I started watching some dota matches, especially PGL, and players tend to pick from a really small group of heroes, like: storm spirit, techies, pugna etc
I started watching some dota matches, especially PGL, and players tend to pick from a really small group of heroes, like: storm spirit, techies, pugna etc
It’s what is referred to as “the meta.” As heroes get buffed, nerfed, changed, etc. the meta evolves. If Hero X and Hero Y are really good at doing something and Y gets a buff, maybe Y starts to get preferred. Now you know what was really bad vs X? Hero Z. Now hero Z’s weaknesses aren’t so obvious because Hero X just isn’t strong enough to stand against all these heroes that are now being picked.
Eventually a couple months goes by and players have figured out the end of that X>Y>Z chain and a meta is born.
Now usually there are a few large tournaments each patch. During these tournaments we already know the strong heroes, but what about hero/team combinations? What about some cheese/pocket strat that a captain has cooked up? Sometimes certain players or teams just elevate a hero to broken status. It just works better than anywhere else. Well now the opponents have to decide "do i ban Y and Z and leave A in? Other team makes A just way too good, so ill leave Y and Z in play. Oh that worked really well, now how do I counter what else is being picked.
Eventually a new patch (more buffs, nerfs, changes) is released and everyone starts from 0 again. Sometimes (rarely) heroes get so overhauled they remove them from competitive play in order to get them somewhat balanced.
It’s kind of late so I didn’t do a great job explaining
Well it sounds like a good thing, to keep the game fresh, and to jazz things up a little. The only thing I don’t like is when I watch tournaments I always see the same few heroes, and no variety of all :(
Unfortunately just a symptom of the structure of the game. Some heroes are just too good right now. Undying and Shadow Demon come to mind. They have have great saves. Last patch almost across the board stun duration was lowered. I’m willing to bet the rise in popularity of a saving support is due to this change.