Hey!
There's a common misconception about who's supposed to ward and why. A lot of people blame the support when the mini map isn't covered in that nice, white Goo of Vision! I'd like to adress this issue with this post.
I'd like to start off by saying something I'll probably be repeating a few times:
Everyone should ward!
Now that we've got that out of our system, lets try and break down why everyone should ward. Stay with me on this one, please!
What do you gain from warding?
A: You gain vision, stupid!
Yeah, but what does vision really mean?
A: You get to observe a part of the map without the need of being there. Everybody knows this!
What do you gain from this vision then?
A: It helps me to keep track of the objectives and the enemies position around the map.
What does it cost you to purchase a ward?
A: 50 gold...
So, basicly, you pay 50g to know when the enemy passes through a part of the map that you decide to observe, right?
A: Yeah...
Who would benefit from having wards placed out at certain, tactical positions?
A: Everyone I guess.
Don't you think it's best if everyone helps out and wards these tactically important positions?
A: No! It would cost too much gold! I need to finish my build asap!
What do you think costs more, knowing nothing about your enemy's movement in the jungle, or a ward?
A: Knowing nothing?
And why is that?
A: Because if one of our people gets killed, s/he will lose farm and the opponents will get gold for the kill. Also the objectives are very important.
Wow! Nice deduction dude! I think we have a believer!
A: But, wait! Can't the support do all this? I mean, he HAS to get Eye of Providance and that's like free wards all game long!
Doh! Firstly, there's a limit to how many wards you can place out on the map (3 per player at one time) and Eye2-3 only give you one every 60 seconds. Secondly, what if I told you Eye isn't really a must have on a tank?
A:Now you're just talking out of your rear end!
Nono! If you think about. A ward only costs 50 gold and you have the possibility to pick a health, mana or dual pot in the other slot. So if you can coordinate the warding with your team, the support will be able to buy an active that will help you in team fights (e.g. Creeping Curse).
A: That actually sound reasonable... I will think about that in the future!
Good! Just don't go nuts on wards! Find a good balance, since you still need the finish that build of yours!
Some tips for the different roles:
Solo:
If you ward the crossing between their blue and the FG, you will effectively protected yourself from most ganks (since people rarely take the path by your blue). If you want to be super safe, then ward your side too. Try getting vision of the FG area too, since some junglers (Thanatos and Thor mainly) can set up ganks from the sky. If you take the first enemy tower, then you should always ward their blue area, since that's where they will go to gank you.
Mid:
Depending on how the general area is warded, you should always try to have as much vision of the mid camps as possible. This can be solved with two wards. Either set them up offensively, at their crossing between FG/GF, mid and mid camp, or defensively at your crossing, OR between the crossings (inside the camp). If you place the ward in the right spot, inside the camp, you will gain vision of both crossings. You won't get as good of an heads up, but you cover more gank routes. Where you ward should be decided by the state of the game. If your team is ahead and control the jungle, then ward offensively and vice versa.
Starter tip
If you buy a ward when the game starts, you can place it on the solo-side mid camp when the enemy jungler leaves the solo lane (around 1.30-2 min mark). That way you will protect yourself from early ganks AND you have an advantage going into the fight over the mid camp. I usually start with Vamp. Shroud, Lost Artifact, a pot and a ward (depending on god ofc).
Jungler:
Depending on the state of the game, you should always try and pick up a ward every time you back (unless you didn't use the last one). With this ward you can help your team with their warding or place the ward at their damage or speed buff to either help set up counter-jungling or just to keep an eye on the enemy jungler. Remember, knowledge is power.
Dual lane:
The support should try and ward as much as possible, since s/he will be roaming the most. The hunter should also pick up ward whenever he feels like the support needs some help or when you have the spare money and a free slot. The same rule when pushing the second tower applies to the hunter. You should always ward the jungle when pushing a lane. That way you're less exposed to ganks.
Starter tip
Since the support really shouldn't pick up Eye, s/he can pick up another active. Since you know that the hunter will get blue (depending on comp) you can get a ward instead of a pot on the hunter. This either frees up a slot on the support or help out on warding for when the first ward(s) expire.
Late game (all roles):
When the laning phase is over and everyone starts roaming one way or another, the need for pots usually decreases. Don't stop buying wards, since vision will be even more critical to setting up ambushes and team fights. Even if you're not a support you should carry a sentry ward to be able to counter ward objectives and other important parts of the map. If you have a finished build you should always buy full stock of wards every time you back. You can't have too much vision!
TL;DR
Warding is a team effort. If you coordinate the warding correctly you will be able to control the jungle/objectives and minimize the risk of ganks.
Just don't go nuts on wards! If you spend too much gold on wards, you won't be able to get the items you need. Find a good balance and communicate with your team. Happy warding!
There's a common misconception about who's supposed to ward and why. A lot of people blame the support when the mini map isn't covered in that nice, white Goo of Vision! I'd like to adress this issue with this post.
I'd like to start off by saying something I'll probably be repeating a few times:
Everyone should ward!
Now that we've got that out of our system, lets try and break down why everyone should ward. Stay with me on this one, please!
What do you gain from warding?
A: You gain vision, stupid!
Yeah, but what does vision really mean?
A: You get to observe a part of the map without the need of being there. Everybody knows this!
What do you gain from this vision then?
A: It helps me to keep track of the objectives and the enemies position around the map.
What does it cost you to purchase a ward?
A: 50 gold...
So, basicly, you pay 50g to know when the enemy passes through a part of the map that you decide to observe, right?
A: Yeah...
Who would benefit from having wards placed out at certain, tactical positions?
A: Everyone I guess.
Don't you think it's best if everyone helps out and wards these tactically important positions?
A: No! It would cost too much gold! I need to finish my build asap!
What do you think costs more, knowing nothing about your enemy's movement in the jungle, or a ward?
A: Knowing nothing?
And why is that?
A: Because if one of our people gets killed, s/he will lose farm and the opponents will get gold for the kill. Also the objectives are very important.
Wow! Nice deduction dude! I think we have a believer!
A: But, wait! Can't the support do all this? I mean, he HAS to get Eye of Providance and that's like free wards all game long!
Doh! Firstly, there's a limit to how many wards you can place out on the map (3 per player at one time) and Eye2-3 only give you one every 60 seconds. Secondly, what if I told you Eye isn't really a must have on a tank?
A:Now you're just talking out of your rear end!
Nono! If you think about. A ward only costs 50 gold and you have the possibility to pick a health, mana or dual pot in the other slot. So if you can coordinate the warding with your team, the support will be able to buy an active that will help you in team fights (e.g. Creeping Curse).
A: That actually sound reasonable... I will think about that in the future!
Good! Just don't go nuts on wards! Find a good balance, since you still need the finish that build of yours!
Some tips for the different roles:
Solo:
If you ward the crossing between their blue and the FG, you will effectively protected yourself from most ganks (since people rarely take the path by your blue). If you want to be super safe, then ward your side too. Try getting vision of the FG area too, since some junglers (Thanatos and Thor mainly) can set up ganks from the sky. If you take the first enemy tower, then you should always ward their blue area, since that's where they will go to gank you.
Mid:
Depending on how the general area is warded, you should always try to have as much vision of the mid camps as possible. This can be solved with two wards. Either set them up offensively, at their crossing between FG/GF, mid and mid camp, or defensively at your crossing, OR between the crossings (inside the camp). If you place the ward in the right spot, inside the camp, you will gain vision of both crossings. You won't get as good of an heads up, but you cover more gank routes. Where you ward should be decided by the state of the game. If your team is ahead and control the jungle, then ward offensively and vice versa.
Starter tip
If you buy a ward when the game starts, you can place it on the solo-side mid camp when the enemy jungler leaves the solo lane (around 1.30-2 min mark). That way you will protect yourself from early ganks AND you have an advantage going into the fight over the mid camp. I usually start with Vamp. Shroud, Lost Artifact, a pot and a ward (depending on god ofc).
Jungler:
Depending on the state of the game, you should always try and pick up a ward every time you back (unless you didn't use the last one). With this ward you can help your team with their warding or place the ward at their damage or speed buff to either help set up counter-jungling or just to keep an eye on the enemy jungler. Remember, knowledge is power.
Dual lane:
The support should try and ward as much as possible, since s/he will be roaming the most. The hunter should also pick up ward whenever he feels like the support needs some help or when you have the spare money and a free slot. The same rule when pushing the second tower applies to the hunter. You should always ward the jungle when pushing a lane. That way you're less exposed to ganks.
Starter tip
Since the support really shouldn't pick up Eye, s/he can pick up another active. Since you know that the hunter will get blue (depending on comp) you can get a ward instead of a pot on the hunter. This either frees up a slot on the support or help out on warding for when the first ward(s) expire.
Late game (all roles):
When the laning phase is over and everyone starts roaming one way or another, the need for pots usually decreases. Don't stop buying wards, since vision will be even more critical to setting up ambushes and team fights. Even if you're not a support you should carry a sentry ward to be able to counter ward objectives and other important parts of the map. If you have a finished build you should always buy full stock of wards every time you back. You can't have too much vision!
TL;DR
Warding is a team effort. If you coordinate the warding correctly you will be able to control the jungle/objectives and minimize the risk of ganks.
Just don't go nuts on wards! If you spend too much gold on wards, you won't be able to get the items you need. Find a good balance and communicate with your team. Happy warding!