Finally done with my exams, and here's a post to celebrate it. =)

Okay, so here's a new concept which I guess some of you already know, but I'll be presenting it differently. I'm sure it hasn't been brought out as a separate tactic elsewhere, so this should be interesting.

Terrain and fog of war is an extremely important aspect of playing DotA and is often overlooked by new players. Tree manipulation is just as important.

So here's the basic idea: You use skills and items which destroy trees to establish and maintain lane control early game, and also use it whenever necessary; if the situation calls for it. Here's what I think is one of the most basic types of tree tactics (but useful nonetheless)

Side Lane Tactics (top lane for Sentinel and bottom lane for Scourge): This one involves destroying trees near the first tower and occupying that region, so that you can stop the enemy laner from entering into your AoI (area of influence), denying him both EXP and gold. It works with most heroes, but EXCEPTIONALLY well when you're a ranged hero with 'tree-chopping' techniques (Power Shot, Wild Axes, Lightning Strike Array, Split Earth) allied with another ranged hero.

There are basically two ways of destroying trees. You can either use your hero's skills... or you can depend on one of my favourite items - Tangoes. Using tangoes to destroy trees takes a longer time, but you can regen HP. It isn't so bad if you can get your ally to help you with this.

To explain this, I'd like to do it with a hero as always. For this post, it'll be Alleria the Windrunner in the top lane. You can do this solo, but it's better to have an ally. Take a look at these pictures I made. (Click to enlarge if you can't see them clearly)


STEP 1: The AoI (Area of Influence) is the region in dark gray where both your AoE's overlap over each other. An AoI is stronger than a single hero's AoE. Also note that your range is just enough to cover the creeps and the trees, but not the enemy hero. So he still can get a lucky creep kill when you're trying to get last hits. He uses his tower as a safe base from your harassment.


STEP 2: Next, use Powershot or Tangoes to destroy the trees. Both work. Move your hero into the empty region.

STEP 3: Now your AoE shifts position and you have better spatial control. The pink area (your AoE) covers your opponent, so he moves back to avoid harassment. Now you've accomplished the task of forcing your opponent to move back. The position you're in, right now, is a very favourable one. You can keep your opponent in check, AND farm effectively at the same time. You have absolute lane control.

P.S: Note that AoI is different from AoE. AoE is a single hero's range capacity, whereas an AoI is the region of overlapping of two different AoE's. If two heroes with similar AoE are just next to each other, then their AoI and AoE would be almost equal. If they're farther apart, like in my images, then the AoI is lesser.