Many shy away from the idea of playing the mid-lane as they fear feeding to better players, well, they’re right! It all boils down to skill when you’re talking about the notorious Mid lane. One slight mistake and the enemy has an upper hand.
It may be a difficult lane to play in, but practice makes perfect! There is no dearth of mid heroes to play, but there are only a few good ones in this meta. We have compiled a list of the top 10 best mid heroes that induce fear in your enemies!
10. Invoker
Not all are capable of mastering this arcane magician. His skillset, often confusing and complicated is intimidating for new players.
A good Invoker induces fear in the enemy, and a great Invoker makes them rage quit! Invoker may be seen as this squishy mid hero but is very powerful even when he is low on levels. He is a great nuisance with Cold Snap and Forge Spirit combo. Various combinations can be used to secure kills or ward off enemies in a gank, such as the Tornado into Meteor and Deafening Blast combo or the Tornado into EMP combo.
Standard items on Invoker include Hand of Midas, Boots of Travel, Aghanim’s Scepter, Black King Bar, Scythe of Vyse, Orchid of Malevolence, Blink Dagger, Spirit Vessel. Some items may be completely situational and some items are essential to dominate with this hero. Refresher’s Orb into Cataclysm can prove to be a deadly combo if your team has other abilities to set up the fight!
What makes Invoker a fearsome Mid hero?
- Has a total of 10 spells that can be used both offensively and defensively.
- Multiple spell combinations and builds.
- Decent sustain with the Quas Wex build.
- Does well with allies that can supplement his abilities. (Mars, Tidehunter, Faceless Void, etc.)
- Can be the perfect initiator for team fights.
- Snowballs quickly if not contained in the early game.
- Physical damage build is also considered to be viable in certain matchups.
9. Templar Assassin
This mysterious and bold assassin has proven to be lethal for anyone who mistakes her for an easy target. Templar Assassin is nothing but a killing machine, she ruthlessly shreds enemy heroes apart while making it look easy!
The temple has rewarded her abilities that make her a silent but deadly cold-blooded assassin. She has immense physical damage potential which is supplemented by her quick base attack speed. She can ward off the enemy hero after putting a few levels in Psi Blade which deals insane damage, allowing her to farm quickly at the same time.
Templar Assassin gets activated right after her Desolator purchase, which allows her to mow down buildings and squishy supports. She is known to build immense damage-dealing items like Desolator, Daedalus, Monkey King Bar along with gap-closing items like the Blink Dagger and Hurricane Pike. It is impossible to escape the clutches of a 6-slotted Templar Assassin!
What makes Templar Assassin a fearsome Mid hero?
- Global presence with Aghanim’s Scepter upgrade of Psionic Traps.
- Can push waves remotely with max duration Psionic Traps.
- She can farm faster and shove lanes with Psi Blades.
- Meld’s ability turns her invisible, allowing her to hide or camp in the enemy jungle.
- Decent damage block and attack damage with the Refraction spell.
- Great talent tree which offers more damage and supplements her abilities.
Witness Templar Assassin in action!
8. Shadow Fiend
This spine-chilling beast induces fear into his enemies. His presence weakens the enemies and makes it easy for him to pierce through their feeble armor. He embodies all that is evil and none shall escape him! The almighty Shadow Fiend.
Shadow Fiend rarely appears in the pro scene but he is vastly picked in pub games. This is mostly due to his farming capabilities and massive damage output. His early game prowess is unmatched since he can solo kill his mid counterpart easily. Shadow Fiend can go both Physical or Magical build.
The most common items of Shadow Fiend include Eul’s Scepter, Silver Edge, Black King Bar, Arcane Blink, Butterfly, Eye of Skadi, Daedalus, Monkey King Bar, Aghanim’s Scepter. These items can amplify his physical or magical abilities and are guaranteed to guide you to victory!
What makes Shadow Fiend a fearsome Mid hero?
- Deals insane magic damage at very early levels.
- Can go for both magical/physical item builds.
- High magical damage output with Requiem of Souls ultimate.
- Passive abilities provide armor reduction and increased physical damage which can supplement your physical damage item build.
- Often wins solo mid-lane matchups regardless of the enemy hero.
- Indestructible if not ganked in the early game.
- Amazing late-game potential.
Witness Shadow Fiend in action!
7. Lina
You should never play with fire, you’ll end up losing! Lina smokes her enemies with her insane magical burst damage, there is no way you recover from this arson!
Lina is a beginner-friendly hero but only the most experienced players can understand her true potential. She can rip through enemies effortlessly, with both her abilities and physical damage output. Her AoE spells can easily demolish squishy support heroes. High movement speed allows her to rotate through lanes quickly.
