The Riyadh Masters 2024 has concluded, providing crucial insights into the evolving Dota 2 meta under patch 7.36. This tournament showcased top-tier gameplay, with Gaimin Gladiators defeating Team Liquid 3-0 in the grand final, securing a prize of $1.5 million.
This analysis will delve into the shifts in the meta, examining the most picked, contested, and highest win rate heroes, as well as those that were neglected.
Tournament Overview
The Riyadh Masters 2024 commenced with a play-in stage, progressed through group stages, and culminated in the playoffs. With a total of 223 games played, this event was the largest to take place on patch 7.36, offering a comprehensive view of how the meta has evolved. The data for this analysis is sourced from datDota.
Most Picked Heroes at Riyadh Masters 2024
The list of the 15 most picked heroes includes several that have gained prominence since the release of patch 7.36. Notably, Pangolier and Rubick stand out as exceptions, maintaining their relevance due to unique abilities like Spell Steal. However, the carry role is underrepresented, with heroes like Sven primarily picked as supports.
Key Observations:
- Strength and Universal Heroes Dominate: Nine out of the fifteen most picked heroes are either strength heroes or universal heroes with high strength gain. This trend suggests a preference for tanky heroes that can withstand significant damage.
- Diverse Position 1 Picks: The lack of predictable carry picks adds diversity to the game, preventing teams from relying on the same heroes repeatedly.
Most Contested Heroes at Riyadh Masters 2024
A review of the most contested heroes reveals that Monkey King was frequently banned, appearing in over 90% of the games despite a moderate win rate of 50% in the 28 games he was picked. Other highly contested heroes include Hoodwink, Tiny, Shadow Fiend, Weaver, Beastmaster, and Snapfire, each contested in over 70% of the games.
Insights:
- Affinity for Certain Heroes: The current meta shows a strong preference for a select group of heroes, limiting the diversity in hero picks and strategies.
Highest Win Rate Heroes at Riyadh Masters 2024
The highest win rate heroes often do not appear on the most picked list due to frequent bans or specific situational picks. Doom leads this category with an impressive win rate, thanks to players leveraging his Devil’s Bargain facet. Other notable high win rate heroes include Ember Spirit, Beastmaster, Weaver, Spirit Breaker, and Sand King.
Highlights:
- Doom’s Resurgence: Players have optimized Doom’s gameplay by strategically using and selling Hand of Midas to maximize efficiency.
- Sand King’s Mid Lane Dominance: The new ability Stinger combined with Caustic Finale has revitalized Sand King’s presence in the mid lane.
Neglected Heroes at Riyadh Masters 2024
A significant number of heroes were picked in fewer than five games, totaling 44 heroes. This is a notable increase compared to the 33 heroes picked in less than five games during the TI13 qualifiers. As the patch progresses, teams have gravitated towards a narrower pool of heroes, reducing overall diversity.
Implications:
- Diminished Hero Diversity: The current meta’s focus on specific heroes has led to many being overlooked, highlighting the need for potential balance adjustments in future patches.
Conclusion
The Riyadh Masters 2024 has provided valuable insights into the current Dota 2 meta under patch 7.36. The dominance of strength heroes, the affinity for a select few, and the resurgence of specific high win rate heroes reflect the ongoing evolution of the game.
Moving forward, balancing adjustments and strategic diversity will be crucial as teams prepare for the Elite League and The International 2024.
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