Skulz’s Dota Competitive Hero Tier List June 2019 - EPICENTER Major
The Dota 2 Competitive Hero Tier List for June 2019 includes data from EPICENTER Major, for a total of 171 games played during patch 7.22b and 7.22c.
All heroes are arranged in five tiers based on their draft rate. The tiers are viewed as clusters of data, and each hero is placed in the one they are closer the most.
The requisites for each tier never change. The goal is offering a neutral comparison that shows how the meta evolves over time.
The win rate has no effect on the tiers, but is included for further info. The tiers depend only on drafts (picks + bans), and aren't affected either by the win rate of a hero, or by their performance in pub matches.
This tier list contains all pro matches played from June 1st to 30th during patch 7.22b and 7.22c, including EPICENTER Moscow Major 2019.
“The current dual lane meta (2-1-2) is more balanced than in the past because there is also space for roamers and trilanes.
Honestly, I waited for a long time to find Templar Assassin in tier 1, so I decided to capitalize on this situation (before the trend changes :P) and dedicate the entire analysis to her.”
Tier 1
| Hero | Name | P+B | P+B% | Picks | Picks% | Bans | Bans% | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Sven | 158 | 92.4% | 58 | 33.9% | 100 | 58.5% | 62.1% |
 |
Batrider | 136 | 79.5% | 38 | 22.2% | 98 | 57.3% | 50.0% |
 |
Dark Seer | 133 | 77.8% | 34 | 19.9% | 99 | 57.9% | 52.9% |
 |
Chen | 127 | 74.3% | 21 | 12.3% | 106 | 62.0% | 61.9% |
 |
Templar Assassin | 126 | 73.7% | 46 | 26.9% | 80 | 46.8% | 54.4% |
 |
Ember Spirit | 118 | 69.0% | 54 | 31.6% | 64 | 37.4% | 48.2% |
 |
Grimstroke | 115 | 67.3% | 69 | 40.4% | 46 | 26.9% | 52.2% |
 |
Warlock | 110 | 64.3% | 52 | 30.4% | 58 | 33.9% | 55.8% |
 |
Morphling | 103 | 60.2% | 28 | 16.4% | 75 | 43.9% | 39.3% |
 |
Nyx Assassin | 100 | 58.5% | 14 | 8.2% | 86 | 50.3% | 71.4% |
The division in tiers is never perfect, and sometimes the heroes at the limit between the highest tiers have similar draft rates.
Tier 2
| Hero | Name | P+B | P+B% | Picks | Picks% | Bans | Bans% | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Sand King | 93 | 54.4% | 61 | 35.7% | 32 | 18.7% | 39.3% |
 |
Enigma | 84 | 49.1% | 22 | 12.9% | 62 | 36.3% | 68.2% |
 |
Oracle | 81 | 47.4% | 21 | 12.3% | 60 | 35.1% | 57.1% |
 |
Leshrac | 80 | 46.8% | 39 | 22.8% | 41 | 24.0% | 53.9% |
 |
Io | 78 | 45.6% | 19 | 11.1% | 59 | 34.5% | 42.1% |
 |
Storm Spirit | 77 | 45.0% | 37 | 21.6% | 40 | 23.4% | 51.4% |
 |
Lifestealer | 74 | 43.3% | 26 | 15.2% | 48 | 28.1% | 46.2% |
| |
Mars | 71 | 41.5% | 36 | 21.1% | 35 | 20.5% | 55.6% |
Templar Assassin is a very mechanically intense hero
In order to succeed with Templar Assassin, you must master several skills:
Perfect CS management.
Aiming the right targets with Psi Blades.
Mid laner, ganker, and jungler skills.
Timings with Refraction and Meld.
Where/How to use and stack traps.
Blink + Meld combos.
TA is a one-vs-one lane dominator
She is great versus heroes with low armor and who can’t get rid of Refraction quickly. Instead, damage over time abilities (such as Viper’s skillset) are her best counters.
In lane, you should rarely be overly offensive prior level 6. Make a good use of your superior last hitting skills (Psi Blades and Refraction) to win the CS war and get as many creeps and denies as you can.
Very susceptible to ganks
In a coordinated environment, the supports won’t just stand idle while you subjugate their mid laner, and Templar assassin is very weak against ganks and disables.
You can’t rely only on Psionic Trap against gankers because the opponents are aware of your skills, so they will just smoke gank you. Thankfully, TA is also an optimal jungler, so you can exploit it to farm extra gold from minute 6 onwards, while the lane is pushed.
Losing the early game means defeat most often than not because TA is a mid game hero. She is strong against cores who require time to get online
Master Psionic Trap
Traps are an amazing tool for vision, ganks, survivability, and lane control, so must learn the best spots where to place them.
