Broodmother · Mid (pos. 2)
Broodmother Guide
More Broodmother guides
This guide is assembled by the site from match data and the game's own information — nobody wrote it by hand. Official and community guides appear alongside it when they exist.
Overview
Broodmother is a melee Agility hero that Valve tags as Escape, Pusher and Carry. It is played mainly as Mid (pos. 2): 46% of the public matches we measured, by starting lane and starting items. In this guide you play it as Mid (pos. 2): your job is to win the solo lane, control the runes and create pressure on the other lanes. The kit brings sustain with Spider's Milk. Its ultimate is Spawn Spiderlings. This patch, Broodmother wins 50.8% of the 71,694 public matches we measured (B tier on our ladder).
Strengths
- Sustain from Spider's Milk to stay in lane and in fights.
- Takes towers quickly: Valve lists it as a Pusher.
- Heavy magical burst: Valve lists it as a Nuker.
Weaknesses
- Melee: has to walk up to its target, which makes the lane harder against ranged heroes.
- Low base armor (-1): vulnerable to physical harass early on.
Build cheat sheet
Pick the build that fits what you want to do this game.
- Most-played buildBalancedRecommendedThe items most bought with this hero, phase by phase. Pick it when you don't have a clear reason to deviate. Built from what Broodmother players buy in the public matches we measured.
- Damage buildOffensiveAdvancedMoves the popular items that add damage — Orchid Malevolence and Bloodthorn — to the front. Choose it when your lane went well and you can afford to be greedy. Built from what Broodmother players buy in the public matches we measured.
- Survival buildDefensiveSituationalPrioritises the popular items that keep you alive — Manta Style and Black King Bar. Choose it against heavy disables or burst, or when you are the enemy's focus. Built from what Broodmother players buy in the public matches we measured.
- Team utility buildUtilitySituationalBuilt around the popular items that help your allies — Orchid Malevolence and Bloodthorn. Choose it when your team needs saves and auras more than your damage. Built from what Broodmother players buy in the public matches we measured.
Builds
Most-played build
When to use it
The items most bought with this hero, phase by phase. Pick it when you don't have a clear reason to deviate. Built from what Broodmother players buy in the public matches we measured.
Where it's played
Picked before the game: the main lane first, then the alternatives.
319%235%146%- MidMain46% of matchesMid lane, one against one (pos. 2).
- Safe lanePriority 235% of matchesSafe lane as the farming core (pos. 1).
- OfflanePriority 319% of matchesOff lane as the space-making core (pos. 3).
Starting items
Early game
Core items
- 1Manta Style
- 2Orchid Malevolence
- 3Black King Bar
- 4Bloodthorn
Boots
Late game
Skill order
Max order:Spin Web›Incapacitatin…›Insatiable Hu…
| Ability | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ● | · | · | ● | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
 | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | ● | ● | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
 | · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | ● | ● | · | · |
 | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | ● |
Talents by level
- +7% Spin Web Move Speed and Ignore Speed Limit-0.15s BAT during Insatiable Hunger25
- -6s Spin Web Charge Restore Time+20% Incapacitating Bite Slow/Miss Chance20
- +5 Incapacitating Bite Attack Bonus+175 Spiderlings Health15
- +80 Spawn Spiderlings Damage+20% Insatiable Hunger Lifesteal10
Damage build
When to use it
Moves the popular items that add damage — Orchid Malevolence and Bloodthorn — to the front. Choose it when your lane went well and you can afford to be greedy. Built from what Broodmother players buy in the public matches we measured.
Where it's played
Picked before the game: the main lane first, then the alternatives.
319%235%146%- MidMain46% of matchesMid lane, one against one (pos. 2).
- Safe lanePriority 235% of matchesSafe lane as the farming core (pos. 1).
- OfflanePriority 319% of matchesOff lane as the space-making core (pos. 3).
Starting items
Core items
- 1Orchid Malevolence+35 Attack Speed, +20 Damage, +2.5 Mana Regeneration. Active: Soul Burn.
- 2Bloodthorn+25 Intelligence, +70 Attack Speed, +4 Mana Regeneration. Active: Soul Rend.
- 3Butterfly+30 Agility, +35% Evasion, +20% Base Attack Speed Percentage.
- 4Diffusal Blade+15 Agility, +10 Intelligence. Active: Inhibit.
