CHAPTER 1: Dota 2 Picking Fundamentals

In the realm of Dota 2, the fundamental concept of drafting is about to be explored. What does it truly entail, and why do hero picks hold such paramount importance in any matchup? Additionally, let us delve deeper into the various roles that exist within Dota 2.

• Drafting in Dota 2 revolves around the selection of five heroes that synergize well together. At the commencement of every Dota 2 match, the drafting phase ensues, granting players the opportunity to choose their heroes;
• For both novice and seasoned players of Dota 2, the task of assembling a formidable team capable of countering the enemy team poses a significant challenge. In captains mode, one player assumes the responsibility of selecting heroes for the entire team, consolidating the complexities of drafting into the hands of an experienced individual;
• Dota 2 functions as a team-oriented game, where each player must assume specific roles according to the demands of the situation. This Dota 2 Picking Guide seeks to emphasize the importance of selecting suitable heroes for each role, as it is vital to secure victory;
• Picture this scenario: your team has already chosen three core heroes, and the remaining two teammates opt for another core hero and a jungle Legion Commander (OMG!). In most cases, this decision would lead to utter disaster and result in defeat. Hence, it is expected that you, being a commendable individual, would refrain from selecting the Jungle Legion Commander, RIGHT? If you find yourself wondering otherwise, “Why can’t I pick another core hero for my team with four cores?”.

The answer is rather straightforward: you require synergy and balance in terms of heroes to achieve victory, a concept commonly referred to as “Good Drafting”.

Crafting a good draft entails assembling a well-rounded combination of supports, a formidable Offlaner capable of creating space for the Hard Carry, a Midlaner who can inflict significant early game damage while countering enemy cores, and so forth.

While this entire process demands considerable thought, I have faith in your intellect. Fear not, for with the aid of this Dota 2 Picking Guide, you shall swiftly acquire the knowledge required.

The Significance of Effective Picks in Dota 2

Choosing your hero judiciously can yield remarkable benefits for your team, particularly when you possess the last pick. You can counter an enemy core or enjoy a comparatively effortless game because your pick happens to be an ideal match against your opponents in general.

• EXAMPLE 1: Imagine you are aware of an enemy Bloodseeker’s presence, and you have a fondness for playing the offlane Pangolier. Despite your affinity for this hero and the enjoyment it brings, did you realize that Bloodseeker serves as a counter? He will rupture you while you are executing your rolling maneuvers, leading to your demise, and ultimately rendering you exceedingly uncomfortable when employing your ultimate ability;
• EXAMPLE 2: Alternatively, if you were to choose Outworld Devourer (OD) to face off against an enemy mid Pugna, you would encounter significant struggles during the laning phase. While OD is an incredibly potent hero, he primarily excels against adversaries possessing a minimal intelligence pool. Armed with this knowledge, you would abstain from selecting OD when confronted with a Pugna, understanding that his Nether Ward would prohibit you from delivering impactful blows during team fights. By keeping this in mind, you can opt for a more suitable mid lane hero in this particular situation, thereby augmenting your ranking in Dota 2.

Have you ever observed how selecting the appropriate hero can determine the outcome of a game? It’s important to remember that your personal hero preferences may not always be suitable for every situation.

Gaining a comprehensive understanding of Dota 2 roles is crucial in order to make sophisticated drafts and offer better hero suggestions to teammates, particularly in ranked games. For those who are unfamiliar with Dota 2 MMR and ranking systems, a guide on understanding Dota 2 MMR is highly recommended.

Essential Insights into Dota 2 Hero Roles

In Dota 2, each hero assumes various roles, denoted by a scale of 0 to 3 points, as depicted in the image. Heroes can possess up to three points in roles such as carry, support, nuker, disabler, jungler, durable, escape, pusher, and initiator. By combining five heroes, the team’s overall strength is determined. Recognizing and leveraging this strength is of paramount importance. Imagine having an incredibly effective lineup for pushing, only to neglect seizing the opportunity to apply pressure.

The Dota 2 Roles:

Hard Carry or Safelane (Position 1):

In this role, the objective is to farm as efficiently as possible in the safe lane, preparing for a potential Late Game scenario. Some viable heroes for this role include Anti-mage, Juggernaut, Slark, and others. For a comprehensive guide on Dota 2 carry heroes, refer to the provided resource.

Midlane (Position 2)

As a midlaner, the responsibility lies in giving your utmost to secure victory in the lane, as you will be alone. You can contribute to early team fights and assist with ganks. Heroes such as Invoker, Lina, Storm Spirit, and more are suitable for this role.

Offlaner (Position 3)

As an offlaner, the strategy is to adopt an aggressive playstyle with the support of the Position 4 Support, aiming to eliminate the enemy Hard-Carry. Your role involves being the tanky frontline presence, creating space, and actively participating in team fights. Strong Dota 2 offlane heroes include Slardar, Centaur, Mars, and others.

Support (Position 4)

This type of support assumes a more item-oriented role and often engages in roaming, securing ganks, and obtaining kills during the early and mid-game phases. Heroes such as Tuskar, Earth Spirit, Void Spirit, and more are commonly played in this position.

