Dota 2’s Unpicked Heroes and Potential Buffs

In the ongoing evolution of the Dota 2 metagame since the introduction of patch 7.38, a set of heroes remain untouched. Appropriately, these characters didn’t receive any pick during the last three significant tournaments on the professional Dota 2 circuit. Some heroes naturally emerge in the limelight within the professional scene, while others fall out of favor and eventually fade into obscurity. Therefore, GosuGamers has compiled a list of ten such heroes, bringing attention to this unnoticed group.

Incremental Changes to Boost Heroes

On May 3, 2025, an article titled “5 Ways to Buff Unpicked Heroes In Dota 2” was published on Strafe Esports. This piece delves into methods to enhance seldom-picked heroes in Dota 2 matches. A prime strategy pinpointed was subtlety in the form of minor buffs distributed between patches. Notably, IceFrog, Dota 2’s main designer, exercises prowess in manipulating the meta through these gradual tweaks.

Patch 7.33 As A Case Study

For instance, patch 7.33 marked the introduction of significant buffs to several heroes that significantly changed gameplay. Phantom Lancer was granted an Aghanim’s Shard for his ultimate, reminiscent of an older Dota 1 skill. Riki’s ultimate ability shifted to award a substantial experience bonus, with assists providing a reduced bonus. Alchemist witnessed an array of changes, although the specific details remain vague. Lastly, Bristleback benefited from nuanced yet powerful buffs to his eponymous ability. Bristleback now accrues Warpath stacks upon receiving damage, enhancing his damage output and mobility. In addition, Bristleback’s quill spray can be triggered several times from a single damage source.

The Unseen Aspect of The Meta

Strafe Esports frequently covers the unseen aspects of the Dota 2 meta. As part of their continuous coverage, they have provided an analysis of the unpicked heroes in the current patch 7.38. It appears that some heroes haven’t been touched even after the evolution of the meta following the patch roll-out. This scenario has led to discussions around potential buffs to make these ignored heroes more viable.

Previously Considered Buffs and New Strategies

Past conversations have also entertained the idea of ‘save’ mechanics as a means of boosting heroes’ performance. For instance, Dazzle and Oracle had been part of these discussions. Interestingly, recent patches like 7.36a have introduced ‘hero facets,’ a novel strategy for buffing heroes and adjusting the game’s meta. As the meta continues to evolve, the interest in buffing unpicked heroes remains high, shining a new light on these forgotten characters in the Dota 2 scene.