Matthew "Whitemon" Filmon, the position-five support for Tundra Esports in Dota 2, spoke about the role of the safe lane support in the current meta during an interview at DreamLeague Season 28. He explained how he approaches the responsibilities of a five and how those priorities change depending on team composition and strategy.
Asked whether a position-five should prioritize lane control or wider map activity, Whitemon said that having impact in teamfights is more important overall, but that this cannot come at the complete expense of the lane. He stressed the need for balance: if the five is drafted and expected to focus on teamfights, the team must ensure a strong carry who can reliably hold the lane on their own.
When asked about specific heroes he used at the event — Phoenix, Warlock, Chen and Keeper of the Light — Whitemon said he chooses whichever pick best serves the team. He emphasized his flexibility, noting that he is comfortable on a wide variety of supports and will play whichever hero the draft and his teammates recommend. If a teammate, such as Neta, suggests a hero is a good fit, he will gladly take it.
The conversation follows other recent commentary on lane roles in the new patch. Earlier, Chung "Ws" Wei Shen, the offlaner for Aurora Gaming, discussed the particular challenges of playing the hard lane in patch 7.40c, describing it as a difficult environment where the offlaner is under near-constant pressure. His observations complement Whitemon’s comments by highlighting how patch balance shifts affect role responsibilities across the map.
Whitemon’s remarks underline a common theme in the current competitive scene: role flexibility and draft synergy are crucial. Teams increasingly prioritize supports who can pivot between protecting lanes and turning the tide in teamfights, while ensuring the carry can absorb more solo responsibility when needed.