Every seasoned Warcraft III commander knows the truth: your hero is the heart of the war effort. A Blademaster, Archmage, Death Knight, or Demon Hunter climbing levels while the enemy dawdles will decide the match. Here is how to grind experience on the Zone without handing your foe a free kill.

Neutral creep camps dot every ladder map, from Lost Temple to Echo Isles to Twisted Meadows. Clearing them feeds your hero experience and drops items your opponent will never lay hands on. A hero two levels ahead is worth more than a fistful of extra footmen or ghouls.

• Green camps are weak and safe for a lone hero fresh from the Altar.
• Orange camps hit harder and often hide a spellcaster; bring one or two units.
• Red camps are the dangerous ones. Leave them alone until your hero and army are strong.

1. Work at night when you can. Many creeps sleep after dark and will not chase you across the map.
2. Focus fire the casters first. A troll priest's heal or an ogre magi's bloodlust can turn an easy pull into a funeral.
3. Keep a Scroll of Town Portal on your hero. When health runs low, port home rather than feed the enemy a kill.
4. Let a footman or ghoul soak the blows while your Paladin heals with Holy Light or your Death Knight hangs back and casts Death Coil.

Do not flood your food count just to creep. Cross into high upkeep and your gold income drops sharply. A lean escort keeps the economy humming while your hero climbs.

Camps drop tomes for permanent stats, healing and mana potions, rings, and charged wands. Clear the whole camp, then walk your hero over the loot. An early Circlet of Nobility or Claws of Attack can swing the entire game. Then press on toward level 6 and your hero's ultimate ability.

See you on the ladder!