Idea to make tournaments more intersting

Before I begin, let it be known that I have zero clout when it comes to the DOTA 2 pro scene, but that doesn't mean I don't have ideas on how to improve it. This idea is one that I have been thinking since the DAC where we saw the likes of Axe and Juggernaut getting picked every other match. I didn't mind it so much in the qualifiers, but I began to tire of seeing the same heroes in every match. So here's the idea: Only allow heroes to be picked once in a series (best of 3, two game series, etc.).

Example:
Na'Vi plays a 3-Game match against Alliance.
If the game 1 drafts are as follows:
Na'Vi:
Picks:
1- Magnus
2- Vengeful Spirit
3- Lion
4- Phantom Assassin
5- Puck
Bans:
1- Io
2- Chen
3- Axe
4- Dazzle
5- Ancient Apparition
Alliance:
Picks:
1- Sniper
2- Troll Warlord
3- Phoenix
4- Treant Protector
5- Disruptor
Bans:
1- Morphling
2- Spirit Breaker
3- Slark
4- Faceless Void
5- Batrider

So, the heroes selected in game 1 of this match cannot be selected in games 2 and 3 by either team, regardless of who drafted what hero (Alliance can't draft Magnus or Puck just as Na'Vi cannot draft Sniper or Disruptor). However, any heroes that were banned in game 1 can be drafted in game 2 and game 3 (so long as the hero was not drafted in game 2), so if Na'Vi wanted Batrider before he was banned, they could pick him in game 2 just as Alliance could pick Axe in game 2. If the series goes to game 3, then the heroes used in game 2 are blacklisted along with the heroes used in game 1.

I still feel like the idea needs some refining, so I'm putting it up here so you guys can provide some input on it.

Personally I think this would make tournaments way more interesting, since I mostly enjoy watching the drafting phase and this would also force captains to be more creative and we would get to see a more diverse meta. Oh, and Arteezy will have to play a hero besides Shadow Fiend.

I like the concept of declining the captains to pick the same heroes every game but I think your example is too strict. There are many heroes which fits many lineups and game strategies even if you prevent those Axe and Juggernaut picks. I'd rather say that you can pick only 2 times a hero in a BO3 and that your picks can only obtain 2 or 3 heroes of the past games. So you can still use some of those "meta" heroes but your drafts will be much more likely different than your others

Maybe we could experiment with this idea at the next inhouse

What will I pick after Game 1 then?

I like this idea, would see a lot more variety in pro games, and a lot more interest I think. The esports part suffers somewhat from the over reliance on a small pool of heroes.

It sounds good, and I like the idea, but I think part of the reason that CM and CD tournaments begin with four bans-two for each team- is so that each team can get certain heros off the table immediately... Forcing the other team to pick something else that fits their strategy.

However, it could work well. Maybe only in best of 2 series? 3 just seems like too much, forcing 20 good heros out of the pool for the last game.

News flash guys, juggernaut hasnt been picked nearly as much for a while. He is 17th most contested hero in this month, and most of those are bana, not picks.
If you want to complain about a hero then complain about troll shadowfiend but ESPECIALLY venge.

The troll and axe nerfs will come before TI5 and everything will be fine.


I personally dont like this suggestion at all, only limits the strategical aspect of the game and doesnt fit in a game like this. Bans already cover enough heroes.

Generally, this is why DotaCinema's XMG Captain's Draft was so well received. It only allowed for certain picks. There was no preconceived meta in this tournament, as each match was a dice roll on what heroes were available.

I really enjoyed it.

It's not a matter of nerfs and buffs, it's a matter of making tournaments more interesting to watch. Would you rather watch a tournament were only a small group of heroes are picked and banned or would you rather see teams tap into the whole roster? There are 107 heroes in captain's mode, I want more variety in these matches if Valve wants me to shell out money for tournament access and digital sticker books. Point is, this idea isn't about the meta, it's about entertainment: making DOTA 2 not just fun to play, but fun to watch.

I know, but for the last year there has been way more variety in picks since ever before. Yes now you see a lit of venge, troll and axe, but that is because these heroes are strong. They will hopefully be nerfed the right amount and become situational good picks like lycan or AA are now.

Inplementing something like this will only limit the strategic part of the game.
After literally one game you would run into a situation where a team has to run something that they sre not comfortable with because their isnt something suitable to pick.

Dota isnt a game where if some hero isnt available you fan just replace him with something else. There are no heroes the same.
And imagine if after one game a team picks something that is hard to counter like a phantom lancer, BUT OH NO THERE ISNT A SUITABLE SUPPORT WITH AOE. HOW UNFORTUNATE.

This ****s way too much with the core of dota and that is why i REALLY dislike it.