Is Pudge Still a Mid Hero?

Pudge can still play mid, but the lane asks a lot of him. He needs clean last hits, a fair matchup and a plan to leave the lane and make kills. When those things line up, mid Pudge is a real threat. When they do not, a side lane or a roaming role often suits him better.

Many players feel that Pudge has left the mid lane. We do not track meta trends by feel. If you want to see how often pros pick him, and where, look at the Pudge pro matches page. This guide covers what decides whether mid Pudge works in your game.

What does a mid hero need to do?

The mid player gets the lane alone. That means all the gold and experience from one wave go to one hero. In return, the mid hero is expected to grow fast and then shape the map.

A good mid hero usually does three things. He wins or at least holds the lane. He fights for runes near the river. And he moves to other lanes to help his team once he has his key spells.

Pudge can do the last part very well. His hook and his ultimate give him a strong kill threat. The first two jobs are where he can struggle.

Why do players say Pudge is weak mid?

Pudge is a melee hero. Many mid heroes attack from range, so they can hit him while he walks up for last hits. Each hit he takes is health he cannot spend on a fight.

He also depends on Meat Hook landing. A ranged mid who stands behind the creep wave and watches Pudge can make hooks very hard. If the enemy mid is calm and careful, Pudge may fall behind in last hits and levels.

Finally, a mid Pudge who loses the lane loses more than gold. His team counts on the mid hero to be strong early. If he cannot gank, the side lanes get no help. The comeback plan for a lost mid covers what to do if this happens.

When does Pudge mid still work?

Pudge does best mid when the enemy hero has a hard time punishing him. A melee mid, or a hero with few ways to escape, gives his hook threat more value. Check how Pudge does against each hero on the matchup pages.

He also works well when your team can follow his ganks. If your side lanes have heroes who can join a kill, each successful hook turns into gold for more players.

Your own skill with the hook matters too. Mid is a duel. If you hit hooks often in your games, you can make the enemy mid afraid to walk up. That fear is a big part of how mid Pudge wins. For lane basics like last hits and rune timing, read the mid lane tips guide.

What should you avoid as mid Pudge?

Do not force a lane you are losing badly. If the enemy mid is hitting you every time you step forward, play safe. Stay near your tower, take what last hits you can, and wait for your ultimate.

Do not throw hooks into a full creep wave. The hook catches the first unit it meets, so a creep in the path wastes it. A miss also gives the enemy a free window to attack you.

Do not stay in lane too long once you can gank. Mid Pudge earns his value on the map, not by farming the same wave. Push your creeps first so your tower does not suffer while you are gone.

How do you choose between mid and another role?

Ask a few questions before the game starts. Is the enemy mid ranged and hard to catch? Do your side lanes need help? Is there a better mid hero on your team?

If most answers point away from mid, think about a support or offlane role. Pudge can roam from a support spot and still use his hook threat. The builds by position guide shows how his items change for each role.

FAQ

Is Pudge still a good mid hero?

He can be, in the right game. He needs a matchup he can hold and a team that can follow his ganks. Against a careful ranged mid, he often struggles.

Why do pros rarely play Pudge mid?

We cannot say for sure why pros make their picks. You can see how often Pudge appears and in which games on the pro matches page.

What is the hardest part of mid Pudge?

Holding the lane against ranged harass. Pudge is melee, so he takes hits while he tries to farm.

Should a new player try Pudge mid?

It is a tough lane to learn on. A new player may find it easier to practice hooks from a support role first.

Checklist

• Check the enemy mid before you pick Pudge for the lane.
• Hold the lane safely if you are losing it.
• Wait for a clear path before you throw a hook.
• Push your wave before you leave to gank.
• Make sure your side lanes can follow your kills.
• Switch roles if the draft does not suit mid Pudge.