The International Group Stage Meta Recap – DOTABUFF

To say that the Worldwide Group Stage had some sudden outcomes could be an understatement. Underperforming WEU, the return to glory for China and EEU dominance made for a really entertaining Group Stage, however the Highway to TI has simply begun and groups now have a number of days to re-evaluate their understanding of the meta and adapt to playoffs.

The present patch appears decently balanced, as no hero has over 90% contest fee. The three most coveted heroes are Treant Protector, Dazzle and Pangolier, adopted carefully by Kunkka and Invoker.

Curiously, whereas Dazzle, Treant, Pango and Invoker are additionally top4 most banned heroes of the Group Stage, Kunkka is usually let by way of, although his win fee isn’t notably spectacular: 43% throughout 28 video games,

In actual fact, out of top5 most contested heroes solely two have a constructive win fee. Treant Protector is at a really snug 54%, whereas Dazzle is approaching 70%, although the pattern dimension may be very small, with solely 13 video games. The hero is totally value being attentive to and he’ll in all probability get nerfed after the Worldwide.

As talked about beforehand, Pangolier isn’t notably profitable. A 31% win fee throughout 26 video games will in all probability pressure most groups to re-evaluate this hero. We don’t anticipate the hero to depart the meta utterly, however it’s unlikely he will likely be prioritised early within the draft as a lot.

There may be additionally a save help duo of Vengeful Spirit and Shadow Demon, who aren’t doing too scorching. Venge and her 39.4% win fee will in all probability stay well-liked and it doesn’t really feel just like the hero is weak by any means. Her sub-40% win fee is a bit regarding, however she continues to be a wonderful early stage decide with many bases coated.

Shadow Demon, then again, seems to be and feels unhealthy. 28% win fee throughout 25 video games may be very telling. The hero is sweet towards self-buff sort of heroes, positive, and he will also be highly effective within the late recreation towards heroes who depend on passive results, however for probably the most half he simply doesn’t get so far. He isn’t essentially robust in lane, typically counting on teammates to do properly. He additionally doesn’t have a robust, game-changing final, except he’s picked to counter a selected hero and the tip result’s unsurprising. We totally anticipate groups to surrender on SD and solely decide him in some very area of interest situations.

A number of picks actually stand out by way of their reputation and success. First one ought to have been apparent for many of our readers: we’ve been hyping up Ancient Apparition ever because the Ice Vortex rework and the skilled scene lastly caught as much as excessive stage pubs, it appears. That’s after a number of small nerfs to the hero as properly.

One other stand out character is Primal Beast. Between robust laning stage, built-in mobility, good harm and BKB-piercing disable, there may be little or no the hero doesn’t do for his or her staff. Entry to Break is a cherry on high and we’ll in all probability see some tweaks to how the hero operates after the match. Proper now it appears like he does an excessive amount of.

We additionally really feel like he could possibly be one of many largest causes Pangolier is struggling: Pulverize stops Rolling Thunder and cuts it quick, so Primal Beast with a Black King Bar can totally negate Pangolier final. He can truly do the identical with Aether Lens, Eye of Vizier or Telescope aura because it permits him to seize Pango earlier than getting surprised, however it is not recommendation, simply trivia. Psychic Headband, which is barely 25 much less further solid vary in comparison with different neutrals doesn’t enable for a similar trick, although.

Lastly, there may be Chaos Knight who’s a robust, dependable laner who now finds himself within the meta the place most flash-farming heroes have been nerfed. Gyrocopter isn’t as a lot of a problem as he was once, Sven has been nerfed and that instantly advantages all illusions heroes.

Each Naga Siren and Chaos Knight gained massive off the again of this meta shift, however the latter is significantly extra well-liked, maybe as a result of his excessive aggressive potential in lane, or maybe as a result of he’s higher at focusing down and deleting a goal rapidly. 65% win fee throughout 26 video games make him the hero to be careful for and he’ll almost certainly turn into much more well-liked.

Lastly, there are a few heroes who might see a bump of their reputation, since they appear to be doing exceptionally properly, although with a comparatively small pattern dimension.

Spectre is the primary that involves thoughts: she was lately modified to be extra proactive and aggressive and it made the hero extremely scary. Being able to globally get on high of an enemy help is a really massive deal, particularly on such a low cooldown. In a meta the place flash-farming heroes aren’t as highly effective as they was once, Spectre can be not getting outpaced as a lot as she was once and that may be a very robust oblique buff.

One other hero value mentioning is Wraith King. Primarily seen as a place three, he feels form of silly, to be sincere. His Aghanim’s Final is extremely annoying and highly effective, however it typically leads to video games simply lasting longer, versus swaying the stability between groups. Some drafts can positively capitalise on longer matches and the hero is unquestionably good, however we wouldn’t thoughts seeing the hero being modified to suit the carry position higher after the match.

There may be additionally Skywrath Mage who appears to be a great meta match. Him and Ancient Apparition each have entry to magic harm amplification talents, permitting for higher and faster takedowns on excessive precedence targets. In a patch the place Heart of Tarrasque is without doubt one of the extra well-liked objects, having further harm is rarely unhealthy.

We have been largely appropriate in our meta predictions and it is extremely shocking to see so {many professional} groups nonetheless cling to outdated ideas and techniques. The sport is ever-evolving and even excessive particular person ability can’t make up for draft shortcomings.

The brand new format of the Worldwide is a bit fascinating although, because it offers groups time to arrange. We hope that this preparation interval will end in groups growing precise new methods, versus merely fixing their errors, however we will certainly see some variations.

What are your predictions for this weekend? Are you stunned some heroes are nonetheless unpicked and who do you suppose is probably the most overrated hero of the match? Share your ideas within the remark part beneath.