As Dota 2’s competitive meta continues to evolve, The International 2024 (TI13) brought its own hero dynamics to the forefront. While some heroes thrived and became game-changers during the tournament, others struggled to make an impact.
In this article, we’ll explore the standout performers, the biggest disappointments, and the heroes that went completely uncontested at this year’s TI.
Best Heroes at TI 2024
Naga Siren
Win Rate: 75%, Contest Rate: 94%
Naga Siren took the tournament by storm with a stunning 94% contest rate and a 75% win rate across 12 games. Her Deluge Facet, which reduces enemy status resistance with Rip Tide, made her a critical support hero in team fights.
Combined with the healing power of Song of the Siren, Naga was a key factor in turning the tide for many teams, despite being primarily known as a hard support this TI.
Shadow Demon
Win Rate: 60%, Pick Rate: 30
Shadow Demon proved to be a valuable asset with his ability to purge buffs using Demonic Purge. His Promulgate Facet allowed him to chip away at opponents’ health, making him an excellent counter to buff-heavy lineups. Despite a lower pick rate, his influence in crucial moments earned him the title of one of the best supports at TI 2024.
Tusk
Win Rate: 62%, Most Picked Support Hero
Tusk stood out as the most reliable support pick at TI, offering versatility with skills like Snowball for initiation and Walrus Punch! for bonus stun duration. His ability to save allies or trap enemies with Ice Shards made him an integral part of many successful lineups.
Mirana
Win Rate: 60.87%, Pick Rate: High in Position One
Known for her flexibility, Mirana shone as a position one carry this year, aided by her Solar Flare facet, which enhanced her damage output and her team’s overall performance. She became one of the most dangerous carries, surpassing Windranger in terms of effectiveness during TI.
Sand King
Win Rate: Moderate, Mid and Offlane Picks
Though Sand King’s performance in the mid-lane was inconsistent, he excelled in the offlane. Heroes like Topson and Quinn showcased his potential with builds focused on Blink Dagger and Bloodstone. His Sand Storm Facets kept enemies guessing, making him a strategic pick in high-pressure games.
Worst Heroes at TI 2024
- Lina
Win Rate: 35.71%, Pick Rate: 14
Despite her potential to scale into the late game, Lina struggled to keep pace with the tournament’s faster meta. Her squishiness and inability to hit early Gleipnir timings made her an underwhelming pick, unable to deliver consistent results. - Doom
Win Rate: Low, Contest Rate: High
Doom was heavily contested, but his impact in matches fell short. While his ultimate can shut down key targets, the rest of his kit proved too situational. The Devil’s Bargain facet, which allows Doom to resell items at a higher price, didn’t offer enough to turn games in his favor. - Primal Beast
Win Rate: 33%, Pick Rate: 12
Primal Beast, once a dominant force in Dota, failed to keep up with the TI 2024 meta. His position as an offlane tank did not provide enough utility or survivability, and his reliance on specific items like Pipe of Insight made him too slow to be effective in the current fast-paced games. - Sven
Win Rate: 0%, Pick Rate: 6
Sven was one of the biggest disappointments at TI, going winless across six games. His susceptibility to being kited made him an ineffective choice both as a carry and a roaming support. Despite attempts to make him work with Warcry upgrades, Sven couldn’t find a place in the tournament. - Pangolier
Win Rate: 35.29%, Pick Rate: 17
Pangolier’s fall from grace was surprising, as he has been a staple in competitive play for years. Despite a few standout moments, including Quinn’s lower bracket performance, Pango failed to make a significant impact overall. His win rate remained low, and he struggled to shine in the late stages of the event.
Uncontested Heroes at TI 2024
A total of 21 heroes went completely uncontested throughout TI 2024, a mix of surprise omissions and predictable neglect. Here are some of the heroes who were left on the sidelines:
- Arc Warden
- Bloodseeker
- Bounty Hunter
- Dawnbreaker
- Juggernaut
- Lich
- Necrophos
- Techies
- Venomancer
- Witch Doctor
Despite seeing buffs in recent patches, heroes like Lifestealer and Clinkz were completely ignored, which further highlights how drastically the professional meta can diverge from ranked play.
Conclusion
The International 2024 showcased a fascinating mix of hero picks, with some surprising winners and disappointments along the way. Naga Siren, Shadow Demon, and Tusk dominated the meta, while traditional favorites like Lina, Doom, and Pangolier faltered.
With uncontested heroes adding a new level of unpredictability, Dota 2’s ever-shifting competitive landscape continues to evolve in surprising ways.
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