How to Predict Pudge Hooks

To predict Pudge hooks, aim at the spot where the enemy will be when the hook arrives, not where they stand now. Meat Hook travels in a straight line and takes time to get there. Watch what the target is about to do, then throw the hook into their next step.

Why do hooks miss when you aim at the hero?

The hook is not instant. While it flies, the target keeps walking, so a hook aimed at their current spot lands behind them. The farther away the target is, the more they move before the hook reaches them.

Players also react. If an enemy sees Pudge turn toward them, they often change direction. A good prediction accounts for both things: the normal movement and the likely dodge.

How do you read where an enemy will walk?

Most movement has a reason. Ask yourself what the enemy wants right now, and the path usually becomes clear.

• Last hitting: a hero walks toward a creep that is about to die. Aim at the creep they want, slightly on their side.
• Retreating: a low-health hero heads toward their tower or a safe path. Aim along that line, not to the side.
• Chasing: an enemy who chases your ally commits to a direction. Aim in front of them on the chase path.
• Farming jungle: a hero walks between neutral camps on a predictable route. Aim at the gap between camps.

Watch the target for a moment before you commit. A hero who has just changed direction a few times is hard to read. A hero walking with a clear purpose is your best target.

When is the enemy easiest to predict?

The best moment is when the enemy cannot change their path. That happens when they are stopped or slowed, or when they are busy doing something else.

A hero who is stunned, rooted or held in place cannot dodge. If an ally lands a disable, throw the hook right away. Slowed enemies move less while the hook flies, so your margin for error grows.

Heroes also pause when they cast spells with a visible animation. They stop to attack too. If you see an enemy start an attack on a creep or an ally, that short stop is a good window. Channeled spells are even better, because the hero stays put until the channel ends or breaks.

How does terrain help you predict movement?

Terrain limits where a hero can walk. Narrow paths between trees, ramps and the edges of the river all funnel enemies into fewer routes. Fewer routes means an easier guess.

Try to hook in places where the target has only one sensible way to go. A hero walking through a thin path in the trees cannot step far to the side. A hero in an open area can dodge in any direction, so the hook is a coin flip.

Trees and cliffs do not stop the hook: it flies through them. Units do. Make sure no creep or ally stands between you and the predicted spot, since the hook grabs the first unit it meets. The creep wave hooking guide covers this in detail.

How do you handle enemies who juke?

Some players dodge every time they see Pudge. Against them, a direct hook rarely works. Two common approaches help.

First, stay out of sight. An enemy who cannot see you has no reason to juke. Throwing from fog or from behind trees removes their reaction time. See the guide to hooking from fog of war for this.

Second, use their habit against them. Many players dodge in the same direction every time. Watch which way they step after you turn toward them, and aim there next time. You can also bait the dodge on purpose, as explained in the fake hook guide.

How close should you get before you throw?

Shorter hooks are easier to predict. The target has less time to move, so small errors matter less. If you can safely walk closer, a nearby hook is usually better than a long one.

Long hooks still have a place. They surprise enemies who think they are safe. Check the current range of Meat Hook on the Pudge abilities page so you know how far you can reach at each level.

Weigh the risk of moving closer. Walking up may reveal you to the enemy or put you in range of their spells. If closing the gap costs your surprise, the long hook may be the better choice.

Checklist

• Watch the target for a moment and decide what they want to do next.
• Aim at their next step, and lead them more the farther away they are.
• Throw right after an ally disables or slows the target.
• Look for hooks when the enemy stops to attack, cast or channel.
• Prefer spots where trees, ramps or the river limit the enemy's path.
• Note which way each enemy jukes and aim there on the next try.