Skulz’s Dota Competitive Hero Tier List October 2018

The Dota 2 Competitive Hero Tier List for October 2018 includes data from 7.19c and 7.19d, for a total of 329 games. All heroes are split in five groups.

  • 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, and aren't affected either by the win rate of a hero, or by their performance in pub matches.

This tier list includes all matches from October 1st to 27th morning. I decided to not wait for the DreamLeague Season 10 Minor because it will start on the 29th and end on November 4th.

More: All the Dota 2 Tier Lists.

Let’s be honest: the meta is stale and we want 7.20.

Have a look at the top heroes of the month and you will notice that the great majority holds similar placements since August. All the patches released past TI8 had the goal to nerf the most popular picks of the meta, but the gameplay remained the same.

I have explained already almost all the heroes (especially the carries) in the previous tier lists and patch explanations, so today I focused my attention on a few supports I have never talked about before: Winter Wyvern and Ogre Magi.

Past Tier List: September 2018.

Quick links

Tier 1 - Tier 2 - Tier 3 - Tier 4 - Tier 5

All tables are responsive and sortable. If you are using a phone, turn it sideways for a full view. Otherwise, zoom in or click the grey area of each table to swipe and sort them.

Tier 1

 
Hero Name P+B P+B% Picks Picks% Bans Bans% Win%
Tiny 305 92.7% 91 27.7% 214 65.1% 48.4%
Io 297 90.3% 29 8.8% 268 81.5% 51.7%
Necrophos 281 85.4% 102 31.0% 179 54.4% 57.8%
Weaver 256 77.8% 107 32.5% 149 45.3% 54.2%
Earthshaker 226 68.7% 110 33.4% 116 35.3% 55.5%
Winter Wyvern 218 66.3% 87 26.4% 131 39.8% 57.5%
Ogre Magi 210 63.8% 123 37.4% 87 26.4% 52.9%
Phantom Lancer 202 61.4% 54 16.4% 148 45.0% 66.7%
Drow Ranger 199 60.5% 51 15.5% 148 45.0% 54.9%
 

Note: I provided a detailed explanation on Tiny (the top tier 1 hero during October and September) in the previous tier list.

Winter Wyvern’s skillset fits the meta

Winter Wyvern ascended to tier 1-2 starting from July. The main reason behind her popularity is a skillset which is perfect to counter many heroes and strategies used in the current meta.

  • Wave-clearing capabilities. Splinter Blast is excellent against pushers because it damages an unlimited number of targets in a 500 radius. The skill is effective against creeps, dominated neutrals, illusions (Phantom Lancer), and summons of any kind.

Broodmother’s spiderlings and Enigma’s eidolons are suitable examples among the current most drafted heroes.

  • Formidable versus tanks. Arctic Burn inflicts damage based on a % of the target health points, which is powerful against tanky heroes during all the game. In particular, it offers a great value in the laning phase as it can zone out them while remaining at a safe distance.

Tiny, Ogre Magi, Axe, Undying, Morphling in strength mode are just a few examples among the heroes in the top 20 that can be punished by this skill.

  • She counters auto-attackers. A well-placed Winter’s Curse can determine the fate of a team fight when facing physical DPS heroes. If the ultimate is used successfully early on, the battle will turn into a 5vs4.

Drow Ranger is great both as a target because she is extremely squishy, and as an attacker because her damage can annihilate most heroes quickly.

Magic damage is Winter Wyvern’s biggest weakness

Cold Embrace does a fine job with high-HP heroes because it heals a percentage of the max health of the target per second. It also nullifies all incoming physical damage, but simultaneously the ability is extremely weak versus magic nukers.

Your teammate cannot move or use any skill during the healing time. There are many casters from tier 1 to 3 with exceptional nukes who can exploit this situation to inflict heavy damage or even score a kill, for example Necrophos, Lina, and Pugna.

Never underestimate the vision advantage

Arctic Burn gives a 400 night vision bonus, and WW night-time capabilities can be increased further via the level 15 talent +500 Night Vision.

According to Dotabuff, the +350 health talent is the preferred one in pubs (considering all ranks), but the situation is different in pro games. I have checked manually the skill builds used during ESL One Hamburg 2018, and the extra night vision is clearly the favored option.

It gives you an edge in team fight and in the ward war. Note that even if this skill grants flying movement, it doesn’t provide also flying vision, but you can still get it by simply flying over a cliff.

Usually first picked or banned

WW isn’t a great first pick hero because you can counter her with a strong offlane duo and a good magic core. There are certainly more flexible heroes you may prefer as an early pick, but often you do not have a choice (especially when a hero is either banned or picked in most games), so during October she has been selected during the first phase in over 70% of the pro games.

