In modern Dota, the outcome of a match is rarely decided by raw skill alone. Almost half the battle is won during the pick and ban phase. A proper analysis of Dota 2 drafts is much like a game of chess, where grandmasters calculate their moves in advance. If you understand how to read Dota 2 drafts, you can see the teams’ plans even before the first wave of creeps appears.
This is particularly evident in the Dota 2 team OG. This club has always built its gameplay on challenging conventional wisdom. Today, OG esports’ strategy in Dota 2 is controlled chaos, adapted to the aggressive and fast-paced style of South-East Asia. The all-Filipino roster has embraced this philosophy. This brief guide to Dota 2 drafts will explain how to read a team’s hidden signals during the hero selection phase.
The Meta vs. The ‘OG Style’: Decoding the First Phase
The first phase consists of two bans and two picks. Most teams opt for standard heroes here. The screens are filled with the usual Dota 2 meta heroes from the current patch, which are reliable in the macro game. But OG loves to break the mould from the very first seconds.
This approach is in the club’s DNA. Back in the day, Ceb’s famous Dota 2 draft was built on subtle psychology. Ceb would make the enemy panic, ban their set picks, and roll out unexpected heroes. OG’s new Asian Dota 2 roster has adopted this trick.
When analysts conduct a professional breakdown of picks, they view the early phase as an indicator of strategy. Standard supports suggest a methodical match. Early aggressive picks, however, signal a high-tempo, aggressive style in Dota 2. OG deliberately disrupts opponents’ setups and ramps up the pace. For the spectator, this is the key indicator: whether to expect positional play or a fast-paced brawl.
Roster changes and macro play
To assess a draft, you need to know the players’ strengths. Every Dota 2 roster has its hidden strengths and limitations. During the 2025–2026 season, OG’s Dota 2 roster underwent significant changes.
In April, offlaner TORONTOTOKYO joined the team on loan. But by 4 June, he had already left the squad. He was replaced by Raven, a veteran of the Philippine scene. The most interesting aspect of this transfer is that Raven spent most of his career playing in the carry role, whereas at OG he will be an offlaner.
This new OG line-up differs significantly from more pragmatic teams. For example, Heroic’s Dota 2 strategy is built around strict timings and resource allocation. Meanwhile, OG’s line-up focuses on versatility.
The current OG squad is as follows:
- Natsumi- (carry) – a skilled farmer ready for early skirmishes.
- Yopaj (mid) – the main offensive force and pacesetter.
- Raven (offlane) – a cool-headed veteran adapting to a new role.
- TIMS (support) – one of the region’s best roamers.
- skem (support/captain) – the team’s mastermind and chief strategist.
Because of this mix of roles, opponents never know what to expect from the draft. When these OG players enter the lobby in Dota 2, they are ready to swap roles at any moment.
Flex Picks and Lane Deception
Flexibility in their hero pool is the Filipinos’ main weapon. The flex-pick strategy in Dota 2 allows them to confuse the enemy even before the map starts. A flex pick is a hero capable of playing two or three different roles with equal effectiveness.
Captain Skem has played all five roles during his career. Therefore, heroes like Tiny, Kunkka or Mirana, picked in the first phase, create complete uncertainty. The enemy tries to counter the hero in mid against Yopaj. But in the late game, OG simply hand him over to support TIMS or leave him to Skem himself.
For those who use live betting on Dota 2, this stage is extremely important. When the positions are revealed, you can immediately assess the lanes. If a flexible hero has gone to the carry – expect aggression and a high kill count. If he has shifted to support – OG will play second fiddle and let Natsumi farm. At this point, pre-match odds often fail to keep up with the logic of the draft.
Signature Heroes and Tournament Pressure
In high-pressure matches, players always opt for mental comfort. Signature heroes in Dota 2 are characters with hundreds of games under their belt and perfect muscle memory. At the critical moment, Skem gives the lads their best pool.
The OG leaders have their own hallmarks:
- Yopaj. On Ember Spirit or Puck, he brings frenzied momentum to the game and rarely loses the mid lane.
- TIMS. His Earthshaker or Tusk create opportunities for kills out of nowhere.
- Natsumi-. He excels on Gyrocopter or Terrorblade, who are ready to fight with a minimal set of items.
