Hard support (pos 5) — position 5
The position 5 hard support feeds the team vision and saves the cores. We break down the role's tasks, key skills and starter heroes.
What a hard support (pos 5) does
The position 5 is the most selfless role. The hard support babysits the carry on the safe lane, gives up farm to him, supplies the team with wards and detection, and carries consumables and save items. Pos 5 has the least gold of all, but it is exactly its vision and saves that often decide the outcome of fights and of the whole game.
Early game and lane
How the game starts on position 5:
- You stand on the safe lane together with the carry and protect him.
- You give farm to the core — only last-hit creeps on a leftover basis.
- You place wards and keep vision on key approaches.
- You spend gold on consumables, detection and save items, not on yourself.
Key skills
What you need to master to carry games in this role:
- Ward control: knowing where and when to place vision and detection.
- Protecting the carry on the lane — trading aggro, harassing the enemy, controlling the zone.
- Gold discipline: giving farm to the core without greed.
- Saves: using save items and abilities at the right moment.
Progress in any role goes faster when you review your own games. In coaching with a trainer we review exactly your position 5 matches and show you what to improve first.
Starter heroes
To start, pick classic supports with control and healing — they are simple and useful even without items. Good examples: Crystal Maiden (CM), Lion, Shadow Shaman, Dazzle, Witch Doctor.
Which heroes are strong right now and carry games the easiest — see the hero tier list for MMR boosting.
Common mistakes
What most often holds players back on position 5:
- Greed for farm — pos 5 should not take gold away from the carry.
- Poor vision: the team plays blind and gets ganked.
- No saves at the right moment — the core dies for nothing.
- Standing passively instead of trading and harassing on the lane.
FAQ
What does a pos 5 do in Dota 2?
The position 5 protects the carry on the safe lane, gives up farm to him, supplies the team with wards and detection, carries consumables and saves allies with save items.
Why does pos 5 have so little gold?
The hard support deliberately gives farm to the carry and core heroes, and spends its own gold on vision, detection and consumables for the team. Its value is in vision and saves, not in personal items.
Which heroes are good for pos 5?
Classic supports with control and healing, useful even without items. Specific picks are in the hero tier list.
Let's level up your position 5 play
Top-100 Europe coaches will review your position 5 support matches and build a growth plan. Or we'll raise your rating with a boost while you're busy.