Be aware that you can use the traps even when you are dead or far away from the fight. Activating them at the right time might help to get a kill or pushing a creep wave. You have to figure out what brings more benefits: keeping vision on an area or exploding the trap for another purpose.
Charge your traps. During fights, most people just place and activate the traps immediately for the slow effect, but sometimes it is better to let them charge. Psionic Trap has a 4-second charge time, which increases both the damage and the movement speed slow caused by the explosion.
A trap can deal up to 250/300/350 damage, and 450/500/550 with the level 15 talent +200 Psionic Trap damage.
Loading Screen of the Psion Inquisitor for Templar Assassin - Valve
Recent patch changes
Patches 7.21 to 7.21d brought a noticeable DPS boost as they increased TA’s agility gain three times in a row, going from 2.3 to 3.2. This buff helps last hitting in the early game and also brings extra damage in the mid to late game.
Refraction received a small buff as 7.21c increased the attack damage bonus from 20/40/60/80 to 25/50/75/100.
Finally, Meld has been improved with several changes:
Now, it applies the armor reduction debuff before the attack damage. This change must not be underestimated because also the first attack out of invisibility benefits from the armor reduction.
Meld’s debuff from multiple attacks now fully stacks, and its duration increased from 10 to 12 seconds.
Meld has a 6-second cooldown and a 12-second duration, so you can debuff the target two times, removing up to 16 armor once the ability is maxed out, and 24 if you got the level 20 talent -4 Meld Armor Reduction.
7.22d update
Refraction no longer provides bonus damage when attacking allied units
TA lost some advantage in the laning phase as Refraction was of great help to deny creeps.
Most bought items by pros
These are the most bought items on Templar Assassin by pro players during June:
Wraith Band: 91
Power Treads: 46
Desolator: 46
Black King Bar: 42
Blink Dagger: 40
Crystalys: 18
Dragon Lance: 10
Orchid Malevolence: 9
The list doesn’t include consumables and basic items.
Generally, I advice to follow the same pattern in pub games. Desolator, Blink Dagger, and Black King Bar are the core items, and you really want all of them in every match.
If your supports have killing potential (and if you trust them), prioritizing Blink Dagger is useful for ganks and can give your team and advantage, otherwise Desolator is the best first option.
Templar Assassin possesses a huge innate physical damage thanks to her skills, so Desolator alone is enough to capitalize on them and dominate the mid game.
Following the armor changes brought by 7.20, having a lot more or a lot less armor has a bigger impact on the damage mitigated and received. TA can drastically reduce the armor of the opponents with Desolator and Meld (which now fully stack with itself), for a potential -31 armor!
Black King Bar is a must because she already has an insane damage, so it is preferable using this item slot to counter one of her main weaknesses: disables.
Situationally, Orchid Malevolence is useful in some matchups when you require a silence to deal with a nasty magic core.
Patch 7.22 added the Aghanim’s Scepter upgrade for TA, but no pro players bought it in June. The Aghanim’s upgrade does add mobility and an “assassin” playstyle, but Templar Assassin has very fixed item timings and necessities, so there is really no way to include the Aghanim’s Scepter in the item build without disrupting her gameplay.
Tier 3
| Hero | Name | P+B | P+B% | Picks | Picks% | Bans | Bans% | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Spirit Breaker | 64 | 37.4% | 30 | 17.5% | 34 | 19.9% | 53.3% |
 |
Juggernaut | 63 | 36.8% | 30 | 17.5% | 33 | 19.3% | 53.3% |
 |
Outworld Devourer | 62 | 36.3% | 18 | 10.5% | 44 | 25.7% | 33.3% |
 |
Centaur Warrunner | 60 | 35.1% | 44 | 25.7% | 16 | 9.4% | 63.6% |
 |
Troll Warlord | 60 | 35.1% | 25 | 14.6% | 35 | 20.5% | 44.0% |
 |
Naga Siren | 59 | 34.5% | 18 | 10.5% | 41 | 24.0% | 44.4% |
 |
Ancient Apparition | 59 | 34.5% | 28 | 16.4% | 31 | 18.1% | 50.0% |
 |
Omniknight | 59 | 34.5% | 24 | 14.0% | 35 | 20.5% | 62.5% |
 |
Earth Spirit | 56 | 32.8% | 27 | 15.8% | 29 | 17.0% | 44.4% |
 |
Rubick | 54 | 31.6% | 38 | 22.2% | 16 | 9.4% | 52.6% |
 |
Lone Druid | 45 | 26.3% | 18 | 10.5% | 27 | 15.8% | 44.4% |
 |
Wraith King | 45 | 26.3% | 28 | 16.4% | 17 | 9.9% | 42.9% |
 |
Abaddon | 44 | 25.7% | 23 | 13.5% | 21 | 12.3% | 47.8% |
 |
Monkey King | 42 | 24.6% | 15 | 8.8% | 27 | 15.8% | 33.3% |
 |
Earthshaker | 41 | 24.0% | 26 | 15.2% | 15 | 8.8% | 38.5% |
 |
Shadow Shaman | 39 | 22.8% | 31 | 18.1% | 8 | 4.7% | 58.1% |
 |
Shadow Demon | 37 | 21.6% | 21 | 12.3% | 16 | 9.4% | 57.1% |
 |
Tidehunter | 37 | 21.6% | 13 | 7.6% | 24 | 14.0% | 38.5% |
 |
Doom | 36 | 21.1% | 18 | 10.5% | 18 | 10.5% | 16.7% |
 |
Death Prophet | 36 | 21.1% | 20 | 11.7% | 16 | 9.4% | 50.0% |
 |
Beastmaster | 35 | 20.5% | 12 | 7.0% | 23 | 13.5% | 75.0% |
Tier 4
In tier 4 and 5 we find all the situational heroes. They are strong when paired with others, or against specific lineups. These heroes aren't bad, they just don't work in every game, so the pick and ban rates aren't outstanding.
