The International 2025’s group stage treated fans to 108 games of high-level Dota 2, but it also came with a surprising twist: some of the game’s most iconic carries never saw a single pick.
Phantom Assassin, Wraith King, and Drow Ranger, heroes who have defined countless pub matches and even shaped past Internationals, were completely ignored by every single team. For longtime fans, their absence is striking, especially since these heroes were once seen as dependable late-game win conditions.
Zero appearances across so many games tells us this isn’t about niche counterpicks or situational drafts; these heroes currently have no place in the competitive landscape. Instead, the TI14 meta has fully embraced fast-paced, utility-driven carries who bring more than just raw right-click damage.
Faceless Void offers game-changing Chronospheres and scaling, Monkey King controls team fights with mobility and disruption, and Templar Assassin brings survivability and map control that traditional damage dealers can’t replicate.
Even Nature’s Prophet has become a go-to option, pressuring lanes while still contributing meaningful damage in teamfights. In contrast, Phantom Assassin’s reliance on late-game crits, Wraith King’s predictable reincarnation, and Drow Ranger’s aura-centric playstyle simply don’t align with the tempo-focused strategies dominating this patch.
What makes this gap more fascinating is that all three heroes remain popular in pubs. Phantom Assassin and Wraith King continue to rank highly in matchmaking, proving that casual players still value their straightforward kits and snowball potential. However, professional Dota 2 has shifted to a place where early fights, map control, and flexibility are everything.
Unless future patches adjust their power spike timings, buff their mobility, or give them earlier impact, these once-beloved carries may remain sidelined for the rest of the tournament. As the playoffs approach, the big question is whether any team will dare to gamble on one of these forgotten heroes or if they’ll remain relics of a slower meta, waiting for the right update to make their return.
