Hero Roles

there are 3 basic types of heroes. Agility, Intelligence and Strength. However these heroes can be classified into more detailed roles. Each hero main job will be to fulfill one of these roles. Although it isn't as noticeable in a average public game, its certainly something to keep in the back of your mind.

Carry
Carry heroes are not that powerful in the early game, yet grow stronger during the game. Making them very powerful in the late game. If combined with a good build (buying the right items), this type of hero can mean the difference between a win or a loss for your team. Be careful to approach a good carry hero, as they can be very efficient gankers (ganking is killing other heroes). Agility-based heroes are often carry heroes.

Examples of carry heroes: Soulstealer, Night Hound, Swiftblade

Pushers
These heroes are specialized in dealing damage to a group of enemy creeps, or they can summon additional units. By having these spells they are great in quickly destroying enemy towers, making it possible for the team or your creeps to advance further into the enemy base.

Examples of push heroes: Defiler, Hellbringer, Tempest

Hellbringer destroying a tower with his Malphas


Disablers/Stunners
Some heroes have the ability to disable or stun other characters, which gives those other heroes a significant disadvantage when they are fighting or fleeing. There are various types of disables, such as stunning an enemy, reduce movement speeds, disallowing movement, reducing damage and attack speed, reducing armor, preventing physical attack or preventing spell casting. Some of those disables are passive, like the “dread” from Soulstealer (which reduces armor). In general, the goal of a disable is to keep an enemy hero in an area longer than they are comfortable with.

Examples of disable heroes: Pollywog Priest, Succubus, Behemoth


Nukers
This type of hero has the ability to cause an immense amount of damage within a single moment via one of their spells or via a physical attack. Obviously, these heroes are great during a hero fight, as they can kill opposing heroes quickly. Note that these heroes are the strongest in early/middle game. They grow weaker during the game as your opponent will level up and equip themselves with stronger items.

Examples of nuke heroes: Thunderbringer, Pyromancer, Torturer

Thunderbringer is one of the best nukers in the game.


Support
Heroes that have a support role need to aid and support the team. In this role, you will see healing or protective skills. Support heroes are also the players that should buy wards or a courier. If you find yourself in this role, do not hesitate to buy them! Sometimes pushers are considered as a support hero, but they can go solo, where a "real" support hero is mainly there to aid the team, and depends on having the rest of the team protect them.

Examples of support heroes: Demented Shaman, Nymphora, Jeraziah

Tanks
With their ability to absorb huge amounts of damage, these heroes are referred to as tanks. They can either do this with their high health or high armor count. Tanks are often used to take the blows when trying to take down an enemy tower, and overall try to absorb as much damage for their team as possible.

Heroes that can play this role: Armadon, Electrician, Legionnaire


As a last note, keep in mind that a hero can play multiply roles. There isn’t just one single way to play a hero effectively. However, it is key that you know what you are doing. If you are not sure what powers to pick or what items to buy, make sure you gather information first!