| Hero | Name | P+B | P+B% | Picks | Picks% | Bans | Bans% | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Magnus | 33 | 19.3% | 14 | 8.2% | 19 | 11.1% | 42.9% |
 |
Spectre | 32 | 18.7% | 17 | 9.9% | 15 | 8.8% | 47.1% |
 |
Pangolier | 30 | 17.5% | 10 | 5.9% | 20 | 11.7% | 50.0% |
 |
Nature's Prophet | 26 | 15.2% | 18 | 10.5% | 8 | 4.7% | 27.8% |
 |
Puck | 25 | 14.6% | 12 | 7.0% | 13 | 7.6% | 25.0% |
 |
Anti-Mage | 25 | 14.6% | 10 | 5.9% | 15 | 8.8% | 40.0% |
 |
Queen of Pain | 23 | 13.5% | 13 | 7.6% | 10 | 5.9% | 61.5% |
 |
Lina | 23 | 13.5% | 19 | 11.1% | 4 | 2.3% | 36.8% |
 |
Tiny | 23 | 13.5% | 20 | 11.7% | 3 | 1.8% | 45.0% |
 |
Crystal Maiden | 23 | 13.5% | 19 | 11.1% | 4 | 2.3% | 47.4% |
 |
Meepo | 22 | 12.9% | 4 | 2.3% | 18 | 10.5% | 75.0% |
 |
Bristleback | 21 | 12.3% | 15 | 8.8% | 6 | 3.5% | 33.3% |
 |
Medusa | 21 | 12.3% | 13 | 7.6% | 8 | 4.7% | 46.2% |
 |
Winter Wyvern | 19 | 11.1% | 12 | 7.0% | 7 | 4.1% | 41.7% |
 |
Brewmaster | 19 | 11.1% | 7 | 4.1% | 12 | 7.0% | 42.9% |
 |
Gyrocopter | 19 | 11.1% | 17 | 9.9% | 2 | 1.2% | 58.8% |
 |
Kunkka | 19 | 11.1% | 9 | 5.3% | 10 | 5.9% | 33.3% |
 |
Bane | 17 | 9.9% | 15 | 8.8% | 2 | 1.2% | 46.7% |
 |
Slark | 16 | 9.4% | 8 | 4.7% | 8 | 4.7% | 75.0% |
 |
Chaos Knight | 16 | 9.4% | 10 | 5.9% | 6 | 3.5% | 50.0% |
 |
Night Stalker | 16 | 9.4% | 5 | 2.9% | 11 | 6.4% | 60.0% |
 |
Lion | 16 | 9.4% | 15 | 8.8% | 1 | 0.6% | 46.7% |
 |
Shadow Fiend | 16 | 9.4% | 7 | 4.1% | 9 | 5.3% | 42.9% |
 |
Legion Commander | 15 | 8.8% | 10 | 5.9% | 5 | 2.9% | 50.0% |
 |
Silencer | 15 | 8.8% | 9 | 5.3% | 6 | 3.5% | 55.6% |
 |
Alchemist | 14 | 8.2% | 8 | 4.7% | 6 | 3.5% | 25.0% |
 |
Tusk | 13 | 7.6% | 13 | 7.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 53.9% |
 |
Timbersaw | 13 | 7.6% | 7 | 4.1% | 6 | 3.5% | 42.9% |
 |
Treant Protector | 12 | 7.0% | 4 | 2.3% | 8 | 4.7% | 0.0% |
 |
Jakiro | 12 | 7.0% | 12 | 7.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 66.7% |
 |
Dragon Knight | 12 | 7.0% | 10 | 5.9% | 2 | 1.2% | 50.0% |
 |
Axe | 12 | 7.0% | 9 | 5.3% | 3 | 1.8% | 55.6% |
 |
Arc Warden | 11 | 6.4% | 6 | 3.5% | 5 | 2.9% | 66.7% |
 |
Broodmother | 11 | 6.4% | 4 | 2.3% | 7 | 4.1% | 75.0% |
 |
Venomancer | 11 | 6.4% | 7 | 4.1% | 4 | 2.3% | 71.4% |
 |
Sniper | 11 | 6.4% | 4 | 2.3% | 7 | 4.1% | 100% |
 |
Windranger | 11 | 6.4% | 9 | 5.3% | 2 | 1.2% | 66.7% |
 |
Razor | 11 | 6.4% | 3 | 1.8% | 8 | 4.7% | 33.3% |
 |
Lycan | 10 | 5.9% | 5 | 2.9% | 5 | 2.9% | 80.0% |
