Dota 2 Microcontrol Guide!
Author: Hawk Live LLC
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In the universe of Dota 2, there are many heroes with unique abilities and characteristics. To achieve maximum efficiency in gameplay, players should constantly improve their skills and train on various heroes. Mastery of a character capable of controlling additional units can significantly influence the course of a battle or the execution of split-push tactics.
What is microcontrol in Dota 2
Microcontrol is one of the key skills that can contribute to every player's success in Dota 2. This skill involves effectively controlling not only the main hero, but also his allies or additional units, such as illusions, summoned and controlled creatures.
Mastering microcontrol requires good reaction, coordination, and decision-making skills in a rapidly changing environment. It is a skill that develops with experience and requires constant practice. Mastering microcontrol can greatly improve your playability and raise your ranking in Dota 2.
Items requiring microcontrol
Before starting to understand the management of controlled units, it should be mentioned that microcontrol also includes switching Power Treads, exploiting the capabilities of Armlet of Mordiggian, controlling a creep with Helm of the Dominator.
Power Treads
With Power Treads, everything is quite simple: this is an active item, intuitively understandable for players. When you need to increase damage, we put PT on strength, for a quick retreat - on agility, and when you need to restore mana - we switch to intellect.
Helm of the Dominator/Helm of the Overlord
Helm of the Dominator in Dota 2 is an item that requires microcontrol, but at the same time opens up new strategic opportunities. When purchased, it provides +6 to attributes, +5 to armor, and +3 to health regeneration, increasing the overall survivability of the hero. The main feature is the ability to subdue one neutral creature, which gets +1500 to health and increased movement speed. This allows you to use it for reconnaissance, participation in battles, or gold mining.
Armlet of Mordiggian
Exploiting Armlet of Mordiggian allows a hero like Huskar to become almost invincible. Everything depends on the speed of reaction and understanding of the game. Armlet of Mordiggian provides certain bonuses to armor, strength, and attack, but in return, you lose 45 health points per second. To effectively use the item, you need to be able to quickly switch between active and passive modes after each enemy attack or ability. 
Manta Style
Manta Style in Dota 2 is an item that requires microcontrol, but at the same time provides the player with unique opportunities. When purchased, it increases attack speed by +26, movement speed by +8%, and also adds +10 to the hero's strength, +26 to agility, and +10 to intellect. The main feature of Manta Style is its active ability, which creates two illusions of the hero. Manta Style is most often used for split-push, farming creeps on the enemy half, pushing towers, or baiting the enemy.
The main Dota 2 heroes for microcontrolling
In Dota 2, there are a number of heroes whose abilities require microcontrol. We will divide them into 3 groups depending on the player's skill requirements in microcontrol:
Hard microcontrol
Arc Warden - Capable of creating an identical copy of himself using his ultimate. The copy can use skills and items (except for consumables and those that disappear upon death). The further the copy is from the original, the less damage it deals.
Meepo - The uniqueness of this hero is that as the level of the ultimate increases, which can be pumped already at level 4, the number of clones increases. Clones can inherit the characteristics, abilities, and level of the hero, but cannot use items (except for boots of speed).
Naga Siren - The Mirror Image skill creates three controllable illusions of the hero (with the talent - four), which deal damage in a percentage ratio of the original's damage, but at the same time receive three and a half times more damage.
Broodmother - The Spawn Spiderlings ability allows the hero to launch her offspring into the enemy, which is conceived inside the enemy after his death. The result is several controlled spiders, the number of which changes depending on the level of ability. Spiders will appear regardless of who killed the enemy, if he was hit by this ability.
Chen - Holy Persuasion can subdue both an enemy creep and a neutral one. The number of tamed creeps depends on the level of skill pumping. If the creep's health is below the threshold, the unit's health will increase when tamed. By applying the ability to himself, all tamed creeps will move to the hero.At the initial levels, he can only subdue one creep, but with each level of this skill, the number of subdued creeps increases. At the maximum level of the "Holy Persuasion" skill, Chen can subdue up to 4 creeps. If Chen has Aghanim's Scepter, he can also subdue up to 1/2/3 Ancient Creeps depending on the level of his ultimate "Hand of God".
