What subtle cues help an expert player 'read' an opponent's future movements or ability usage?

Expert players read opponents by observing a combination of subtle cues related to movement patterns, resource management, behavioral tells, current game state analysis, psychological factors, and opponent-specific knowledge. Movement patterns involve an opponent’s subtle positioning or navigation shifts. For instance, a slight alteration in their path, an unusual route choice, or a tentative step forward or backward can indicate an intention to use a specific ability or to initiate an attack. An opponent retreating slightly but not fully disengaging might be attempting to 'bait' (lure into a disadvantageous position) a chase for a counter-attack. Resource management requires tracking an opponent's in-game assets, even if not directly visible. Expert players mentally account for the 'cooldown' (the time an ability remains unusable after use) of a powerful 'ultimate ability' (a high-impact skill with a long cooldown) after it has been used, understanding this period creates a window of vulnerability. Observing an opponent conserve 'mana' (energy used for casting spells) by not casting spells when opportunities arise can signal they are saving it for a more potent combination or a critical moment. Behavioral tells are small, often subconscious, changes in an opponent's input timing or action speed. A brief 'hesitation' (a short pause) before an opponent executes a complex 'combo' (a sequence of abilities used together) can indicate they are confirming their input or waiting for a precise moment, signaling a strong commitment to that action. Conversely, an 'unusually quick' response to a predictable threat might suggest a prepared counter or an attempt to interrupt. Game state analysis involves understanding the overall situation of the game. For example, if an opponent's 'character class' (type of playable unit) excels at 'area-of-effect damage' (damage applied to multiple targets in a specific zone) and multiple friendly units are clustered, an expert anticipates the use of such an ability. The activation or nearing activation of a key 'objective' (a specific goal in the game) prompts expert players to predict opponent movements and ability usage towards securing that objective. Psychological factors encompass recognizing attempts at 'bluffing' (deceiving an opponent) or 'trapping' (setting an ambush). An opponent might deliberately expose themselves briefly, appearing vulnerable, to 'bait' an expert player into an unfavorable engagement. The subtle cue here is the unnatural or overly obvious nature of this perceived weakness, indicating an underlying intent to deceive. Opponent-specific knowledge refers to insights gained from observing a particular opponent's consistent habits, tendencies, or preferred strategies across multiple encounters. If an opponent reliably uses a specific ability first in their 'combo' or always retreats in a particular direction when low on 'health' (a character's life points), an expert player uses these established patterns to predict future actions, such as anticipating a 'flanking' (attacking from the side or rear) maneuver based on early, subtle movements towards a known flanking route.