I ain't really good at melee supports but dear god do I like a big shield. I wanna get good and protect I just keep getting poked out and run out of mana too fast. Any tips or a general guide will do!
#How does one play steel support?
hard atlas
dull wolf
The first one it shows is a tanky build the second one is a tanky /dps build that's what i run
hard atlas
Oooo I'll check it out
wet elk
with the release of Grim Exe Steel support might be better
im unsure but it would make sense if his shield can block Grim Exe ultimate
and the mf is in every game rn
hard atlas
supple verge
As a melee engage support you have to remember to respect the enemy's poke damage. If you're running out of mana you're being too aggressive in the wrong way aswell. You don't really have to blow cooldowns on much unless you're going all-in on the enemy.
Generally your level 2/3 is very dangerous if an enemy steps out of position slightly because you can basically just run up and beat the snot out of them with your carry and they can't do a whole lot. Generally the squishier they both are the easier this is.
Your shield bash is a very low cooldown stun so take advantage of that, and remember that you don't always have to use your charge first to go in. You should always prefer to walk up to people first when you know you can, bash, then use the charge after they use a disengage to keep up with them (or use it to knock them into an unfavourable position).
Another very important thing to remember at all times really, is how the wave is positioned. Generally if you're new people will attack the wave without thinking, and until you get to a point where that stops happening you can use that to your advantage. You will be slightly lower on XP most likely, but for the first 2-3 levels the enemy will be forcefully pushing towards your side of the lane. Once a good amount of their minions are gone, you will have ample space to walk up and stun them very easily.
The reason you want to wait for a few minions to die after they push up is because minions will retaliate against you if you auto attack an enemy while they're in range of minions. This can make a significant difference in the early game, as minions actually do quite a lot of damage together.
Unfortunately Steel isn't as much about protecting as he is disrupting.
Sure, your shield is an extremely useful outplay tool, but you're going to be doing a lot more engaging than you are protecting. You can use it to block important attacks, stop the enemy from farming, but most importantly, it's a really freaking wide slow. So your best chance to use it is shortly after whacking the enemy in the face with your shield bash as they start to attempt to run away from you.
Don't feel bad about disrupting instead of protecting, fortunately most of the time your Carry will be just as happy watching you give the enemy team a noogie while they're free to walk up and get some kills. So go crazy