Creeps

Creeps are a type of unit within Dota 2 that Heroes can interact with, but do not have direct control over. There are two types of Creeps, Lane Creeps and Neutral Creeps. Both types of creeps can be killed by players for Gold and Experience.

Lane Creeps
Lane Creeps spawn from either faction's base and constantly push towards the enemy's. Lane Creeps are aligned with one faction, and will attack enemy Creeps (including Neutral Creeps), Heroes, and Buildings. Destroying the enemy team's Barracks will provide that lane with Mega Creeps, upgrading certain Lane Creeps depending on which Barracks is destroyed.

Lane Creeps come in three varieties: Melee Creeps, Ranged Creeps, and Siege Creeps. Melee Creeps have more health, but deal less damage and appear in larger groups. Ranged Creeps deal more damage to other Creeps, but less against Heroes, and have Mana. Siege Creeps deal more damage to Buildings, have more health, and spawn every sixth wave. Siege Creeps do not grow during the game, and cannot be improved by destroying the enemy Barracks. All Lane Creeps can disable Backdoor Protection on enemy Buildings when close.

Mechanics
Lane Creeps spawn behind their team's Barracks if they're still standing, or from the top of the ramps leading into their team's base if they have been destroyed, every 30 seconds. The first wave of creeps has 3 Melee Creeps and 1 Ranged Creep, and every seventh wave will have a Siege Creep (starting at 3:00.) At 17:30, 34:00, and 50:30, an extra Melee Creep is added. At 45:30, an extra Ranged Creep is added. At 48:30, an extra Siege Creep is added to every seventh wave.

Every 7 minutes 30 seconds, Melee and Ranged Creeps will receive a permanent statistic increase shown below. The stat bonuses will continue for 30 stacks, or for 3 hours 45 minutes.

Neutral Creeps
Neutral Creeps are tougher, more dangerous creeps that appear in the forest. They are aligned to neither of the teams, and offer an alternative source of Gold and Experience. Heroes can focus on killing Neutral Creeps in order to farm, by Jungling. Some Neutral Creeps also have special abilities. Heroes such as Doom Bringer can make use of these abilities, and turn them against their enemies. Roshan is also considered a Neutral Creep.

Mechanics
Neutral Creeps will spawn every minute after the first creep spawn, or at 0:30, assuming there are no units, wards, or corpses near the camp and that no Heroes have Vision in that area. Aggravated creeps will follow units out of their camp for 7 seconds, at which point they will return to the camp area. This delay in the return can be used for Creep Pulling, which pulls Neutral Creeps into contact with Lane Creeps, and Creep Stacking, which causes multiple camps of creeps to spawn in one area.

Small Creeps
Small Creeps are the weakest of the Neutral Creeps. They give very little gold, and act more as a starting point for Jungling Heroes. They give anywhere between 65-102 gold, and between 123-144 experience.

Medium Creeps
Medium Creeps are slightly tougher enemies. They deal more damage, have more health, and have access to abilities, but shouldn't be too much of a problem for most Heroes. They give anywhere between 81-155 gold and 160-258 experience.

Large Creeps
Large Creeps are very difficult enemies. They all have access to some abilities that can be dangerous if they're not approached with caution. They give anywhere between 86-161 gold and 160-284 experience.

Ancient Creeps
Ancient Creeps are very powerful, magic resistant creeps. Their danger is made up for in rewards, if a Hero can survive long enough to reap them. They give anywhere between 215-346 gold and 279-393 experience.

Roshan
Roshan is a unique creep that spawns near the middle of the map. In addition to providing a large experience and gold bounty when killed, Roshan also drops the Aegis of the Immortal. If he is killed three times in one game, he will drop a Cheese as well.