Guides and analyses
8 piecesNot a mechanics recap. Decisions you can test.
Every piece states the question, records inputs, marks the conclusion boundary and connects to a tool where the decision can be retested.
field guide10 min
modelDota 2 · Patch 7.41e field guide
The first 20 minutes as a decision ledger: a Patch 7.41e guide
Read lane income, acceleration, usable item timing, the next objective and liquidity as one match system.What you getRecord four moments: saving begins, purchase, delivery and the first objective after the item becomes usable.
Dota 2 · Patch 7.41e2026-08-18
Open the piece →field guide8 min
modelDota 2 · Match economy
Dota 2 item timing without silently spending the buffer
A step-by-step model for remaining item cost, current GPM, the match checkpoint and gold that must survive the purchase.What you getUse only the remaining build cost and start the runway at the current minute.
Dota 2 · Patch 7.41e2026-08-19
Open the piece →analysis5 min
modelDota 2 · Timing economics
When Hand of Midas actually pays back - and why 160 gold is misleading
Calculate Midas incremental value, break-even minute and realized ROI through the expected match end.What you getBaseline incremental value: 160 Transmute gold minus 40 foregone creep bounty = 120 gold per use.
Dota 2 · Patch 7.41e baseline2026-08-12
Open the piece →analysis6 min
verifiedDota 2 · Liquidity reserve
How much gold to actually hold for buyback before Roshan
Correct the old formula, calculate the reserve gap and separate the value of a second life from a blanket ban on spending.What you getAt 15,000 net worth the baseline buyback is roughly 1,354 gold, not 1,254.
Dota 2 · Patch 7.41e · buyback formula verified2026-08-12
Open the piece →analysis5 min
modelDota 2 · Non-cash utility
How to value Madstone and +40 attack speed without faking Midas ROI
Separate guaranteed Transmute gold from patch-specific non-cash value and run a sensitivity case.What you getWith a minute-12 purchase and minute-38 finish, the cash-only baseline fails to pay back.
Dota 2 · Patch 7.41e baseline2026-08-12
Open the piece →analysis5 min
modelDota 2 · Timing quality
Why strong GPM proves nothing without item timing
Connect income to purchase minute, the nearest objective and the realized conversion of the lead.What you getRecord GPM together with purchase, delivery and the first objective after the timing.
Dota 2 · Patch 7.41e framework2026-08-12
Open the piece →analysis6 min
modelDota 2 · Closing liquidity
Component or buyback one minute before high ground
Analyze the late-game fork through reserve gap, re-entry and whether the purchase creates a new way to win the fight.What you getAt 25,000 net worth the baseline buyback is roughly 2,123 gold.
Dota 2 · Patch 7.41e scenario model2026-08-12
Open the piece →analysis5 min
modelDota 2 · Replay review
Four timestamps that turn a replay into an economy review
Purchase, objective, death and buyback reveal the decision that changed the trajectory instead of hunting one bad minute.What you getRecord purchase/delivery, the first objective, the first expensive death and the buyback decision.
Dota 2 · Patch 7.41e replay framework2026-08-12
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