Carry Io: A Surprising Strategy in Dota 2
The second day of The International 9’s group stage has revealed some interesting developments in the world of Dota 2. Unconventional hero picks and surprising upsets have dominated the matches. In particular, two heroes have challenged traditional roles: a support hero may just be better as a carry, and a carry hero may just be better as a support.
Io Takes the Lead
Io, usually considered a first phase pick or ban, has taken a backseat in this year’s tournament. Instead, heroes like Ogre Magi and Mirana have been prioritized. However, OG, known for their exceptional Io players, took a risk and chose Io as a carry hero in their series against Ninjas in Pyjamas. This unconventional strategy paid off, thanks to Ana’s exceptional performance on Io.
Despite Io’s early-game weaknesses, OG capitalized on Ana’s safe lane priority and farm to accelerate his levels. Ana rushed Helm of the Dominator and Aghanim’s Scepter, which allowed him to contribute to teamfights, play alone on the map, and gain significant gold and experience. With the addition of Heart of Tarrasque, Ana and his tethered hero became nearly unkillable. Interestingly, Ana topped the damage charts in both games, showcasing the potential power of carry Io.
This surprising performance has led to speculation about the future of carry Io in professional play. While it is still early in the tournament, teams may consider experimenting with this strategy in the later stages.
Morphling’s Transformation with Aghanim’s Scepter
Morphling, known for its late-game carry potential, can transform into other heroes, gaining their abilities and increasing its survivability. Traditionally, Morphling is picked to counter specific carries. However, a new strategy has emerged with the use of Aghanim’s Scepter.
Aghanim’s Scepter enhances Morphling’s ultimate ability and the skills of the heroes it Morphs into. This means that skills like Enchant Totem and Shadow Realm become extremely powerful when used by Morphling. Players have been incorporating Aghanim’s Scepter as a second core item for Morphling, taking advantage of the synergy with certain heroes.
These highlight plays demonstrate the power of the Aghanim’s Scepter upgrade combined with Morphling’s morphing ability.
Whether it’s the devastating impact of Enchant Totem or the endless volley of spells with reduced mana cost, Morphling with Aghanim’s Scepter is a force to be reckoned with. This strategy not only provides strong synergy with certain heroes but also adds an element of fun to the game.
As The International 9 progresses, we may see more teams experimenting with these unconventional strategies, further showcasing the versatility and innovation within the Dota 2 community.