Pudge Turn Rate and Hooks

Before Pudge can throw Meat Hook, he has to face the direction of the throw. If he is looking the other way, he turns first, and only then does the cast begin. That turn adds a small delay to every hook. Pre-facing, or standing already turned toward where you will throw, removes most of that delay.

Turn rate is a hero stat, and it can change with patches. We do not list values here. This guide is about how to work with it.

What is turn rate and why does it matter for hooks?

Turn rate is how fast a hero rotates to face a new direction. Every hero has one. When you order a hero to move or cast in a direction they are not facing, they first turn, then act.

For most spells, this barely matters. For a skillshot, it matters a lot. The hook flies in a straight line from where Pudge is facing when the cast ends. If Pudge needs to turn around before casting, the enemy gets extra time to see it coming and step aside.

Think of it as part of the hook's total delay. First the turn, then the short cast time, then the flight. You cannot change the cast time or the flight speed. You can control the turn.

How does facing change the hook's timing?

If Pudge already faces the target, the cast starts almost at once. If Pudge faces the opposite way, he must turn a long way first. A wide turn costs more time than a small one.

That extra time has two costs:

• The target keeps moving. Your lead may no longer be right by the time the hook flies.
• The enemy sees the turn. A Pudge who suddenly spins toward a hero is a clear warning. Alert players react to the turn itself.

This is why fast hooks usually come from correct facing. The hook did not fly faster. Pudge just did not waste time turning first.

How do you pre-face your hook direction?

Pre-facing means you move or stop in a way that leaves Pudge turned toward where you expect to throw. A few habits help:

• Walk toward your target area, then stop. Pudge stays facing the way he last walked.
• Use small move clicks. A short click toward the lane turns Pudge without moving him far.
• Face the path, not the hero. In fog, face the line the enemy is likely to walk.
• Re-face after you do anything else. Attacking a creep or walking away turns Pudge. Fix it before your chance comes.

When you wait in trees or on a ledge, check which way Pudge is looking. A Pudge hidden in the perfect spot but facing the wrong way loses part of his edge.

Does pre-facing help with quick cast?

Yes, and they work well together. Quick cast removes the extra click to confirm your aim. Pre-facing removes most of the turn. Together, they make the gap between your decision and the hook leaving as short as it can be.

Quick cast does not remove the turn. If Pudge faces away, he still turns before the cast begins. So quick cast without good facing is only half the speed gain. The quick cast guide covers the settings in detail.

How do enemies read your facing?

Good players watch which way Pudge is looking. A Pudge facing a hero, standing still, is a threat. A Pudge facing away feels safer to walk past.

You can use this. Stand facing slightly away from the target, as if you are about to walk off. When they relax, a small turn and a hook can catch them. This trades a little speed for surprise. It works best when the target is close, so the extra turn is small.

You can also combine facing with a fake. Turning toward a hero and then canceling the cast can make them dodge early. The fake hook guide explains how that works.

FAQ

Does Pudge have to face the target before hooking?

Yes. Like other heroes, Pudge turns to face the cast direction before the cast begins. A wider turn takes longer.

Why do some hooks feel slower than others?

Often because Pudge had to turn first. A hook from correct facing starts sooner than one where Pudge spins around.

Can I make Pudge turn faster?

Turn rate is a hero stat. Some effects in the game can change it, but the simple fix is to pre-face so you need less turning.

Is pre-facing worth it in the lane?

Yes. In the lane you often have only a moment to throw. Facing the right way when that moment comes gives you the best chance.

Checklist

• Stop with Pudge facing the area where you expect to throw.
• Use short move clicks to adjust facing without walking far.
• Re-face after attacking or moving away.
• Pair pre-facing with quick cast for the fastest throws.
• Watch for enemies who react to your turn, and use that to bait them.