Winter Wyvern in pubs

Winter Wyvern maintains a win rate slightly above 50% at all ranks, and becomes a great pick at the Divine medal where she reaches a 51.9% win rate with a notable 17.5% pick rate.

Many players believe that the heroes with a healing skill have an advantage in pubs, but this is incorrect. For example, Dazzle is in a very bad spot with a negative win rate of 48-49% at all ranks.

As I have already explained concerning the pro gameplay, WW just works well with and against many popular heroes, and I think that Winter’s Curse ability to pierce the Black King Bar is a big plus (especially at higher ranks). With a low 80 seconds cooldown, this skill is virtually available in every team fight, and can be used freely in any gank as a control tool or just to stop a teleport attempt.

Note: you can target spell immune enemies, but can’t taunt them.

It isn’t easy to use WW’s skills correctly. Splinter Blast is very basic and a mistake won’t inhibit the actions of your teammates, but using her ultimate or Cold Embrace at the wrong time or onto an unsuitable target can invalidate a kill attempt and even help the opponents. This might be the reason behind her lower pick rate - from 5 to 8% - below Ancient.

Ancestral Luck loading screen for Ogre Magi - Valve

Ancestral Luck loading screen for Ogre Magi - Valve

Ogre Magi is first pick material

Ogre Magi possesses a well-rounded skillset and is one of the tankiest supports in Dota 2. He can adapt to several roles and positions, and his utility is welcomed in almost any game.

Drafting him doesn’t reveal your strategy at all; also for this reason pro players first-picked him in about 80% of the matches in October.

Very durable during the laning phase. With 650 HP at level one, 8.24 armor, and the best health regeneration in the game (4.75), Ogre Magi is one of the hardest heroes to kill during the early and mid game. Often, pro teams sacrifice him to absorb damage that otherwise would hit their cores.

This is a noticeable difference with pubs where many players think only to their own survivability. Of course, suiciding isn’t your goal, but be aware that jumping into the fight at the right time and tanking damage might save the life of your carries.

A versatile arsenal of skills. He possesses a stun, a nuke, a slow, and a speed buff for the auto-attackers of the team.

All his skills are powerful in the laning phase, and you should level up the one that helps your team the most:

  • Fireblast deals damage and stuns the target, but the duration of the stun doesn’t change, so this ability was often left at level 1.

    7.19 increased the damage of Fireblast from 55/110/165/220 to 60/120/180/240, and 7.16 boosted the 2x Multicast chance at level 1 from 40 to 60%, so now prioritizing this skill is also a great option to get a huge nuke with a bit of luck.

  • Ignite slows and damages the target over time. It deals up to 130/204/294/400 damage versus a single target, so damage-wise it is a better choice if compared to Fireblast, which deals 60/120/180/240 in a single nuke (without considering Multicast). It has also a greater caster range: 700 vs 475.

Stay alive and cast Bloodlust

There is nothing wrong with the other skills, but I want to focus your attention on Bloodlust as this ability is very underestimated in pubs.

  • Ogre is an exceptional hero to trade hits in the laning phase thanks to his moderate damage and high toughness, so the extra movement and attack speed provided by Bloodlust helps to chase the enemy supports and the melee cores.

  • If you duo with a suitable carry, he will enjoy Bloodlust for both the harassing power and the increased farming capabilities. In particular, maxing out Bloodlust will be of great help also once the laning phase ends: as long as you keep the auto-attackers buffed, they will able to gain a prominent gold advantage.

This isn’t always a viable strategy in solo queue; you don’t know if you can trust your cores, so it is preferable contributing with your magic spells.

  • In team fights, even if your damage output declines in the late game, keeping the physical carries under the effect of Bloodlust brings a huge DPS boost and makes you a significant resource.

This ability is indeed powerful during all the match as it accelerates the farm, makes your towers more dangerous, helps initiations, and boosts your carries.

Note: I have manually checked most games played at ESL One Hamburg 2018, and even if the skill build that prioritizes Fireblast is the most popular one, there isn’t a definitive “best choice”. The builds utilized varied greatly depending on the team and the heroes selected.

Pub players love Ogre Magi

Ogre Magi has a pick rate that goes from 15 to 25% at all ranks, while maintaining a successful win rate from 51.5 to 55%.

  • Even if you are not used to support heroes, his skillset makes him durable, entertaining, and easy to use.

  • There aren’t many skills in the game as satisfying as the effect of a triple or quadruple Multicast.

  • It is literally impossible to commit mistakes because you have no skills who might interfere with your team strategy such as Winter Wyvern, Shadow Demon, Tusk, or Bane ones.

