Wondering how to use scan in Dota 2? The Scan feature is a powerful, team-wide tool available to every player through the mini-map, allowing teams to detect enemy heroes in a specific area and gather crucial information about enemy movements. To use Scan, simply click the Scan button near your minimap and select the area of the map you want to investigate. If an enemy hero is present in that 900 radius area during the 8-second scan period, your team will be notified with a distinct indicator. Learning to use Scan optimally can be the difference between victory and defeat, whether you are hunting for hidden enemies, securing Roshan, or avoiding ambushes.

Understanding the Scan Mechanic in Dota 2

Scan is available to all players for free, starting on cooldown at the beginning of every Dota 2 match. Its primary purpose is to briefly sweep a specified area on the minimap, highlighting if enemy heroes are within its 900-unit radius during the 8-second effect. The ability then shares a 4.5-minute cooldown between all teammates, so once anyone on your team uses Scan, everyone must wait for it to recharge.

Here are the main characteristics of Scan:

  • Detects enemy heroes (including smoked, but not hidden/invulnerable ones) within its specific area.
  • Triggers a visible red marker if enemies are detected, clear if not.
  • Does not reveal enemies directly to the other team – it is team-only information.
  • Shows false positives for creep heroes (e.g., dominated creeps, Lone Druid’s Spirit Bear) and illusions.
  • Cannot distinguish between true heroes, illusions, or creep heroes in the result.

To use Scan:

  1. Click the “Scan” icon next to your minimap (green for Radiant, red for Dire).
  2. Click any location on the minimap to activate Scan there.
  3. Observe whether the scan indicator turns red (enemy detected) or remains green (no enemy).

Essential Uses of Scan in Every Dota 2 Match

Scan excels when used for critical information gathering at game-defining moments. Here are situations where top players rely on Scan:

Checking Roshan

Roshan fights can shift the balance of power, so knowing whether the enemy is attempting Roshan is vital. Wards cannot always provide reliable Roshan vision. Casting Scan directly on Roshan’s pit allows you to instantly check for enemy activity and potentially contest the attempt.

Locating Smoked or Missing Enemies

When enemies use Smoke of Deceit, they become invisible to wards and regular vision. Scanning common smoke paths—such as jungle entries, river approaches, or high ground spots—can help you identify incoming ganks or rotations that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Securing the Twin Gates and Map Objectives

With the addition of Twin Gates, supports and offlaners frequently rotate between lanes. Scan lets you check if enemies are camping at either gate, preparing for a gank, or defending objectives like Outposts and Bounty Runes.

Checking the Trees and Foggy Areas

If you lose vision on an enemy who disappears into the trees, Scanning choke points, juke spots, or teleport locations can help you catch elusive heroes and prevent dangerous escapes.

Preparing for Warding or Sieging High Ground

The most dangerous time for supports is placing deep wards or attempting to siege high ground. Scanning the fogged areas just ahead of you before attempting these maneuvers prevents running into a deadly ambush.

Advanced Scan Tactics for Smart Play

Beyond the basics, Scan can be used in subtle and highly effective ways that separate seasoned Dota 2 players from beginners:

  • Direction Prediction: If fleeing enemies fork in the fog, scan one path to decide which direction they went, allowing for better pursuit or retreat.
  • Baiting and Confirming Smokes: Suspect the enemy is waiting with a smoke gank in your jungle? Scan the likely ambush spot before farming there.
  • Combining with Global Spells: If you have heroes with global abilities (Invoker’s Sunstrike, Zeus’s Thunder God’s Wrath, Nature’s Prophet’s Teleportation), you can scan enemy fountain or base exits, and use your spell the instant a scan registers an enemy exiting the base on low HP.

Making the Most of Scan’s Cooldown and Team Coordination

With a 4.5-minute cooldown, thoughtful use is crucial. Communicate with your teammates about when you intend to use Scan, especially if players are calling out likely Roshan times, smokes, or power rune contests. Avoid casual uses that provide little or no value—always ask yourself if Scan could help avert disaster or secure a game-changing kill before casting it.

Scan vs. Other Detection Tools

Unlike Sentry Wards or Dust of Appearance, Scan does not reveal invisible units directly, but it does identify smoked heroes (who are otherwise undetectable until they break their smoke). Scan’s global availability and ability to be used from anywhere, even the fountain, make it a unique information tool compared to vision-based scouting or True Sight abilities. For more on detection mechanics, check out Liquipedia Game Mechanics.

Further Reading and Tutorials

Still learning the ropes or want to dive deeper into strategy? Expand your understanding with these resources:

FAQ: Mastering Scan in Dota 2

What does Scan detect in Dota 2?

Scan detects all enemy heroes (including those using Smoke of Deceit and illusions or creep heroes) within a 900-unit radius of the scan location for 8 seconds. It updates every second, notifying your team if enemy units are present. It does not detect invisible, hidden, or invulnerable units (such as those from Astral Imprisonment or Disruption).

Can Scan reveal invisible heroes or wards?

No. Scan cannot reveal invisible heroes using standard invisibility or any kind of wards. It only detects enemy heroes, including those using Smoke of Deceit, but not those hidden by invisibility, astral, banishment, or invulnerability spells.

Is Scan usage visible to the enemy team?

No. Only your own team sees the Scan indicator and results. Enemies are not notified or alerted when you scan an area on the minimap.

How long is the Scan cooldown?

Scan has a 4.5-minute (270-second) cooldown that is shared by your entire team. Once a scan is used, everyone must wait for it to recharge before using it again.

Why does Scan sometimes light up with no enemy heroes around?

Scan also detects enemy creep heroes (like those dominated by Helm of the Dominator or Helm of the Overlord), illusions, and Lone Druid’s Spirit Bear. These can trigger a false positive even when no true hero is present in the scanned area.

What’s the best way to use Scan in a team game?

Use Scan for high-impact goals: checking Roshan, scouting for smoked or missing enemies, securing safe warding, and predicting ganks. Communicate with your team before using it, as wasting Scan on trivial information can make you miss an important detection window later on.

How does Scan compare to other detection items?

Unlike Sentry Wards and Dust of Appearance, which reveal invisible units in an area, Scan simply checks for any enemy heroes, smoked or not, in a large area. It does not provide vision, but it has unlimited range and can be used anywhere on the map at any time, pending cooldown.

By integrating Scan into your overall strategy, whether you are climbing the ladder or playing on a premade team, you gain a vital information edge over your opponents. For more high-level Dota 2 strategy, visit Dota2Gamers for guides, news, and community discussions!