The role of offlane is one of the most difficult in the game. The offlaner is usually pinned against an enemy safelane and runs the risk of having very little farm and limited experience, depending on what they are up against. Offlane heroes play flexible roles later on. They can play utility roles, defensive roles, and even offensive roles depending on their skill and items.
Offlaners are usually heroes with high survivability in terms of pure tankiness or mobility. Other offlane heroes can disrupt creep equilibrium which can make their lane easier and give them access to last hits and more experience. Some offlaners can get away with getting last hits while some are simply happy just getting experience. Similarly to the mid role, offlaners also impact the game significantly once they have ultimates skilled.
With the Introduction of the Iron Talon, offlaners are now able to transition to the jungle easier as compared to the past. This gives them a semblance of farm and experience as opposed to very little to none if they choose to stay in lane. In many cases, offlaners choose to go directly farm neutral camps instead of staying in a lane they know they will lose. While this may be efficient for the offlaner, it is also a double edged blade as the enemy carry would have complete free farm and enemy supports can do pulls, or even transition to gank other lanes.