Tier 2

 
Hero Name P+B P+B% Picks Picks% Bans Bans% Win%
Silencer 187 56.8% 51 15.5% 136 41.3% 49.0%
Phoenix 179 54.4% 100 30.4% 79 24.0% 54.0%
Terrorblade 179 54.4% 88 26.8% 91 27.7% 45.5%
Broodmother 178 54.1% 26 7.9% 152 46.2% 42.3%
Mirana 169 51.4% 108 32.8% 61 18.5% 42.6%
Morphling 167 50.8% 70 21.3% 97 29.5% 58.6%
Undying 161 48.9% 70 21.3% 91 27.7% 47.1%
Lina 157 47.7% 81 24.6% 76 23.1% 53.1%
Bane 156 47.4% 101 30.7% 55 16.7% 59.4%
Treant Protector 149 45.3% 42 12.8% 107 32.5% 35.7%
Pugna 149 45.3% 70 21.3% 79 24.0% 42.9%
 

I have already analyzed almost all the top heroes of the current meta during the past months.

You can find detailed information on The International 8 Tier List, which presents popular picks such as Wraith King, Weaver, Spectre, Phantom Lancer, and more.

After every patch, I have also published articles on the most played safe, mid, and off lane heroes at 5k+ MMR. Each analysis highlights several heroes, and explanations on patch changes. Clinkz, Silencer, Ursa, Vengeful Spirit, Alchemist, Broodmother, and Treant Protector are among the heroes featured in this series.

Note: I skipped 7.19d due to the limited number of changes

Tier 3

 
Hero Name P+B P+B% Picks Picks% Bans Bans% Win%
Axe 138 42.0% 71 21.6% 67 20.4% 49.3%
Enigma 137 41.6% 56 17.0% 81 24.6% 62.5%
Invoker 133 40.4% 68 20.7% 65 19.8% 60.3%
Huskar 130 39.5% 17 5.2% 113 34.4% 52.9%
Templar Assassin 128 38.9% 45 13.7% 83 25.2% 44.4%
Nyx Assassin 108 32.8% 54 16.4% 54 16.4% 42.6%
Storm Spirit 100 30.4% 40 12.2% 60 18.2% 35.0%
Kunkka 95 28.9% 39 11.9% 56 17.0% 41.0%
Bloodseeker 90 27.4% 42 12.8% 48 14.6% 50.0%
Rubick 84 25.5% 65 19.8% 19 5.8% 52.3%
Centaur Warrunner 83 25.2% 48 14.6% 35 10.6% 52.1%
Faceless Void 78 23.7% 29 8.8% 49 14.9% 48.3%
Batrider 77 23.4% 29 8.8% 48 14.6% 37.9%
Ember Spirit 75 22.8% 42 12.8% 33 10.0% 47.6%
Zeus 75 22.8% 30 9.1% 45 13.7% 56.7%
Brewmaster 74 22.5% 45 13.7% 29 8.8% 57.8%
 

Tier 4

 
Hero Name P+B P+B% Picks Picks% Bans Bans% Win%
Monkey King 65 19.8% 37 11.3% 28 8.5% 51.4%
Nature's Prophet 65 19.8% 35 10.6% 30 9.1% 42.9%
Ursa 60 18.2% 27 8.2% 33 10.0% 55.6%
Dragon Knight 58 17.6% 39 11.9% 19 5.8% 59.0%
Visage 55 16.7% 30 9.1% 25 7.6% 50.0%
Crystal Maiden 53 16.1% 47 14.3% 6 1.8% 55.3%
Lich 52 15.8% 27 8.2% 25 7.6% 48.2%
Spectre 50 15.2% 28 8.5% 22 6.7% 50.0%
Magnus 48 14.6% 25 7.6% 23 7.0% 56.0%
Earth Spirit 47 14.3% 32 9.7% 15 4.6% 43.8%
Chen 47 14.3% 15 4.6% 32 9.7% 40.0%
Dark Willow 40 12.2% 32 9.7% 8 2.4% 37.5%
Dazzle 40 12.2% 36 10.9% 4 1.2% 50.0%
Alchemist 39 11.9% 17 5.2% 22 6.7% 52.9%
Arc Warden 34 10.3% 18 5.5% 16 4.9% 44.4%
Clinkz 34 10.3% 22 6.7% 12 3.7% 54.6%
Luna 34 10.3% 26 7.9% 8 2.4% 42.3%
Vengeful Spirit 34 10.3% 30 9.1% 4 1.2% 36.7%
Elder Titan 33 10.0% 21 6.4% 12 3.7% 42.9%
Tinker 33 10.0% 10 3.0% 23 7.0% 60.0%
Legion Commander 32 9.7% 24 7.3% 8 2.4% 58.3%
Troll Warlord 30 9.1% 23 7.0% 7 2.1% 34.8%
Meepo 30 9.1% 8 2.4% 22 6.7% 25.0%
Enchantress 29 8.8% 7 2.1% 22 6.7% 28.6%
Venomancer 29 8.8% 18 5.5% 11 3.3% 55.6%
Leshrac 28 8.5% 18 5.5% 10 3.0% 38.9%
Shadow Shaman 27 8.2% 22 6.7% 5 1.5% 27.3%
Jakiro 25 7.6% 21 6.4% 4 1.2% 28.6%
Timbersaw 23 7.0% 15 4.6% 8 2.4% 33.3%
Lycan 23 7.0% 9 2.7% 14 4.3% 66.7%
Bounty Hunter 22 6.7% 8 2.4% 14 4.3% 62.5%
Gyrocopter 20 6.1% 14 4.3% 6 1.8% 57.1%
Shadow Demon 19 5.8% 13 4.0% 6 1.8% 69.2%
Clockwerk 18 5.5% 10 3.0% 8 2.4% 20.0%
Phantom Assassin 18 5.5% 11 3.3% 7 2.1% 63.6%
Wraith King 17 5.2% 11 3.3% 6 1.8% 27.3%
Windranger 17 5.2% 12 3.7% 5 1.5% 41.7%
 

