Records and Surprises at BLAST Slam I: Top KDA Leaders and Forgotten Heroes

The BLAST Slam I tournament, held from 26 November to 1 December in Copenhagen, Denmark, has unveiled some fascinating statistics. Featuring a $1 million prize pool, the event brought together ten of the strongest teams, delivering thrilling matches and unexpected outcomes.

Top KDA Performers: Eastern Europe Dominates

Danil “gpk” Skutin from BetBoom Team (Russia) emerged as the absolute leader in average KDA among all tournament participants. His remarkable score of 10.72 highlights his exceptional consistency and effectiveness in the game.

In second place was Volodymyr “No[o]ne” Minenko from PARIVISION (Ukraine) with a KDA of 6.89, showcasing outstanding hero control. Completing the top three was Lou “Lou” Zhen from Xtreme Gaming (China) with a score of 6.78.

These results reaffirm that players from Eastern Europe continue to be some of the most formidable and consistent competitors on the professional stage.

Overlooked Heroes: 38 Forgotten Characters

Despite the variety in strategies, 38 Dota 2 heroes were neither picked nor banned throughout the tournament. These include previously popular characters such as Anti-Mage, Juggernaut, and Leshrac, as well as unique heroes like Arc Warden and Io.

The complete list of overlooked heroes includes: Abaddon, Anti-Mage, Arc Warden, Axe, Bane, Clinkz, Dark Seer, Dazzle, Faceless Void, Grimstroke, Io, Juggernaut, Kunkka, Legion Commander, Leshrac, Lone Druid, Luna, Marci, Mirana, Night Stalker, Omniknight, Oracle, Outworld Destroyer, Phantom Assassin, Phantom Lancer, Pudge, Riki, Silencer, Skywrath Mage, Spirit Breaker, Tinker, Treant Protector, Troll Warlord, Vengeful Spirit, Warlock, Windranger, Winter Wyvern, Witch Doctor.

This fact demonstrates how much the meta has shifted. Heroes that once dominated professional play no longer fit into current strategies, making way for newer and more adaptable choices.

What Do These Statistics Mean?

The outcomes of BLAST Slam I highlight two key points:

1. Individual Skill: Players like gpk and No[o]ne have proven that personal performance remains crucial at the highest levels of play.
2. Meta Evolution: The exclusion of 38 heroes underscores how quickly professional players’ priorities change, driven by patches and balance updates.

BLAST SLAM: Conclusion

BLAST Slam I has once again reminded us that Dota 2 continues to be a dynamic and strategically complex game. The tournament not only identified standout players but also highlighted how dramatically the meta can shift, leaving once-popular heroes out of favour. With more events on the horizon, further changes could completely reshape our understanding of the current state of the game.