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Vanguard

A hero's steadfast shield, a sturdy and protective item that fortifies your hero's defenses against enemy attacks in the most reliable moments.
Upgraded Item | Armor

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Gold is the currency used to buy items or instantly revive your hero in Dota 2.1700

A powerful shield that defends its wielder from even the most vicious of attacks.

A hero's steadfast shield, a sturdy and protective item that fortifies your hero's defenses against enemy attacks in the most reliable moments.

Base Combat Stats

Combat Stats

+ 250 Health

+ 4.5 Health Regen

Recipe

Crimson Guard
Abyssal Blade
A hero's steadfast shield, a sturdy and protective item that fortifies your hero's defenses against enemy attacks in the most reliable moments.
Ring of Health
Vitality Booster

Abilities

Passive: Damage Block

Grants a 60% chance to block 50 damage from incoming attacks on melee heroes, and 25 damage on ranged.

Additional Insights

  • Multiple sources of damage block do not stack.
  • Perfect for heroes seeking enhanced survivability in the early stages of the game. It's an item that not only strengthens your hero's defenses but also offers a friendly shield of protection, ensuring your hero stands strong against enemy assaults in the thrilling conflicts of Dota 2!

Statistics

The statistics below shows the percentage of hero builds which contain Vanguard as a core or non-core item for each role. These statistics are based on our hero guides.

Itemization Strategy

Your mighty shield, The criminally underrated Vanguard is purchase from the laning stage of the game as it gives a high possibility of survival in the lane thus making you a negligible target. Heroes that would love to tank are the frequent customers of this item may it be an offlaner or tanky mid hero.

Heroes with Vanguard as Core Item

Rectangular image of Dota 2 hero Axe
A core item that fixes your hp sustain issues and makes you exremely tanky. This will allow you to cut waves safely most of the time. Also disassembles into Octarine Core and Lotus Orb.
Rectangular image of Dota 2 hero Bristleback
A core item that makes you significantly more tanky. Allows you to dive towers, creep skip, and clear stacks with ease. Can be disassembled for Bloodstone later in the game.

Heroes countered by Vanguard

Rectangular image of Dota 2 hero Beastmaster
Gives you HP sustain and tankiness to take less damage from right clicks from Beastmaster and his Wild Boars.
Rectangular image of Dota 2 hero Broodmother
Gives you HP sustain and tankiness to take less damage from right clicks from Broodmother and her army of Spiderlings.
Rectangular image of Dota 2 hero Lone Druid
Gives you HP sustain and tankiness to take less damage from Spirit Bear and Lone Druid right clicks.
Rectangular image of Dota 2 hero Lycan
Gives you HP sustain and tankiness to take less damage from right clicks from Lycan and his Wolf pack.
Rectangular image of Dota 2 hero Marci
Gives you HP sustain and tankiness to take less damage from Marci right clicks.
Rectangular image of Dota 2 hero Troll Warlord
To reduce most of the heavy physical damage coming from Troll Warlord.
Rectangular image of Dota 2 hero Visage
Rectangular image of Dota 2 hero Windranger

Trivia

In the earlier days of Dota and even in the transition to Dota 2, the Vanguard was often perceived as a core item for tanky heroes or those requiring additional survivability during the early to mid-game stages. However, despite its popularity, there were times when its effectiveness was debated among players due to changes in the game's mechanics and meta shifts.