Hard Support (Position 5)

As a hard support, you may possess limited resources, likely only equipped with brown boots and a magic wand. However, your focus lies in providing ample wards, sentries, and detection, while selflessly sacrificing your own safety for the benefit of your cores. Playing a support role in Dota 2 is considered honorable. Heroes suitable for this position include Lich, Jakiro, Bane, Crystal Maiden, and others.

Now that you possess a better understanding of these various roles, you can enhance your drafting and hero selection. The key lies in complementing one another and fostering synergy among the roles.

CHAPTER 2: Simple Understanding – Making Good Picks

Is It Always Wise to Choose Your Favorite Hero?

Every player has that one hero they adore because they have mastered it through countless matches. It’s tempting to pick this hero in every ranked game, but is it truly a good idea? When playing ranked, it’s crucial to prioritize respecting your role. If you’re a support player, you should pick first, while mid or hard carry players should aim to pick last to maximize their chances of countering the enemy team.

There will be situations where you must prioritize the team’s needs over personal preferences. Even if you dislike playing Viper, if the enemy team has an Axe, it might be the best choice for the overall benefit of the team. To expand your hero pool and incorporate new options alongside your favorites, explore high MMR Dota 2 hero guides.

Determining Which Heroes to Ban in Dota 2

Two of the most critical modes in Dota 2 are All Pick (AP) and Captains Mode (CM). Developing a strong understanding of these modes, particularly in terms of picking and drafting, is essential for becoming a skilled player.

Banning in All Pick Mode

In this mode, you and your teammates have 15 seconds to vote for a hero to ban. Then, randomly, half of the selected heroes will be banned. Now, the question arises: which heroes should you ban? The answer depends on various factors. If you have prior experience playing against some of your opponents in ranked games, you may be familiar with their strongest roles and heroes. In such cases, you can ban those heroes to limit their effectiveness. If you lack this information, it’s recommended to ban meta heroes that are known to be particularly troublesome. Utilize Dota 2 statistical tools to identify the top meta heroes.

Banning in Captains Mode

This mode is more complex, as each team has 35 seconds to ban and 35 seconds to pick, with an additional 130 seconds for captains to discuss strategies with their team. Captains Mode is typically played in tournaments and significant events, but you can also queue for it with your friends to delve into more serious gameplay and improve your drafting skills.

PICK HELPER: Let me introduce you to a useful website called Dota Edge. By selecting five heroes, it provides information on their potential counter picks. Check it out at dota-edge.com.

Synergy Basics for Dota 2 Drafting

Dota 2 is often described as a game of combining hero abilities and spells to secure victories in lanes, team fights, and overall matches. This concept is known as synergy. Having strong synergy among your heroes can make a substantial difference throughout the entire game.

• EXAMPLE 1: If you have reliable support like Shadow Shaman, it would be wise to pick heroes like Ursa or Juggernaut, as they synergize well with this support. Picture this: Shadow Shaman shackles the offlaner, and Juggernaut joins in to deal damage. When the stun wears off, Juggernaut can spin and continue pursuing the offlaner until they are eliminated. This combination creates a dominant and easy lane advantage through the power of synergy;
• EXAMPLE 2: Choosing heroes with impactful ultimates can also greatly benefit your team. Imagine having a Disruptor in the pos 5 role, an Earth Shaker in the pos 4 role, and a Faceless Void as your hard carry. If the opponents lack silences or lockdowns, it will be disastrous for them. Your team possesses strong synergies and can position themselves strategically to execute powerful combo plays.

Last-Pick Meepo or Broodmother: Don’t Panic!

Encountering last-minute picks of Meepo or Broodmother can be nerve-wracking in ranked games. 

• However, remember that Dota 2 is a strategy game, and with proper coordination with your team, you can overcome these challenges;
• When facing an enemy Broodmother, it’s crucial to consider lane switching. If you’re playing as Invoker and find yourself against this formidable spider, your resistance won’t last long as she relentlessly dives and eliminates you multiple times;
• Additionally, Broodmother possesses the ability to rapidly destroy towers, and allowing her to do so would be detrimental to your team;
• Therefore, coordinate with your offlaner to switch lanes. Heroes like Centaur, Tidehunter, or Bristleback can effectively handle the challenge of laning against Broodmother;
• Now, let’s talk about Meepo. This hero can be incredibly irritating and farms at an alarming rate. Once Meepo acquires an early Blink Dagger, he becomes a formidable threat, ganking and eliminating enemies with ease, especially if there aren’t many counters present in the game.

However, there’s no need to despair. Coordinate with both supports as they will need to gank Meepo frequently and block his farming efficiency by placing sentries to block his camps. Consistently killing Meepo and disrupting his farm will make it difficult for him to recover.

CHAPTER 3

How to Make Wise Picks in Ranked Dota 2 Matches?

