One of the most versatile Dota 2 heroes has taken over the most played hero category, ending Pudge’s long reign at the top and marking a rare shift in the game’s popularity charts.
For years, Pudge has been the undisputed favorite across patches and player brackets, but the past two weeks have reshaped the Dota 2 landscape in a way the community has quickly noticed.
Recent statistics confirm rise of Earthshaker, with over 3.84 million matches played and a pick rate of 27.89 percent. Pudge, while still enormously popular, trails behind at 3.59 million matches and a 26.06 percent pick rate.
The timing of this change isn’t random. The return of Earthshaker’s arcana has given the hero a noticeable boost in visibility, with players openly crediting cosmetics for fueling interest.
Social media discussions have been buzzing with phrases like “ES Arcana Buff! Pudge is no longer TOP 1,” reflecting the direct link between content updates and hero trends. Statistical trackers have echoed the same sentiment, noting that Earthshaker surged to first place almost immediately after the Arcana dropped.
For context, Pudge has historically been the most picked hero in Dota 2, maintaining that status across years of balance updates. Data from as recently as July 2025 still showed him with a 25.46 percent pick rate over 12 months.
To see Earthshaker surpass him is something that has only happened a handful of times, making this moment stand out in the game’s long history. The hero’s competitive presence has also helped fuel the surge.
At The International 2025, Earthshaker was highlighted as one of the most contested heroes in the group stage, with analysts pointing out his consistent impact across matches. The hero secured a 53.66 percent win rate across 41 games in which he was picked, making him the fourth most-picked hero across all 144 matches at TI 2025.
Meanwhile, in the current 7.39d patch, tracking sites show him sitting comfortably in the top tier with pick rates regularly above 20 percent, proving that his popularity isn’t limited to casual play.
Community conversations around this development highlight how unusual it feels for Pudge to lose his crown. Yet, the numbers point toward a broader trend in late 2025’s meta, where initiation-heavy, team-fight specialists like Earthshaker are more in demand. His ability to control fights and deal significant damage makes him a natural fit for the strategies teams and players are currently favoring.
Pudge remains a fan favorite with massive pick rates, but Earthshaker’s climb to the top reflects a real evolution in the game’s meta and player preferences. Whether this shift lasts or proves temporary, it stands as a defining statistic in Dota 2’s ongoing balance of tradition and change.
Published: Sep 29, 2025 12:05 am