Beastmaster/Guide

Gameplay
Beastmaster is a utility hero that brings many benefits to his team. His scouting Hawk functions like a moving ward, and his Boar slows down enemies with ranged attacks. speeds up allied attacks, and is the best single-target stun in the game. That said, Beastmaster does not excel at any one particular role and is usually played as a semi-support or initiator. His summons require a modest amount of micromanagement, which can be intimidating to new players. Beastmaster can pick off supports with ease, but cannot go head-to-head against heavier heroes. Depending on the situation, players can build Beastmaster as an initiator, pusher, or an armor/strength based brawler.

Ability Builds

 * Summon Hawk and Summon Boar are leveled up simultaneously.

General

 * Beastmaster is usually played solo in the offlane, but also sometimes in the mid lane.
 * Some enemy setups can shut down Beastmaster in lane. If needed, ask a support to join you.
 * Micromanaging Beastmaster's summons, especially his Hawk, is important to winning games.
 * Compared to other supports, Beastmaster is fairly tanky.
 * Beastmaster has no escape mechanisms. Engage carefully.


 * Wild Axes has a very long range, and can be used to pick off fleeing enemies.
 * Wild Axes is good against juking enemies, as it cuts down trees over a wide area.
 * Wild Axes is a powerful farming tool, clearing waves of creeps at once.
 * Aside from farming, Wild Axes is not very useful compared to Beastmaster's other abilities, and is usually maxed last.
 * Use Wild Axes to stop an enemy from regenerating with or.
 * Wild Axes can be used to stack/farm ancient creeps, since they affect spell immune units. This can be very effective when used in Dire offlane (bottom), as Beastmaster doesn't need to leave the lane to hit the creep camp.
 * Be careful not to undercast Wild Axes. Always target the space behind the enemy.
 * Wild Axes can be used to cut down trees next to lanes. This gives better vision and could save Beastmaster from a gank.

- Hawk

 * The Hawk is Beastmaster's greatest asset, as it provides a large vision advantage for his team. It is usually leveled first.
 * Because of its low cooldown, there should always be a Hawk somewhere on the map, if not two.
 * Send a Hawk to scout ahead before a potential engagement. Even if it dies, it's well worth the sacrifice.
 * Keep in mind that the Hawk cannot see enemies under.
 * Move and place Hawks over trees. This makes them harder to detect or kill.
 * If an enemy has spotted a scouting Hawk, and there are no impassable terrain nearby, immediately stopping the Hawk's movement may give it enough time to stealth before being killed.
 * Don't move Hawks too often, or they will be seen.
 * Hawks are good at scouting areas where wards are seldomly placed, like the forested edges of the map.
 * Most players will instinctively try to kill a Hawk. If seen, move the Hawk to bait enemies into favorable positions.
 * Hawks can be used as a target unit for . Strategic placement will allow teammates to teleport to it for split pushing or ganking.

- Boar

 * Because of its low cooldown, Beastmaster can have two active Boars at the same time.
 * Assign control groups to Boars for easier microing.
 * In teamfights, target enemy carries with Boars to slow them down, making it easier for teammates to kite them.
 * Boars can be used to stack creeps for your team.
 * Boars can be used to block camps against the enemy team.
 * Target Boars on a pursuing enemies to slow them down.
 * With very good timing, Boars can be used to deny Beastmaster (or any other ally/building).


 * Inner Beast is an excellent passive for pushing. With several teammates nearby, buildings will fall very quickly.
 * Inner Beast synergizes well with Boars, creeps, as well as units from . This gives Beastmaster significant pushing ability.
 * After the early game, Beastmaster should try to stay near allied carries so they benefit from Inner Beast.


 * Primal Roar has the longest unconditional stun duration in the game.
 * Primal Roar is one of few stuns that goes through spell immunity, making it ideal for stopping a carry who just activated a.
 * With, Beastmaster can jump in to initiate with Primal Roar. The purpose of this is to quickly eliminate one hero, giving your team a numerical advantage if the enemy chooses to engage.
 * Make sure teammates are around to follow up though, as Beastmaster cannot kill tougher heroes alone.
 * If initiating, try to stun the enemy carry or initiator. This ensures they don't counter-initiate.
 * makes Primal Roar significantly more powerful, allowing Beastmaster to initiate every 40 seconds from a solid 950 range.