Nature’s Prophet - Natures Call of the hero turns trees into controllable units - treants, in the specified area. Sprout creates trees surrounding the selected target, from which treants can also be summoned. This makes him an ideal hero for split-push, thanks to the ability to quickly move around the map.
Templar Assassin - Has the ability "Psionic Trap", which allows her to set invisible traps on the map. These traps can be activated by Templar Assassin at any time, slowing down and damaging all nearby enemies.
Brewmaster- The ultimate allows the hero to split into three elemental warriors. If at least one warrior remains alive during the ability's duration, the hero will not die and will be able to return to his previous form. The hero can also change stances, receiving buffs from this. Depending on the stance, he can also summon one of the warriors thanks to the Primal Companion ability.
Lone Druid - This hero can summon a powerful bear companion. When the bear dies, the druid takes 20% damage from his own health. Reusing the ability does not summon a second bear, but refreshes the existing unit's lifespan. The bear has high health and strength indicators, has passive and active abilities, and can also use items. However, if the bear moves away from the druid at a great distance, its ability to attack is disabled. Buying Aghanim’s Scepter can remove the distance restriction.
Visage - The hero has the ability to summon two gargoyles (or three, with talent pumping). Their lifespan is not limited. Gargoyles have the ability Stone Form, turning into stone, they stun enemies during landing. In this form, they become invulnerable and quickly restore health. However, killing gargoyles will bring a significant reward to the enemy.
Beastmaster - The hero has unique animal summoning abilities. Using Call of the Wild, he can summon a wild boar that will last a minute. If you use this ability again, another boar will appear, and the first will continue to exist for the remaining time. Call of the Wild: Hawk allows you to send an invisible hawk for reconnaissance.
Phantom Lancer - This hero is capable of creating illusions using each of his abilities (except for passive ones). The ultimate allows each hero's attack to create an illusory copy of himself.
Terrorblade - The Conjure Image ability allows you to create an illusion that deals damage in a percentage ratio and takes three times more damage. During the application of the Metamorphosis ability, the illusion also transforms.
Enchantress - With the Enchant skill, the hero can slow down enemies and subdue creeps, increasing their health. A maximum of one creep can be under control.
Invoker - Forge Spirit is one of the most complex abilities of the hero, requiring control of two elementals. Creating elementals requires 4 levels of Quas and Exort. Each Forge Spirit has the "Melting Strike" ability, which reduces the target's armor with each attack.
Warlock - The hero's ultimate summons a powerful golem, which when summoned stuns enemies and passively damages enemy heroes with its aura. Aghanim’s Scepter allows you to create two less powerful golems, for the killing of which less gold is given.
Lycan - The hero is capable of summoning wolves. Initially, there are two of them, but their number can increase to four with the pumping of a certain talent, and to five when adding Aghanim’s Shard. Wolves have a unique type of attack and can become invisible if they do not attack anyone.
Enigma - The hero can turn a creep into a group of three eidolons, particles of himself. Eidolons are fully controlled by their creator, deal significant damage, and after conducting several attacks they are able to reproduce, restoring their own health.
Juggernaut - Juggernaut's ward is one of the examples of understanding the basics of microcontrol of heroes who can subdue several units at once. The ward allows the hero to restore health points in a percentage component, which can come in very handy during a fight. The implementation is as follows: you send the hero to fight the enemy and switch to controlling the ward so that the enemy does not knock it down. Since when activating a ward, the enemy's primary task will be to destroy your buffs.
Dark Seer - uses the "Wall of Replica" ability to create illusions of enemy heroes. These illusions can attack enemies, creating confusion in battle. Microcontrol of these illusions requires quick response and the ability to control multiple units at once. Illusions can deal significant damage, but they cannot use abilities and take increased damage.
