Dota 2 is a complex game that requires a lot of skills to be successful. There are a lot of aspects you must learn, one of which is related to picking. Choosing the best heroes is definitely one of the key aspects you must know, and we at Blix.gg are about to show you some of the most crucial things you need to be aware of.
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Dota 2 PUB Drafting Basics – All Pick
Drafting in Dota 2 is the process of picking (and usually banning) heroes from the game. Each Dota 2 mode has different rules in terms of drafting and how it works. Since the topic of this article is PUB games, we want to dive deep into the most popular game mode for PUBs – All Pick.
In the All Pick mode, players can choose one of the all available heroes, swap it with a teammate, or pick a random hero. The total hero selection time is 75 seconds instead of 60 seconds, and the pre-creep time is also 75s (instead of 90s). Keep in mind that you will not be able to random a hero in the last 10 seconds of the picking phase. Moreover, you will lose 2 gold per second if you don’t pick a hero after the timer runs out.
The Importance of Picking in Dota 2 – Roles, Counter-Picking & More
Among the key things you must remember about this Dota 2 picking guide is the importance of making the right choice. Speaking of the right choices, you need to know about your role in your current lineup.
Assuming you are playing a normal PUB game where people have roles, you’ll be assigned one of the following:
- Support
- Offlane
- Mid lane
- Carry
As tempting as it is, sticking to your role in Dota 2 PUB games is extremely important. We have all been in games where people pick whatever they want and ruin the fun and experience of others, so don’t be that person.
Going back to the picking process itself, knowing your role allows you to focus on a specific group of heroes. This is where you need to pay even more attention because you need to pick something that will work well in the current lineup. If you are the first one to pick, get something that usually does well in PUBs.
When it comes down to Dota 2 counter picking, this is an art of its own, and we have a detailed guide about everything. To sum up, you should always try to pick something that works well against your opponents when possible. It does not have to be a hero that you can’t play, however, so always get something that you are comfortable playing with.
Should You Always Choose Your Favorite Hero?
One of the decisions you have to make during the Dota 2 picking phase is which hero to get. After talking about the different roles and counter-picking, another aspect we need to include is related to picking your favorite hero.
All players have one or more heroes they love playing with, and some will often pick that option no matter what. Although there might indeed be instances where this will work out, overall, it is not the right thing to do, and here is why:
- That hero may not be good in the meta – Dota 2’s meta changes with every new update. The fact that some heroes or heroes worked well before does not mean they will be good in the current meta. If that specific hero happens to be your favorite, it might be worth getting something else.
- Your favorite hero is already counter picked – This is a prevalent situation, especially in low MMR PUB games. People often pick their favorite hero without even taking into account the fact the enemy team has several counter picks already. It is still possible to make that hero work, but the effort is usually not worth it.
- There are better options for the current game – This is probably the most common scenario out of all. You may want to play your favorite hero in a given game, but once you go through everything, you realize that he is not the best option. In situations like this, it is better to pick something that will do a better job.
Dota 2 Picking Guide – Bans
Another important topic we need to discuss when talking about picks is bans. Although this option was not available in PUBs before, Valve decided to make the games more interesting by adding this feature. Consequently, players can ban heroes, which can make a huge difference.
Not knowing what to look for when banning heroes can be a costly mistake that may result in losing the game. That is why you should consider the following things:
- The hero’s state in the meta – If a hero is too strong in the given meta and you don’t want to play against him, just press the ban button.
- Do you know someone on the enemy team who is good with a particular hero? – This usually happens when you are playing with friends or at a higher MMR game, where there aren’t that many players. If the answer is yes, just ban that hero, regardless of whether it is in the meta or not.
- Can that hero counter you or your team? – Another good thing to consider before baning a specific hero. If your entire lineup depends on not meeting one particular counter, perhaps it is better to make sure he is not in the game.
Dota 2 Picking Tips & Tricks
Before concluding this guide, there are a few important tips and tricks that we believe will help you:
- Having the last pick gives you a considerable advantage – When possible, always try having the last pick. This will put you in a much better position because you can get a hero that will work best in the given situation.
- Check the stats for your current MMR bracket – Knowing which heroes work best for your current Dota 2 MMR bracket is huge. The numbers never lie, so if some heroes are more successful than others, they are like that for a reason.
- Try to communicate with your teammates before picking – You should always try to communicate with your team before choosing a given hero. Knowing what they are up to and what they want to play will help you make a better decision.
Conclusion
Picking and banning heroes in Dota 2 is a lot more complex than it seems, especially if you don’t have experience. Both are very important and, depending on what you do, will make the game easier or harder for you. Always make sure you stay up to date with the latest meta and use it to your advantage.
