Pudge Hooks Around Roshan

Fights around Roshan are often decided by one hero being in the wrong place. A good hook can pull an enemy out of the pit, drag away the hero who holds the key item, or show you who is waiting in the dark. A bad hook can give away your position or pull the wrong unit. This guide covers how Pudge should think about hooks when Roshan is on the line.

Why are hooks so strong around Roshan?

Roshan fights happen in a small, crowded space. Teams try to take Roshan quickly or stop the other team from doing it. Everyone is close together and often stuck in one spot.

That suits Meat Hook well. One pull can take a hero away from their team at the worst time. If the enemy is hitting Roshan, losing even one hero can force them to stop. If they are defending, losing a hero can open the way for your team.

The hook also flies through cliffs and trees. Walls around the pit do not stop it. Only units do.

How do you pull an enemy away from the pit?

If the enemy team is inside, they are focused on Roshan. They stand still to attack, and heroes stop briefly each time they attack. That makes them easier to hit than heroes running around in the open.

Try to throw at the hero closest to your side. A clean line to that hero pulls them out to you and your team. Avoid lines that cross Roshan or other enemies, since the hook catches the first unit it meets. We have not confirmed how the hook interacts with Roshan himself, so keep him off the line.

Supports and cores both make good targets. Pulling a support out can leave the enemy without healing or vision. Pulling a core out can cut the damage they need to finish Roshan.

Should you hook the hero carrying the important item?

Roshan drops items that change fights. When an enemy picks one up, that hero becomes a priority target. The best-known drop is the Aegis, which brings its carrier back to life once.

Pulling the carrier away from their team can force them to use the item in a bad spot. For example, catching the Aegis holder alone can burn their extra life without them doing much in the fight. That still takes a real kill, though, so make sure your team can follow up.

Watch who picks up the drop. The Aegis stays with the hero who picks it up, but the enemy may hide that hero at the back. If you lose track, ask your team to ping, or wait for the carrier to show themselves.

Can a hook help you scout Roshan?

Yes. Meat Hook gives vision around the hook for a short time. A hook thrown into the pit can show who is inside, even if you have no other vision there.

This has a cost. A scouting hook uses mana and puts Meat Hook on cooldown. It also tells the enemy where you are. Use it when the information is worth more than a real hook would be. For example, if your team needs to know whether the enemy is already hitting Roshan before it commits.

You can also learn a lot without throwing. Watch the minimap for missing heroes. Check whether your wards near the pit still stand. The hook vision guide covers this trick in more depth.

How do you set up for a Roshan fight as Pudge?

Get there early. Pudge is slow, and a late arrival means you miss the best angles. Stand in fog near the paths the enemy will use, and wait for them to commit.

Know your team's plan. If your team wants to take Roshan, your job is often to guard the entrance and hook anyone who comes in. If the enemy is taking Roshan, your job is to break their focus with a pull at the right moment.

Hold Dismember for the hero you pull out. A hook without a follow-up gives the enemy time to escape. The teamfight guide covers your role once the full fight starts.

FAQ

Can Pudge hook enemies through the walls of the pit?

Yes. The hook flies through cliffs and trees. Only units stop it, so make sure no other unit is on the line.

Who should Pudge hook in a Roshan fight?

Usually the enemy hero closest to your side with a clean line. The carrier of an item like the Aegis is a strong target if your team can follow up.

Should I use a hook just to scout the pit?

Only when the information matters a lot. A scouting hook spends mana, puts the hook on cooldown and reveals your position.

Checklist

• Arrive early and wait in fog near the enemy's paths.
• Hook heroes who stand still while attacking Roshan.
• Keep Roshan and other units off your hook line.
• Track who picks up important drops like the Aegis.
• Use a scouting hook only when the information is worth it.
• Save Dismember for the hero you pull out.