DrmDestryr,
I'm never where I need to be. How do I position myself better?
- Left_Right
Dear Left_Right,
You are not alone. This is a very common occurrence for new players. The simple answer is “minimap.” I know I’ve mentioned this fabled map in time before, but let’s actually go over it.
This map is located in the bottom right corner of the game screen. As the name implies, it is a miniature version of the map – one so small you can see everything without needing to scroll. If you click on the map, your camera will immediately shoot you to that position. It also denotes mercs, objectives, and hero positions. You are always able to see your fellow heroes and can only see the enemy when they are engaged with something on your team (creeps, towers, etc.) unless, of course, they can cloak.
Now, what does this have anything to do with the game? First of all, you can immediately know where your team is and how many opponents they are up against. Secondly, you can immediately know if there are any spawned, open merc camps. Thirdly, you can immediately know where the objectives have spawned or their progress. All three are critical to in game dominance. Intelligence is key to victory.
So we understand the minimap and its benefits. How do you use this to be in the right place at the right time? To simplify down to the nth degree, the absolute most basic way is to watch the map for unfair fights. If you are top and there is a two on three fight going on mid (with your team at the disadvantage), jump on your horse and ride down there. In general, the two will not be able to defeat the three. By heading down there, you are providing much needed support and relief for your team. Other situations to look out for are unfair fights in your team’s favor, all five enemies pushing a lane together, or three of your teammates headed in the same direction.
Are there any heroes that can help with this? There are heroes with a teleport ability (Brightwing and Falstad, for instance), and this can help you immediately jump to a group fight if you are slow on the uptake, but you have to remember to keep practicing your minimap. A good hero does not need teleport to be where they need to.
- DrmDestryr
DrmDestryr,
Muradin seems cool. What do I do with him?
-Dwarf4Life
Dear Dwarf4Life,
If you like tanks that have an escape mechanism, you’ll love Muradin. He’s small, and he’s feisty. Akin to my own temperament, Muradin is best played extremely aggressively and, if done correctly, never has to head back to base to heal. Muradin has this lovely little ability known as Second Wind that, while not taking damage, heals you. I learned that you can fight creeps and still maintain the health regen so long as they don’t target you (a simple enough task).
As far as combinations of attacks on a single hero, I like to Dwarf Toss myself in, Thunderclap to immediately slow them when they try to run, and finish it with a lovely Stormhammer to stun. This allows your teammates time to deal the killing blow or, if they aren’t around, strike the fear of Thor into an enemy. Never underestimate the power of fear. Also, Dwarf Toss is one of the best escape abilities for tanks. You can jump out of an encirclement of enemies and immediately rush back toward them with your team (often times enemies work to cut you off from the team, and the more you can avoid this, the better off you’ll be).
For Muradin’s heroic abilities, the choice lies with you. If you choose avatar, you can charge into a group fight and transform, stunning enemies left and right. Haymaker is the trickier of the two as it can be both good and bad. If used correctly, it can push a harmful enemy away or knock an easy kill back toward your team. Either way, it requires practice for the Haymaker to resemble an ability that is truly Heroic.
-DrmDestryr
Ask DrmDestryr is your weekly Q&A/advice column for Heroes of the Storm. Have a question for DrmDestryr? E-mail her your mental musings at drmdestryr@gmail.com or send happy twoughts her way @DrmDestryr.