Drafting Exercise: Building a Team around a Carry

The following teams are based around Sven.  This post illustrates a thought process where you figure out what a hero needs, and create a team around boosting that carry with appropriate picks.

Sven needs:

-        Attack speed:  Beastmaster, Troll, Ogre

-        Mana regen:  Crystal Maiden (CM), Keeper of the Light (KotL)

-        Slowing/lockdown:  Disruptor, Veno, Invoker, Magnus, Puck, Batrider

-        Lane Babysitter:  CM, Disruptor, AA, Warlock, Lion, Io

Don’t pick Sven against kiters:

-        Drow

-        Viper

-        Lycan

-        Weaver

-        Sniper

Pick Sven against: 

-        Illusion heroes (Naga, CK, PL, etc)

Sven Items:

Start (585):  Tango, Shield, Potion, Branch x 2

Early: Boots, Wand, Helm of Dominator (stacking)

Core:  Power Treads, BKB, TP

Late:  MoM/Satanic, S&Y, Deadalus, BoT

6 Slotted:  BoT, S&Y, BKB, Deadalus, Heart, MoM/Satanic

Sven-based teams:

#1:

Mid:  Kunkka or Luna

Offlane: Solo Darkseer or Centaur

Supports: Disruptor, CM

Safe Carry: Sven

#2:

Mid: Magnus

Offlane: Solo Beastmaster

Supports:  Ogre (Roaming / Pulling), CM (babysitter, early aura)

Carry: Sven

#3:

Mid: Exhort Invoker/AA

Offlane: Solo Timbersaw

Supports:  Shadow Demon/Bane, Sand King

Carry:  Sven

#4:

Mid: Puck (#2) or Storm Spirit

Offlane: Centaur/Magnus/Dark Seer (#3)

Supports:  Wraith King (#4), Disruptor/Warlock (#5)

Carry:  Sven (#1)

#5:

Mid:  Timbersaw/Slark/Puck (ganker)

Offlane:  Lich/Veno/BH/Magnus/Tide

Supports:  Venge (roamer), Disruptor (lane support)

Carry:  Sven