’s Strategic Movement and Item Timing

Timbersaw moves to the top lane and secures a double damage rune. With Kaya completed, he carefully avoids engaging in unnecessary four-on-four fights. Many players make the mistake of overcommitting with just one point in Reactive Armor and a farming item, leading to needless deaths. Instead, Timbersaw focuses on efficient farming, with his teammates stacking camps for him. He clears back camps, midwaves, and considers invading the enemy jungle for potential pickoffs but doesn’t force risky engagements.

The Importance of Shovel for Mid Heroes

Timbersaw takes the Shovel, which is an incredibly strong item for mid heroes. Shoveling in the river often yields a water rune, providing nearly 200 mana. With a cooldown of 40 seconds, this item is highly valuable for maintaining resources and farm efficiency. In this scenario, Timbersaw continues to farm the back jungle and prioritizes his timing rather than overcommitting to unnecessary rotations or engagements.

Resisting the Urge to Overrotate

One key aspect of Timbersaw’s gameplay is his patience. Even when his teammate, Drow Ranger, gets smoked on and killed, Timbersaw resists the urge to teleport and help. Many players would immediately TP to assist, but Timbersaw understands it’s not the right time for him to get involved. Instead, he continues farming, recognizing that overrotation could jeopardize his progression and overall game impact.

Understanding When Not to Engage

When you’re strong, at level 11 for example, the team may pressure you to teleport and help, especially if the carry is being dived. However, you shouldn’t TP if it’s not the right time. Some mid heroes, like Timbersaw, are farming heroes, and forcing engagements too early can lead to mistakes. People often follow pro item builds without understanding their purpose, leading to lower win rates. Timbersaw excels in pickoffs and farming rather than early team fights unless the conditions, such as major enemy spells being used, are perfect.

Timbersaw’s Pickoff and Farm Efficiency

In this case, Timbersaw capitalizes on his ability to differentiate between team fights and pickoffs. After securing a kill, he immediately returns to farming the jungle, always staying mindful of the upcoming 14-minute rune. By utilizing items like Shovel, which provides a valuable water rune, he maintains his resources while continuing to build gold, reaching 2.5k. Timbersaw’s team wisely slows the game’s pace, securing a 3 to 4K lead without unnecessarily invading the enemy jungle.

Avoiding Premature Jungle Invades

Many teams make the mistake of prematurely invading the enemy jungle with an underdeveloped Timbersaw, especially after seeing a mid lane victory. In this scenario, Timbersaw’s team avoids that error. Despite their lead, they don’t take unnecessary risks, choosing to focus on farming and securing map control. It’s a disciplined approach that maximizes their chances of converting their advantage into a stronger late-game position, rather than risking it by overcommitting to an early jungle invasion.

The Risk of Overcommitting

At times, the temptation to dive a weak enemy, like Luna with low net worth, can lead to disaster. Imagine three heroes diving a Tier 2 tower only for five enemies to TP in, leading to a disastrous team wipe. In this game, Timbersaw reaches a comfortable 14-minute Aghanim’s Scepter, which is faster than expected, thanks to multiple Ancient stacks and fortunate rune spawns. Despite these advantages, it’s easy to throw games with overconfidence, especially by forcing fights in unfavorable conditions.

Using Aghanim’s Scepter to Secure Fights

Once Timbersaw completes his Aghanim’s Scepter, his gameplay shifts. Without hesitation, he teleports bottom to join a fight, securing a kill on Sand King. While this fight could have been won with just Kaya, it would have been riskier. With Aghanim’s, however, he feels secure enough to dive deeper, taking more aggressive chances. The added HP from his items makes him tanky enough to withstand attempts on his life, like Luna’s, without significant risk.

Tankiness and Durability with Aghanim’s Scepter

At this point in the game, Timbersaw boasts 2.3k HP, making him incredibly difficult to bring down. Even when Luna and others focus him, he can shrug off their damage. Had he not completed Aghanim’s, he likely would have died during this engagement. The combination of high HP and Aghanim’s Scepter makes him a powerful presence, and in some games, adding an Eternal Shroud would further cement his invincibility, making him nearly impossible to kill.

Choosing Between Aghanim’s Scepter and Eternal Shroud

Aghanim’s Scepter is often seen as the more burst-heavy option, which is perfect for a game where your team has plenty of stuns but lacks mid-game damage. In this case, with heroes like Mars, Batrider, and Clockwerk, Timbersaw needs to provide that damage output, as these heroes are more about control than raw damage. Eternal Shroud would be more defensive, but Aghanim’s Scepter makes sense here to complement his team’s initiation and control abilities.

Timbersaw’s Map Movement and Playstyle

Timbersaw’s aggressive map movements showcase his understanding of when to fight and when to farm. Cutting across mid and constantly pressuring the enemy, he capitalizes on his item timing and the lack of mid-game damage from the enemy team. However, many players misinterpret this playstyle, believing that Timbersaw can fight off cooldown all the time. This leads to under-farming, poor decision-making, and ultimately lower effectiveness. Proper balance between farming and fighting is key to making Timbersaw work.

Shadow Blade on Drow Ranger

One standout aspect of this game is Drow Ranger’s item build, particularly the inclusion of Shadow Blade. Ever since it was buffed, Shadow Blade has become a much stronger option for ranged heroes. In this game, it provides Drow with the mobility and initiation needed to position well in fights, complementing the team’s overall strategy and enhancing her impact. This item choice highlights the importance of adapting builds to fit the specific needs of a game.

The Importance of Movement Speed for Ranged Heroes

Since its update, Shadow Blade has become the best mobility item for ranged heroes. Many melee heroes have inherently higher movement speed, but ranged heroes, like Drow Ranger, are often slower. Shadow Blade allows for 20% increased movement speed, which is essential for heroes like Drow, who cannot buy Phase Boots due to the lack of synergy. While Phase Boots are generally inefficient for ranged heroes, Shadow Blade provides mobility and the added benefit of Silver Edge later on.

Shadow Blade Versus Pike for Drow Ranger

In some games, Hurricane Pike is a better choice for Drow Ranger because it is a stronger team-fighting item early on. However, in this game, with Timbersaw sweeping the map and Drow playing more alone, Shadow Blade becomes more valuable. Given Drow’s low HP pool, at only 1300 HP, Shadow Blade allows her to stay mobile and avoid unnecessary engagements, offering a better map control strategy than Pike in this particular scenario.

The Hex on Mars: A Unique Item Decision

The decision to build Hex on Mars might seem unusual, but it makes sense in this game. While other options, like Aether Lens for extended blink and Arena range or Refresher Orb for double Arena, are more common, Hex provides a strong disable. Mars benefits from the additional control Hex offers, allowing him to lock down key targets. In games where right-click builds are less effective, Hex becomes a valuable alternative, offering utility and crowd control.

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