When following OG Esports on the professional scene, always check the final pick against the players’ personal statistics. If OG have secured three signature picks, their chances of winning rise sharply. Comfort for Asian players is more important than a dry meta.
Translating Draft Analysis into Live Bets
How do you translate pick analysis into precise in-game decisions? Let’s break down OG’s draft into three simple scenarios.
|
Draft strategy |
Key highlights |
Strategic Focus |
|
Fast Push |
Chen played by skem, Yopaj’s aggressive mid-lane |
Expect OG to take down the first tower quickly and secure an early Roshan. The game is unlikely to drag on for long |
|
Late Game |
Terrorblade played by Natsumi-, defensive auras by Raven |
Keep an eye on the base; if OG manage to hold it, their chances of victory increase |
|
Teamfight |
Massive ultimates (Echo Slam from TIMS, tanky offlaner). |
High potential for team fights to turn the tide. It makes sense to consider positive handicap bets on kills |
When analysing the macro strategy, particular attention should be paid to objective control. OG’s style involves applying early pressure on the soft lane. If skem picks heroes with strong pushing potential, the team aims to destroy the opponent’s tower before the 10-minute mark. This grants them access to the enemy jungle and allows TIMS to place deep wards with impunity.
For a detailed analysis, it is important to monitor the timings of key items. When Yopaj buys a Blink Dagger or Orchid, OG immediately gather as a five-man group. They enter enemy territory and force a fight. If, at this moment, Raven is drawing the attention of two heroes on his lane, the team is guaranteed to take control of the map. For example, an early pick of the Torturer or a quick Roshan kill often depend on Natsumi’s abilities. Combined with an assessment of the overall pick, this gives a complete picture of what is happening in the match.
Always compare the pick with the first few minutes of the lanes. If OG’s tempo draft stalls and Raven loses a difficult lane, the plan falls apart. In Dota, a weak offlane struggles to make a comeback, which helps to adjust the analysis in time.
Web3 Betting: Dexsport and OG Partnership
Dexsport is the official partner of OG Esports. For analysts, this partnership is particularly interesting because it provides access to insider information straight from the team’s camp. Before a match, you can find out which players are on a roll, who is tilting, and what tactical changes the coaching staff are preparing.
The Web3 platform itself is structured differently from traditional platforms. Here are its three main features:
- Instant settlement. Smart contracts settle transactions immediately after the event. The map in Dota or CS2 has ended – and the funds are already in your wallet. There’s no need to wait for the entire series to finish.
- Complete transparency. All processes are automated via the blockchain. There is no human intervention, which means hidden fees, artificial delays or account freezes are ruled out.
- Freedom of choice. Dexsport accepts over 37 cryptocurrencies, so deposits and withdrawals take just minutes.
Insights from OG help you assess the squad’s form based on the players’ actual condition, rather than just dry statistics from past tournaments.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Why is OG’s first draft phase the most important?
In the first phase, OG show their approach to the game. If they pick standard meta supports, the match will be academic. If they open with aggressive cores, the team plans to force a fast pace and fight a lot.
Who is currently coordinating the drafts at OG?
The team’s chief strategist is the captain in the fifth position – skem. He works in tandem with coach 343. skem’s experience playing all five roles allows him to find unconventional options for picks.
What does Raven’s arrival in the third position change?
Raven is a former old-school carry. His move to the offlane adds stability to OG’s drafts. He knows how to survive on a difficult lane and balances TIMS’s overly aggressive support style by playing tanky heroes with auras.
How do OG’s flex picks help with live analysis?
Flex heroes (such as Tiny or Kunkka) keep their lanes a secret until the last second. If, after the final allocation, the hero goes to mid or an easy lane, OG will apply pressure. If they go to the support position, the team plans to play second string.
What is the advantage of Web3 platforms when analysing drafts?
Web3 platforms such as Dexsport use smart contracts. This allows bets to be placed instantly after the draft ends, without delays or checks by the bookmaker. You can secure the best odds before the game begins.
Where can I find statistics for analysing OG’s drafts?
Main sources: Dotabuff (individual player statistics by hero), Spectral.gg (advanced draft analytics) and the official website ogs.gg (line-up, match schedule, team news).
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