We continue to look at who inflicts changes to the Dota 2’s meta. Previously we observed the influence of the famous sreamers. This week we look at the recently finished DreamLeague,
DreamLeague Season 24 has once again left an undeniable mark on the Dota 2 competitive scene, with teams showing off inventive strategies, clutch performances, and tactical choices that have already begun to impact how players approach the game. From creative draft priorities to skillful rotations and innovative itemization, DreamLeague has provided a preview of the future of high-level Dota 2. In this article, we'll break down the most notable strategies seen in DreamLeague, analyze the top heroes and roles, and predict which aspects of the meta will likely influence the next competitive phase.
Draft Trends: The Evolution of Hero Priority
At DreamLeague, certain heroes emerged as first-phase priorities that point to more significant trends in the meta. These heroes often come with flexibility in roles and synergy with core objectives like scaling, durability, and utility.
Universal Heroes Dominance
The recent introduction of universal heroes—a class that scales with all attributes—has made heroes like Void Spirit, Dawnbreaker, and Primal Beast top-tier picks. Their hybrid scaling has been exploited by pros for versatile builds and sustained impact in mid-to-late game scenarios. Void Spirit, for instance, was consistently used as both a mid and off-lane option, shifting between a core damage dealer and a disruptive presence with high survivability due to attribute stacking and creative itemization.
Expected Meta Shift: With universal heroes being favored, expect a rise in attribute-scaling items such as Echo Sabre, Harpoon, and Heaven's Halberd. Teams are maximizing these items' cost efficiency, especially on universal heroes with high stat gains.
The re-emergence of Strength Carries
Strength heroes like Chaos Knight, Lifestealer, and Sven frequently appeared at DreamLeague. Their effectiveness is partly due to the meta-favoring tanky, sustain-heavy carries who can withstand heavy burst damage and rely on lifesteal mechanics. DreamLeague highlighted Sven as a standout, showing up in multiple drafts where his massive AOE damage combined with durability allowed him to dominate mid-game engagements.
Expected Meta Shift: The focus on durability over sheer damage suggests we may see a preference for mid-to-late game items that improve tankiness—expect Heart of Tarrasque, Satanic, and Crimson Guard to become more popular, giving teams more resilience in extended fights.
Key Strategies: DreamLeague's Most Successful Playstyles
Fast-Paced Objective Control with Beastmaster and Lycan
Beastmaster and Lycan made waves at DreamLeague, enabling teams to play a fast-paced game. Both heroes excel at pushing waves, controlling large swathes of the map, and securing objectives quickly. Their summoning abilities allow them to pressure towers without needing their team's presence, which forces opponents to spread thin or risk losing towers.
Strategic Analysis: These heroes were typically paired with supports like Chen or Enchantress, who also have pushing abilities and sustain for pushing lanes. Together, these drafts created immense pressure on the map early on, forcing the enemy to react to pushes and lose control of the jungle.
Expected Meta Shift: Look for more "beast drafts," where teams rely on summon-based heroes to overwhelm their opponents. This may also bring Nature's Prophet and Broodmother back into higher picks due to their ability to quickly create multiple fronts and secure map control.
Late-Game Scaling and Four-Protect-One Strategies
While fast-paced strategies were prominent, several teams showed that four-protect-one strategies are still viable, particularly with Medusa and Naga Siren. These heroes were selected for their ability to scale impressively into the late game, often backed by defensive supports who could enable prolonged fights. Medusa, in particular, was a popular choice as her mana-shield mechanism allowed her to tank high amounts of damage.
Strategic Analysis: The four-protect-one approach is becoming more flexible, with carries that can build tanky or hybrid damage items (like Butterfly, Skadi, and Daedalus) and sustain themselves with lifesteal, so they aren't completely reliant on supports. Teams often combined this approach with strong team-fighting mids and utility off-laners to make up for the lack of early aggression from the carry.
Expected Meta Shift: With the success of four-protect-one strategies, we'll likely see a resurgence in hard carries with innate durability, like Terrorblade and Spectre. Teams may favor heroes who, if given enough farm, can turn the tide of battle solo in the late game.
Support Trends: Position 4 and 5 Innovation
DreamLeague also saw considerable evolution in how supports are utilized, especially regarding adaptability and defensive utility.
Dual-Utility Supports with Healing and Crowd Control
Heroes like Oracle and Undying were often chosen as they provide a mix of heals, dispels, and teamfight durability. These heroes allow for dynamic support play that prioritizes survivability and sustained fights, capitalizing on the longer engagements seen at DreamLeague. Oracle's ability to save core heroes from burst damage and Undying's zombie and decay mechanics create havoc in fights, giving supports more significant influence over the match.
Expected Meta Shift: Expect a rise in high-utility supports with healing or crowd control. Heroes like Warlock and Dazzle may see increased picks as teams seek support heroes to sustain their team in prolonged engagements and provide defensive coverage for carries.
Position 4 Playmakers
Position 4s at DreamLeague leaned heavily toward initiating heroes capable of disrupting backlines and providing vision. Earth Spirit, Tusk, and Clockwerk became favorites due to their ability to engage, disengage, and create chaos. These heroes allowed teams to execute skirmishes and isolate enemy supports, giving their team critical advantages in fights.
Expected Meta Shift: The impact of position four initiators means that vision-oriented heroes like Nyx Assassin and Bounty Hunter could return to prominence as teams look to capitalize on early scouting and high-mobility pick-off potential.
Itemization Patterns: Adjusting to New Realities
With the emergence of durable heroes and the need for sustained fights, itemization at DreamLeague showed a distinct trend toward hybrid builds that combine durability and utility.
Emphasis on Heaven's Halberd
Many off-laners were seen building Heaven's Halberd and Lotus Orb early on, valuing the disarm utility and status resistance over pure tank items. This trend aligns with the meta's focus on long fights, where the ability to prevent key heroes from attacking can make a difference.
Greater Adoption of Hybrid Damage and Defensive Items
Items like Harpoon and Echo Sabre saw increased usage as they grant heroes a mix of survivability and damage. Echo Sabre, in particular, is highly efficient for universal heroes, while Harpoon gives melee cores extra chase potential. This trend signals a move away from all-out DPS items, with players aiming for a mix that sustains them throughout prolonged battles.
Expected Meta Shift: We will likely see a rise in situational hybrid items, like Aghanim's Scepter for heroes with strong crowd-control spells and Solar Crest to bolster team resilience or reduce enemy durability.
The Meta is Moving Toward Sustained, Durable Fights
DreamLeague has underscored a shift in the Dota 2 meta toward durable heroes, attribute-scaling universal characters, and prolonged fights over quick engagements. Teams are leaning heavily into sustain, hybrid builds, and multirole flexibility, where heroes can adapt based on game state. These trends suggest that the meta will reward players who adjust to attrition-based strategies and prioritize objective control over raw killing potential. As players prepare for the next season, DreamLeague's meta-defining strategies provide a roadmap to mastering the evolving game.