Dota’s pro meta ahead of BLAST SLAM VIII: Treant Protector, Ember Spirit, and Lone Druid are the best
Treant Protector is the only S-tier hero in Dota2ProTracker’s tier list for the pro scene. Ahead of BLAST SLAM VIII, we’re taking a look at the portal’s rankings and the heroes’ performance in professional matches.
Overall Tier List of Heroes for the Pro Scene
- S — Treant Protector;
- A — Ember Spirit, Lone Druid, Keeper of the Light, Doom, Pangolier;
- B — Kez, Beastmaster, Largo, Puck, Clockwerk, Earth Spirit, Rubick;
- C — Winter Wyvern, Hoodwink, Alchemist, Slardar, Centaur Warrunner, Bane, Batrider, Monkey King, Invoker, Enigma, Tiny, Mirana, Timbersaw, Storm Spirit, Axe, Venomancer, Huskar, Windranger, Tusk;
- D — Bounty Hunter, Necrophos, Snapfire, Tidehunter, Terrorblade, Io, Lycan, Phoenix, Sven, Luna, Dark Seer, Lina, Enchantress, Brewmaster, Shadow Fiend, Lifestealer, Muerta, Nature’s Prophet, Shadow Demon, Dark Willow, Lion, Undying, Nyx Assassin, Viper, Phantom Lancer, Clinkz, Dawnbreaker, Shadow Shaman;
- E — Lich, Queen of Pain, Slark, Faceless Void, Jakiro, Naga Siren, Bristleback, Drow Ranger, Ancient Apparition, Witch Doctor, Templar Assassin, Kunkka, Sand King, Dragon Knight, Night Stalker, Meepo, Leshrac, Morphling, Grimstroke, Spectre, Dazzle, Earthshaker, Magnus, Juggernaut, Primal Beast, Vengeful Spirit, Sniper, Crystal Maiden, Chen, Legion Commander, Broodmother, Marci, Techies, Oracle, Pugna, Omniknight, Razor, Ursa, Disruptor, Ogre Magi, Weaver, Abaddon, Pudge, Mars, Silencer, Warlock, Spirit Breaker, Elder Titan, Zeus, Death Prophet, Gyrocopter, Outworld Destroyer, Medusa, Phantom Assassin, Void Spirit, Skywrath Mage, Ringmaster, Underlord.
Explanation of tiers
- S-tier — the best heroes in the meta;
- A-tier — consistent and strong heroes;
- B-tier — less effective than A-tier heroes, but still good enough for regular play;
- C-tier — niche heroes that require very favorable conditions or exceptional skill;
- D-tier — weak heroes who have little to offer the team compared to heroes from higher tiers;
- E-tier — the worst heroes in the game, unlikely to lead to a victory.
Hero Popularity and Win Rate
The most popular heroes on the pro scene in Patch 7.41f were Ember Spirit and Earth Spirit. Both were drafted in 87.8% of matches. Ember Spirit won 63.2% of his 38 matches, while Earth Spirit won 73.7% of his 19. Next were Mirana and Lone Druid, both with a win rate of 83.3%. Mirana had a 54.2% win rate in 48 games, while Lone Druid had a 72.2% win rate in 18 games.
Teams picked Hoodwink more often than any other hero (49 times, 49% win rate). Winter Wyvern also stands out among popular supports (38 picks, 60.5% win rate).
Bloodseeker, Chen, Meepo, Omniknight, Riki, and Wraith King went completely unpicked—these heroes were not selected in any of the 130 professional matches analyzed for Patch 7.41f.
Key Meta Trends
Ember Spirit and Earth Spirit are performing well in the mid lane: the former secured 24 wins in 38 mid-lane games, while the latter secured 13 wins in 17. Among the carries, Lone Druid (12 wins out of 17 games) and Sven (16 wins out of 23 matches) stand out.
However, teams’ high interest in a hero doesn’t always translate to good results. Dark Seer, with a 72.2% pick rate, has won only six out of 23 matches. Pangolier has eight wins in 24 games, and Shadow Fiend has three in eleven. Among the less frequently selected heroes, Brewmaster is worth noting, with 9 wins in 11 matches. Treant Protector has appeared in only two matches on the pro scene but boasts a 100% win rate.
Ember Spirit was the most frequently picked hero in PGL Wallachia Season 9—he appeared in the draft on 98 out of 114 maps. He also had the highest win rate among heroes with 10 or more games: 12 wins in 16 matches.
Photo: Valve.
