What is Crutch?
Kostyl (meaning “crutch”) is an unofficial name for the item Power Treads in the old version of Dota. Nowadays, this term is almost out of use: players mostly say "PT (Power Treads)" , but veterans of the scene may still refer to the item as "Kostyl".
The nickname originated from the item's icon, which featured a wooden leg. Wooden legs have traditionally been associated with pirate prosthetics or crutches — walking aids.
Power Treads was especially popular among beginners due to its versatility: it provided stats, increased attack speed, and suited almost every hero. Because of this, the item was often seen as a "noob" choice, reinforcing its humorous reputation. Despite changing metas and generations, the word "Kostyl" still evokes nostalgia among those who started with Dota Allstars.
