We are continuing our analysis of high-level Dota to showcase some unique and fresh strategies. The EEU and SA regions are known for their chaotic and aggressive gameplay, which is reflected in their draft and item preferences. Some of these strategies are classic, while others are innovative, but all of them can be easily adapted for use in your regular pub games.
The recent buff has made Liquid Frost a popular choice in the SA region, particularly for Jakiro. This aspect greatly increases Jakiro’s trading potential, especially when combined with Blood Grenade to control enemy movements and deal extra damage. However, this build sacrifices pushing power, as Liquid Fire is not prioritized. Despite this drawback, the tradeoff is often worth it due to the fast-paced nature of high-level Dota. Typically, a 2-0-2-0 skill build is recommended by level four, with possible additional points in Dual Breath for combat situations. Ice Path is typically prioritized at level five.
In terms of items, Mekansm and Eul’s Scepter are popular choices for Jakiro in this region. Eul’s provides a setup for Ice Path and is effective against heroes like Ursa and Spirit Breaker, who are prominent in the SA meta.
Spirit Breaker has seen a resurgence in the SA region, with players opting for Phase Boots and Shadow Blade to enable early game aggression. This approach emphasizes tempo and roaming over farming, making Eul’s Scepter a common follow-up item for setup and utility.
While Spirit Breaker can be a strong pick in the right circumstances, heroes like Dark Willow and Clockwerk can counter him effectively. Communication with teammates is key to maximizing Spirit Breaker’s impact in matches.
The Echo Sabre build on Pangolier has gained popularity in high-level pubs and the professional scene. The item provides slow, right-click damage, and extra survivability, making Pangolier tankier and more versatile in fights. The synergy with Pangolier’s talents and the potential upgrade to Harpoon make Echo Sabre a viable late-game choice, despite its early game weaknesses.
The evolving regional metas present unique gameplay opportunities, and we look forward to seeing how the Dota 2 meta continues to develop. Stay tuned for more analyses of interesting strategies and hero combinations in the coming months.