 |
Ursa | 10 | 5.9% | 4 | 2.3% | 6 | 3.5% | 75.0% |
 |
Clockwerk | 10 | 5.9% | 6 | 3.5% | 4 | 2.3% | 66.7% |
 |
Elder Titan | 9 | 5.3% | 9 | 5.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 55.6% |
 |
Undying | 9 | 5.3% | 8 | 4.7% | 1 | 0.6% | 37.5% |
Tier 5
| Hero | Name | P+B | P+B% | Picks | Picks% | Bans | Bans% | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Dark Willow | 8 | 4.7% | 5 | 2.9% | 3 | 1.8% | 60.0% |
 |
Phoenix | 8 | 4.7% | 7 | 4.1% | 1 | 0.6% | 42.9% |
 |
Weaver | 8 | 4.7% | 7 | 4.1% | 1 | 0.6% | 42.9% |
 |
Phantom Assassin | 8 | 4.7% | 6 | 3.5% | 2 | 1.2% | 16.7% |
 |
Necrophos | 8 | 4.7% | 5 | 2.9% | 3 | 1.8% | 40.0% |
 |
Disruptor | 7 | 4.1% | 6 | 3.5% | 1 | 0.6% | 33.3% |
 |
Terrorblade | 6 | 3.5% | 5 | 2.9% | 1 | 0.6% | 40.0% |
 |
Skywrath Mage | 6 | 3.5% | 5 | 2.9% | 1 | 0.6% | 20.0% |
 |
Viper | 6 | 3.5% | 1 | 0.6% | 5 | 2.9% | 100% |
 |
Witch Doctor | 6 | 3.5% | 5 | 2.9% | 1 | 0.6% | 80.0% |
 |
Invoker | 5 | 2.9% | 4 | 2.3% | 1 | 0.6% | 50.0% |
 |
Huskar | 5 | 2.9% | 1 | 0.6% | 4 | 2.3% | 0.0% |
 |
Pugna | 5 | 2.9% | 2 | 1.2% | 3 | 1.8% | 100% |
 |
Faceless Void | 5 | 2.9% | 4 | 2.3% | 1 | 0.6% | 50.0% |
 |
Drow Ranger | 5 | 2.9% | 4 | 2.3% | 1 | 0.6% | 50.0% |
 |
Ogre Magi | 4 | 2.3% | 4 | 2.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 25.0% |
 |
Dazzle | 4 | 2.3% | 2 | 1.2% | 2 | 1.2% | 100% |
 |
Keeper of the Light | 3 | 1.8% | 2 | 1.2% | 1 | 0.6% | 0.0% |
 |
Lich | 3 | 1.8% | 1 | 0.6% | 2 | 1.2% | 100% |
 |
Slardar | 3 | 1.8% | 1 | 0.6% | 2 | 1.2% | 100% |
 |
Zeus | 3 | 1.8% | 2 | 1.2% | 1 | 0.6% | 50.0% |
 |
Vengeful Spirit | 3 | 1.8% | 3 | 1.8% | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
 |
Enchantress | 2 | 1.2% | 2 | 1.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 100% |
 |
Clinkz | 2 | 1.2% | 2 | 1.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
 |
Riki | 2 | 1.2% | 1 | 0.6% | 1 | 0.6% | 0.0% |
 |
Mirana | 2 | 1.2% | 1 | 0.6% | 1 | 0.6% | 100% |
 |
Underlord | 1 | 0.6% | 1 | 0.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
 |
Techies | 1 | 0.6% | 1 | 0.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
 |
Visage | 1 | 0.6% | 1 | 0.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 100% |
 |
Luna | 1 | 0.6% | 1 | 0.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
 |
Phantom Lancer | 1 | 0.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 1 | 0.6% | - |
Heroes not drafted
