Since late 2019, neutral items in Dota 2 have become a staple component of the game’s strategy and mechanics. These items, distinguished by their unique method of obtaining and the extra features they add to the game, are crucial for players looking to gain an edge over their opponents.
This article delves into how Dota 2 neutral items work, exploring their significance, acquisition, and impact on your average gameplay.
Dota 2 Neutral Items (Image Credits: Valve)
What are Dota 2 neutral items?
Neutral items represent a special category of items that players can obtain exclusively from neutral creeps in the jungle. Unlike traditional items, these cannot be bought or sold in shops and are indestructible.
Each player has a unique item slot dedicated to neutral items, but you can still hold multiple items in your stash. Hence, a player can equip only one of them at a time, thus requiring players to take into consideration which is the best, given the variety and tiers of neutral items available.
How Dota 2 neutral item and token drops work (after patch 7.33)
The method of acquiring neutral items has changed in Dota 2, perhaps for the better, particularly with the introduction of Neutral Tokens in patch 7.33. In the past, players would rely on the luck of the draw from neutral creep drops, but Icefrog, the developer behind the game, overhauled the system to offer a more balanced and fair approach.
How to redeem Dota 2 neutral item from neutral token (Image Credits: Dota 2)
Neutral Tokens, resembling a coin, replaced direct item drops from neutral creeps. Now, upon defeating these creeps, players receive tokens which, when used/clicked, present a random selection of five Dota 2 neutral items to choose from.
This selection is permanent for the duration of the game once you have made your choice, emphasizing the importance of making informed decisions based on your hero and even your team’s need if you are a good support player. These tokens and the items they offer are still tiered similar to their predecessors, with tiers 1-5, which increment over passing a certain game duration:
- Tier 1 – after 07:00+ Mins
- Tier 2 – after 17:00+ Mins
- Tier 3 – after 27:00+ Mins
- Tier 4 – after 36:40+ Mins
- Tier 5 – after 60:00+ Mins
Dota 2 neutral item from tier 1-5 (Image Credits: Dota 2)
Neutral Items are no longer sharable
Post-patch 7.33, these items have become non-exchangeable among players, marking a departure from previous mechanics where players could swap them to optimize team compositions.
This change necessitates a more strategic approach to item selection, as players must consider their choices carefully, knowing they cannot alter their decision for that particular tier of item. Additionally, the possibility of receiving duplicate neutral items among team members can occur.
FAQ about Neutral Items in Dota 2
- Each player receives a personalized selection of five random neutral items for each tier level.
- Players can drop unused Neutral Tokens for teammates to claim, encouraging team cooperation and less selfishness.
- Neutral items not in use remain invisible to other players.
- Neutral Tokens can be used directly from the backpack, with no cooldown for equipping.
- Opponents can still steal Neutral Tokens left on the ground, adding a risk element to ensuring you always pick them up quickly.
Best Neutral Items
Even amongst neutral items, some stand out above the rest and are highly sought after. Notably, these are often items that offer a unique effect or ability. Meanwhile, bad Neutral items are the ones that barely offer any improvements, such as a small base attack or stat increase.
The general consensus seems to be that, depending on the attribute of your hero, pick whichever neutral item that benefits that attribute. For instance, intelligence heroes can benefit from mana regen or intelligence stats, such as Arcane Ring and Fairy’s Trinket (Tier 1).
Keeping up with the same example, Psychic Headband (Tier 3) is also great as it offers increased skill cast range and intelligence gain.
Read also:Hardest Dota 2 Hero – Top 5 Hardest Heroes in Dota 2What is Dota Labs: Everything about the experimental feature
This article was originally published here
