Axe, the formidable warrior, is known for his aggression and unparalleled strength on the battlefield. His ability to initiate fights and disrupt enemy lines makes him a fearsome force to be reckoned with. However, in order to maximize Axe’s potential, it is crucial to have allies that can complement his playstyle and enhance his effectiveness.
One hero that works exceptionally well alongside Axe is Dazzle. With his ability to heal and provide defensive buffs, Dazzle can extend Axe’s survivability in fights. His Shadow Wave can heal both Axe and his nearby allies, turning the tide of battle in their favor. Additionally, Dazzle’s Shallow Grave can save Axe from certain death, allowing him to continue his onslaught without fear of being taken down.
Another hero that synergizes with Axe is Omniknight. With his powerful abilities, Omniknight can provide Axe with the necessary sustain and protection. His Purification can heal Axe and his allies, while his Repel can make Axe immune to magical damage, allowing him to engage without fear of being disabled. Additionally, Omniknight’s Guardian Angel can provide global protection to Axe and his allies, nullifying a significant amount of incoming damage.
Crystal Maiden is another hero that can significantly boost Axe’s early game performance. Her Arcane Aura provides valuable mana regeneration, allowing Axe to use his abilities more frequently. Crystal Maiden’s Crystal Nova can slow down enemies, making it easier for Axe to initiate and catch his foes off guard. Furthermore, her Freezing Field can deal massive damage to enemies caught in its AoE, creating chaos and confusion in team fights.
Therefore, when considering which hero to support Axe, it is crucial to choose allies that can enhance his effectiveness and capitalize on his strengths. Dazzle, Omniknight, and Crystal Maiden are just a few examples of heroes that can synergize well with Axe, providing the necessary support and enabling him to dominate the battlefield.
Choosing the Best Hero to Support Axe
When playing as Axe in Dota 2, selecting the right hero to support him can greatly enhance his capabilities and increase the chances of victory. A reliable support hero can help Axe in the laning phase, provide crowd control, and assist in achieving key objectives. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best hero to support Axe:
1. Lane Synergy
One of the most crucial aspects of supporting Axe is finding a hero with strong lane synergy. Axe is a melee strength hero who excels at initiating fights and dealing damage, but can struggle with his low starting armor. Choosing a ranged hero with high damage output, such as Crystal Maiden or Lina, can work well to harass enemies and control the lane.
2. Crowd Control
Axe thrives in chaotic team fights where he can initiate with his Blink Dagger and call multiple enemies into his counter helix. To maximize his impact, a support hero with crowd control abilities can ensure that enemies stay within Axe’s range for as long as possible. Heroes like Lion, Earthshaker, or Shadow Shaman can disable enemies and help Axe secure kills.
Additionally, support heroes with stuns, slows, or silences can help Axe lock down and control carries or elusive heroes that might otherwise escape his calls.
3. Sustain and Healing
Axe is known for being a tanky hero who can withstand a lot of damage in fights. However, constant clashes and harassment can wear him down over time. Having a support hero who can provide sustain and healing such as Witch Doctor or Dazzle can be invaluable. These heroes can keep Axe healthy and ready to engage in fights, preventing him from having to retreat back to the fountain.
In conclusion, when choosing a hero to support Axe, it’s important to consider lane synergy, crowd control abilities, and sustain/healing options. By selecting the right support hero, you can greatly enhance Axe’s effectiveness and increase the chances of victory for your team.
Role of Axe in Dota 2
Axe is a melee strength hero in Dota 2 who excels in initiating fights and tanking damage for his team. He is often played as an offlaner or a jungler. Axe’s main role is to disrupt the enemy team, providing crowd control and soaking up damage in team fights.
Strengths:
Axe’s biggest strength lies in his ability to initiate fights with his ultimate ability, Culling Blade. This ability instantly kills any enemy hero below a certain health threshold, making Axe a formidable threat to squishy enemy heroes. Furthermore, Axe’s Berserker’s Call ability forces nearby enemy units to attack him, giving his team an opportunity to deal damage without fear of retaliation.
