TL;DR
- Shadow Shaman maintains 56.6% winrate despite recent nerfs to his core abilities
- Tinker shows partial recovery but remains below 50% winrate threshold
- Axe emerges as both high winrate and frequently picked hero
- Clinkz experienced significant winrate drop from 53.7% to 50%
- Meta remains fluid with significant changes expected as players adapt
Games and Esports Articles Dota 2
The recent Dota 2 patch 7.36a arrived swiftly following the groundbreaking 7.36 update that introduced revolutionary facets and innate abilities to the game. This balancing patch specifically targeted several dominant heroes who had achieved excessively high winrates, including significant adjustments to Legion Commander, Templar Assassin, Juggernaut, Wraith King, and Axe. Understanding these changes is crucial for competitive players looking to optimize their hero selections in ranked matchmaking.
When approaching the current meta, it’s essential to recognize that hero viability extends beyond raw statistics. The introduction of facets has created new strategic dimensions where certain heroes can excel in specific roles that weren’t previously viable. This analysis provides insights into the evolving landscape after approximately 36 hours of post-patch data collection.
Shadow Shaman continues to dominate the competitive landscape with an impressive 56.6% winrate, maintaining his position despite receiving direct nerfs to both Shackles and Foul Play in the recent update. This resilience suggests that the hero’s fundamental strengths in tower pushing and teamfight control remain highly valuable in the current meta.
Axe and Wraith King have demonstrated remarkable consistency, retaining their positions among the elite performers despite balance adjustments. Meanwhile, Legion Commander and Juggernaut have experienced noticeable position drops, indicating that their previous dominance has been successfully curtailed by the patch changes.
Updated list, June 2:

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Tinker suffered the most substantial impact from the 7.36 changes, and while the subsequent 7.36a patch has facilitated some winrate recovery, the hero remains significantly below the 50% threshold. Batrider’s performance has deteriorated further, presenting an interesting case study in balancing philosophy.
The Batrider nerfs are particularly noteworthy since they occurred despite the hero maintaining a slightly negative winrate prior to the update. This adjustment appears influenced by the hero’s dominant performance during Dreamleague S23 playoffs, highlighting how professional tournament results can directly influence balance decisions.
Although Clinkz doesn’t appear among the worst-performing characters, his statistical shift represents the most dramatic change observed: plummeting from 53.7% to exactly 50% winrate following the 7.36a adjustments.
Updated list, June 2:

The latest update has produced minimal disruption to hero selection patterns thus far. Axe has successfully entered the roster of most frequently chosen heroes, while Sniper has exited the top five selections. Zeus and Lion continue to demonstrate strong popularity within the current metagame framework.
More substantial shifts in selection preferences will likely materialize as players develop deeper understanding of hero capabilities and optimal facet combinations. The current stability in pick rates suggests that players are still experimenting with the new mechanics rather than settling into established patterns.

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When selecting heroes for ranked matches, consider both statistical performance and your personal proficiency. While Shadow Shaman shows exceptional winrates, his effectiveness diminishes significantly if you lack experience with proper ward placement and timing. Similarly, Axe’s popularity makes him a frequent ban candidate, requiring backup strategies.
Successful draft strategy involves balancing meta picks with counter-pick considerations. For instance, while Tinker struggles statistically, he can excel against specific lineups that lack gap-closing capabilities or silences. Understanding these nuanced interactions separates average players from consistently successful competitors.
Team composition synergy remains paramount. Even high-winrate heroes can underperform if they don’t complement your team’s overall strategy. Consider how our Class Guide principles apply here—consider role distribution, timing windows, and late-game scaling when making selections.
Remember that the meta will continue evolving as players discover optimal facet combinations and item builds. Staying adaptable and continuously learning new interactions will provide competitive advantages beyond simply following statistical trends.
Action Checklist
- Prioritize Shadow Shaman for pushing strategies but ensure you have ward placement expertise
- Monitor Axe ban rates and prepare alternative offlane picks
- Experiment with underperforming heroes in unranked matches to identify hidden strengths
- Analyze opponent drafts for counter-pick opportunities using our Complete Guide framework
- Track professional player builds and facet selections for emerging strategies
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