For a TI qualifier that took place shortly after the introduction of new mechanics like Hero Facets, Valve can be pleased that teams utilized nearly all heroes in the roster, with only two exceptions.
The two unpicked heroes from Dota 2’s 125-hero roster were Omniknight and Riki. Historically, these heroes are more popular in public games than in professional play, and their treatment in the substantial 7.36 gameplay patch and subsequent updates didn’t help their case.
Before Patch 7.36, Omniknight was played in the Offlane role with builds centered around his Hammer of Purity nuke. In contrast, Riki remained largely ignored, being picked only once in the last two months of professional Dota 2 by Xtreme Gaming’s Xinq in PGL Wallachia Season 1.
Currently, Omniknight faces an identity crisis, and it remains to be seen how Valve will adjust him in future patches. His win rate in pro-level public games is a low 38.6 percent, according to Dota 2 Pro Tracker. Riki, however, has a more respectable 47.8 percent win rate, suggesting it might just be a matter of time before he reappears in professional matches.
The last month of professional games has been played on Patch 7.36 and its subsequent updates. The introduction of Hero Facets has significantly altered the game, leading teams across all regions in the TI 2024 qualifiers to experiment with new strategies. While some heroes have clearly benefited from the patch, others have yet to be fully explored—a common occurrence with major gameplay updates in Dota 2’s history.
What stands out is the quality of balancing work behind Valve’s MOBA. For comparison, the Mid-Season Invitational in League of Legends this year saw 79 uncontested Champions out of Riot’s 167, according to Liquipedia.