Another strength of Axe is his durability. With his ability Counter Helix, Axe has a chance to deal damage to enemies in an area around him when attacked. This, combined with his high strength gain, makes him a natural tank who can withstand a lot of punishment in team fights.
Weaknesses:
Axe’s lack of natural escape mechanisms makes him susceptible to kiting and crowd control. Without proper positioning and coordination with his team, Axe can easily be disabled and burst down by the enemy. Additionally, his early game laning phase can be challenging, as he relies on getting levels and farm to become effective.
Another weakness of Axe is his reliance on snowballing. While he can have a significant impact in the early and mid-game, Axe’s effectiveness decreases as the game goes on and enemy heroes become tankier. If he falls behind, Axe can quickly become less relevant in team fights.
Overall, Axe’s role in Dota 2 is that of an initiator and tank. His ability to disrupt the enemy team and soak up damage can create space for his allies to deal damage and secure kills. However, Axe requires good positioning, coordination with his team, and a strong laning phase to be successful.
Factors to Consider When Supporting Axe
When playing as a support hero in Dota 2, it is crucial to choose the right partner to lane with Axe. Supporting Axe effectively can make a significant impact on the overall performance of your team. Here are some factors to consider when deciding which hero to support Axe:
1. Lane Synergy
Choosing a hero that synergizes well with Axe in the laning phase is essential. Axe thrives in aggressive playstyles, so heroes with strong crowd control or burst damage can complement his aggressive nature. Consider supporting Axe with heroes like Lion, Shadow Shaman, or Lina, as their disables and nuking abilities can secure kills when combined with Axe’s initiation potential.
2. Laning Presence
Sustaining the lane presence is crucial for Axe to secure farm and experience. Supporting heroes with healing or sustain abilities can help Axe stay in the lane longer and provide him with the necessary resources to utilize his abilities. Heroes like Dazzle, Warlock, or Witch Doctor with their healing capabilities and ability to harass enemies can greatly benefit Axe in the laning stage.
3. Countering Enemy Heroes
Axe is excellent at punishing melee heroes due to his Counter Helix and Berserker’s Call abilities. When supporting Axe, consider choosing heroes that can counter the enemy’s heroes in the lane or later stages of the game. For example, heroes with disarm abilities like Oracle or Heaven’s Halberd can prevent enemy carries from attacking during Axe’s Berserker’s Call duration, significantly reducing their impact in team fights.
Remember, communication with your team and the ability to adapt to the game situation are vital aspects of successful support play. By considering these factors and adjusting your support choice accordingly, supporting Axe effectively will increase your team’s chances of victory.
Strong Heroes to Support Axe
When playing as Axe in Dota 2, it is important to have a strong lineup of heroes that can support him in his aggressive playstyle. Here are some heroes that pair well with Axe:
1. Dazzle
Dazzle is an excellent support hero to have alongside Axe. His Shadow Wave ability heals nearby allies while damaging nearby enemies, which can help to keep Axe alive in team fights. Additionally, Dazzle’s Shallow Grave ability can save Axe from dying, allowing him to continue his assault on the enemy team.
2. Omniknight
Omniknight is another powerful hero to have on Axe’s side. His abilities, such as Purification and Heavenly Grace, provide a significant amount of healing and damage reduction, which can make Axe even more tanky and difficult to kill. Omniknight’s ultimate ability, Guardian Angel, adds an extra layer of protection by providing immunity to physical damage for a short duration.
3. Witch Doctor
Witch Doctor is a reliable support hero that can complement Axe’s aggressive playstyle. His ability, Voodoo Restoration, provides a steady stream of healing to nearby allies, which can help to sustain Axe during engagements. Witch Doctor’s ultimate ability, Death Ward, can also deal a substantial amount of damage while Axe keeps the enemies occupied.