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.

Tier 5

 
Hero Name P+B P+B% Picks Picks% Bans Bans% Win%
Tusk 16 4.9% 14 4.3% 2 0.6% 42.9%
Anti-Mage 15 4.6% 10 3.0% 5 1.5% 50.0%
Ancient Apparition 14 4.3% 13 4.0% 1 0.3% 46.2%
Keeper of the Light 13 4.0% 8 2.4% 5 1.5% 50.0%
Medusa 12 3.7% 10 3.0% 2 0.6% 50.0%
Lion 12 3.7% 8 2.4% 4 1.2% 37.5%
Pangolier 11 3.3% 8 2.4% 3 0.9% 50.0%
Oracle 11 3.3% 6 1.8% 5 1.5% 83.3%
Techies 11 3.3% 2 0.6% 9 2.7% 50.0%
Puck 11 3.3% 9 2.7% 2 0.6% 44.4%
Spirit Breaker 10 3.0% 9 2.7% 1 0.3% 77.8%
Juggernaut 10 3.0% 6 1.8% 4 1.2% 33.3%
Slark 9 2.7% 7 2.1% 2 0.6% 57.1%
Lifestealer 9 2.7% 8 2.4% 1 0.3% 25.0%
Chaos Knight 8 2.4% 3 0.9% 5 1.5% 33.3%
Tidehunter 8 2.4% 6 1.8% 2 0.6% 66.7%
Queen of Pain 7 2.1% 7 2.1% 0 0.0% 28.6%
Underlord 6 1.8% 4 1.2% 2 0.6% 75.0%
Night Stalker 6 1.8% 5 1.5% 1 0.3% 40.0%
Omniknight 6 1.8% 4 1.2% 2 0.6% 50.0%
Witch Doctor 6 1.8% 6 1.8% 0 0.0% 50.0%
Abaddon 5 1.5% 3 0.9% 2 0.6% 0.0%
Bristleback 5 1.5% 5 1.5% 0 0.0% 20.0%
Beastmaster 5 1.5% 5 1.5% 0 0.0% 40.0%
Sniper 5 1.5% 5 1.5% 0 0.0% 40.0%
Riki 5 1.5% 3 0.9% 2 0.6% 33.3%
Shadow Fiend 5 1.5% 4 1.2% 1 0.3% 0.0%
Disruptor 4 1.2% 4 1.2% 0 0.0% 50.0%
Outworld Devourer 4 1.2% 2 0.6% 2 0.6% 50.0%
Doom 4 1.2% 4 1.2% 0 0.0% 0.0%
Slardar 4 1.2% 3 0.9% 1 0.3% 66.7%
Sven 4 1.2% 3 0.9% 1 0.3% 100%
Skywrath Mage 3 0.9% 2 0.6% 1 0.3% 50.0%
Naga Siren 3 0.9% 3 0.9% 0 0.0% 33.3%
Dark Seer 3 0.9% 3 0.9% 0 0.0% 0.0%
Viper 3 0.9% 2 0.6% 1 0.3% 100%
Sand King 3 0.9% 3 0.9% 0 0.0% 33.3%
Lone Druid 1 0.3% 1 0.3% 0 0.0% 0.0%
Warlock 1 0.3% 1 0.3% 0 0.0% 0.0%
Razor 1 0.3% 1 0.3% 0 0.0% 0.0%
Pudge 1 0.3% 1 0.3% 0 0.0% 100%
 

Heroes not drafted

Death Prophet

Death Prophet

Next Tier List: November 2018

Header image (Loading Screen of Frostheart for Winter Wyvern) and hero icons: Valve - Statistics: DatDota.

Vincenzo is an esports writer with ten years of experience. Former head editor for Natus Vincere, he has produced content for DreamHack, FACEIT, DOTAFire, 2P, and more. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.