Grimstroke - with Aghanim's Scepter gets the ability "Dark Portrait", which creates an illusion of an enemy hero, dealing increased damage. Effective use of this ability requires the ability to control multiple units at once.
Chaos Knight - Thanks to his ultimate ability, he can summon several of his copies from parallel dimensions. At the maximum level of ability, the number of illusions reaches three, and Aghanim’s Scepter can add one more at any time after purchase. Illusions deal the same damage as the hero, but take three times more damage.
Medium microcontrol
Nature’s Prophet - Natures Call of the hero turns trees into controllable units - treants, in the specified area. Sprout creates trees surrounding the selected target, from which treants can also be summoned. This makes him an ideal hero for split-push, thanks to the ability to quickly move around the map.Templar Assassin - Has the ability "Psionic Trap", which allows her to set invisible traps on the map. These traps can be activated by Templar Assassin at any time, slowing down and damaging all nearby enemies.One of the unique features of "Psionic Trap" is the ability to transfer control over the traps to allies. This allows allies to activate Templar Assassin's traps, even when she is unable to do it herself.
Brewmaster- The ultimate allows the hero to split into three elemental warriors. If at least one warrior remains alive during the ability's duration, the hero will not die and will be able to return to his previous form. The hero can also change stances, receiving buffs from this. Depending on the stance, he can also summon one of the warriors thanks to the Primal Companion ability.Lone Druid - This hero can summon a powerful bear companion. When the bear dies, the druid takes 20% damage from his own health. Reusing the ability does not summon a second bear, but refreshes the existing unit's lifespan. The bear has high health and strength indicators, has passive and active abilities, and can also use items. However, if the bear moves away from the druid at a great distance, its ability to attack is disabled. Buying Aghanim’s Scepter can remove the distance restriction.Visage - The hero has the ability to summon two gargoyles (or three, with talent pumping). Their lifespan is not limited. Gargoyles have the ability Stone Form, turning into stone, they stun enemies during landing. In this form, they become invulnerable and quickly restore health. However, killing gargoyles will bring a significant reward to the enemy.Beastmaster - The hero has unique animal summoning abilities. Using Call of the Wild, he can summon a wild boar that will last a minute. If you use this ability again, another boar will appear, and the first will continue to exist for the remaining time. Call of the Wild: Hawk allows you to send an invisible hawk for reconnaissance.Phantom Lancer - This hero is capable of creating illusions using each of his abilities (except for passive ones). The ultimate allows each hero's attack to create an illusory copy of himself.Easy microcontrol
Terrorblade - The Conjure Image ability allows you to create an illusion that deals damage in a percentage ratio and takes three times more damage. During the application of the Metamorphosis ability, the illusion also transforms.Enchantress - With the Enchant skill, the hero can slow down enemies and subdue creeps, increasing their health. A maximum of one creep can be under control.Invoker - Forge Spirit is one of the most complex abilities of the hero, requiring control of two elementals. Creating elementals requires 4 levels of Quas and Exort. Each Forge Spirit has the "Melting Strike" ability, which reduces the target's armor with each attack.Warlock - The hero's ultimate summons a powerful golem, which when summoned stuns enemies and passively damages enemy heroes with its aura. Aghanim’s Scepter allows you to create two less powerful golems, for the killing of which less gold is given.Lycan - The hero is capable of summoning wolves. Initially, there are two of them, but their number can increase to four with the pumping of a certain talent, and to five when adding Aghanim’s Shard. Wolves have a unique type of attack and can become invisible if they do not attack anyone.Enigma - The hero can turn a creep into a group of three eidolons, particles of himself. Eidolons are fully controlled by their creator, deal significant damage, and after conducting several attacks they are able to reproduce, restoring their own health.Juggernaut - Juggernaut's ward is one of the examples of understanding the basics of microcontrol of heroes who can subdue several units at once. The ward allows the hero to restore health points in a percentage component, which can come in very handy during a