Dota 2
What Is Denying in Dota 2?
Killing your own low-health creeps in Dota 2 so the enemy can’t get their gold, and gets less experience from them.
What is denying in Dota 2?
Denying is killing your own creep before the enemy can last hit it. In Dota 2 you can attack an allied creep once it drops below 50% health. A denied creep gives the enemy no gold and less experience, so denies slow down your lane opponent while you farm.
How denying works
- Below half health: allied creeps can only be attacked once they are under 50% health.
- No gold for the enemy: the creep is gone before they can last hit it.
- Less experience for the enemy: heroes nearby still gain some experience from a denied creep, but less than from a normal kill.
- No gold for you either: denying doesn’t earn gold; its value is what it takes away from the opponent.
Last hit or deny?
| Last hit | Deny | |
|---|---|---|
| Target | Enemy creep | Your own creep below 50% health |
| Your gain | The creep’s gold | No gold |
| Enemy’s loss | The creep’s gold | The creep’s gold and part of its experience |
Example
An enemy creep and one of your creeps are both about to die. You last hit the enemy creep for gold, then immediately deny your own so the enemy carry gets neither the gold nor the full experience.
When to deny
Last hits usually come first, because gold is what buys your items. Deny when you have time between last hits, especially ranged creeps, which are worth more to the enemy. Denying also helps control where the creep wave meets. For a review of your laning, our Dota 2 coaches can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you deny creeps in League of Legends?
No. Denying allied creeps is a Dota 2 mechanic. League of Legends doesn’t let you attack your own minions.
Do I get gold for denying?
No. Denying gives you no gold; it only stops the enemy from getting the creep’s gold and reduces their experience.