With their incredible usefulness as watchdogs for team movement in addition to keeping an eye on neutral creep spawns, wards can single handedly make or break a match. Although their incredible importance in competitive matches, many players that are just beginning their play in the competitive arena are unable to determine what area is most effective for wards.
Despite many community websites including tutorials outlining ward placing, players still can not grasp the basics as these guides are often not updated version to version, with some simply not including the key areas. With these factors in mind, Alex “HEARTu.WE5T” Kim, helped compile an extensive list of areas in the game where wards achieve most effectiveness.
Top River
When playing either Sentinel or Scourge, one will still want to place a ward behind the tree on the cliff in the upper river. Placing the ward behind the tree gives the ward a bit more vision than if it had been placed it in front of the tree. This area can be very helpful if someone on the opposing team is continuously neutral creeping, as it stops the spawn of nearby neutrals. Vision is also granted for the spawn of runes.
Middle River
Placing a ward on either side of the river can assist the hero who is soloing tremendously. Vision is granted for possible guerrilla attacks coming from the northern forest or from behind the tower to the south.
Bottom River
Placing a ward near the bottom portion of the river, anywhere for that matter, can be one of the most important areas for early and late game play; team movement, rune spawns, and grouping for Roshan can easily be tracked. In this particular screenshot it outlines placing a ward in one of the more effective areas- on the third tier of rocks. Do take note that no neutral creep spawns will be stopped with the placement of this ward.
Scourge - Middle Neutral Creeps
There is a small formation of rocks in the middle of this area. Placement of a ward here will only grant a small amount of vision; however what it lacks in vision control it makes up tenfold with the ability to stop neutral creep spawns. Stopping a carry hero from farming these money making vermin can make or break a match.
Scourge - Top Neutrals
Yet another key area, placing a ward northwest of the torch will grant vision of neutral creeps as well as stopping future spawns. This area can also help in determining if the opposing team is going to attack top.
Sentinel - Middle Neutral Creeps
On the hill overlooking the river, which heads southeast, there is a patch of three lilies-- place a ward in the middle of these flowers. Vision will be granted of the main area of Sentinel based neutral creeps. Heroes who play the carry role in a match can often be seen passing this area multiple times throughout a game. Do take note that no neutral creep spawns will be stopped with the placement of this ward.
