The best early-game items for supports in Dota 2 are typically Observer Wards, Sentry Wards, Smoke of Deceit, Tangoes, Healing Salve, and Clarity. These items help with vision control, detection of invisible units, ganking potential, and sustaining in the laning phase.
Wards and Consumables
One of the most crucial items for supports in the early game in Dota 2 are Observer Wards. These wards provide essential map vision, enabling the team to keep track of enemy movements and prevent potential ganks. Furthermore, Observer Wards are essential for securing map control, setting up ganks, and protecting key objectives. Additionally, support players should also consider purchasing Sentry Wards to deward enemy Observer Wards and provide detection against invisible heroes such as Riki or Bounty Hunter.
Regeneration Items
Another essential category of items for supports in the early game is regeneration items. These items include Healing Salve, Tangoes, and Clarity. Healing Salve provides a burst of health regeneration, allowing supports to sustain themselves in the lane after engagements or harassments. Tangoes are useful for gradual health regeneration and can be shared with allies to help them stay in lane. Clarity, on the other hand, provides mana regeneration, enabling supports to use their spells more frequently.
Boots of Speed
Boots of Speed are a fundamental item for supports in the early game as they provide increased movement speed, allowing supports to move around the map more efficiently, rotate to other lanes for ganks, or escape from dangerous situations. The mobility granted by Boots of Speed is essential for supports to position themselves correctly during team fights, secure runes, or initiate ganks on enemy heroes.
Utility Items
Support players should also consider purchasing utility items in the early game to provide additional benefits to their team. Items such as Smoke of Deceit can be used to initiate ganks or set up surprise team fights by hiding team movements from enemy vision. Dust of Appearance is crucial for revealing invisible heroes and preventing them from escaping or initiating on vulnerable targets.
Starter Items
Starter items are essential for supports in the early game to provide basic stat bonuses and utility. Items like Magic Stick can help supports sustain themselves in fights by providing charges of health and mana when enemy spells are cast. Additionally, Wind Lace can be useful for supports to gain extra movement speed, making it easier for them to position themselves in fights or escape from dangerous situations.
Additional Considerations
When deciding on early-game items for supports in Dota 2, it is important to consider the specific needs of the team composition and the enemy lineup. Supports should adapt their item builds based on the heroes they are facing and the objectives they need to achieve in the early game. Communication with teammates is also essential to coordinate item purchases and ensure that the team has a well-rounded set of items to secure victory in the early stages of the game.