So something I've noticed is a lot of people have been coming to Dota now from league of legends. One thing that's hard adjusting to is the difference in map awareness, something we could all probably use a bit more of ourselves. So in this guide I'm going to give a quick rundown on how to stay alive in Dota by simply using your map.

For those of you reading this that are coming from a league of legends background or are new to the game, this first part is mostly for you, as if breaks down some major differences in between the two games versions of “map awareness”.

1) No elevation - Standing on the high ground on DotA is something league doesn't have. If you're standing on a higher elevation point then it's possible that someone almost bumping your shoulder can't see you simply because you're on a high point in elevation. This brings problems with people warding, and knowing where people are or could be at. Dota has a system implemented, that is Line of Sight (or LoS). This mean that you can't see around corners, over hills, or anything that impedes your vision.

2) Being afraid of your jungle - In league of legends usually most teams will have a jungler. This person of course comes around the map and occasionally ganks and all that fun stuff. However, most league players know that junglers will normally only ever come gank if you are over extended. Which in league usually is explained as being past the river in the middle of the map with out proper wards. Which again in league only means having one ward in that river and you're good to go. In DotA it's not that simple though.

Not only will someone gank you through your teams jungle, but they're gonna be able to take multiple paths and you don't even have to be over extended. You could be chilling under your tower taking a drink and wondering, "Man, what am I gonna do with this 1000 gold I'm sitting on." When suddenly you drop your drink because 4 people are standing under your tower out of no where killing you. Which brings me to another point.

3) Map Awareness - Now both of these are similar in which you watch the minimap to try to find out what's going on in the other areas. Where your team is, where the other team is, where is it warded, and where is safe. Those sort of things are similar in both league and DotA. However, the league map is significantly smaller then the map of DotA. Allowing yourself if you get ganked in league, to quickly make it back to a tower or other safe area, including other teammates. In DotA if you get ganked, normally nothing is ever near you. Your teammates will feel like they're on the other side of the world usually. Of course that can be fixed with your team carrying Scroll of Teleportation so that they can quickly get to your lane and help out, or even pick up some kills if you happen to not make it out alive.

Now there are thing of course that can be done to prevent unwanted deaths in your game. There is a simple checklist I like to give to people that I play with who are new to the game. Honestly, a checklist even more seasoned players should follow.

1) What routes are warded - Usually if you have a decent support on your team, or if you just care about staying alive, you will have a few areas of the map warded. In pub games this usually consist of the rune spots in the river this allows you to know if anyone is coming from the river to gank you. However it's important to note the other paths they could be taking and making sure you don't push past those unless you're certain that they're not there.

2) Is everyone on the minimap - An obvious way to tell if you could possibly be getting ganked is to just simply look at the minimap. If you spot everyone on the other team on the map in their respective lanes, than chances are you're safe from being ganked. However, such things as illusions could be used to provide a false since of security as you see the enemy Pudge sitting mid only to figure out he is an illusion and a hook comes out of the trees behind you.

3) Last hitting and Denying - It's a relatively simple way to keep control of your lane and to provide safety through not over extending. However, most people don't do this. You want to be able to get the gold from last hitting, taking away gold and XP by getting denies when you can. Not only will this give you the obvious gold and take away from the opponent, but by doing this you will not push your lane as hard, allowing you to remain closer to your tower and in a safer area.

4) Can I be getting ganked - This really isn't something to check off so much as it is an opinionated decision to make deciding on the game. If you don't feel safe where you're standing, than chances are you're not. If you don't know where the opponent is and your jungling without wards to cover certain routes as an example, then you're not 100% safe.

Which in DotA it's always better to be safe than be the, "feeding noob”. Hopefully this guide helps out you newer players and even those of you who have played quite a few games. As always, feel free to leave comments below with what you liked, didn't like, or even bad experiences you had because of the lack of awareness in your own games!