Tyrande is still banned or picked nearly every match, but new faces have appear on the top tier club's guest list.
Blizzard has started releasing balance updates at a pretty regular 2-3 week schedule each Wednesday. These balance updates are an answer to recent concerns the community has been very vocal about, the biggest being that the game's meta has been the same for too long.
Well, the latest balance update just recently went live, which is a good time for us to take a look at just how these buffs and nerfs have changed the pick rates for competitive players:
- This list shouldn't surprise anyone.
- Most contested means both picked and banned and is the most accurate representation of raw power level.
- Tyrande, Zagara, Kael'Thas, Muradin and Jaina were clearly the top 5 heroes that influenced every team composition
- Nothing has really changed when it comes to Kael'Thas, Tyrande and Zagara.
- They are still very powerful heroes and the nerfs to Tyrande hasn't really changed why competitive players love her.
- However, her HL dominance has been effectively lowered. These stats don't represent that, but it isn't as easy to face roll with her. It's understandable that professionals don't feel the nerfs as much as amateurs.
- Thrall has Skyrocketed in popularity despite receiving no changes since the updates. This is probably due to Raynor's slight nerfs and the resurgence of...
- Stitches! The terror of Darkshire has been given new life and is the biggest success story these first balance updates can boast. He was never banned or picked before and now he is a competitive staple.
- The nerfs to Raynor have left a sour taste in competitive teams; they don't want to play him any more as he is too fragile, especially in a world where Stitches hook's exist.
- Muradin is still a good tank, but at a much more reasonable pick level. Quite possible the most reasonable nerf a hero has ever received.
While some things haven't changed, it's clear that the balance updates have already changed the meta in considerable ways. It's important to note the unintended consequences some of the nerfs can have on pick orders. Who could have predicted Thralls incredible popularity because of Muradin, and Raynor become less popular?
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