Knowing how to last hit creeps in Dota 2 and when to do it allows the player to quickly level up his hero, due to his higher level (for example, in dealing damage or defending against enemy attacks) to gain overwhelming superiority over the enemy and destroy the Throne, the main goal of the game.
Why are creeps so important, and why is it impossible to become both a top and average player without understanding the mechanism for finishing them off? The fact is that creeps are a source of gold and experience for heroes, and only the player who dealt the finishing blow to the creep can gain the gold. Often, one Dota player damages a creep, but a cunning opponent seizes the moment, gives the last hit and takes all the profit, leaving the opponent empty-handed.
Next, we will describe in detail how to learn how to finish off creeps in Dota 2, perform the correct actions, and avoid losing valuable resources required for character development.
Creeps in Dota 2: What Types Are There
Creeps are all creatures on the playing field, with the exception of heroes, couriers, wards, and buildings. By the way, the well-known Roshan, capable of defeating almost any hero in a 1-on-1 battle, is also a creep — just the most powerful one.
Creeps are divided into several types:
Allied creeps help you and your teammates during the game.
Enemy creeps oppose you and your teammates and help your opponents. They are attacked and finished off by right-clicking on them.
Neutral creeps are located in the jungle near spawn points and attack all players. They should also be used to obtain gold and experience. By the way, Roshan is a neutral creep.
Creeps (except neutral ones) move from spawn points toward enemy territory to attack. During such battles, heroes not only try to damage each other but also compete for last hits on creeps. During these skirmishes, it is important to learn how to properly last hit creeps in Dota 2.
Finishing Off Allied Creeps (Part 1)
Killing allied creeps is called “deny” in Dota slang. The reason for denying is to prevent the enemy from gaining experience and gold, which they could use to gain an advantage over you (in level, spell power, etc.) and ultimately win.
You can only attack allies if their health has dropped below 50%. After denying, the enemy team will gain only 40% of the possible experience, and you will get 20% of the creep’s cost in gold.
Now let’s move on to how to finish off allied creeps in Dota 2.
By default, denying is done using the A key (English layout) + left mouse button on the creep. You can rebind this combination in settings to a single key or mouse button for convenience.
Finishing Allied Creeps (Part 2)
Option one:
Go to “Settings” (click the gear icon in the upper-left corner during a match).
At the bottom, enable the “Force right-click attack” option. Now you can deny creeps by simply right-clicking on them.
Option two:
During the game, open the menu using the gear icon in the upper-left corner.
Go to the “Controls” tab, then find “Unit Actions.”
Click on “Attack” and assign your preferred key or mouse button.
Finishing Allied Creeps (Part 3)
Another method is to use the developer console. It is disabled by default and needs to be activated:
Right-click on Dota 2 in Steam, go to “Properties.”
In “Launch Options,” type
-console.Launch the game and open “Settings.”
Go to “Controls” → “Advanced Settings” and assign a key for the console (e.g. K).
Open the console and type
dota_force_right_click_attack 1. Press Enter. Use 0 to disable it.
Note: this setting resets every time you launch the game.
Training the Skill of Finishing Off Creeps in Dota 2
This skill is essential and should be trained daily. You can start with demo mode via the “Heroes” tab → select a hero → “Try.” This mode is beginner-friendly but differs from actual matches — creeps come in waves and there are no neutrals.
For more realistic training, create a custom game in the lobby. This allows full control and includes neutral creeps.
Level Up in Last Hit Trainer
This mode includes a bot enemy hero that mimics real match pressure and makes last hitting more challenging. To enter it:
Activate the console (see “Finishing Allied Creeps (Part 3)”).
Enter
dota_tutorial_start lasthitand press Enter.
Once loaded, pick your hero and practice for 10 minutes.
Two windows will appear in the bottom-left: one for stats, the other for lane control and hints. Enable hints for helpful feedback.
Last Hit Trainer is one of the best ways to master last hitting in Dota 2.
Useful Tips for Finishing Off Creeps
A great technique is fake animation: swing to attack a creep and cancel at the last moment to bait the enemy into hitting it. Then, you secure the last hit.
Also, disable auto-attack once you're comfortable. It can trigger unnecessary aggro from creeps, draining your HP or even getting you killed.
And finally — always stay behind your creeps and let them take the brunt of enemy attacks. Watch carefully for low-HP enemy creeps and deliver the killing blow.
