DuoA lane isn't won only with abilities: it's also won with the minion wave. Controlling where it is decides who can fight, who can leave and who is exposed to a gank. In duo it's easier, because one of you can take care of the wave while the other watches the map.
The four wave types
- Fast push. You kill the minions as quickly as possible so the wave reaches the enemy tower early. It buys time to leave the lane (to recall, help another lane or take an objective).
- Slow push. You kill only part of the minions so your wave grows and arrives later in numbers. When it reaches the enemy tower, they have to spend resources to clear it.
- Freeze. You let the wave stay near your tower without pushing it. The enemy has to come to your side to farm, which exposes them to your attacks or a gank.
- Crash. You make your wave reach the enemy tower and die. It's done to change plans: you have a window to leave because the enemy won't get experience.
When to use each
- You want to fight: freeze near your tower. The enemy has to come and you choose the moment to go in.
- You want to leave the lane: push fast and crash, then recall or help another lane.
- You're ahead: slow push to build a big wave and pressure the tower.
- You're behind: freeze to protect yourselves from a gank and not give away experience.
How to split the work in duo
- One watches the wave. They decide how many minions to kill and when.
- The other watches the map. They call it if the enemy jungler disappears or help arrives for the enemy.
- Both talk before pushing. An "I'm going to push" keeps the other from running out of resources.
Typical mistakes
- Pushing without vision. A big wave near the enemy tower, without vision, is an invitation to a gank.
- Giving the wave away. Leaving the lane without pushing makes you lose experience and gold.
- Letting the wave go on its own. If you don't control it, the enemy decides for you.
Wave management is one of the things you learn most by watching games. If you want to see how it's used with a specific pair, Lux + Caitlyn and Ashe + Leona have very different lane plans and are a good example.
