Zoning

Zoning is the use of threat, damage, control or positioning to force enemy heroes away from an area they would otherwise want to occupy.

What is Zoning in Dota 2?

Zoning creates a boundary that is costly or dangerous for the opponent to cross. In lane, a support may stand between an enemy offlaner and the creep wave, threatening attacks or spells whenever the enemy approaches for experience or last hits. In a teamfight, an area spell can zone several heroes away from a ramp, objective or escape route even if it deals little or no direct damage.

The key is control of space rather than the number of attacks made. An enemy who chooses not to enter the threatened area has already been affected by the zone. This can protect a farming core, secure an objective, split a formation, or deny access to a favorable position.

How Zoning is used in a match

Good zoning starts with a reason to hold the area. During the laning stage, denying access to the creep wave can reduce the opponent's resources while giving an allied core a safer lane. Around Roshan, a team may place heroes and persistent abilities on the most likely entrances so the enemy cannot walk in together.

Players should avoid zoning so aggressively that they become isolated. The threat only works while the zoning hero can survive or receive support. If the enemy can simply turn and kill the hero holding the boundary, the supposed zone becomes an opening for the other team.

Do not confuse Zoning with...

Zoning controls access to an area. Kiting controls distance from a particular threat during combat, and harassment is repeated pressure intended to reduce health or resources. Harassment can be used to create a zone, but zoning is the positional result.