The International 2024 (also known as TI 13) has wrapped up, marking one of the smallest iterations of the prestigious Dota 2 tournament in recent memory. As the pinnacle event for this game, TI showcases some of the most meticulously crafted strategies in professional play. However, this year’s tournament was limited by a well-defined meta that left little room for experimentation.
In this article, we will examine the top contenders of this meta. If you’re familiar with the current Dota 2 landscape, you’ll recognize these heroes as key figures in the draft phase. Until the post-TI patch is released, these will be the must-watch meta picks for your public matches.
Top 5 Most Successful Dota 2 Heroes in TI 13
To accurately assess consistency based on win rates, we will exclude wildcard and cheese counter-picks. We will focus only on heroes with total pick and ban totals reaching 50 (across both the main stage and groups).
1) Naga Siren – 75% Win Rate
- Picked in 12 matches
- Won 9 of those matches
- Banned 104 times
Naga Siren emerged as the most contested Dota 2 hero during TI 13. This might seem unusual to veteran players since illusion-based cores are typically off-meta. The secret lies in the fact that we are discussing a support Naga pick.
Within the highly orchestrated teamplay environment of TI, Naga Siren’s ultimate ability is one of the best available. Now healing by default, it allows for resets and dramatically improves teamfight effectiveness before Black King Bars (BKBs) come into play. Additionally, Naga Siren’s Deluge aspect offers a super-spammable poke skill that can turn the tide in laning phases.
2) Invoker – 66.67% Win Rate
- Drafted in 15 matches
- Won 10 matches
- Banned in 41 matches
While Puck was the most contested midlaner at TI, Invoker stood out as the most successful, boasting a 52% win rate according to Dota 2 Pro Tracker during the highest-MMR games played throughout the tournament’s duration. This isn’t a mere coincidence.
Invoker is favored by specialists, making it difficult for midlaners to achieve success without a versatile hero. All pro midlaners who advanced to the main stage have ample experience playing Invoker, which undoubtedly contributed to its successful performances and flashy plays throughout the event.
3) Omniknight – 64.71% Win Rate
- Picked in 17 matches
- Won 11 matches
- Banned in 61 matches
In stark contrast to Invoker, Omniknight’s win rate is very much applicable to pubs until nerfs are implemented. Healing supports were central to the meta, and very few heroes can support a carry better than Omniknight.
Notably, with Juggernaut and Life Stealer unpicked throughout TI 13, Omniknight’s ability to provide a free 6-second BKB is exceptionally potent against certain drafts.
4) Luna – 62.96% Win Rate
- Drafted in 27 matches
- Won 17 matches
- Banned in 24 matches, with many being first-phase bans
Throughout TI 13, Luna has proven to be the most reliable and consistent carry. She retains the strong characteristics that are patch-independent: Luna capitalizes on advantages and can rapidly recover when behind.
Her Moonshields offer significant damage output, and a well-timed Lucent Beam can be devastating, especially with a Khanda build. In a meta favoring ranged cores with strong siege capabilities, Luna remains unmatched.
Check out Dota 2: 5 Most Picked Heroes in TI 13
5) Tusk – 62.79% Win Rate
- Picked in 43 matches
- Won 27 matches
- Banned in 34 matches
Tusk is the hero most likely to see nerfs in the next Dota 2 patch, as he was an exceptional performer during TI 13, expertly played by specialists like Samuel “Boxi”Svahn and Worawit “Q”Mekchai.
Snowball remains one of the top saving abilities in the game, crucial in a meta focused on empowering carries. Tusk not only provides a save option but also buffs allies with the “Drinking Buddies”ability, fulfilling multiple roles without requiring high execution skills like Snowball or Ice Shards, making it accessible for average players.
Honorable Mention: Sand King – 61% Win Rate
Fans of Dota 2 TI 13 would have anticipated this entry. Sand King was a standout, achieving a 61% win rate over 26 games, but remains notorious in the drafting phase, frequently facing bans due to his incredible potential.
This hero is always one ultimate away from dramatically changing the course of a game. Additionally, Sand King serves as a flex pick, viable in both mid and offlane roles. Whether securing a winning lane or managing to gain gold per minute during a rough phase, Sand King excels.
Let’s also take a moment to celebrate Mars. Consistently reliable in rounding out Dota 2 drafts, Mars continues his legacy in TI 13 with an impressive 19 wins out of 30 matches (63% win rate).
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