Why is Anti-Mage suddenly popular in games?

Anti-Mage is currently in the top 15 most successful heroes in 5k games, and has a good pick rate close to 8%.

For a hero that is considered weak in lane, unsuitable for the meta, and too risky in most games, but this stat surprises us. So why has Anti-Mage suddenly become so popular in the game, despite not receiving any significant buffs for over 4 months?

META CHANGES

Although in the game there are not really any important changes to the balance of the game, but the meta is constantly changing. This is a natural process and a signal that a game is doing well. When the players at TI started to realize that they could get a little greedy and still stay at the top, despite losing a few other lanes, this trend was quickly picked up by high-level pub gamers and communicated. into matches.

Greed is still punishing, but it’s not as severe as many assume. That’s why Specter made a comeback from a while ago, and dual in the offlane gradually took on the role of the team’s third carry. Anti-Mage is a greedy hero, but is very good at dealing with greedy enemy heroes, much like Alchemist before.

Thanks to the ability to apply pressure on the lane, Anti-Mage can ‘air’ faster, at least in terms of his farming ability. From then on, it’s the story of pushing the thief forever, farming and then sweeping the enemy. However, this plan is very successful in the meta where players are often greedy as much as possible, not immediately losing the game.

NOT too weak in the laning stage

It’s no mystery that Anti-Mage is weak in the laning phase, but the hero’s weaknesses are greatly exaggerated. Although in trilane vs. trilane, AM doesn’t contribute much, but in dual lane, this hero is very good at ‘trade hit’. Mana Break is a very powerful lane stabilizer and experienced Anti-Mage players know how to play to this hero’s power.

We often see Anti-Mage go into ‘suicide’ auto-attack, then blink out afterwards and salve. Most of the time, if the opponent’s salve is also used, it means both heroes have 10 seconds to return to lane with full health, but currently the opponent can’t use their abilities (due to running out of abilities). mana).

Anti-Mage doesn’t lose mana, at least in lane, so it’s clear that AM benefits – AM and opponent are similar to big creeps, with the default ability to farm and win each other. This is also a signal that Anti-Mage is performing well, while the opponent is not – when he is forced to play proactively and must apply pressure.

Also, Anti-Mage’s healing is a bit more effective in general, not only is his armor decent, but the hero can boost an early point into Spell Shield to make enemy spells less effective. more fruitful.

FOUNDATION WITH THE Greedy Hero

Anti-Mage is famous for its ability to handle Intelligence heroes. If the position is not good, it can lead to half of the team being completely destroyed by AM with just one skill, while Mana Break will continue to ‘clean’ the opponent’s mana.

Necrophos, Storm Spirit, Invoker and Zeus are among the top 15 most played heroes in 5k+ ranks, with a pick rate close to 20%. Not to mention Grimstroke and Silencer play as support. That’s why you can see why Anti-Mage has become so popular (not only in the final draft). Anti-Mage often takes away the opponent’s chance, prevents him from playing his favorite hero, or will be heavily countered if he still picks it intentionally.

Against the rest of the heroes in the top 15, Anti-Mage may not be the best predator, but neither is it the prey: both Ursa and Tiny have trouble dealing with Anti-Mage during the phase. at the end of the lane, while Anti-Mage outperforms the two at core.

GROW UP FOR SUCCESS

Despite the changes in the game, Anti-Mage’s build is still the same: you’ll want to get to Ring of Health as early as possible in lane because it keeps you survivable and is very effective with your armor and abilities high magic resistance. You may want to build a small item, like the Ring of Aquila or the Magic Wand for extra early game stats. You will need Power Treads and then a straight Battlefury rush.

This build has been tested for almost a decade and is undisputed. Sometimes there are other ways to build, with the order of the build changing slightly, but the vast majority of high level players build this way. You’ll need every extra early game to make sure you’re okay before you get to Battlefury, and you’ll need Battlefury to do what the current meta is all about: outsmart your enemy’s greedy heroes and punish them when they don’t put enough pressure on me.

Interestingly, Anti-Mage’s talents are quite rigid, +20 Attack Speed, +400 Blink Range, -2.5 seconds Blink Cooldown is selected 90% of the time. While the level 15 and 20 talents are self-explanatory, +20 Attack Speed ​​alone is a bit strange.

Of course it increases farm speed and can shorten the time to Battlefury plus Power Treads to 6 items, but +10 Strength shouldn’t be overlooked either. With a hero with good resistance like AM, having an extra 180 health can help the hero live a long time.

EPILOGUE

The article wants to emphasize one thing: the meta is always changing and it is too early to say we have understood everything. The above still applies to core heroes, at least 60% of players won’t complain much. There are still ways to bring your favorite heroes into the game and play non-meta heroes.

As for support players, the only advice is to stay calm and wait for the next patch, maybe 5 more useful heroes will appear in the meta. Otherwise, you can spam Grimstroke, which is still quite strong, or try position 4 Anti-Mage, if you want to try the thrill.

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Source: Dotabuff