Lina is a nuisance right from the early game, her items make her more annoying to play against. She is extremely flexible hence one can opt for different builds. Standard items on Lina include Eul’s Scepter, Boots of Travel, Monkey King Bar, Black King Bar, Silver Edge, Aghanim’s Scepter, Scythe of Vyse. These items offer to sustain, escape and damage that allows Lina to perform optimally during the team fights.
What makes Lina a fearsome Mid hero?
- Immense magic burst potential.
- AoE and wave clear spells that help her farm faster.
- Can easily harass/kill enemy heroes after getting her ultimate.
- Physical item build turns her into a turret.
- Can catch multiple heroes using her Light Strike Array ability.
- Nuisance to squishy enemy heroes.
- High base movement and attack speed, which is only enhanced by her passive ability.
6. Puck
Looks can be deceiving! This faery dragon is often considered as one of the most adorable heroes in the game, but at the same time Puck is a menace and not all like playing against it.
Puck is often known as the most elusive hero in the game, providing an immense amount of magical damage and crowd control. It is also a great disabler and does well in the early stages of the game. Puck relies more on items than levels but can easily knock down enemy support heroes at level 6.
Puck has various builds which are flexible, allowing more options when it comes to certain matchups. Puck can build items like Witch Blade, Eul’s Scepter, Blink Dagger, Boots of Travel, Aghanim’s Scepter, Dagon, Ethereal Blade, Aeon Disk, Desolator. The above is a combination of both offensive and defensive items. If played efficiently, you are guaranteed to finish the game with zero deaths!
What makes Puck a fearsome Mid hero?
- Immensely mobile and slippery hero.
- Can dominate the early game after reaching level 6.
- Can dodge spells and projectiles with the Phase Shift ability.
- Lots of wave push and farming potential.
- Insane crowd control and disable abilities.
- Aghanim’s Scepter makes it harder for the enemies to escape Dream Coil ultimate.
- The physical build is as viable as the magical build in the recent meta.
- Amazing at kiting enemies in team fights.
5. Queen of Pain
Behold the almighty Queen! Bow down to her presence or perish! She leaves you no choice. Queen of Pain is a force to be reckoned with. You’re at the wrong end of the leash if you face off against her!
Queen of Pain is a very annoying hero for the enemy mid laner. It is irritating to lane against constant spam and harassment, if overlooked then it can result in your death! She has the perfect skillset to both harass and kill the enemy hero, her mobility makes her even harder to catch. QoP is active as soon as she gets her level 6, allowing her to gank other lanes.
Queen of Pain is known to follow a conventional build, which includes items like Orchid of Maleovalence, Boots of Travel, Aghanim’s Scepter, Scythe of Vyse, Linken’s Sphere, Eul’s Scepter. The quick burst potential of this hero is unmatched, the talent tree only enhances her potential to perform better! If you are an aggressive player then this hero is the best for you!
What makes Queen of Pain a fearsome Mid hero?
- Mobility with the Blink ability, which can further be enhanced with Aghanim’s shard.
- Nuisance in the early game.
- Great burst damage with Scream of Pain and Sonic Wave.
- Good at wave clear and farming.
- Active hero and a decent early game ganker.
- Items supplement her ability to kill.
Witness Queen of Pain in action!
4. Tinker
This mechanical genius requires quick reflexes and strong muscle memory! Tinker is often ranked one of the most complex Mid heroes, guaranteed to make your hands ache after one long and intense game!
Tinker is a very annoying hero from the enemy mid laner’s perspective. He won’t let you do physical damage, nor will he let you farm thanks to his Heat-Seeking Missiles! Due to his mobile nature, you never know where he will be on the map!
Tinker is active from the mid-game, he comes online after a few items, which allows him to gank other lanes. His magical damage output is amplified with Rearm. Tinker usually builds items like Aether Lens, Blink Dagger, Aghanim’s Scepter, Scythe of Vyse, Bloodstone, Dagon. Black King Bar. After acquiring the essential items, there is no way you can stop the great genius!
What makes Tinker a fearsome Mid hero?
- Global presence with Keen Conveyance ability.
- Can push lanes effortlessly with Aghanim Shard’s (March of the Machines) ability.
- Defense Matrix blocks a significant amount of damage and provides status resistance.
- Immense magic damage output.
- Can defend high-ground effortlessly.
- Can chain disable enemies with items thanks to the Rearm ultimate.
- Nuisance in the early game.
3. Void Spirit
His actions have transcended dimensions, Void Spirit has cemented his name as one of the most spammed new mid heroes in the game. His swift and lethal moves have made him a threat.
