Dota 2: How to play Warlock and best build

Warlock, the master of chaotic magic, is a powerful support hero in Dota 2, known for his ability to control team fights and heal allies. As of Patch 7.34, Warlock continues to be a strong pick, particularly in team compositions that benefit from sustained engagements and area control.

His ultimate, Chaotic Offering, summons a Golem that can wreak havoc in team fights, making Warlock a key player in turning the tide of battle.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to play Warlock, focusing on his best builds, positioning, talents, and items, along with strategic tips to maximize his effectiveness in different phases of the game.

Note: This article is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinions.

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Understanding the role of Warlock in Dota 2

Warlock's Fiend Summoner set (Image via Valve)

Warlock is typically played as a Position 5 support, where his primary role is to sustain his team through healing, provide strong area control in fights, and disrupt the enemy with his abilities.

However, he can also deputize as a Position 4 support or even a Position 3 offlaner in certain niche strategies, focusing more on his utility and disruptive potential.

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How to effectively play Warlock in Dota 2?

Warlock's The Gatekeeper set (Image via Valve)

Playing Warlock revolves around understanding your role as a support and the timing of your abilities. In the early game, focus on securing farm for your carry while harassing the enemy offlaner with Shadow Word, which can be used either as a heal for your allies or as a damage-over-time spell on enemies.

Warlock’s laning phase is relatively strong due to his ability to sustain his carry and zone out opponents with his long-range attack and powerful spells.

As you transition into the mid-game, Warlock’s role focuses more on positioning and timing. Your ultimate, Chaotic Offering, is one of the most impactful spells in the game, but its long cooldown means it should be used wisely.

Look to initiate or counter-initiate team fights with your Golem, combining it with Fatal Bonds and Shadow Word to maximize your team’s damage output and sustain. Position yourself in the backline, where you can safely cast your spells without being caught out.

In the late game, Warlock’s effectiveness continues to scale, especially if you manage to secure key items that enhance your utility. Your primary objective remains the same: use Chaotic Offering to disrupt the enemy team, heal your allies, and apply Fatal Bonds to amplify your team’s damage.

Warlock is a hero who thrives in extended team fights, so always be ready to heal and reposition as needed.

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Best Dota 2 Warlock builds

Warlock's position 5 and 5 builds (Image via Valve)

Position 5 Support build:

• Starting Items: Tango, Healing Salve, Observer Ward, Sentry Ward, Clarity
• Early Game: Arcane Boots, Magic Wand, Wind Lace
• Core Items: Aghanim’s Shard, Glimmer Cape, Force Staff
• Late Game: Refresher Orb, Aeon Disk, Octarine Core

In the Position 5 role, your focus is on sustaining your team and controlling the map with wards. Arcane Boots provide the necessary mana to spam your spells, while Aghanim’s Shard upgrades your Shadow Word to affect multiple targets.

Glimmer Cape and Force Staff offer defensive options to save yourself or your teammates. In the late game, Refresher Orb allows you to double-cast Chaotic Offering, while Aeon Disk and Octarine Core ensure you can survive and contribute consistently in fights.

Position 4 Support build:

• Starting items: Tango, Healing Salve, Wind Lace, Clarity, Sentry Ward
• Early game: Tranquil Boots, Magic Wand, Medallion of Courage
• Core items: Aghanim’s Scepter, Glimmer Cape, Force Staff
• Late game: Refresher Orb, Scythe of Vyse, Shiva’s Guard

As a Position 4, you can afford to be a bit avaricious with your itemization, aiming for utility items that help control the enemy team. Aghanim’s Scepter enhances Chaotic Offering by summoning two Golems, doubling your impact in team fights.

Items like Medallion of Courage and Shiva’s Guard provide additional armor reduction and area control, making you a more versatile and impactful support.

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Tips and tactics for Warlock in Dota 2

Warlock's The Wailing Inferno set (Image via Valve)

• Chaotic Offering timing: Use your ultimate wisely. It’s often better to save it for key moments when you can hit multiple enemies or turn a fight in your team’s favor.
• Fatal Bonds usage: Always try to hit as many enemy heroes and creeps as possible with Fatal Bonds to maximize your team’s damage output.
• Positioning: Stay in the backline during fights to avoid getting caught out. Your spells have long cast ranges, so there’s no need to be upfront.
• Healing efficiency: Use Shadow Word effectively, either to sustain your carry-in lane or to harass and zone out the enemy offlaner.

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Pros and cons of Warlock in Dota 2

Pros:

• Powerful team fight ultimate with Chaotic Offering.
• Strong laning presence with sustain and harassment.
• Can heal allies and apply damage over time with Shadow Word.
• Effective in extended team fights due to Fatal Bonds and healing.

Cons:

• Long cooldown on Chaotic Offering makes him less impactful when it’s down.
• Lacks mobility and can be easily caught out of position.
• Relatively weak in the early game without his ultimate.
• Dependent on good positioning to maximize effectiveness.

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Which Warlock Talents to pick in Dota 2

• Level 10: Both talents are great, depends on the opposing team's composition and your playstyle
• Level 15: +10 Upheaval Attack Speed per second on Allies
• Level 20: Summons a Golem on death
• Level 25: +20 Armor to Chaotic Offering Golems

These talents enhance Warlock’s ability to heal, survive, and contribute in team fights. The Level 25 talent is particularly valuable, significantly increasing the durability of your Golems in late-game engagements.

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Best Warlock items in Dota 2

Warlock as seen in the game (Image via Valve)

• Aghanim’s Shard: Upgrades Shadow Word to affect multiple targets, greatly increasing your healing and harassment potential.
• Aghanim’s Scepter: Lets you summon an extra Golem
• Glimmer Cape: Provides invisibility and magic resistance, essential for saving yourself or your teammates.
• Force Staff: Offers mobility and the ability to reposition yourself or allies.
• Refresher Orb: Allows you to double-cast Chaotic Offering, doubling your impact in team fights.
• Aeon Disk: Provides a safety net to avoid getting burst down in fights, ensuring you can still cast your spells.

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FAQs Warlock in Dota 2

1) How to play Warlock effectively?

Focus on positioning and timing your Chaotic Offering to disrupt the enemy team and provide strong area control. Use Shadow Word and Fatal Bonds to sustain your squad and amplify their damage.

2) What is Warlock's role in Dota 2?

Warlock is primarily a Position 5 support, but he can also be played as a Position 4 support or even a Position 3 offlaner in specific strategies.

3) Who can counter Warlock?

Heroes with high mobility, like Storm Spirit or Puck, can bypass Warlock’s positioning and take him down quickly. Additionally, heroes such as Silencer or Nyx Assassin can silence or disable him. As a consequence, they can prevent him from casting his spells effectively.