
Dota 2 Timers Guide 101 – All Essential Information You Should Know
Dota 2 is a game of timing, timers, and execution. If you don’t know when something is going to spawn, or when creeps are going to push, you’re seriously handicapping your ability to compete.
People who are new to the game usually have tons of questions about the Dota 2 timers, so this guide is about to answer all of them. Whether you’re new or just getting started, you are about to learn more details about the timings in the game. We’ll take a look at the runes, creeps, Roshan, important objectives, and more, so let’s begin.

Dota 2 Timers. Image Credit: Valve
Rune Spawn Timings Dota 2
The Dota 2 runes have a crucial role in the game and can make a big difference. At the time of writing, the game has the following runes:
- Amplify Damage Rune
- Arcane Rune
- Haste Rune
- Illusion Rune
- Invisibility Rune
- Regeneration Rune
- Shield Rune
- Bounty Rune
- Water Rune
- Wisdom Rune
Aside from the Water Rune, Wisdom Rune, and Bounty Rune, all of the rest are considered “River Power Runes”. Since we are talking about Dota 2 rune timings, you should know that they become available after the in-game timer is 6:00. The runes will appear at their specific spots in the river. After the initial availability, the subsequent runes will spawn once every 2 minutes.
The Bounty Rune, on the other hand, becomes available once the game starts and will spawn at 3:00. As for the Water Rune, it spawns at minutes 2 and 4 at the river’s Power Rune spots.
Wisdom Rune Timer
We also have the Wisdom Rune. It spawns after the in-game timers hit minute 7, and you can find it at the right or left edge of the map. Keep in mind that all subsequent Wisdom Runes will spawn after 7 minutes as well.
Creeps
The next important aspect is related to creeps. We won’t go into details such as pulling and stacking because these two things deserve their own guides. Instead, we’ll cover the basic creeps timing you should know.
Starting with creeps, the first time lane they will appear in the game is when the timer reaches 00:00. Following that moment, the game will spawn a new creep wave every 30 seconds.
Even though the Dota 2 creep wave will always have melee and ranged creeps, this is not true for the flagbearer and siege creeps. The flagbearer creeps will appear on the 5th wave and then every second wave after that. Once this creep becomes available, it will replace one of the “normal” melee units.
In terms of the siege creeps, they will spawn every 11th wave and then will appear again on the 10th wave. In other words, you can see them every 5 minutes.
An important thing we wish to mention in this Dota 2 timers guide is that the wave will eventually receive “upgrades”. Initially, it starts with 3 melee and 1 ranged creep, but here’s how it changes:
- From minute 15 – The lanes will get +1 melee creep.
- From minute 30 – The lanes will get +1 melee creep
- From minute 35 – The lanes will get +1 siege creep
- From minute 40 – The lanes will get +1 ranged creep
- From minute 45 – The lanes will get +1 melee creep
It’s also important to know that the creeps will get better stats every 7 minutes and 30 seconds.

Image Credit: Valve
Neutral Creeps Timing
Neutral Creeps will first appear after the in-game timer reaches one minute. After that, they will spawn every minute, but remember that the new camp will never be the same as the last one (different neutral creeps can spawn in each camp).
Neutral Creeps are very important because they allow players to get Neutral Items . The latter can make a huge difference, especially after the changes following the 7.38 Dota 2 patch .

Image Credit: Valve
Roshan Spawn Timer
There are many Dota 2 objectives, and Roshan is probably the most popular one. He is the most powerful Neutral Creep in Dota 2 and is extremely important.
You need to know many key details about Roshan, starting with the fact that there are two Roshan Pits (the places where he stays). Initially, he will spawn in the Radiant pit and will be there until the in-game timer reaches minute 15. Following that moment, he will move between the pits during the daytime.
Roshan will spawn as soon as the game begins, but once he is dead, his respawn time will be between 8 and 11 minutes after that moment. Valve decided to make the respawn time “uncertain” because this makes it more interesting.
Like regular creeps, Roshan will become stronger over time. In fact, he will get more HP, armor, and damage every 10 minutes.
Another important aspect we need to mention in this Dota 2 timers guide is related to the Aegis of the Immortal. Once you get it (this happens after killing Roshan, the item will be at your disposal for 5 minutes before it expires.

Image Credit: Valve
Tormentor Spawn Timer
Another important Dota 2 timing that you should know about now is related to the Tormentor. This is another neutral creep, but unlike the rest, it does not move or attack. Instead, it regenerates HP very fast and has a damage reflection aura that makes it really hard to bring down.
The important thing you need to know about the Dota 2 tormentor is that it will spawn after the in-game timer reaches minute 15. Once it is down, it will appear again after 10 minutes.
Turbo Mode Dota 2 Timers
All the information you have seen in this article relates to Dota 2’s normal modes. If you decide to play Turbo, however, the timers will be different. The idea behind this mode is to make the game faster, so you can expect everything to be sped up.
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