International Playoffs: Outlier Heroes in Focus
The International playoffs have begun, shaping the evolving meta as teams battle it out. Amid the shifting landscape, certain heroes are standing out for their performance — either excelling or faltering. Let’s take a closer look at these outliers who are capturing attention at the tournament.
Position Four Sniper: A Surprising Disappointment
Position four Sniper has emerged as a perplexing choice, failing to make a significant impact in matches. Despite being a popular pick, this hero is currently one of the weakest performers in the tournament. The decline in Sniper’s effectiveness can be attributed to changes in his Aghanim’s Scepter, diminishing his utility as a support. While his early-game damage output remains decent, Sniper struggles to stay relevant beyond the laning phase, offering minimal utility and limited impact in team fights.
The baffling aspect is why professional players are opting for this underwhelming hero when the stakes are high. While Sniper may have some flexibility in roles, his overall contribution falls short, making him a questionable choice in competitive play.
Mirana: A Versatile Powerhouse
In contrast, Mirana has been making waves with her versatility and strength in both core and support roles. With abilities like Leap, Solar Flare, and a powerful Crit talent, Mirana becomes a formidable right-click damage dealer in the midgame. Despite her modest Attribute gain, Mirana’s scaling capabilities and diverse skill set make her a popular and potent pick at the tournament.
Kunkka: A Reliable Performer
Kunkka continues to shine with a commendable 60% win rate, offering reliable burst damage and crowd control. His adaptability in itemization allows him to counter various threats and adjust to different matchups. Kunkka’s utility and damage scaling make him a solid choice for mid lane, with the ability to transition into a late-game powerhouse with the right item choices.
Dragon Knight’s Struggle
Surprisingly, Dragon Knight is facing challenges at the tournament despite his solid kit and carry potential. While Dragon Knight boasts a strong laning stage and decent farming capabilities, his straightforward playstyle and lack of burst damage limit his impact in team fights. In a meta that favors heroes with unique playstyles, Dragon Knight’s direct approach falls short of making a significant mark in the current competitive scene.
Doom: A Potential Powerhouse
Doom’s performance is hindered by his reliance on specific conditions and macro decisions, often leading players into suboptimal strategies. While a well-played Doom can be devastating, his success hinges on an ideal start, making him a challenging hero to execute effectively. To unleash Doom’s full potential, a more aggressive and tempo-driven playstyle may be the key to success in competitive play.
The State of the Meta at TI
As the International progresses, the hero diversity and overall meta are under scrutiny. Many heroes are struggling to find a place in the current meta, while others are dominating based on their numerical strengths. The emphasis on itemization over strategic depth is shaping the competition, leading to a less diverse and dynamic meta. Despite these challenges, there is hope that the remaining days of the tournament will bring unexpected strategies and thrilling gameplay from the top teams, elevating the spectator experience.