Dota 2 teams split into five positions, numbered by farm priority. Knowing yours is the fastest way to stop feeding.
Position 1: carry (safe lane)
Gets the most gold. Last-hit creeps, avoid fights early and come online late with items. Juggernaut, Anti-Mage and Phantom Assassin are classic carries.
Position 2: mid
Plays the middle lane alone and wins the early-mid game. Shadow Fiend, Invoker and Lina are typical mids.
Position 3: offlane
Plays the hard lane, survives, and starts fights later. Axe is the textbook offlaner.
Position 4: soft support
Roams, makes plays and helps the offlane. Earthshaker is a strong 4.
Position 5: hard support
Buys wards and helps the carry in lane, even giving up last hits. Crystal Maiden and Lion are classic 5s.
The golden rule
Lower numbers get farm, higher numbers make space. A support taking the carry’s last hits, or a carry who never farms, loses games.