Boots
Late game
Skill order
Max order:Spin Web›Incapacitatin…›Insatiable Hu…
| Ability | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | · | · | ● | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | ● | ● | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | ● | ● | · | · |
| · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | ● |
Talents by level
- +7% Spin Web Move Speed and Ignore Speed Limit-0.15s BAT during Insatiable Hunger25
- -6s Spin Web Charge Restore Time+20% Incapacitating Bite Slow/Miss Chance20
- +5 Incapacitating Bite Attack Bonus+175 Spiderlings Health15
- +80 Spawn Spiderlings Damage+20% Insatiable Hunger Lifesteal10
Survival build
When to use it
Prioritises the popular items that keep you alive — Manta Style and Black King Bar. Choose it against heavy disables or burst, or when you are the enemy's focus. Built from what Broodmother players buy in the public matches we measured.
Where it's played
Picked before the game: the main lane first, then the alternatives.
319%235%146%- MidMain46% of matchesMid lane, one against one (pos. 2).
- Safe lanePriority 235% of matchesSafe lane as the farming core (pos. 1).
- OfflanePriority 319% of matchesOff lane as the space-making core (pos. 3).
Starting items
Core items
- 1Manta Style+10 Strength, +26 Agility, +10 Intelligence. Active: Mirror Image.
- 2Black King Bar+10 Strength, +24 Damage. Active: Avatar.
- 3Sange and Yasha+16 Strength, +16 Agility, +16% Status Resistance.
- 4Aghanim's Scepter+10 All Attributes, +175 Health, +175 Mana.
Boots
Late game
Skill order
Max order:Spin Web›Incapacitatin…›Insatiable Hu…
| Ability | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | · | · | ● | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | ● | ● | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | ● | ● | · | · |
| · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | ● |
Talents by level
- +7% Spin Web Move Speed and Ignore Speed Limit-0.15s BAT during Insatiable Hunger25
- -6s Spin Web Charge Restore Time+20% Incapacitating Bite Slow/Miss Chance20
- +5 Incapacitating Bite Attack Bonus+175 Spiderlings Health15
- +80 Spawn Spiderlings Damage+20% Insatiable Hunger Lifesteal10
Team utility build
When to use it
Built around the popular items that help your allies — Orchid Malevolence and Bloodthorn. Choose it when your team needs saves and auras more than your damage. Built from what Broodmother players buy in the public matches we measured.
Where it's played
Picked before the game: the main lane first, then the alternatives.
319%235%146%- MidMain46% of matchesMid lane, one against one (pos. 2).
- Safe lanePriority 235% of matchesSafe lane as the farming core (pos. 1).
- OfflanePriority 319% of matchesOff lane as the space-making core (pos. 3).
Starting items
Core items
- 1Orchid Malevolence+35 Attack Speed, +20 Damage, +2.5 Mana Regeneration. Active: Soul Burn.
- 2Bloodthorn+25 Intelligence, +70 Attack Speed, +4 Mana Regeneration. Active: Soul Rend.
- 3Linken's Sphere+16 All Attributes, +6.5 Health Regeneration, +4.25 Mana Regeneration. Active: Transfer Spellblock.
- 4Drum of Endurance+8 Strength. Active: Endurance.
Boots
Late game
Skill order
Max order:Spin Web›Incapacitatin…›Insatiable Hu…
| Ability | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | · | · | ● | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | ● | ● | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | ● | ● | · | · |
| · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | ● |
Talents by level
- +7% Spin Web Move Speed and Ignore Speed Limit-0.15s BAT during Insatiable Hunger25
- -6s Spin Web Charge Restore Time+20% Incapacitating Bite Slow/Miss Chance20
- +5 Incapacitating Bite Attack Bonus+175 Spiderlings Health15
- +80 Spawn Spiderlings Damage+20% Insatiable Hunger Lifesteal10
Abilities
- Insatiable Hunger45 / 40 / 35 / 30s70 mpA violent lust for vital fluids increases Broodmother's attack damage and gives her and her Spiderlings a vampiric attack.
- Base attack damage bonus
- 40%·50%·60%·70%
- Lifesteal
- 40%·60%·80%·100%
- Duration
- 8·10·12·14
- Spiderling radius
- 1200
- Spin Web40 mpSpins a large web that grants Broodmother a passive movement speed increase and increases her Turn Rate, while in its vicinity, as well as giving free movement.
