The dust is settling as the Dota Pro Circuit Tour Three reaches its conclusion in each region. The top teams from Division I are now preparing for the upcoming Bali Major on June 28. In all but one region, a certain mischievous hero has been wreaking havoc and dominating the meta.
Whether you love them or hate them, Techies has become a force to be reckoned with. This explosive hero has been the most picked across almost all Division I regions this season, and even ranked players are starting to embrace the troublesome trio.
Techies Takes the Dota Pro Circuit by Storm
The Eastern European tour saw the highest pick rate for Techies, with the hero appearing in over 60 percent of Division I matches, according to esports tracking website Liquipedia. In every region except North America, where Void Spirit narrowly edged out Techies in total picks, this goblin trio was the hero of choice for pro Dota players during Tour Three.
With a minimum 50 percent win rate, peaking at over 71 percent in South-East Asia, and often left unbanned until later phases of the draft, Techies has become a highly contested hero that has dominated the Dota 2 scene in the past month.
Techies Returns to the Spotlight
The resurgence of Techies comes as a surprise after the hero received minimal attention during Tour Two and the Berlin Major. Only Talon, 9Pandas, and Team Liquid found early success with Techies, while teams like OG and Shopify Rebellion struggled, managing to win just a single game each.
While it took the ranked player base a bit longer to embrace Techies, the changes introduced in patch 7.33’s New Frontiers update have started to make an impact. In the past month, Techies has seen a pick rate increase of over six percent and has re-entered the top 10 most picked heroes in Dota, according to hero stats site Dotabuff.
A Revamped Techies with New Strategies
Long gone are the days of Techies players creating massive minefields and prolonging matches. The modern-day Techies has taken on a more active role, thanks to reworked abilities such as Reactive Tazer and Blast Off!
Blast Off! deserves special attention. With its switch from a long silence to a stun upon impact, combined with the changes to total stun duration in Dota 2’s 7.33 update, the ability has become one of the best for locking down opponents and dealing heavy burst damage.
Adaptation and New Support Roles
Techies has undergone a shift from Intelligence to Universal as its main stat, significantly reducing its total mana pool. However, with the hero no longer solely relying on mine placement, this nerf can be easily managed by utilizing items like Aether Lens and Arcane Boots.
In the professional scene, Techies has found a place as a position four support. The hero has made a comeback alongside classic support items like Mekanism, Guardian Greaves, and Force Staff, which provide additional mobility. When possible, teams also prioritize picking up Aghanim’s Shard for Techies, as Reactive Tazer’s aura utility for disarming enemies now extends to teammates.
In a position five scenario, where Techies is playing as a hard support, the hero takes advantage of Solar Crest and Pavise. This provides armor, evasion, and a shield to allies, in addition to the Reactive Tazer aura and the initiation stun from Blast Off!. A Sticky Bomb can be used to slow enemies, allowing the position one carry to strike with precision.
Embrace the Chaos, but with Caution
As we approach the Bali Major, set to begin on June 29, Techies will likely continue to be a menace in the Dota 2 scene. So, if you’re feeling adventurous, give this powerful hero a try in your next ranked game. But remember, don’t spend the entire match mining your base and frustrating your teammates.
FAQs
Why has Techies become so popular in the Dota Pro Circuit?
Techies has gained popularity in the Dota Pro Circuit due to its unique playstyle and recent changes in patch 7.33’s New Frontiers update. The hero’s reworked abilities, such as Blast Off!, have made Techies a formidable force in matches, resulting in a high pick rate among professional players.
What are the key changes that have made Techies more viable in ranked play?
Techies has seen a rise in popularity among ranked players due to the changes introduced in the 7.33 update. Blast Off!’s switch from a silence to a stun and adjustments to total stun duration have made the hero more effective at locking down opponents and dealing burst damage. Additionally, Techies’ adaptation to new support roles and utilization of classic support items have made the hero more versatile and impactful in ranked games.
What strategies have professional teams employed when playing Techies?
Professional teams have primarily utilized Techies as a position four support, taking advantage of the hero’s abilities and item synergies. Techies’ role is to provide crowd control, mobility, and utility to the team, often building items like Mekanism, Guardian Greaves, and Aghanim’s Shard. The hero’s impact is maximized when played in conjunction with other heroes, allowing for successful team fights and strategic plays.
Is Techies expected to remain a strong pick in future Dota 2 tournaments?
Given the hero’s recent success in the Dota Pro Circuit and its increasing popularity among ranked players, Techies is likely to maintain a strong presence in future tournaments. However, it is important to note that the Dota 2 meta is constantly evolving, and hero priorities can shift based on balance changes and strategic adaptations.
How can players effectively counter Techies in ranked games?
To counter Techies, players should focus on vision control and maintaining map awareness. Placing observer and sentry wards in key areas can reveal Techies’ mine placements, allowing for safe navigation. Additionally, heroes with abilities to remove or avoid traps, such as Beastmaster’s Hawk or heroes with illusions, can neutralize Techies’ impact. Communication and coordination with teammates are vital when dealing with Techies’ unpredictable tactics.
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