Beginner's Guide to IH

[DutchOvenPro]

This will be quick. I find myself writing this, because not long ago I found myself as the guy who didn't understand the idea behind the importance of every item in conjunction with the char being played. Now I'm not going to sit here and explain every item or character for that matter, but this is meant as a beginners guide to IH for all the new people who are currently playing this game, or will eventually play. Below I've listed a general layout for a team comp in AOS, this isn't the only way to build your team, but for the most part it's pretty standard. If you don't agree, you can add or edit accordingly (remember it's a quick beginners guide)

Lead Tank Primary- Usually this role is filled by one of the Tier 1 Tanks (Micro, LZ) is ideal, but Brine, Drake also work. These Heroes team responsibility is to be the Lead Tank meaning they should w/o question be carrying at least 1 of the 2 (sometimes both) most important items in the game that would be Korhal and/or Spell Buffer. This should be standard for anyone playing the Lead Tank role. Lead Tank should coordinate with the support tank or another hero and communicate who's getting what item. Both items however should show up in your team comp as the first completed item.

Support Tank Secondary - This is one of the lesser tanks. When I say lesser I don’t mean it in terms of value but rather their role is slightly different than that of a tier 1 tank. Their primary job is to absorb damage, zone out other teams damage dealers as well as offer their support skills example being heals on a medic or cc from rory rebounder. Good support tanks are Rory, Jackson, Justicar ( these are just some examples.

** Important both primary and secondary tanks should almost always start with 2 gp10’s = gold per 10 sec … start with goggles then build into treasure. It’s also important to state that it should not be the goal of either tank to take kills from one of the dps or int casters. Over the course of the game, provided tanks are not feeding, they will eventually get tanky and be hard to kill w/ or w/o kills… but if the dos fall behind in creep farm or kills it becomes very hard for them to catch back up… so if the opportunity presents itself where a tank or dps/int hero can get the kill, the tank should allow the dps/int to get it and just take the assist.

Dps Carry Primary - The primary damage dealer for the team. The goal for this character is to put him in the best possible scenario to succeed - an Example would be to Jungle or to be put him in the easiest lane to farm either solo or w/ another hero who can assist in zoning out other team so that the primary DPS can farm, and/or assist the primary dps carry in getting kills. It’s important to note that (and this is my opinion) that if the opportunity arises where it’s clear that a kill can and will be secured the hero in lane w/ the primary dps should allow the Primary to get the kill.

Nova, Darpa, Grunty, Shadow, Boros, Zera (all seemed to be first pick worthy in terms of Agi DPS) at times some of these may fall under the Secondary Carry

Dps Carry Secondary- Secondary damage dealer to the primary. These hero’s usually do a decent amount of damage, coupled with some other benefit (Crowd control being one). It’s important for this hero to farm as well. The same rules I applied to the Primary DPS carry with regards to farming should also be applied here. During the Lane Phase both DPS will not, and should not find themselves in the same lane, unless of course they’re looking to gank.

Toxi, Cain, Tosh are some popular picks for that secondary DPS role - they offer stuns/slows w/ solid damage.

Int Caster - Usually start in the Mid lane. (Ideally) It’s important that they win their lane vs their opponent, sometimes however the matchup is difficult and you should do your best to deny Creeps and limit the damage done to your tower. One positive (I guess) to having your lane pushed in middle is that it opens the opportunity for ganks, (if the opposition over extends) which can go a long way in shifting the balance in the lane. One of the most important things I’ve found with Int Casters is POSITIONING… you should always be somewhere towards the back… if you’re an int caster theirs a good chance you’ve got some serious range, so even if you’re slightly out of range at the start of an engagement it will not, and should not take long to get into a position where you can be of some assistance. A good rule of thumb for the int caster as well as the DPS for that matter is to always keep a close eye on the oppositions DPS/Int Casters and target them as often as possible. Tanks are their to distract you, and you should not waste your skills or your energy attacking them… P.S - it’s what they want you to do.

Raynor, Cow, Maar, Dustin, Null

 

This is a beginners guide to IH, based on what I’ve found to be important. Obviously each area can be discussed further. For those just starting to IH, or have recently started this can go a long way in shortening the learning curve.

[TaxHaven]

Sir, why do tanks buy Korhal, Chilling, Buffer etc?

Why do DPS carry have to be fed?

What are these so called 'wombo combo's?

Why do tanks have to start with 2 gp10?

Why does Tosh not get put in jungle?

Where does Ling sit in your category of heroes?

What qualities do you need to be a good carry player?

Is garamond considered a mid int hero?

[DutchOvenPro]

Q1- For two reasons: First- They make the tank tankier (aka harder to kill) 2nd they offer bonuses to the team Spell resist from Buffer/Korhal , Chilling reduces Wep Speed thus making the opponents Carry do less damage b/c they attack slower

 

Q2- the more fed the carry, the more damage they do, the faster they kill and the better chance they have to live through a team engagement or individual engagement

 

Q3- is a team combo that when executed effectively can quickly kill off the majority, or entire opposing team. Not all team comps effectively fall under the category of "Wombo Combo"

 

Q4- Bc Tanks get little to no farm from creep or kills, so the added gold from the gp10's helps them to get money. Also because the GP !0's build into important team items that the tanks will carry.

 

Q5- I would imagine it's a combination of the fact that Tosh starts out weak w/o spec, and is not as well suited to farm neuts as other mentioned hero's. Also his stuns compliment anyone, so it would make sense for him to b in a lane w/ someone who can absorb damage while he deals it. I don't play tosh though, so could be for other reasons IDK.

 

Q6- Ling is a boss and just wasn't mentioned. He's a burst agil DPS and is right up there with boros/zera/shad in terms of strong melee agile carries

 

Q7- I don't know, I suck as a carry and I'm much better suited as an Int or Tank IMO... I would imagine being really selfish would help to be a good carry

 

Q8- Gara is an awesome hero, one I wish I was more adept at playing. He can be anything, but is usually found as a mid int hero and/or Lane Pusher

[MrGrim]

As long as youre in the mood to answer questions, which aura items dont stack together? And what do you think about coa on tanks or semi tanks?

[DutchOvenPro]

As for aura's be specific in which ones you're asking about, because off the top of my head idk. I think COA is a pretty good team item, and if you have a player who really benefits from it on your team like bio/cain/mk than they should grab it...if it's not a top tier item for anyone on your team then it can be skipped, or picked up by a tank much later.

[MrGrim]

I remember that it might have been spell buffer and korhal don't stack their team auras? Or it might have been buffer and eternal drive

[TaxHaven]

Thank you.

 

Some more:

1. How would people counter splitpushing Revision? (Or splitpush in general)

2. How does draft system work?

3. Why are certain heroes always neglected? (E.g. starscream)

4. What qualities do you look for in a partner?

5. Would you consider map hacks bad manner?

6. How would you build weapon speed against Chilling? Agi or straight up weapon speed?

7. Is crit considered viable in an inhouse?

8. Why has Vorpal fallen out of the current meta?

9. How long have you actively played inhouses?

10. Do you remember your win/loss rate vs TaxHaven?

11. Do you feel Jackson is a viable initiator?

12. How would one draft against say an LZ Rory combination?

13. Would stuns be considered before AA carries?

14. How favored are pushers in the current meta? Are compositions more emphasized on teamfights or pushing?

15. How do you feel the new wide ramps have affected this 'push or antipush' way of thinking? Do you feel people are moving away from prioritizing pushers or vice versa?

16. Do you love me?

17. How do you feel about the current standard auto bans?

 

[OPReN]

Clan TAXGAY recruit for serious gameplay

[EterNity]

I play support but I can't get creep kills? How can I buy support item if I can't earn money.

 

Why do I have to play Draft? Isn't it easier to pick whatever hero I play the best?

 

Why Mumble is a requirement? I am good at the game and I know what to do. I don't want to listen to other ragers.

 

I do good with INT Drake and why won't you let me try it in In House. I can prove you wrong because I play this game for 10 hours a day and I certainly know more than you do.

 

 

GG

[atomheartman]

I remember that it might have been spell buffer and korhal don't stack their team auras? Or it might have been buffer and eternal drive

 

Korhal and eternal doesn't stack.

[DutchOvenPro]

@ Eternity- You bring up an excellent point. Many beginners to IH are what I like to call Idealists ... they're strong pub players and they have ways to snowball the characters they play. They come into the IH scene with all these "great builds" and ways to change the way the game is played. However, those who are new to the IH scene should understand the builds and comps currently favored have been tested and proven effective by players better than the "new guy"

 

GP10's (gold per 10 seconds) allow support to gain minerals over time w/ few creep kills... this will allow you to build support items, and then be an integral part of the team fights, allowing for assists which will lead to more money.

 

Of course it's easier to pick the hero you want, but it's important to be a strong IH player, you must expand your hero pool (list of hero's you can play) allows your team to be flexible. Draft is in place, so that teams can't just pick all the best hero's for their comp... it allows the other team a chance to "shut out" strong hero's the other team would want. Draft adds another element of strategy to this game.

 

Mumble is required, b/c it allows for instant communication with teammates. Often ganks happen at a moments notice, and if it needs to be typed in chat, the opportunity is often missed. Mumble is also good because it allows inexperienced players to gain knowledge regarding hero's, how to play them, and optimal builds.

 

Int drake is not viable in IH because Drake is needed to absorb damage from the other team, and a drake built for int will die easily, thus defeating his optimal purpose. There are hero's who are much better suited as INT casters... and that role should be reserved for them, just like there a hero's better suited for dps, and for tanking

 

@ Tax- Since you're significantly better than I am, why don't you answer your own questions in this thread, and assist in the purpose of educating new players to IH.

[Gwolla]

Mumble is actually only required for tactics and strategy. Everyone can look at the map and see whats going on.

