Alright, guys, so I’ve been diving deep into Dota 2 lately, and let me tell you, the meta is a wild beast. One thing that’s been really helpful for me is checking out these “tier lists,” so I figured I’d share my process and how I go about making sense of them.
First, I gotta find some lists. I usually just hit up Google and type in something simple.
Now, the trick is, don’t just blindly follow the first list you see. I usually open up a few different ones, from different websites or creators, to get a broader view. Why? Because everyone has their own biases and playstyles, so what works for one person might not work for another.
Once I’ve got a few lists open, I start looking for patterns. I’ll grab a pen and paper (yeah, I’m old school like that) and start jotting down heroes that consistently show up in the top tiers across multiple lists. These are usually the “safe bets,” the heroes that are generally strong in the current patch, regardless of skill level or specific matchups.
Then, I look at the lower tiers. Which heroes are consistently at the bottom? These are the ones I’m probably going to avoid, unless I’m really good with them or have a specific strategy in mind. It’s not that they’re unplayable, but they might be harder to win with in the current meta.
Now, the most important part: I think about my own playstyle. Do I like playing aggressive supports? Then I’ll pay extra attention to the supports that are ranked high. Am I a carry player who prefers to farm and scale? Then I’ll focus on the carries that are consistently showing up in the top tiers. I also will select some different position hero to deep in.
My Personal Notes
- Hero X: Showing up in S-tier on multiple lists. Seems like a safe bet for position 1.
- Hero Y: A bit more niche, but consistently A-tier. Might be good if I need a specific counter.
- Hero Z: Bottom tier across the board. Probably going to avoid unless I’m feeling adventurous.
Finally, before consider my process is done. I will play these heroes a lot of times, and check my win rate, then I will adjust them position, up or down.
So, that’s pretty much it! It’s not rocket science, but it’s a helpful way to get a feel for the meta and make more informed decisions. Remember, tier lists are just a guideline, not the gospel. The most important thing is to have fun and play what you enjoy (and what you’re good at!). Good luck out there, and may your MMR climb ever higher!
