Guide to Dota 2 Runes – Every Rune in the Game

Dota 2 runes are one of the most fundamental map mechanics in the game. Getting the right rune at the correct time can be game-changing, no matter how far into the game. There are different types of runes in Dota 2 – some generate gold, while others provide buffs. In this guide, we’ll break down every rune type, how their spawn timings work, and how you can apply this knowledge to your gameplay. 

What Are Dota 2 Runes?

Runes are neutral Dota 2 objectives that spawn at set intervals on the map. They are stationary and can be picked up by any hero by simply right clicking on them. 

There are various types of runes, and they generally provide either:

• Economic advantages (gold)
• Sustain advantages (HP/mana regen)
• Combat advantages (powerful buffs)

Since their powers can be claimed by a simple click of a button, runes are designed to reward map movement and lane management. 

How Rune Spawns Work

Runes spawn periodically at fixed intervals and will always appear in predetermined locations. So, their timing and positioning are completely predictable for you to track when and where they’ll arrive. Let’s better understand how they work. 

Rune Categories

There are three major categories of runes in Dota 2 gameplay:

1. Bounty Runes – Provide gold for the entire team
2. Water Runes – Provide immediate HP and mana replenish (only available in the early game)
3. Power Runes – Provide strong, temporary buffs that enable heroes

Rune Spawn Locations

Runes have set spawn locations, so they don’t just randomly appear anywhere on the Dota 2 map. These locations are predictable, so you can prepare for their spawns as the timer is approaching:

• River (Top and Bottom): Water and Power Runes spawn here
• Jungles: Bounty Runes spawn in each team’s respective jungle

Remember that only one Power Rune appears each cycle. It randomly spawns on either the top river spot or the bottom river spot. 

Rune Spawn Timings

Now, here is a table displaying the easiest way to understand when each rune appears:

Rune spawns in the river during the early game can be a little confusing, so here’s a simple breakdown to make it easier to understand:

• 0:00 – Two Bounty Runes spawn on both sides of the river
• 2:00 – Two Water Runes spawn on both sides of the river
• 4:00 – Two Water Runes spawn on both sides of the river
• 6:00 Onwards – One Power Rune appears on one side of the river

All Dota 2 Runes Explained

Now, let’s dive into a complete breakdown of every individual rune in Dota 2. We’ll check out what each one does and how you can use them effectively. 

Bounty Runes

Bounty Runes are pretty simple. Picking it up gives the entire team gold, making it a valuable economic resource, especially in the early game. 

• Bounty Runes give each hero 40 gold at the 0-minute mark.
• The gold amount scales as the game goes on. In the mid-game, a Bounty Rune can total more than 500 gold for the entire team. 
• Bounty Runes are nice, but not a rune you’d brawl for. They’re just a nice touch if you can grab them for free. 

Water Runes

Water Runes were introduced to stabilize the mid lane. They only spawn twice in the game – at the 2 and 4-minute marks. After that, they no longer appear.

• Water Runes are nice to give mid-laners early sustain.
• They act as a nice Bottle refill in the early stages of the laning phase. 
• Supports do not need to rotate to help their mid-laner secure a Water Rune, as they spawn on both sides. Typically, the two runes are split 50-50 between the two mid-laners. 

Power Runes

Power Runes spawn starting at 6:00, then every 2 minutes. Only one of the two river spots will receive the rune each time.

Power Runes play a pivotal role in the early game, as a good rune can enable ganks. So, mid-laners can rotate and help their other lanes win when granted a strong rune. Now, let’s break down each Power Rune and how to use it.

Amplify Damage

Amplify Damage, previously known as Double Damage, is one of the deadliest Dota 2 runes in the game. As its name suggests, it amplifies a hero’s damage – both physical and spell damage. 

• Increases attack damage by 80%
• Increases spell amplification by 15%
• Turns almost any mid hero into a kill threat in the early game

Getting an Amplify Damage Rune before a huge teamfight can be a game-changer. It’s also very potent in the early game. Heroes affected by an amp damage rune will have a lightning effect appear around them. 

Haste

Haste is a rune that grants maximum movement speed. With this rune, you can essentially gank lanes without needing to teleport. 

• Increases movement speed to 550. 
• Gives incredible chasing potential, especially in the early game when movement speed is limited
• Lets you reposition and kite around in fights

A Haste Rune at the 6 to 10-minute mark is almost guaranteed to score kills if your mid-laner has it. 

Arcane

Arcane is the strongest rune for spellcasters. When activated, it reduces all spell cooldowns and mana cost, allowing its wielder to spam spells. 

• Reduces cooldowns by 25%
• Reduces manacost by 30%
• Allows near-endless spell spam during fights

Arcane rune is extremely potent on heroes like Storm Spirit, Puck, Zeus, and Queen of Pain. They can hurl their low-cooldown nukes with less mana and cooldowns. 

Invisibility

As its name suggests, the Invisibility Rune grants invisibility. It’s a great rune to sneak up on enemies undetected.

• Grants invisibility for 45 seconds.
• Invisibility is broken upon casting spells or issuing attacks.
• Great for setting up ganks without revealing rotations. 

An Invisibility Rune is nice, but not the most game-changing one. However, simply holding this rune can change enemy behavior – they might play scared. 

Regeneration

The Regeneration Rune, as the name suggests, regenerates health and mana to maximum. It’s amazing for sustaining in fights, or just getting back to full health without having to go to the fountain.

• Regenerates 6% max health per second
• Regenerates 6% max mana per second
• Continues regenerating even when taking damage

Now, you can use the Regeneration Rune in the middle of fights, which can make you extremely difficult to bring down. Regeneration ends once you hit full health and mana, or when the timer ends. 

Illusion

Illusion is one of the more underwhelming Dota 2 runes, but it can be pretty useful at times if you’re playing a suitable hero. 

• Summons two illusions of your hero. 
• You can control these illusions. You can make them walk or attack.

Though the Illusion Rune isn’t the greatest for ganking, it has a very underrated use. Activating it out of the Bottle gives you a dispel, so you can purge off silences or debuffs.  

Shield

The Shield Rune is the newest of the Dota 2 runes in the game. It grants its wielder an all-damage barrier, making them very tanky. 

• Provides a max health barrier of 50%. 
• Activating a Shield Rune essentially puts you at 150% health. 
• It is most effective on heroes with already high HP. 

Because the shield absorbs damage instead of your hero, you can still use Blink Dagger even while taking damage, as long as the shield hasn’t broken yet. 

In-Game Applications – Play Around Runes

Now that we’ve understood what runes are and what each of them does, let’s implement behaviors you can apply in real matches.

Most Mid-Laners Should Buy Bottle

Remember – runes refill Bottles. This is why you see most mid-lane heroes buying Bottle, as it allows them to sustain themselves in lane and also save using Dota 2 runes for upcoming Dota 2 teamfights. 

Supports Must Help Mid Secure Dota 2 Runes

It is vital for supports, primarily the position four, to rotate to mid at the 6-minute mark to help their mid player secure the first rune. You’ll need to go to the river and secure or deny the rune. This task becomes easier if you place wards near the river. Continue doing this for the 8 and 10-minute runes. 

Lanes Must Play Around Enemy Rune

Even if you’re not the mid-laner, you still have to react to rune usage. If the enemy mid-laner has a “ganking rune” like Haste, Amplify Damage, or Invisibility, you need to play more safely and anticipate an incoming gank.