Void Spirit is known to be a complex hero as his skill set may be confusing but once mastered, he can turn the tide to his advantage! Void can block most damage coming his way. His incredible AoE spells make it easy for him to farm and clear creep waves. His highly elusive spells make him harder to catch and kill.
Like many heroes on this list, Void is known to be flexible in terms of item builds. Both physical and magical builds work perfectly on him, depending on the matchup. Standard items on Void include Aghanim’s Scepter, Eul’s Scepter, Kaya and Sange, Black King Bar, Orchid of Maleovalnce, Octraine Core, Desolator, Scythe of Vyse. Building lockdowns and disable items ensures your enemies can not escape your clutches! Securing you multiple kills!
What makes Void Spirit a fearsome Mid hero?
- Slippery and mobile hero.
- His power spike is in the early game.
- Can farm efficiently with decent AoE damage.
- Good at solo killing squishy enemy supports effortlessly
- Can be a great disabler with Aghanim’s Scepter upgrade.
- Great talent tree that scales well with items in the late game.
Witness Void Spirit in action!
2. Ember Spirit
You’re guaranteed to turn toast if you’re too close to this Spirit. The lethality of Ember Spirit has made him a very tough competitor to the number 1 on this list! Ember Spirit is one of the strongest mid laners in the current meta!
Ember is known to have an upper hand in the early game, due to his massive DPS and high base attack speed. You may regret leaving him alone to farm, as he farms quickly! His AoE damage spells make it easy for him to push waves and farm effortlessly. He can rotate as soon as he hits level 6, posing a threat to other lanes as well.
Lots of innovative item builds are being used by players all around the world. Most builds purely depend on the matchup, while some are truly experimental or played for fun. The ideal build on Ember Spirit includes Maelstorm, Aghanim’s Scepter, Black King Bar, Boots of Travel, Desolator, Daedalus.
Other builds include items like Glepnir, Eul’s Scepter, Crystalis, Linken’s Sphere, Kaya and Sange, Shiva’s Guard, Battle Fury, and the almighty Divine Rapier! These are guaranteed to give you a rampage, with just one Slight of Fist!
What makes Ember Spirit a fearsome Mid hero?
- Very slippery and mobile, especially with Aghanim’s Scepter.
- A great mix of physical and magical damage in his abilities.
- Decent crowd control with Searing chains and Slight of Fist combo.
- A plethora of item builds, including a hybrid of Magical/Physical.
- Farms very fast due to immense AoE damage abilities.
- Global Presence with Boots of Travel and Fire Remnant.
1. Storm Spirit
This charming and electrifying hero is a crowd favorite! Storm Spirit is one of the most picked heroes in the current meta, due to his highly active play style and fast farming speed. He is widely regarded as one of the best mid laners in the game!
Storm is mostly played as a fast tempo mid hero, meaning he usually rotates to gank other lanes and quickly goes back to farming or taking towers. His high mana pool enables him to jump into enemy heroes and catch them off-guard. Late game Storm is a disaster for the enemy team!
Storm Spirit conventionally has a limited build potential but that does not mean the items built on him aren’t strong enough. He builds disables and high mana pool and regen offering items such as Orchid of Maleovalnece, Scythe of Vyse, Bloodstone, Sange, and Kaya along with defense items like Black King Bar and Aeon Disk. The items are the perfect mix of offensive and defensive, combined with the Aghanim’s Scepter Electric Vortex upgrade can lead you to a rampage!
What makes Storm Spirit a fearsome Mid hero?
- Immense mobility with the Lighting Ball ultimate.
- More dependant on levels as opposed to items.
- Insane magic damage output with long-range ultimate.
- Great for wave clear and farming.
- Impressive talent tree that supplements his killing potential and scales well with his item build.
- Decent early game gank potential.
- Aghanim’s Scepter provides great crowd control.
This concludes this list of the top 10 best Dota 2 Mid heroes in the current meta. A few of the mentioned heroes vary in complexity but that should not stop you from playing and experiencing their full potential! We hope you master the heroes and climb up the MMR ladder!
You May Also Be Interested In:
- [Top 10] Dota 2 Best Carry Heroes That Wreck Hard!
- Top 10 Best Mid Heroes of Dota 2
- Top 10 Best Support Heroes of Dota 2
- In-game Best Settings for an Advantage in Dota 2
- Top 10 Best Offlane Heroes in Dota 2
- [Top 10] Dota 2 Best Agility Heroes That Wreck Hard!
- [Top 10] Dota 2 Best Junglers That Wreck Hard!
- [Top 10] Dota 2 Best Aghanim Upgrades That Are OP
