How to Hook Retreating Enemies as Pudge

A retreating enemy is one of the best targets for Meat Hook. They are low, scared and heading home, so their path is easier to guess than you think. The trick is to aim at where they are going, not where you last saw them, and to know when the chase is no longer worth it.

This guide covers hooks on enemies who run toward their base, often into fog. For hooks you throw from your own hiding spot, see the fog hooks guide.

Why are retreating enemies easier to hook?

A hero running away wants the fastest path to safety. That goal limits their choices. They will head toward their tower, their fountain or their team. They rarely walk back toward you.

Panic also helps you. A low hero thinks about escape, not about juking. Many players run in a straight line the moment they break vision, because turning costs time. That straight line is exactly what a hook needs.

There is a catch. Some players know this and turn sharply once they enter fog. Watch how each enemy moves over the game. A hero who juked last time will likely juke again.

How do you read the escape path?

Think like the runner. Before you throw, ask a few quick questions:

• Where is their nearest safety? A tower, an ally or a jungle path that leads home.
• What terrain is in the way? Trees and cliffs funnel movement. A hero cannot walk through a tree line, so the open path is the likely one.
• What did they do last time? Players repeat habits under pressure.
• What can your team see? A teammate's vision or a ping can show the runner for a moment.

This is advice, not a rule. You are making a guess with the best information you have. Good guesses come from watching enemies, not from luck.

Where should you aim when they vanish into fog?

Aim ahead along the path you expect, not at the spot where they disappeared. The hero keeps moving during the hook's cast time and its flight. By the time the hook arrives, they are further down the path.

How far ahead depends on their speed and the distance. A fast hero needs more lead than a slow one. A far target needs more lead than a close one. Check the hook's current speed and range on the abilities page so you know how long it takes to arrive.

Keep the line clear. A runner often uses creeps or allies as a shield on the way out. A hook that hits a creep in front of them wastes your best chance. If the line is blocked, step to a new angle before you throw.

A clean path matters more than a perfect lead. A runner in an open lane with no creeps is a better target than one weaving through a busy fight.

When should you stop chasing?

Chasing feels good, but it can lose games. Stop and think when any of these are true:

• You are about to dive a tower. A tower attacks a hero who attacks an allied hero near it. Chasing under it alone often ends badly.
• Your team is not following. One hook with no follow-up may not finish the kill.
• You are out of mana. A miss with no mana left means you have nothing to offer if the fight turns.
• You have no vision ahead. Deep enemy jungle can hide their whole team.
• The hook is on cooldown. Walking after a hero you cannot hook just puts you out of position.

A good rule of thumb: if the kill needs one more lucky hook deep in their side of the map, let it go. Use the time to farm, ward or join your team. The common mistakes guide covers more cases of over-chasing.

What happens after a retreat hook lands?

Pulling a runner back toward you is often enough to finish them. They were already low and heading home. Now they are next to Pudge again, far from safety.

Follow up fast with Dismember or Rot, and expect enemy teammates to try to save them. If the pull brings them into your team, the kill is likely. If you are alone deep in their territory, kill fast and leave.

FAQ

Should I hook where the enemy disappeared into fog?

Usually not. Aim ahead along the path they are likely taking, because they keep moving while the hook travels.

Is it worth hooking a hero who is almost at their tower?

Sometimes. Pulling them back out of tower range can save the kill. But if the pull leaves you under their tower alone, the trade may not be worth it.

How do I know which way a hero will run?

Look at the terrain, their nearest safety and their past habits. It is still a guess, so treat it as one.

Checklist

• Ask where the runner's nearest safety is before you throw.
• Use terrain to narrow down the open path they can take.
• Aim ahead along the path, not at the spot they vanished.
• Check the line for creeps and allies used as shields.
• Stop chasing near enemy towers or when your team is not with you.
• Note which enemies juke so you can adjust next time.