In the ever-evolving world of Dota 2, hero roles and metas frequently shift, often leading to surprising adaptations and strategies. One of the most intriguing developments in recent patches is the rise of Tinker as an effective support hero, a role far removed from his traditional mid-lane dominance.
With the release of patch 7.36 and its subsequent updates, Tinker has seen significant changes that make him a standout support, especially with his new facet, “Repair Bots.” This article explores why Tinker has become a top-tier support hero and how he excels in this unconventional role.
The Emergence of Support Tinker
Historically, Tinker has been renowned for his mid-lane prowess, utilizing his high burst damage and mobility to dominate games. However, the introduction of the “Repair Bots” facet in patch 7.36 has transformed him into a viable support option.
This facet allows Tinker’s March of the Machines to heal allies, a mechanic that has significantly boosted his support potential.
Patch 7.37 Enhancements
Patch 7.37 has further enhanced Tinker’s support capabilities. The healing from March of the Machines was increased from 30 to 45 per second, making Tinker’s support role more impactful. This heal, combined with his Defense Matrix and Laser, makes him a versatile and valuable asset in team compositions.
Key Features of Support Tinker:
- Healing Power:
- March of the Machines: With the new facet, this ability not only deals damage but also heals allies for 180 HP per use. The increased heal rate is a game-changer, providing significant sustain in battles.
- Defense Matrix:
- Provides a 320 damage barrier with 40% status resistance, which can be upgraded to 440 and 50% with talents. Although recently nerfed, it remains a potent defensive tool for protecting allies.
- Laser:
- Offers a reliable nuke and disarm, useful for controlling enemies and securing lanes. While not traditionally seen as a support ability, it complements Tinker’s support role by providing crowd control and damage.
- Rearm:
- Allows Tinker to reset cooldowns, including his healing March of the Machines. This ability ensures continuous healing and crowd control, making Tinker an enduring support presence.
Skill Build for Support Tinker:
- Level 1: Choose between Laser or March of the Machines based on the lane. Laser helps secure last hits and disarm opponents, while March provides crowd control.
- Level 2: Max out the other ability.
- Level 3: Invest in Defense Matrix for its protective capabilities.
- Level 7: Max out March of the Machines to enhance team fight effectiveness.
- Level 11: Focus on upgrading Defense Matrix.
- Level 12-14: Max out Laser, and prioritize leveling Rearm whenever possible.
Item Build for Support Tinker:
- Holy Locket: Amplifies healing from March of the Machines from 180 to 234.
- Guardian Greaves: Provides additional healing, increasing from 350 to 455.
- Aghanim’s Shard: Grants Warp Flare, useful for disorienting aggressive enemies.
Looking Ahead
While support Tinker is currently a strong pick in pubs, the upcoming professional tournaments will provide further insight into his viability at the highest levels of play.
The FISSURE Universe: Episode 3, starting on August 21, will showcase how top teams like Team Falcons, Gaimin Gladiators, and Team Spirit adapt to this new support role. For now, support Tinker is proving to be a powerful choice for players looking to gain an edge in their matches and climb the MMR ladder.
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