 

Futhermore, you only learn IH by playing it. The captain will determine the team so you'll learn eventually what is what.

The OP relates to pubs as well. It's just how the game works. Still, good to see someone actually post a serious try to help.

 

Anway tax is just an annoying troll. I imagine a little guy stuffed away in his mothers basement. But hey, he could be a gigantic black quaterback too for all I know. Or a female still waiting on her first pubes.

Something is atleast wrong with this person :-)

[DutchOvenPro]

I agree that someone can look on the map, but sometimes we lack awareness our don't see a teammate about to engage, so the ability to say on mumble "lets go on so & so" is a good way to get their attention so they don't miss an opportunity.

 

Tax is most definitely a troll, and with that being said his questions are all good ones, and valid.

[OPReN]

such a nice guide to beginner

+1

[DutchOvenPro]

Some more:

1. How would people counter splitpushing Revision? (Or split push in general)

 

There are hero's in the game who counter the split push. If your opponents are building a push comp, you should gear your comp to address that aspect of theirs. the way I would address split pushing is by using wards, and to "tag" someone on your team who has a counter-push hero to be responsible for mirroring the opponents "split pusher"

 

 

2. How does draft system work?

 

auto bans are discussed between capt's at the start

3 bans from each cap

1 p (team 1)

2 p (team 2)

2 p (team 1)

1 p (team 2)

1 b (team 1)

1b (team 2)

1p (team 1)

1p (team 2)

1p (team 1)

1p (team 2)

3. Why are certain heroes always neglected? (E.g. starscream)

 

SS is what I refer to as a hybrid of sorts... part tank, part int caster. His skill set is not optimal for either set, just good, and there are better heroes for the tank role or int caster role than ss.

 

 

4. What qualities do you look for in a partner?

Team Player, not full of themselves, good mechanics,

5. Would you consider map hacks bad manner?

yes

6. How would you build weapon speed against Chilling? Agi or straight up weapon speed?

good question, not sure exactly there are people who've tested builds (I have not, I usually ask better players for advice in this area, and trust their assessment)

7. Is crit considered viable in an in-house?

I've seen people go crit, and do well, so yes it's viable but it often leaves you extremely squishy early which could cause you to fall way behind.

 

 

8. Why has Vorpal fallen out of the current meta?

​Not sure, I don't play him.

9. How long have you actively played in houses?

I would say little less than a year

10. Do you remember your win/loss rate vs TaxHaven?

 

0-6 but I welcome him sniping my games, as he's a good player and its a good way for me practice.

 

11. Do you feel Jackson is a viable initiator?

I think to some degree yes, however against a team w/ a lot of stun/cc it would be better if he was situated in the secondary tank role.

 

12. How would one draft against say an LZ Rory combination?

13. Would stuns be considered before AA carries?

​depends on the individual drafting and his preference

14. How favored are pushers in the current meta? Are compositions more emphasized on team fights or pushing?

the current meta is geared towards split pushing, however w/ the recent increase in respawn rate it's not as favorable to split push, b/c if u die late game you leave your team at a real disadvantage in a team fight. With that being said, if I was building a team I would put the greatest emphasis on getting a top tier carry player/ and/or Push player

 

15. How do you feel the new wide ramps have affected this 'push or antipush' way of thinking? Do you feel people are moving away from prioritizing pushers or vice versa?

Good question, Idk

 

16. Do you love me?

Yes, very much

17. How do you feel about the current standard auto bans?

Eh, people much better than me decided on them so I will trust their assessments

[TaxHaven]

@ Tax- Since you're significantly better than I am, why don't you answer your own questions in this thread, and assist in the purpose of educating new players to IH.

 

I am asking questions which I have been asked myself by lesser noobs so I think they would be useful to a 'Guide to IH'

 

Gwolla. Come feed me more with your op ling ^^

[Gwolla]

Oh yea I used to rape with ling. Prob still do :)

[TaxHaven]

PWHAHAHAHHAHAHA

[Indo]

Tax derping about his skills?.... Come at me bruh

 

I didn't play aos the last weeks but it should be enough for you

[DutchOvenPro]

For all who are interested, I'm here to update you, previously my record vs Taxhaven was 0-6... it's now 1-6... it came in an ih and we were both Captains gg

[TaxHaven]

For all who are interested, I'm here to update you, previously my record vs Taxhaven was 0-6... it's now 1-6... it came in an ih and we were both Captains gg

 

WOW flob off, you should've lost since one of your players rq'd.

[SmittyGFunk]

Wow, had him at disadvantaged 5v4 in an ih and he still won.

[TaxHaven]

Wow, had him at disadvantaged 5v4 in an ih and he still won.

 

I left to go to the next ih

[Indo]

 

Excuses.

 

Just accept your scrubness tax

 

 

Btw for the topic

There should be a gankguide part where ward positioning, hidingspots and terrain abuse could be explained

[DutchOvenPro]

Our nova left, who was our primary Dps.

 

@ Indo: I will add that to this guide.... coming soon