If you play esports games, especially in the genre of multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA), you might have heard the term “engager” used to describe a certain type of character or role. But what is an engager and what makes them different from other characters or roles? In this article, we will explain the definition, characteristics, and examples of engagers in esports.
What is an Engager?
An engager is a character or role that initiates fights, meaning that they are the first ones to start a combat situation with the enemy team. Engagers usually have abilities that allow them to close the gap, crowd control, or disrupt the enemy team, such as dashes, jumps, stuns, slows, or knock-ups. Engagers are also often tanky and durable, meaning that they can survive the initial burst of damage from the enemy team.
Engagers are typically found in MOBA games, such as League of Legends, Dota 2, and Heroes of the Storm, where each team consists of five players and each player controls a unique character with different abilities and roles. Engagers are one of the four main roles in MOBA games, along with duelists, supports, and mages. Engagers are also sometimes called initiators, frontliners, or divers, depending on the game and the character.
What are the characteristics of Engagers?
Engagers have some common characteristics that define their playstyle and performance in esports games, such as:
High impact: Engagers can have a huge impact on the outcome of a fight, as they can create opportunities and advantages for their team. Engagers can catch the enemy team off guard, isolate or eliminate key targets, or create chaos and confusion in the enemy ranks. Engagers can also set up combos and synergies with their teammates, such as follow-up damage, healing, or protection.
High responsibility: Engagers also have a lot of responsibility and pressure, as they have to make split-second decisions and execute them well. Engagers have to know when to engage, when to disengage, when to peel, and when to dive, as well as how to use their abilities and items effectively and efficiently. Engagers also have to communicate and coordinate with their teammates, as they have to signal their intentions and expectations.
High skill cap: Engagers require a lot of skill and practice to master, as they rely on their mechanics, timing, positioning, and vision to succeed. Engagers have to be proficient and consistent, as they have to land their abilities and hit their targets. Engagers also have to be smart and creative, as they have to use their tactics, strategies, and tricks.
What are some examples of Engagers in esports games?
Engagers are present in many esports games, especially in the genre of MOBA, where each character has a unique kit and a specific role. Here are some examples of engagers in popular esports games:
League of Legends has many characters that can be classified as engagers, depending on their abilities and builds. Some examples are:
Malphite: A melee tank who uses his rock and his ultimate to initiate and disrupt the enemy team. He can charge into the enemy team, knock them up, and slow them down, while being very hard to kill.
Leona: A melee support who uses her sword and her shield to initiate and crowd control the enemy team. She can dash to her targets, stun them, and mark them for bonus damage, while being very tanky and supportive.
Jarvan IV: A melee fighter who uses his spear and his flag to initiate and isolate the enemy team. He can jump to his targets, knock them up, and trap them in a terrain, while being very versatile and adaptable.
Dota 2
Dota 2 has many characters that can be classified as engagers, depending on their abilities and items. Some examples are:
Tidehunter: A melee tank who uses his anchor and his ultimate to initiate and disrupt the enemy team. He can smash the ground, stun and damage the enemies in a large area, and reduce their armor, while being very resilient and regenerative.
Lion: A ranged support who uses his claw and his finger to initiate and burst the enemy team. He can hex his targets, stun them, drain their mana, and deal massive damage with his ultimate, while being very useful and impactful.
Axe: A melee fighter who uses his axe and his taunt to initiate and counter the enemy team. He can force his enemies to attack him, spin and damage them, and execute them with his ultimate, while being very aggressive and durable.
Heroes of the Storm: Heroes of the Storm has many characters that can be classified as engagers, depending on their talents and builds. Some examples are:
E.T.C.: A melee tank who uses his guitar and his ultimate to initiate and crowd control the enemy team. He can slide to his targets, knock them back, and stun them, while being very mobile and supportive.
Diablo: A melee tank who uses his horns and his fire to initiate and isolate the enemy team. He can charge to his targets, flip them, and burn them, while being very strong and scary.
Zeratul: A melee assassin who uses his blades and his cloak to initiate and assassinate the enemy team. He can stealth, blink, and slash his targets, while being very elusive and deadly.
To Sum Up
An engager is a character or role that initiates fights, meaning that they are the first ones to start a combat situation with the enemy team. Engagers usually have abilities that allow them to close the gap, crowd control, or disrupt the enemy team, such as dashes, jumps, stuns, slows, or knock-ups. Engagers are also often tanky and durable, meaning that they can survive the initial burst of damage from the enemy team. Engagers are typically found in MOBA games, where each character has a unique kit and a specific role.