I used to play DotA a lot, I believe i was pretty decent actually. I quit and I played on europe anyway, but what I can advise you is to view replays by the top players and copy their item build/strategies. You currently play public games I suppose? They aren't the best obviously because of many flamers/leavers, but it's a useful place to start. Check if there are some leagues that have ranked games, doesn't matter if you lose as you learn more from every game you play. Mid game strategies obviously depend on what character you play, for example (carry -> farm) (support -> ward, gang) etc. Hope I could help a bit.

Thank you for the input. I will be sure to dig up some pro replays and learn how to not suc k. I would very much like to find someone to practice with that is willing to yell at me when I mess up lol. I want to get good at this.

FCC@useast

ill play with ya

be warned. i kinda suck.

did like 10 matches last night and won 5. I am getting better. I used a different hero each time but so far it looks like I am best with lich and saldar. Still trying to figure out what items I should use on them.

Gratz! Have you checked guides for those heroes yet? Tells pretty much what items you need to get early/mid/late.

yea someone just sent me link to http://www.playdota.com/guides

so i am looking over it now.

Man Dota is so adictive. I am an old school wc3 player from back in 2003-2005 and I have a 55% win rate with over 4000 games played and destroyer undead Icon yet I never got into Dota. A friend of mine talked me into trying it and I am hooked.

It's awesome indeed. Too bad I stopped, but it became really addictive. I'm interested in how DotA 2 is going to be.

Have you found a league to play in?