First 10 matches

Pick a hero that’s easy to learn in your first matches: you can focus on the map and the economy while you learn the abilities. These are the heroes new players win with the most: the highest win rate in lower-rank matches (Initiate–Seeker), with a game difficulty of one or two diamonds. The list updates with match data every patch.

Three lanes connect the two bases. The lanes have Guardians and Walkers, the Mid-Boss sits in the middle, and the jungle lies between the lanes. Click an area on the map below.

You’re in your lane for the first 10 minutes. Last hit the troopers, and grab the Soul orb that drops by shooting it. If you shoot the enemy’s orb, you deny it. Stay with your lane partner.

The Souls you collect both raise your level and get spent in the shop. Items come in 800, 1,600, 3,200 and 6,400 Soul tiers. When Souls pile up, don’t forget to head back to base and spend them.

You earn ability points as you level up. Each ability has three upgrades (costing 1, 2 and 5 points). If you don’t know which order to unlock them in, check the community order on the hero page.

When your lane is quiet, clear the camps in the jungle and break the Golden Statues: they give permanent upgrades. But missing the trooper wave in your lane costs more.

Order: Guardian, Walker, Base Guardians, Shrines and Patron. The team that kills the Mid-Boss and takes the Rejuvenator gets stronger; that’s the best time to take down a Walker.

When you die, you wait for a while and lose some of the Souls you’re carrying. If your health is low, fall back; don’t wander alone in the enemy jungle. After you respawn, take the zipline back to your lane fast.