Dota 2: Bristleback Shines at The International
The International showcased a diverse meta for Dota 2 this year, with one hero in particular standing out among the rest.
Professional players made notable changes to the item builds of this hero, which proved to be more effective than in ranked play.
Bristleback received significant attention at TI, being picked 40 times and banned 70 times throughout the tournament, according to Dota stats site Spectral. While the hero has gained popularity in ranked matches, many players are still using outdated ability builds.
At TI, the pros consistently prioritized maxing out Bristle’s Q ability, Viscous Nasal Goo, after leveling up Quill Spray. This allows Bristle to be more active in the early-to-mid game, especially with the strength attribute being powerful in the current patch.
The most common build at TI involved picking Quill Spray at levels one and three, with E ability taken in between to ensure the Quill proc. Then, players would focus on maxing out Quill Spray and Goo to keep up with their opponents, and the ultimate ability Warpath would be chosen at level six.
In addition, pros preferred to max out Goo before opting for the level 10 Talent option, as the Q ability provides more advantages compared to the minimal bonus offered by the Talent option. This allows Bristleback to effectively control and deal damage to enemy heroes.
The item builds did not vary significantly, except for a more greedy start used by pros. Instead of rushing Boots, pro Bristle players chose to save their starting gold and prioritize finishing a Vanguard. After that, they would go for Arcane Boots and an Aghanim’s Scepter.
The Aghanim’s Scepter upgrade for Bristleback’s passive ability has proven to be incredibly strong, as it allows Quill Spray to deal significant damage and build up Quill stacks for further procs. Spellcaster-type Bristle builds benefit from items like Bloodstone for spell lifesteal and Lotus Orb for extra tankiness and spell reflection.
Despite the limitations imposed by Break and Silver Edge, Bristleback remains a core hero in the TI meta and a popular choice among top Dota players.
One question remains: Will Bristleback receive nerfs in the post-TI Dota 2 update? We’ll have to wait and see as the competitive season comes to a close.