Best Neutral Items in 7.30

Neutral items are an important if controversial mechanic in Dota 2. They are so called because they can be looted from neutral creeps. The items are drawn at random from a varied pool, divided into tiers based on the length of the match. Each has the potential to greatly alter the outcome of an entire game. However, some of them are much more effective and popular than the others. As each hero can only have one neutral item equipped at a time, being able to choose between them is important. Many items have been removed since their release and replaced by new ones. Their rules have been changed as well. Read on to learn about the latest mechanics and the best items to pick up at every tier.

The Basics

As of patch 7.30, neutral items are subject to the following general rules:

• Tier One items start to drop seven minutes into a match, Tier Two – after 17 minutes,
• Tier Three – 27, Tier Four – 37, and Tier 5 at the 60 minute mark;
• All tiers unlock seven minutes sooner if playing in Turbo Mode;
• Any unlocked item has a random chance to drop. Drop chances for items from higher tiers are calculated first, but lower tier items can still drop after others become available;
• Each team can get a maximum of five items from each tier. None of those items are duplicated;
• Each item initially drops for a specific hero and flies towards that character after dropping;
• Neutral items can never be destroyed or sold;
• Neutral items are fully shareable within a team;
• Except for ones stolen from the enemy team, neutral items that are not currently being used can be put away at the fountain stash. They may be retrieved from it by any team member, no matter where they are on the map.

Tier One

There are many popular choices among the early drops that remain relevant until the end of the match. For instance, both Arcane Ring and Pig Pole provide powerful stat bonuses as passive effects. The former can also replenish mana, while the latter may briefly turn the user into a pig with a speed bonus. While weak compared to higher-tier items, both of them offer tremendous utility. Nonetheless, it is Trusty Shovel that is the most prized in this category. Between a hefty Health bonus and the chance to dig up handy consumables or other rewards, it is easy to see why it is so highly sought for at all MMR levels.

Tier Two

The best item at this stage is subject to some debate. It partly depends on your hero’s stats and abilities. Philosopher’s Stone, which nerfs attack damage but provides extra mana and reliable gold per minute, is obviously appealing for mana-heavy characters. Meanwhile, more directly aggressive heroes would benefit more from Brigand’s Blade. On top of its attack damage and speed buffs, it grants still more damage when hitting injured foes. However, Essence Ring is universally popular due to its ability to confer a massive short-term health bonus. It is particularly useful for fragile characters or during high-stakes games like calibration matches.

Tier Three

Your optimal choice out of third-tier items may also be somewhat situational. In this case, your role and playstyle might affect preferences more than the stats. Players who favor mobility should still get plenty of use out of Spider Legs. Although their original movement speed bonus has been nerfed, their speed boost and free movement still offer a major advantage. Blast Rig, which punishes hero attacks with area-of-effect counterstrikes, can be effective if you attract enemy attention. Titan Sliver beats other options with its sheer versatility. Its status and magic resistance bonuses are handy for any character, though they may be especially valuable for carry heroes in Duo MMR games.

Tier Four

The best items at this tier tend to favor spellcasters in particular. By enhancing their abilities and related states, they provide the edge necessary to prevail in hotly competitive games like Battle Cup matches. Timeless Relic is probably the finest example, increasing both spell damage and debuff duration. On the other hand, Spell Prism is also very helpful and can work well for absolutely any hero. In addition to its extensive stat bonuses, it noticeably reduces all cooldowns, vastly increasing a character’s combat efficiency.

Tier Five

Items that appear at this final stage are all extremely powerful and often decide the outcome of the game. Still, there are some stand-outs even here. Fallen Sky grants both major stat bonuses and the ability to teleport with area-of-effect bombardment on arrival. Apex is the safer, more reliable choice, providing massive enhancements to one’s primary attribute and three other stats. It indirectly powers up many ultimates and other abilities. There are few better ways to improve your win-rate, no matter your level of play.

Since their addition in patch 7.23, neutral items have become a major factor in Dota 2’s gameplay. Some players complain that this random factor undermines skill-based play. Others welcome the challenge to adjust their builds and tactics on the fly. Either way, mastering their use is now vital to success. Your team will not go wrong with any of the items on this list. Yet all neutral items offer at least some utility and can take your opponents by surprise. Hire our coaching service to learn how to turn this critical mechanic to your advantage, along with many other Dota 2 tips and tricks.