Guide to playing Pudge on all 5 positions 2022

Pudge is one of the most versatile and flexible heroes. Because of this, currently, it is so popular in pubs. Either it's always picked or banned in most of the games. You can first pick Pudge and adjust accordingly to enemy hero picks later. Pudge is flexible because it gives lockdown, AOE damage, Frontline/tank, and slow. Plus, his hook and ultimate pierce through BKB.

In this article, I have explained 5 ways to play Pudge, so let's get into it.

Carry Pudge:

We all have seen Carry Pudge pick in pubs nowadays. The reason is that he can sustain in the lane with his 3rd spell, Flesh heap, which gives him HP regen and damage block. You have a potential kill in lane if you have support with stun like a grim, lion, etc. For the first 20 minutes, you need to focus on your farm. You can participate in team fights if enemies are diving in the tower to get some Flesh heap stacks, but you shouldn't waste your time on ganks while playing as the core.

Its Itemization is straightforward: first phase boots, then Vanguard and hood, or if they have a lot of magic damage, you can go phase boots > hood > Vanguard> Aghanim's Scepter, and if they have a lot of lockdowns, you can go BKB. To catch heroes like Puck, Ember Spirit, and Queen of Pain, you can go B link Dagger to use your ultimate on them. Even if they have all magic damage heroes, Vanguard is a must because you have to frontline and tank all the hits of creeps, heroes, and towers. Do not forget that Pudge's late game is strong.

Mid-lane Pudge:

Mid-lane Pudge is also very good since he can sustain much damage and hook the enemy in the tower. Pudge can also hook the rune to secure it.

The itemization you need to do as mid-Pudge is phase boots > hood/vanguard, depending on enemy heroes. If the enemy is magic, buy hood. If physical, buy Vanguard. Remember, don't make both because you don't want to delay your dagger timing. Focus on getting Flesh heap stacks instead of farming. It will make space for your carry.

Offlane Pudge:

Offlane Pudge dominates and snowballs the game with good matchup support. One of the advantages of Offlane pudge is he can do frontline and tank for his carry to free hit their enemies and take all the damage to himself.

As an Offlane pudge, you should focus on getting kills as much as you can doesn't matter even if you die after getting a kill because Flesh heap charges are all that matters, so as long as you are getting Flesh heap charges, you are winning the lane. After you get 3-4 charges of Flesh heap, you can zone out their carry from his lane.

The itemization are pretty same as carry pudge, phase boots > Vanguard > Hood > Aghanim’s Scepter > BKB > Dagger. With these items, you can stay frontline so your carry can free hit from behind.

Soft Support Pudge:

You should pick soft support pudge only when you have a strong offlane hero who can sustain in lane because soft support pudge doesn't do much in the lane because he needs to roam. Dragon Knight, Mars, Tide, Timber, etc. can be left alone in the lane after level 3 and secure runes at mid or gank in other lanes. But if you have a weak offlane hero, you must help him in the lane.

The Itemization as a soft support pudge are phase boots > Blink Dagger > Aghanim's Shard > Force Staff > Lotus Orb > Aghanim's Scepter. Some people make Tranquil boots on soft support pudge, but phase boots are more efficient because they will allow you to roam faster Pudge lacks armor, so it gives you armor too. After you get the Blink dagger and Aghanim's Shard, you can save your teammates easily.

Hard Support Pudge:

Hard support pudge is not a good matchup. It doesn't do much in the lane as it's hard to help your carry as a hard support pudge. We would recommend not playing Pudge as hard support. But if you do pick Pudge as hard support, we are here to guide you.

First, as a hard support pudge, you can hide in trees near your tower and try to hook your enemy under your tower. It will probably be a kill if the enemy doesn't have escape ability. As a hard support pudge, you shouldn't worry about sacrificing yourself for your cores.

The Itemization you can do as a hard support pudge is Tranquil boots > Spirit Vessel (Situational) > Force Staff > Aghanim's Shard > Blink Dagger > Lotus Orb > Aghanim's Scepter. The way to play hard support Pudge is pretty much the same as the soft support pudge. You can make a spirit vessel if needed. Otherwise, you can make force staff for the team, and any item you make should benefit your team. You need to stay behind, save your teammates with your Aghanim's Shard, and then force staff out.

Good Matchups:

Bad Matchups: