Tinker is one of the most complex and technical heroes in Dota 2. Known as Boush, he dominates the battlefield using advanced machinery rather than magic. His abilities allow him to teleport across the map, unleash devastating nukes, and reset his cooldowns to keep enemies under constant pressure.
This Dota 2 Tinker guide explains his abilities, recommended items, gameplay strategy, and tips for mastering his high skill ceiling.
Table of Contents
Who Is Tinker?
Boush the Tinker comes from a race of brilliant inventors who reject magic in favor of science. After a failed experiment at the Violet Plateau unleashed horrors from another realm, Boush emerged as the sole survivor. Using his technological creations, he now fights with lasers, missiles, and machines to annihilate his foes.
Tinker is classified as a Carry, Nuker, and Pusher, excelling at controlling lanes and bursting down enemies with precise spell rotations.
Abilities Overview
Laser
Tinker fires a beam of energy that deals pure damage and blinds the target. Enemies affected by the blind will miss all physical attacks for several seconds. With an Aghanim’s Scepter, the Laser becomes a Shrink Ray that bounces to a second target, reduces health by 10%, and decreases model size.
Laser is Tinker’s main harassing and farming tool early on. The pure damage pierces through most defenses, and the blind effect can win duels against melee cores.
March of the Machines
This ability summons a wave of robotic drones that deal magical damage in an area. It allows Tinker to clear creeps and defend towers efficiently. Although the robots are visible through fog, the wide radius makes it ideal for zoning out enemies or farming multiple lanes.
Defense Matrix
Defense Matrix grants a protective barrier that absorbs incoming damage and adds status resistance. It’s useful for keeping Tinker or his allies alive during engagements. It also refreshes when recast, making it strong when combined with Rearm.
Warp Flare
Unlocked through Aghanim’s Shard, Warp Flare damages and teleports an enemy a short distance away while reducing their attack and cast range. It can root opponents briefly, giving Tinker space to reposition. This ability is mainly defensive but can be used offensively to displace enemies into allied control spells.
Keen Conveyance
This teleportation spell lets Tinker move to allied buildings, units, or heroes, depending on its level. It works like upgraded Boots of Travel, granting him semi-global presence. Keen Conveyance, paired with Rearm, lets Tinker appear anywhere on the map instantly, making him one of the most mobile heroes in the game.
Rearm
Rearm resets the cooldowns of Tinker’s abilities and most items after a brief channeling period. It defines his playstyle, allowing near-infinite spell rotations as long as he has mana. However, Rearm can be interrupted and leaves Tinker vulnerable while channeling. Managing positioning and mana efficiency is key to mastering it.
Item Build
Starting Items
- Tango provides early lane sustain.
- Iron Branches offer cheap attributes and can be combined with Tango for stronger regeneration.
Early Game
- Bottle keeps Tinker healthy and allows rune control for mana and health recovery.
- Blink Dagger is essential for mobility. It enables instant repositioning after teleporting, keeping Tinker safe while casting spells.
Mid Game
- Aghanim’s Scepter upgrades Laser into a Shrink Ray, turning it into a deadly burst tool.
- Aether Lens increases cast range and mana pool, letting Tinker attack from a safer distance.
Late Game
- Dagon adds strong burst damage when paired with Laser and Heat-Seeking Missile.
- Ethereal Blade amplifies magic damage and can protect Tinker or allies from physical attacks.
- Scythe of Vyse provides a powerful disable, allowing Tinker to chain hex enemies repeatedly with Rearm.
- Arcane Blink enhances spell casting speed and mobility, improving efficiency during fights.
Situational Items
- Eul’s Scepter offers mana regeneration and a self-save option.
- Black King Bar prevents interruptions while channeling Rearm.
- Aeon Disk helps survive instant burst damage or disables.
How to Play Tinker
Laning Phase
Tinker performs best in the mid lane, where he can secure experience and gold. Use Laser to secure last hits and harass the enemy mid hero. Bottle ensures constant mana regeneration and keeps him in the lane longer.
When enemy creeps approach the tower, use March of the Machines to clear them while staying behind your line of defense. Be cautious—overextending early can lead to ganks before you have Blink Dagger or Keen Conveyance.
Mid Game Rotations
Once Blink Dagger and Keen Conveyance are ready, Tinker becomes highly mobile. Teleport to fights, drop March of the Machines, cast Laser, then Blink into trees and Rearm safely before repeating the process.
Always check your mana pool before engaging. Tinker’s strength lies in constant casting, but his high mana cost punishes inefficient spell usage.
Teamfights and Defense
Tinker thrives in drawn-out engagements. Use Defense Matrix on key allies to mitigate incoming damage. Position yourself behind trees or high ground for cover, alternating between nukes and teleports.
If caught, use Warp Flare to displace enemies or Ethereal Blade defensively. Avoid unnecessary risks—Rearm’s cooldown after interruption leaves you exposed for several seconds.
Late Game Control
In the late game, Tinker becomes a global threat. Constantly push lanes with March of the Machines and teleport to allies when fights break out. Keep your Scythe of Vyse ready to lock down enemy cores, and chain your spells for maximum burst.
Because Tinker’s presence can stall enemy pushes indefinitely, opponents often rely on catching him off-guard. Maintain map awareness and teleport to safe locations between rotations.
Tips and Tricks
- Cancel cast backswing animations to speed up your spell sequence.
- Always carry Bottle and Blink Dagger—they’re your lifelines.
- Use Glyph of Fortification to delay creep waves and finish channeling Keen Conveyance safely.
- Manage mana carefully; without it, you lose all effectiveness.
- Don’t farm all lanes yourself—share map resources to avoid starving your carry.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Exceptional burst and area control
- Semi-global presence
- Difficult to push against
- Scales well with items
Weaknesses:
- Fragile and easily disabled
- High mana dependency
- No natural escape mechanism
- Ineffective against spell immunity
Final Thoughts
Tinker is a hero built for precision and control. His power depends on mechanical skill, positioning, and decision-making. Once mastered, he can dictate the pace of an entire match, forcing enemies to react to his every move.
For Dota 2 players willing to invest time into learning him, Tinker offers unmatched satisfaction through calculated chaos and relentless technological warfare.
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