Dota 2: Escaping From Elo Hell – 6 Tips That Will Save You

The 2023 DPC started just a couple of days ago, which means that players can watch the best in the world. Although many fans make use of the situation to learn something new, others prefer to grind because they want to get as much MMR as possible.

Speaking of grinding, the current patch has been around for some time now, so we already know the ins and outs of it. The first big update for 2023 is just around the corner, and we expect to have access to a lot of cool things, including a new hero. However, some players won’t have that much fun because they’re stuck in an MMR bracket where the games are just not as enjoyable as they should be.

Escaping from your current MMR bracket in Dota 2 is easier said than done. Some people think it is impossible, but we’re here to show you this isn’t the case. If you have problems ranking and want to escape Elo Hell, here are a couple of important tips that will help you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsrCGwJFF9w

Pick heroes you’re comfortable with, but make sure they are good for PUBs

Dota 2 is one of the most complex MOBAs in the world, and for a reason. With more than 100 heroes, tons of items, and endless options, it is easy to see why many people have problems.

The first and most important thing you should do when you decide it is high time to reach your desired MMR is to focus on the proper heroes. The fact that you can play multiple heroes is a plus, but since your goal is to win as quickly as possible, you should only focus on those you’re comfortable with.

Ideally, these heroes should be options that work well in PUBs and allow you to win more easily. For example, if you have to play a core and you choose safelane, picking heroes like Slark or Ursa will increase your chances of winning. They are easy to play with and allow you to snowball, which is exactly what you need.

You should focus on Mid or Offlane if possible

One of the most important things that Dota 2 players have to choose when playing is which position to focus on. Unsurprisingly, most players who want to reach their desired MMR choose cores because they think they’ll have more impact on the game. For better or worse, this is true.

However, judging from most stats, it is way better to focus on the mid-lane and offlane than the carry role. Sure, you may have a more challenging time, but if you are good, you can outplay your opponents much easier. 

The safelane usually has an advantage, which means that your teammates have much better chances of winning it. So, if you pick one of these solo roles and win the lane, you increase your chances of winning. This is especially true for the offlane because there are heroes that can rip apart any safe lane.

It should be noted that you can also potentially carry your team even if you’re support. However, this will require you to gank the lanes and ensure that your carry and mid are taken care of. 

Get items that will help you win the particular game

After you’ve chosen which hero and lane you want to go to, it is time to pay attention to the game itself. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that you need to make sure to outplay your opponent at all costs. Whether you play aggressively, use a lot of regens, or farm the side camps, it all depends on the game and what you’re doing.

In addition to all that, you have to pay close attention to the items you get. Refrain from focusing on things that people usually go for because they may not always help you in your given game. Of course, some heroes require a specific set of items to be effective (such as a Shadow Blade for Slark), but this doesn’t mean you should only go for them.

Think carefully about what you can do to counter your opponents, and make sure you win. For example, if you are playing with Storm Spirit in the mid-lane, it might be a good idea to get Orchid before anything else because this item will let you gank the other lanes and secure kills.

Deny as many creeps as possible

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuTHkrshMF8

Some of the things that make Dota 2 so unique and popular are the numerous in-game mechanics. Aside from the ability to stack neutral camps, Dota 2 also allows you to deny your creep. By doing this, you prevent your opponent from getting gold and reduce his EXP. 

As you can imagine, learning how to deny is extremely important, especially if you’re playing mid. Once you master this technique, you can make the life of your opponent a living hell. Even though you won’t be able to deny every single creep, you can outplay him and level faster, which is usually enough to get a solid advantage.

Speaking of dying, this is incredibly important if you are playing mid. Offlaners and carries can also deny a lot, but they must focus on surviving and farming, so this technique is not their priority. However, the Dota 2 mid-lane matchup is all about who will win the 1v1 clash, so once denying plays a very important role.

You need to learn when to farm and when to play aggressively

Another crucial thing that will help you reach your desired MMR is learning when to farm and when to play aggressively. This is often easier said than done, especially if you do not have experience, but it is something you must learn to be successful.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when playing ranked games is to stop farming in favor of going for a kill that won’t give them much. Depending on the situation, players might have to spend a lot of time and resources getting a kill that doesn’t really matter that much, especially if it's early on. Sure, they might get some gold and experience, but if they do not have any regen after that, they will have to go back, giving their opponents a chance to farm.

In other words, there are situations where it is better to focus on farming than ganking, especially if it's early on. When you have to decide what to do, think carefully about what you can gain vs what you can lose. You will be surprised that most Dota 2 gank attempts are not worth it unless you can get a quick kill.

Do not focus on a single hero from the enemy team unless you have to

The last important tip we’d like to share with you is related to which heroes you focus on while playing. We’ve already mentioned some information about the items, but it is even more important to know what to do in specific situations.

For some reason, people always assume that they need to get something that counters the enemy team’s carry. So, even if they play support, they often get items that will only focus on this one hero. As you can imagine, this is a big mistake because there 4 other Dota 2 heroes that you need to worry about.

Sure, the carry is probably the most important hero in the game (especially in its later stages). However, there are certain heroes that can’t do anything against some carries, no matter what they do. For example, Tidehunter won’t be able to kill a 6-slotted Anti-Mage, regardless of what item he gets. So, instead of focusing on him, it is better to get items that will allow him to do well against the other heroes.