Supporters differ slightly from gankers in the sense that they usually have near to no core items required, and are available to spend their money on items that will benefit the team as a whole such as wards, courier and maybe cheap aura items like an Abyssal Skull. They also often spend their time out of creep range stacking the jungle, playing mind games or follow gankers to do something productive while allowing the carries to get the most EXP and gold out of a lane.
Here are your nominees for the best support player of 2010.
Nominees for Beat Supporter 2010:
[MSI] Jascha "NoVa_" Markuse Specialty:
Dubbed "the best Andromeda in the world", NoVa_ is one dedicated support player. There will be times when his hero will be seen running around the map with literally no items but wards and counterwards. He also revealed in a GameReplays cast that he studies the replays of opposing ward support players in preparation of games. This almost always gives him and his team superior map control over other teams.
His judgement in-game is also unmatched, often being able to calmly decide the optimum decision during the intensity of battle. With his Andromeda Fnatic have successfully baited initiations countless times, only to annoy the opposing team by swapping out the bait, having wasted all their spells on said target.
[DWi] Chad "Tarano" Muller Specialty:
Tarano's strengths lie in his quick reflexes and thought, his Witch Slayer was key for DWi winning against KD Gaming (Dirty Minds) in the HoN World Cup, chain disabling Era's Madman to death before he could literally do anything. Aside from that, his Andromeda is famed for insane juke escapes from certain death situations.
Aside from clutch moves, Tarano is also a very good babysitter, an ability which complements his ricer teammate rYCHo well. It is not uncommon to see Tarano soloing the babysitting role while allowing his partner roam the map to set up kills or aid sidelane solo player KiWiKiD.
[TSoG] Erik "Away`" Nordlander Specialty:
Away` has always been TS-Gaming's dedicated support player. His strengths lie in his general map awareness and the timing of ihs ward placements. His support play was fundemental to TSoG's success at the Swedish Digital Youth Awards Qualifier at DreamHack Winter, with his warding allowing gankers hyddae and HenryD to wreak havoc on a Druidz Qpad side that although featured the likes of Loda and Akke, were caught off-guard.
[OK] Joakim "Akke" Akterhall Specialty:
Ever since he left Druidz Qpad along with Loda after their disappointment at DreamHack Summer, Akke has been dedicating himself to playing the support role at the reformed KD Gaming, now known as Online Kingdom. This change up allowed former KD support player Mag1X to begin playing carry, and the switch up did have good initial results.
Akke has a knack for playing support heroes aggressively. But unlike gankers who save up and rush for items like a Portal Key, he will spend his money on support oriented items like wards. Although he did make a fairly major transition going from his role at DrDz to now, he has definitely passed.
[SK] Robert "Bdiz" Tinnes Specialty:
Originally a ringer from clan [hoot], over time Bdiz has become the captain of SK Gaming. He doesn't make as many spectacular jukes as say Tarano, or play aggressie skill-heavy heroes such as Akke on Ophelia, but he plays his role consistently, laying the base for his teammates to build upon.
When Testie went inactive, SK were certainly in a hole. But their performance has picked up nicely as of late, securing at least a 3rd place finish in our HoN World Cup. Bdiz's role as the team's constant supporter should not be overlooked.