fight. The implementation is as follows: you send the hero to fight the enemy and switch to controlling the ward so that the enemy does not knock it down. Since when activating a ward, the enemy's primary task will be to destroy your buffs.Dark Seer - uses the "Wall of Replica" ability to create illusions of enemy heroes. These illusions can attack enemies, creating confusion in battle. Microcontrol of these illusions requires quick response and the ability to control multiple units at once. Illusions can deal significant damage, but they cannot use abilities and take increased damage.Grimstroke - with Aghanim's Scepter gets the ability "Dark Portrait", which creates an illusion of an enemy hero, dealing increased damage. Effective use of this ability requires the ability to control multiple units at once.Chaos Knight - Thanks to his ultimate ability, he can summon several of his copies from parallel dimensions. At the maximum level of ability, the number of illusions reaches three, and Aghanim’s Scepter can add one more at any time after purchase. Illusions deal the same damage as the hero, but take three times more damage.Optimizing Microcontrols in Dota 2: Setting Hotkeys
The following Dota 2 hotkeys can be customized to suit each player's personal preferences.
Control Group Configuration: First, you must configure the keys for controlling subcontrol groups. Highlight one or more units, then press the Ctrl key and 1. Now, if you press 1, you can switch between the main hero and the controlled group.
Setting "next unit": This function allows you to select the last summoned unit or illusion (by default assigned to the TAB key).
Auto Select Summoned Heroes: This option is especially useful when playing as Naga Siren, as it allows her and her illusions to move naturally.
Command all units with Ctrl: This option allows you to give orders to all units, whether they are in the selected group or not. However, the orders are limited to the basic actions of the hero, and unfortunately do not allow you to activate the Poof of all Meepo clones at once.
Excluding a unit from a group: To exclude a particular unit from a selected group, hold down the Shift key and left-click on the unit. This feature is especially useful for distracting opponents with Broodmother webs, for example.
How to improve Microcontrol in Dota 2
Getting into combat with your illusions in Dota 2 can initially present challenges - you need to be able to coordinate them so that they are effective and not in the way. Beginning players who are just beginning to learn microcontrol may find it useful to practice sending illusions to farm forest or stack creep camps.
When you have learned how to monitor the game and controlling illusions is easy, you can start using illusions in combat. For example, the Terrorblade illusion can be used to stop a fleeing enemy.
Depending on the chosen hero in Dota 2, you can apply different strategies, for example, split-push tactics when playing as Nature's Prophet. Typically, players move quickly around the map and create "trents" that attack towers and lines. They can also help in stopping the enemy hero.
If your hero has the ability to create multiple illusions or has Manta Style available, it will allow you to farm forests more quickly. You can send illusions even into the enemy forest, minimizing the risks for the hero himself.
While clearing the forest, for example for Naga Siren, when illusions are strong enough, you can send them solo to cleave small creep camps. It is very important to keep the sequence: send the first illusion to the farthest camp, and the last one to the closest one.
The second hero's Phantom Lancer skill allows him to create two copies of himself, which are different in their characteristics. It's important to find the illusion that doesn't deal any damage but takes 100% damage, i.e. it deals the same damage as the character himself. Having found this illusion, it is necessary to add it to a separate group, because of its features it can help to escape from pursuit and save the hero.
Use illusions to sabotage enemy heroes and make them use skills. Make the illusion controls unpredictable, act as if you were playing as the main character. This can confuse the enemy and cause them to chase the illusion, which can ultimately help you win the game.
Conclusion
Microcontrol is one of the key skills in Dota 2, which can significantly affect the outcome of the game. The ability to control multiple units at once allows the player to use their unique abilities and strategies, which can be the deciding factor in a battle. It is necessary to take into account many factors and make decisions about the use of heroes with microcontrol, based on the enemy's peak and the capabilities of your team.
