How to Bait Teleports as Pudge

Pudge draws attention. When enemies see him near a lane or a tower, they often teleport in to stop him. That reaction can be turned into a trap. If your team is ready, the heroes who teleport in to save a lane can become the ones who die.

Why do enemies teleport to stop Pudge?

A Pudge near a tower or a lone hero is a threat. Enemies know one hook can lead to a kill, so they rush to help. A teleport is the fastest way to get there.

The teleport is visible to the enemy team, so you can see where they plan to land. But once they arrive, they are committed. They have used their teleport and are now far from the rest of their team.

This is the core of the bait. You show yourself to pull defenders in, and then your team is waiting to punish them.

How do you show yourself to draw defenders?

You need to look like a real threat. Walk up to a tower, push a wave, or stand near an enemy hero who seems alone. The enemy should feel they must act.

Make sure the enemy actually sees you. If you stay hidden, nobody will teleport. Step into their vision on purpose, near a ward or within sight of their heroes.

At the same time, do not overdo it. If you stand in the open with no reason, enemies may smell a trap. Act like you are trying to make a play, not like you are waiting for them.

Where should your allies be?

This is the key to the whole plan. Bait with no backup is just showing yourself to the enemy. Your allies need to be close but hidden.

Good spots for allies are in the trees near the lane, behind the tower, or under smoke. They should be close enough to join the fight quickly once the defenders land.

A few tips for setting this up:

• Ping where your allies should wait before you show yourself.
• Use Smoke of Deceit so the enemy cannot see your team.
• Keep the fight near your side of the map if you can.
• Tell allies when you see a teleport start.

The smoke gank guide covers how to move as a group without being seen.

When do you turn on the heroes who teleported?

Wait until they commit. A hero who has just landed may still be looking around. Give them a moment to walk toward you or attack. Once they are in range and far from escape, start the fight.

Open with the spell that fits the moment. A hook can pull a defender into your team. Dismember holds a key target in place while your allies hit them. Rot slows anyone close to you.

Do not turn too early. If you fight before all the defenders arrive, the rest may stop teleporting and wait. Let them land, then strike.

Survive the first burst with Meat Shield. It blocks damage for a short time and gives your team time to join. The teamfight guide has more on how Pudge fits into larger fights.

What can go wrong with teleport bait?

The bait can backfire. If more enemies teleport than you expected, your team may be outnumbered. Count what you see before you commit.

Your allies might also be too far away. If they cannot reach the fight in time, you may die alone. Talk with your team so everyone knows the plan.

Finally, enemies may not take the bait. If they ignore you, use the chance to push or take a tower instead. Even if nobody comes, your pressure still has value. The missing pressure guide covers how your absence from the map can also force enemies to react.

FAQ

Do I need smoke to bait teleports?

Not always, but it helps. Smoke hides your allies so the enemy does not see the trap. Without smoke, you need another way to keep your team hidden.

What if only one enemy teleports in?

That can still be a good fight. One defender alone against your team is often an easy kill. Make sure nobody else is coming before you commit.

Should Pudge bait teleports early or late in the game?

It works at many points. Early on, enemies may teleport to save a lane. Later, they may teleport to save a tower. Watch how the enemy reacts and plan around it.

Checklist

• Show yourself where the enemy feels they must react.
• Hide your allies in trees or under smoke nearby.
• Ping the plan before you step into vision.
• Wait for defenders to land and commit before turning.
• Use Meat Shield to survive the first burst.
• Push or take a tower if nobody comes.