Position four. Position five. One team.
What support positions mean and why a role number doesn't replace common sense.
In this guide
Numbers are useful shorthand
Positions usually describe expected farm priority. Positions four and five are called supports. Their specific duties depend on heroes, lanes, resources and the state of the match.
Useful work is shared
Vision, lane help, covering allies and setting up an attack can concern both supports. If each thinks a job belongs to the other, often nobody does it. A short shared plan is more useful than arguing over a position number.
You need resources too
Supporting doesn't mean giving up your own ability to play. Which resource will help your next move? Where can you get it without disrupting an ally's plan? The answer changes with the match.
A small task for your game
Notice a dangerous lane, agree on a rotation or review one ward. Don't measure a support's whole contribution only in kills. These are introductory concepts, not a universal division of duties.
Sources and context
This is an approach to reviewing your game unless a verified match fact is stated separately. Check exact mechanics in the current game client.
Source · Dota 2 — official game and hero reference ↗