Shadow Shaman has taken over the Dota 2 meta, with the Esports World Cup, and multiple tournaments showing its strength.
Although the Esports World Cup Dota 2 tournament is over, Shadow Shaman continues to control the meta. At previous events, such as PGL Wallachia, the hero began to shine. To no surprise of anyone, the hero continues to be the most picked at the currently ongoing Clavision Masters Snow-Ruyi.
With that in mind, we take a look at Shadow Shaman in the Dota 2 meta at the Esports World Cup. And a few other heroes that are racking in the picks on the professional scene.
Shadow Shaman continues to control the Dota 2 meta
Patch 7.39 was a significant update for Dota 2, and it ultimately shifted the meta substantially. Shadow Shaman’s buff seems to be the one that has stuck the most, with the hero constantly being the most picked. While the hero did see a small nerf in 7.39c, it was not enough to deter the pro-players from picking him.
From PGL Wallachia Season 5 before the Esports World Cup, through the currently ongoing Clavision Masters Snow-Ruyi, Shadow Shaman continues to shine. However, it is not all ether shocks and Serpent Wards (read: sunshine and rainbows) for the hero. Although his pick rate is untouched in the Dota 2 meta, Shadow Shaman’s win rate remains rather balanced.
PGL Wallachia saw the hero fall below the 50%-win rate mark, but the EWC pushed it up to nearly 52%. While it remains ongoing, the Clavision Masters has already seen a huge 59%-win rate for Shadow Shaman in the meta. This is likely to change, with the tournament currently in its Group Stage at the time of writing.
With two separate crowd control abilities, a nuke, and the power of Serpent Wards, Shadow Shaman has become a menace in the Dota 2 meta. While we are likely to see a pre-TI patch, the hero is going to be in the limelight for some time to come.
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Puck them all
Puck has seen quite a bit of playtime in the Dota 2 pro-scene meta lately, although not nearly as much as Shadow Shaman. With no major buffs for some time, Puck always remains a useful pick for the mid-lane. Curveball on Illusory Orb is guiding the way for some interesting plays. Similarly to Shaman, Puck’s kit includes a nuke, plus a possible mass area of effect stun ultimate.
Once again, the balancing of the top picks seems to be quite good, as no hero is getting way too far ahead. Teams are likely to find a way to fight against even the most meta picks like Shadow Shaman in Dota 2. Puck remains the same, not having a significantly high win rate through the tournaments.
Nature’s Prophet breaks the Dota 2 meta
While Shadow Shaman is being a menace at the top pick in the Dota 2 meta, another hero is completely breaking it. Nature’s Prophet (or Furion, if you’re a Warcraft 3 DotA player) is on another level. Holding a 75%-win rate over both the EWC and PGL Wallachia, the hero is a beast. While there is no exact reason for the immense win rate of the hero, it has proven itself to be strong.
With a few minor nerfs here and there, as well as a new Facet, NP could stand to become a massive pick at TI. However, there is also a high chance for it to become one of the most banned heroes.
Although Shadow Shaman is a very meta Dota 2 pick right now, the hero is not extremely overpowered. As the road towards The International 2025 continues, we are beginning to see more heroes become just as potent. With the Clarvision Masters ongoing and one more tournament before TI, Valve’s next patch could come at any moment.
While we all wish for a Battle Pass, some changes to heroes would be welcome to shake up the meta.
For more Dota 2 news and information, stay tuned to esports.gg.