4. Lion
Lion is a burst damage support hero that works well with Axe. His abilities, such as Earth Spike and Hex, provide crowd control and disable enemies, allowing Axe to initiate without interruption. Lion’s ultimate ability, Finger of Death, deals massive damage to a single target and can easily finish off enemies that Axe has weakened.
These are just a few examples of heroes that can support Axe effectively. When choosing your support heroes, remember to consider their abilities and how they can synergize with Axe’s playstyle. Communication and coordination with your team are also crucial to maximize the effectiveness of your support heroes.
Weak Heroes to Avoid When Supporting Axe
While Axe is a powerful hero with great initiation and durability, there are certain weak heroes that might not synergize well with him when it comes to supporting. These heroes may not have the necessary abilities or the playstyle to complement Axe’s strengths, and thus it is recommended to avoid picking them when supporting Axe.
1. Sniper: Axe is a melee hero who excels in close combat, while Sniper is a ranged hero who relies on dealing damage from a distance. Supporting a Sniper as Axe might result in a lack of coordination and potentially leave Axe vulnerable without the necessary backup.
2. Spectre: Spectre is a hard carry hero who farms to late game dominance, and she requires a lot of farm and protection. Supporting Axe might not provide the necessary space and protection for Spectre to farm effectively, thus hindering her ability to carry the game later on.
3. Pugna: Pugna is a highly aggressive spellcaster who focuses on burst damage and control. Supporting Axe as Pugna might lead to a lack of synergy, as both heroes have different playstyles and objectives in the game. Pugna’s abilities might not be beneficial enough for Axe in a supporting role.
4. Io: While Io is a strong support hero in general, supporting Axe as Io might not be the best choice. Io relies on mobility and global presence, which might not sync well with Axe’s initiation and close combat playstyle. The lack of reliable stuns or disables from Io might also hinder Axe’s effectiveness in team fights.
5. Ember Spirit: Ember Spirit is a highly mobile hero who excels in split-pushing and dealing damage over time. Supporting Axe as Ember Spirit might lead to a lack of coordination and synergy, as their playstyles and objectives in the game differ significantly. Ember Spirit’s abilities might not provide enough value to Axe in a supporting role.
Overall, it is important to choose heroes that complement Axe’s strengths and playstyle when supporting him. Avoiding these weak heroes will ensure better coordination and effectiveness in the game.
Tips for Supporting Axe Effectively
Supporting Axe effectively requires a strategic understanding of his strengths and weaknesses. Here are some tips to help you maximize your impact as a support player:
1. Prioritize Lane Control
Axe relies on his early-game dominance to establish a strong presence in the lane. As a support, your first priority should be to secure his farm by controlling the lane equilibrium. Deny enemy creeps, harass the enemy heroes and try to keep the lane close to your tower.
2. Provide Vision and Map Control
Having vision is crucial for Axe to initiate fights effectively. Invest in wards and place them strategically to give Axe the information he needs to make successful calls. This will also help your team to anticipate enemy rotations, reducing the risk of being caught off-guard.
Additionally, controlling key objectives such as runes and Roshan can significantly benefit Axe and your team. Make sure you have the vision and presence around these areas to secure the resources and deny them from the enemy.
3. Coordinate Initiations with Axe
Axe’s strength lies in his ability to initiate team fights and control the battlefield. Be ready to follow up on his calls and provide the necessary crowd control abilities to keep enemies locked down. Heroes with stuns, disables, and slows are great additions to Axe’s initiation, as they can help lock down targets and maximize the impact of his abilities.
Communication is key in coordinating initiations. Use voice chat or ping the intended targets so that both you and Axe are on the same page when it comes to initiating fights.
Remember, supporting Axe effectively is all about enabling his early-game dominance and providing the necessary tools for him to initiate fights successfully. By prioritizing Lane Control, providing Vision and Map Control, and coordinating initiations, you can greatly contribute to Axe’s impact in the game and increase your chances of victory.