Spin Web can be cast from anywhere as long as the new web touches an existing web. Webs never expire, and can be manually destroyed. When the maximum limit of webs is exceeded, the oldest web disappears.
- Max simultaneous webs
- 3·5·7·9
- Movespeed bonus
- 10%·20%·30%·40%
- Bonus turn rate
- 0.2
- Enemy restoration reduction
- 0%
- Incapacitating BitePassiveBroodmother's venom cripples enemy units, causing her attacks to slow and giving the affected unit a chance to miss its attacks and extra damage from attacks.
- Miss chance
- 30%·40%·50%·60%
- Move slow
- -15%·-20%·-25%·-30%
- Duration
- 2
- Attack bonus
- 3·6·9·12
Spinner's Snare70 mp- Formation delay
- 2
- Root duration
- 3
- Damage per second
- 100
- Web line width
- 900
Spider's MilkPassiveWhenever Broodmother kills a unit, she and all units under her control in a 600 radius receive a buff for 3s that heals them for a percentage of the victim's health every 0.5 seconds. Healing from creeps is reduced by 40%.- Hero health as heal
- 1.9%
- Spawn Spiderlings9 / 8 / 7s100 mpBroodmother injects her young into an enemy unit, dealing damage and slowing them for 4 seconds. The spiderlings will hatch if the target is killed while under this influence.
- Lifetime
- 40
- Damage
- 220·320·420
- Count
- 4·5·6
- Spiderlings hp
- 325
- Slow
- 25%·35%·45%
Most played skill order
The most played order in the last 24 professional matches with this hero. Highlighted levels are the points spent on talents.
Max order:Spin Web›Incapacitatin…›Insatiable Hu…
| Ability | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | · | · | ● | ● | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | ● | ● | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | ● | ● | · | · |
| · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | · | · | · | ● | · | · | · | ● |
Strategy
1Early game
Mid is a one-on-one: whoever has more last hits and levels usually wins it. Contest the power runes every two minutes and use a good one to gank a side lane. Trade when the enemy mid goes for a last hit and when you are a level ahead: in the solo lane each level is a real edge.
- Early items: Soul Ring and Wraith Band.
2Mid game
With Manta Style, you should be the one starting the action: gank, push out lanes and take towers with your team. Your spikes are level 6, when Spawn Spiderlings comes online, and your core items: Manta Style and then Orchid Malevolence.
- Core items: Manta Style, Orchid Malevolence and Black King Bar.
3Late game
Late, choose your fights: you still hit hard, but the enemy carry catches up. Stay with the team and look for picks with vision.
- Late items: Butterfly and Eye of Skadi.
4Team fights
Your damage decides the opening seconds: look for the enemy support or carry out of position, and use Spawn Spiderlings where it hits the most heroes.
Tips
- Check the power runes at every even minute and gank with the good ones.
- Manta Style is your first big spike: once you have it, leave the lane and look for kills.
- Push the wave into the enemy tower before you rotate, or the lane punishes you twice.
- Plan fights around Spawn Spiderlings: without it, Broodmother is far less threatening.
Matchups
Strong against
- Tusk61.3%win rate in the matchup
Broodmother wins 61.3% of the 62 games measured against Tusk this patch.
62 matches
- Rubick56.6%win rate in the matchup
Broodmother wins 56.6% of the 53 games measured against Rubick this patch.
53 matches
- Hoodwink55.8%win rate in the matchup
Broodmother wins 55.8% of the 52 games measured against Hoodwink this patch.
52 matches
Weak against
- Jakiro42.0%win rate in the matchup
Broodmother only wins 42.0% of the 50 games measured against Jakiro this patch.
50 matches
Smoke Screen silences Broodmother, whose damage comes from abilities.
Phantom's Embrace silences Broodmother, whose damage comes from abilities.
Works well with
Berserker's Call from Axe gives Broodmother, who has no crowd control, a target that can't dodge.
Chaotic Offering from Warlock gives Broodmother, who has no crowd control, a target that can't dodge.
Unstable Concoction from Alchemist gives Broodmother, who has no crowd control, a target that can't dodge.
Changelog
- Guide created for patch 7.41.
Was this helpful?
Your vote helps other players find the best guides.