In this Dota 2 Picking Guide, the narrator aims to help players understand their team’s preferences for picks and bans to secure victory in their matches. As Dota 2 is a team-oriented game, it’s important to communicate your thoughts and consider others’ suggestions. Additionally, never overlook the importance of strategic ward placement to establish crucial vision on the map.

The first recommendation is to choose heroes from the current meta that can be highly troublesome. If there are heroes you dislike playing against, you can ban them early in the drafting phase. Here are some examples of strong meta heroes in the 7.24b patch. Select one based on your preferred role:

• Hard Carry: Phantom Lancer, Phantom Assassin, Troll Warlord;
• Midlaner: Void Spirit, Ember Spirit, Shadow Fiend;
• Offlaner: Slardar, Mars, Pangolier, Puck;
• Support: Tuskar, Void Spirit, Snapfire;
• Hard Support: Lich, Jakiro, Bane.

Drafting Tips for Captains Mode

Now, things become more challenging. In this mode, you’ll need to learn how to pick and counter-pick based on the selections made by the opposing team during the drafting phase. Trust your teammates and communicate with them regarding their hero preferences.

• Choose heroes that everyone feels comfortable playing and that align with the current meta. It’s essential to practice with these heroes extensively before entering such matches;
• Remember to reserve your strongest or surprise pick for the final selection. Typically, two support heroes are picked first, followed by the offlaner;
• The midlaner or hard carry can be chosen last, depending on the specific circumstances. It’s crucial to ban a significant counter if you have a particular hero in mind.

For instance, consider banning Silencer at the start if you’re planning to build a wombo combo team composition. However, be cautious not to give away too many clues to the enemy team.

Pro Drafting Tip: Bait Your Picks

Yes, you read that right. Baiting picks is a strategy commonly employed by professional teams in tournaments. They deliberately create uncertainty among their opponents by picking heroes that can fulfill multiple roles, such as support or midlaner.

• For example, you can start by selecting Disruptor as a support hero, followed by an immediate pick of Monkey King;
• The enemy team might question the early selection of Monkey King as a midlaner or safelaner. However, what they don’t know is that your Monkey King is actually a position 4 support. This surprise twist allows you to catch them off guard and secure your true hard carry or midlaner, leaving them astonished;
• Don’t be afraid to experiment with baiting picks or innovative drafting strategies. Dota 2 receives periodic updates, so it’s crucial to constantly think of new ways to approach the drafting phase;
• Stay informed about patch updates as even minor reworks to heroes can have a significant impact on the game.

This guide aims to enhance your understanding of drafting. Don’t forget to share it with your friends so that they can also benefit from this knowledge and improve their drafting skills.

Pro Tip: Analyzing the Enemy Team

In addition to understanding your own team’s composition, it’s crucial to analyze the enemy team’s picks and potential strategies. 

• Take note of their strengths, weaknesses, and potential synergies. By identifying their key heroes and playstyles, you can adjust your own drafting strategy accordingly;
• For example, if the enemy team has chosen heroes with strong teamfight abilities, such as Tidehunter and Enigma, you might consider picking heroes with strong counter-initiation or heroes who can disengage effectively, such as Shadow Demon or Phoenix.

Furthermore, it’s important to pay attention to potential counters to your own picks. If the enemy team has already picked heroes that counter your preferred midlaner, it might be wise to adjust your strategy and opt for a different hero that can better withstand or exploit their lineup.

Flexibility and Communication

Flexibility is key during the drafting phase. While having a predetermined plan is important, it’s equally important to adapt and make necessary adjustments based on the evolving draft. Being open to swapping roles or adjusting the lane assignments can greatly benefit your team.

Communication plays a vital role in successful drafting. Make sure to maintain a clear line of communication with your teammates throughout the drafting process. Discuss hero preferences, potential strategies, and possible hero combinations. By collaborating and sharing ideas, you can make informed decisions and create a well-rounded team composition.

Counter-picking and Outsmarting Your Opponents

Counter-picking is a crucial aspect of drafting. Identifying and selecting heroes that can effectively neutralize the enemy team’s key heroes can give your team a significant advantage. Consider their strengths and weaknesses, as well as the current meta, when making your picks.

Outsmarting your opponents during the drafting phase can also lead to victory. By predicting their picks and understanding their playstyle, you can strategically choose heroes that disrupt their plans or exploit their weaknesses. Surprise picks or unorthodox strategies can catch the enemy off guard and give your team the upper hand.

To wrap up

Finally, it’s important to remain calm and composed during the drafting phase. The pressure to make the right picks and counter-picks can be intense, but panicking or rushing decisions can lead to suboptimal choices. Take your time, think critically, and trust in your team’s ability to execute the chosen strategy.

In conclusion, mastering the art of drafting in Dota 2 requires a combination of knowledge, adaptability, communication, and strategic thinking. Understanding the roles, analyzing the enemy team, and making informed picks and counter-picks are essential components of a successful draft. By continuously improving your drafting skills and staying updated with the game’s dynamics, you can greatly contribute to your team’s success on the battlefield. So, step into the drafting phase with confidence, and may your picks pave the way to victory!