Has Dota 2 Achieved Competitive Balance?

Since time immemorial, Dota 2 has almost always had a star team each year. In the good old days, Natus Vincere was the team to beat. After that, Alliance took the spotlight for a while. This trend lasted so long that it almost felt like that’s just how things were supposed to be.

But in 2025, things unexpectedly changed — and expectations were shattered. Tundra Esports was expected to be the dominant force, but their reign was short-lived. Now, we’ve had five different champions across the last five Tier 1 tournaments. Has IceFrog actually achieved competitive balance in Dota 2?

No favorites might be the best outcome fans could hope for. – Credit: Liquipedia

Dota 2 and the Recent Dominators

In the recent past, the professional Dota 2 scene has seen significant shifts. In 2023, Gaimin Gladiators dominated most of the year up to the Riyadh Masters. They were the juggernaut to overcome and made history by winning every Valve Major in the final year of the Dota Pro Circuit.

Then in 2024, Team Falcons led the charge for the new MENA region on the pro stage. Although no other teams from the region thrived, Falcons carried the torch in a way reminiscent of the Gaimin Gladiators.

Gaimin (left) and Falcons (right) secured most championships during their peak years. – Credit: Liquipedia

Both teams eventually hit a figurative wall right before Riyadh and failed to win The International. Still, for the first half of each season, outcomes were mostly predictable, with clear favorites going into every tournament.

Now, even with five different champions, Gaimin Gladiators have finished second twice — inch­ing closer to that elusive win. This emerging balance may not be unprecedented, but it certainly marks a new chapter for competitive Dota 2.

The Impact of Balance on Upcoming Tournaments

Alongside what feels like the most balanced Dota meta we’ve seen, comes patch 7.38. Having evolved to 7.38c, the patch now seems to be in a stable place, with many of the most broken heroes toned down.

Dragon Knight has finally been buried after a string of nerfs, while Tiny and Jakiro remain solid picks. Meanwhile, we’re seeing new faces returning to the meta — heroes like Ringmaster, Keeper of the Light, and the Templar Assassin.

These are just the heroes that surfaced this time, there are still lots of them on the shadow meta. - Credit: Liquipedia

Combining the broad availability of options for new heroes to explore, the balance of champions and The International getting closer, Dota 2 is in a very interesting spot right now. The PGL Wallachia Season 4 getting a new champion or finally bringing in the turn for the Gaimin Gladiators would be amazing.

The International 2025 is set to happen in September and maybe patch 7.38 will be the one that Valve will try to hone to perfection until then. We still don't have Kez in Captain's Draft, Ringmaster just got his place on the main stage and the possibilities grow by the day.

What Can We Expect Moving Forward?

If the competitive field stays this balanced, we’re in for the best Riyadh Masters yet in 2025.This event often serves as a turning point where the top contenders for the Aegis begin to separate themselves.

In 2023, Gaimin Gladiators dominated early — but Team Spirit triumphed in Riyadh and at TI. In 2024, Team Falcons were the favorites, yet Gaimin won the Esports World Cup, and Team Liquid lifted the Aegis.

Favorites tend to falter at these two tournaments. – Credit: Liquipedia

So, with no clear favorites in 2025, what can we expect from the EWC and The International? Could PARIVISION or Team Falcons finally seize their moment? Might Gaimin Gladiators break their second-place curse and claim the Aegis at last? Could Tundra match Team Spirit with a second TI win — or will Spirit cement their legacy as the only three-time TI champions?

We're all watching eagerly — both as writers and as fans. If you want to see how IceFrog continues to shape the game — and whether he’ll surprise us with an outcome nobody could have imagined — keep following our pro Dota 2 coverage on the Strafe website!

Featured Image Source: Eric de Oliveira