How to Survive in DotA

Keep a close watch on your mini-map throughout the game. Enemies will appear as colored dots on your mini-map. If you see an enemy dot disappear into an area that you can't see on your mini-map, he may be trying to ambush you or one of your teammates. Make sure to alert your allies through team-chat that one of the enemies is missing in action.

Buy wards from the Tier 1 shop next to your spawning area. You will receive two or three wards per purchase, depending on what version of "DotA" you are playing. Wards allow you to reveal an area on your mini-map when you and your teammates are absent from the area. This will allow you to avoid and ambush enemy heroes more effectively.

Begin killing enemy creeps as soon as the game starts. Killing enemy creeps will get you the experience points you need to level up and the gold you will need to buy items. Killing creeps is more important at the beginning of the game than trying to kill enemy heroes. You need to level up as fast as possible to be able to withstand attacks and afford healing potions.

Select a teammate to level up with and stay near him whenever possible. Enemies will have a lot harder time ganging up on you when you are with a partner. If your partner needs to go back to base to do some shopping, stay close to the nearest tower for increased safety while he is gone.

Use a hero who has an ability to stun opponents or put them to sleep. Bane Elemental and Lion are heroes who are great for these kind of spells. Spells that stun or sleep are ideal for survival because both will immobilize your opponent long enough for you to flee to safety.