Blocking

Blocking is the use of unit collision or camp occupancy to delay movement, alter a creep wave, obstruct a hero, or prevent a neutral camp from spawning normally.

What is Blocking in Dota 2?

Blocking has several related meanings in Dota 2. Creep blocking means moving in front of allied lane creeps so they are delayed on the way to the lane. This can change where the first waves meet and give a hero a more favorable position near their tower or high ground. Body blocking uses the same collision principle against an enemy hero, forcing that hero to path around a unit and potentially lose distance during a chase.

Camp blocking is different: a unit or ward occupies a neutral camp's spawn area when a new group would otherwise appear. The result is that the camp does not spawn normally. These techniques all use positioning to interfere with movement or spawning, but their goals and timing are different.

How Blocking is used in a match

Creep blocking is most common at the start of a lane. A player walks in front of the allied wave, repeatedly adjusting position so the creeps slow down without getting completely stuck. A successful block can move the meeting point toward a safer or tactically useful location.

Body blocking appears during ganks and chases. One player runs slightly ahead of an enemy and uses collision to make the target take a longer route while allies attack. Camp blocking is usually part of lane control or map control: a support may place a ward in a pull camp so the opposing lane cannot use that camp until the block is removed.

Do not confuse Blocking with...

Creep blocking changes movement; pulling redirects a lane wave toward neutral creeps; stacking creates additional neutral creeps at a camp. Camp blocking prevents a normal spawn and should not be confused with either pulling or stacking.