Last week, we discussed the diverse and flexible nature of the current meta in the Dota 2 competitive scene, with the International tournament showcasing this trend. Surprisingly, there was not a single hero that had a higher than 90% contest rate, and only three heroes were above 80%. Additionally, only nine heroes were completely ignored throughout the group stage and the early playoffs. In this article, we will focus on these overlooked heroes and evaluate their potential for the main stage.
Abaddon: A Utility Character
Abaddon, after a brief period as a core hero, received significant nerfs and is now back to being a utility character. While there have been notable buffs to his healing and protecting abilities in recent patches, they do not seem to be enough to establish him as a strong pick. The main reasons for this are twofold. Firstly, having a melee support in lane without strong offensive abilities puts Abaddon at a disadvantage compared to heroes like Treant Protector, Tusk, and Undying who offer greater presence in the laning phase and have more impact in the midgame. Secondly, the prevalence of heroes like Ancient Apparition and other anti-heal effects counter Abaddon’s healing potential. Although his Aghanim’s Scepter can make him a formidable force in the late game, this playstyle is often countered by early picks in drafts. While the dispel from Aphotic Shield is useful against certain effects like Spirit Vessel, simply serving as a save and heal bot does not align with the current meta. There may be a niche possibility of Abaddon as a position three hero, but overall, we anticipate that he will remain ignored.
Dragon Knight: Outshined by Superior Options
Dragon Knight is typically seen as a tanky frontline hero in either the second or third position, capable of initiating fights and dealing damage. However, there are simply better alternatives available. Heroes like Tidehunter, Centaur Warrunner, Primal Beast, Kunkka, and Earth Spirit are not only tankier but also do not rely on Blink Dagger to initiate. As a result, it is difficult to justify a pick or ban on Dragon Knight. Perhaps a team may experiment with a DPS-oriented build that skips Blink Dagger in favor of items like Manta Style and Aghanim’s Scepter, but this approach seems like a lot of effort for little reward. Nevertheless, the power of the Black Dragon form is undeniable, so there might be an opportunity for an upper bracket team to test it out in certain situations.
Lion: Struggling with Cooldowns
Lion, a hero with single-target crowd control abilities, has fallen out of favor due to the current meta prioritizing damage and AoE soft disables over his hard disables. Additionally, Lion faces the challenge of having very long cooldowns, particularly in the early levels. However, considering the average game duration during the International tournament being over 42 minutes, the issue of long cooldowns may be less problematic. Furthermore, Lion’s potential as a mana battery for high-impact heroes like Storm Spirit should not be underestimated, potentially leading to his selection in a few matches.
Meepo: A Niche Pick for Specialists
Meepo, known for being a niche and potentially cheesy pick, requires a specialist player to utilize his unique strengths effectively. Despite not being a completely unplayable hero, the decline in his popularity can be attributed to the availability of better options. While Bristleback poses a significant challenge to Meepo, most teams ban him during the early banning phase regardless. However, there may be a chance for a last pick Meepo in a favorable game, allowing him to dominate the map. Additionally, many of Meepo’s traditional counters are currently out of the meta, making him a potentially worthwhile selection in the right circumstances.
Slardar: Surprisingly Absent from the Meta
The absence of Slardar, a hero who excels in a “run at you” style of Dota and no longer heavily relies on Blink Dagger for initiation, is a bit unexpected. While it is understandable that Slardar struggles with farming and lacks pressure on lanes and towers, alternative playstyles have been successfully employed by some teams in the current meta. Considering Dazzle’s viability as a pick, a surprise selection of Slardar could prove to be beneficial. Furthermore, Slardar synergizes well with Bristleback, allowing teams to experiment with Bristleback in the offlane position. It is worth noting that Slardar’s absence does not align with a strength-focused meta, where his anti-Strength capabilities would be highly valuable. Despite the presence of several heroes that counter Timber, there are situations in which he can be a strong situational pick, particularly against heroes like Kunkka, Earth Spirit, or Chaos Knight.
Winter Wyvern: Outclassed by Other Supports
Winter Wyvern, once highly regarded as a DPS core hero during the era of Universal heroes, has seen a significant decline in his core capabilities and is now primarily played as a support. In the current meta, sustained magic damage-dealing heroes such as Muerta, Ancient Apparition, and Dark Willow have gained immense popularity, making Wyvern’s Cold Embrace more of a setup for the enemy team rather than a reliable save. Additionally, landing a successful Winter’s Curse is challenging and not always the most effective initiation tool. Furthermore, Wyvern’s performance in the laning stage is not impressive compared to other meta supports. While there may be niche situations where Wyvern can be effective, it is unlikely that any team will take the risk of picking him in an elimination match.
A Healthy Meta with Room for Surprises
Out of the 119 heroes available, only nine were ignored and fourteen remained unpicked during the International tournament, reflecting the diversity and balance within the current meta. This outcome is indicative of a healthy meta. However, in the ever-evolving landscape of Dota, surprises are always possible. During the break period, it will be interesting to see if teams develop innovative strategies or ideas. We invite you to share your thoughts on the current meta and whether you believe certain heroes are criminally underrated or overlooked. Be sure to leave your comments below!