A build is a combination of decisions that a player makes over the course of a match or in advance, before it begins. The word comes from the English verb build, meaning "to construct, to assemble." It is most often used in games where a character develops over time: items, abilities, upgrades, talents.
What a build includes
Depending on the game, a build may include different elements:
- the order in which items are bought;
- the order in which abilities are leveled up and which upgrades are chosen;
- the choice of talents or other permanent bonuses;
- a starting set and a plan for the different stages of the match.
In Dota 2, a build most often means specifically the item build and the order in which a hero's abilities are leveled up. The same hero can be played in different ways: one build bets on damage, another on survivability, a third on supporting the team. In CS2 there are no heroes or items in this sense, so the word is rarely used there: sometimes it refers to a set of purchases for a round, but more often people simply talk about the buy.
How the word is used
In the speech of players and commentators, the word appears in a wide variety of contexts. "What build should I go for on him?", "That's an unconventional build", "He built for defense rather than damage." A build is often named after its main idea: "tank build", "damage build", "speed build". Template builds are posted on websites and in guides, and some games even offer recommended item sets right in the in-game shop.
Build and meta
A build is not the same as the meta. The meta is the overall set of the most popular and strongest approaches at a given moment. A build is a specific setup for a specific hero or situation. The meta suggests which builds are currently in fashion, but the choice remains with the player.
Why you shouldn't copy a build blindly
The most popular build is what is bought most often, not necessarily what best suits your particular game. Experienced players adapt their build to the circumstances: which enemies they are playing against, what the team lacks, how the match is unfolding. If the opponents deal a lot of magic damage, it makes sense to pick up protection against it, even if the standard build doesn't call for it. That is why, for experienced players, a build is not dogma but a starting point that they change as the game goes on.
A good build solves a specific problem: it provides the missing survivability, mana, initiative or damage. A bad build is one put together out of habit, with no regard for what is happening in the match.