Alright, gamers! Let’s dive deep into the most picked heroes of 2021. This was a wild year for metas, strategies, and character preferences. Understanding which heroes dominated the pick rates gives us serious insight into the game's balance, popular playstyles, and even the overall competitive scene. Whether you’re trying to climb the ranks or just curious about the trends, knowing these heroes is a total game-changer.

Top 5 Most Picked Heroes in 2021

1. Brody: The Lone Sniper

Brody, the Lone Sniper, consistently topped the charts as one of the most picked heroes in 2021. His appeal lies in his exceptional range, high burst damage, and unique mechanics that allow him to dominate the laning phase. Players love Brody because he offers a blend of safety and aggression, making him a formidable marksman in the right hands. His abilities allow for precise targeting and devastating critical hits, making him a terror for squishy backline heroes.

Why Brody Was a Top Pick:

• Exceptional Range: Brody’s long-range auto-attacks and abilities provide him with a significant advantage in lane, allowing him to poke enemies from a safe distance.
• High Burst Damage: His passive ability, Abyss Mark, combined with his skills, allows him to deal massive burst damage, capable of taking down even durable targets quickly.
• Lane Dominance: Brody's kit enables him to control the lane effectively, pushing enemies out and securing farm while minimizing risk.
• Versatility: While primarily a marksman, Brody's capabilities allow him to adapt to various team compositions and strategies, making him a reliable pick in many situations.
• Meta Adaptation: Throughout 2021, Brody remained relevant due to his ability to adapt to meta shifts and remain a consistent threat in the hands of skilled players.

Strategies to counter Brody often involve utilizing heroes with strong mobility and crowd control to close the gap and prevent him from dealing consistent damage. Additionally, items that provide armor and magic resistance can mitigate his burst damage, increasing survivability in team fights. Brody’s popularity reflects the meta's emphasis on ranged damage and strategic positioning, making him a staple pick for players seeking a reliable and impactful marksman.

2. Paquito: The Fist of Light

Paquito, the Fist of Light, emerged as a powerhouse and a frequent pick in 2021 due to his incredible mobility, sustained damage, and exceptional dueling capabilities. Paquito’s unique skill mechanics allow him to chain abilities together, creating a relentless onslaught that can overwhelm opponents. His popularity stems from his ability to both initiate fights and dive backlines, making him a versatile and dangerous presence on the battlefield.

Why Paquito Was a Top Pick:

• High Mobility: Paquito’s skills provide him with excellent mobility, allowing him to quickly engage and disengage from fights, making him difficult to pin down.
• Sustained Damage: His ability to chain skills together results in consistent damage output, making him a threat to both squishy targets and tanky frontliners.
• Dueling Capabilities: Paquito excels in one-on-one engagements, capable of outmaneuvering and defeating most opponents with his skill combinations and damage.
• Versatile Role: Paquito can be played in multiple roles, including EXP lane and jungle, providing flexibility in team compositions and strategies.
• Impactful Ultimate: His ultimate ability provides a powerful crowd control effect, allowing him to disrupt enemy formations and secure kills for his team.

To counter Paquito, players often employ heroes with strong crowd control abilities to interrupt his skill chains and limit his mobility. Items that provide armor and HP are also effective in mitigating his sustained damage, increasing survivability in prolonged fights. Paquito’s dominance in 2021 reflects the meta's focus on aggressive, mobile heroes capable of making impactful plays, solidifying his position as a top-tier pick for players seeking a high-skill, high-reward champion.

3. ** Chou: The Kung Fu Boy**

Chou, the Kung Fu Boy, remains a consistently popular pick due to his unparalleled playmaking potential and versatility. Known for his ability to disrupt enemy formations, secure crucial kills, and even peel for his teammates, Chou is a master of both offense and defense. His skill set allows him to outplay opponents and make game-changing plays, making him a favorite among skilled players.

Why Chou Was a Top Pick:

• Playmaking Potential: Chou's signature move, the Shunpo and The Way of Dragon combo, allows him to displace enemies, setting up ganks and creating opportunities for his team.
• Versatility: Chou can be played in various roles, including EXP lane, roam, and even jungle, adapting to different team compositions and strategies.
• High Mobility: His Shunpo provides him with excellent mobility, allowing him to quickly engage and disengage from fights, making him difficult to catch.
• Crowd Control: Chou's ultimate ability provides a strong crowd control effect, allowing him to isolate and eliminate key targets.
• Outplay Potential: Skilled Chou players can outmaneuver and outplay their opponents, turning the tide of battles with well-timed skills and strategic plays.

Countering Chou requires careful positioning and awareness, as he can quickly close the gap and disrupt your team. Heroes with crowd control immunity or the ability to cleanse crowd control effects can mitigate his impact. Items that provide HP and armor can also help withstand his burst damage. Chou’s continued popularity reflects the value placed on impactful playmakers and versatile heroes, making him a top pick for players who enjoy making game-changing plays.

4. ** Pharsa: The Wings of Heaven**

Pharsa, the Wings of Heaven, soared to prominence as one of the most picked heroes in 2021, thanks to her incredible range, burst damage, and ability to control team fights from a safe distance. Pharsa's ultimate ability, Feathered Air Strike, can devastate entire enemy teams, making her a valuable asset in sieges and objective control. Her popularity stems from her capacity to deal consistent damage while remaining relatively safe, making her a reliable mage in the meta.

Why Pharsa Was a Top Pick:

• Exceptional Range: Pharsa's abilities have a long range, allowing her to poke enemies and control objectives from a safe distance.
• High Burst Damage: Her ultimate ability, Feathered Air Strike, can deal massive AoE damage, capable of wiping out entire teams in the right circumstances.
• Team Fight Control: Pharsa's abilities allow her to control the flow of team fights, zoning enemies and securing kills for her team.
• Safety and Positioning: Her passive ability, Spiritual Unity, grants her increased movement speed and the ability to fly over obstacles, enhancing her mobility and safety.
• Objective Control: Pharsa is excellent at sieging towers and controlling objectives due to her long-range abilities and high damage output.

To counter Pharsa, players often employ heroes with high mobility and the ability to quickly close the gap, such as assassins or divers. Items that provide magic resistance can also mitigate her burst damage, increasing survivability in team fights. Pharsa’s dominance in 2021 reflects the value placed on long-range damage and team fight control, making her a top pick for players seeking a reliable and impactful mage.

5. ** Benedetta: The Shadow Ranger**

Benedetta, the Shadow Ranger, carved her way into the meta as a frequently picked hero in 2021 due to her unmatched mobility, high burst damage, and exceptional outplay potential. Benedetta's unique skill set allows her to dash in and out of fights, making her incredibly difficult to catch and providing her with numerous opportunities to assassinate key targets. Her popularity comes from her ability to carry games and make impactful plays, solidifying her as a top-tier assassin.

Why Benedetta Was a Top Pick:

• High Mobility: Benedetta's skills provide her with unparalleled mobility, allowing her to quickly traverse the map and engage or disengage from fights.
• Burst Damage: Her skills, particularly her ultimate ability, can deal massive burst damage, capable of taking down even durable targets in a matter of seconds.
• Outplay Potential: Benedetta's skills allow her to outmaneuver and outplay her opponents, making her a formidable opponent in skilled hands.
• Versatile Role: While primarily an assassin, Benedetta can also be played in the EXP lane, providing flexibility in team compositions and strategies.
• Carry Potential: Benedetta is capable of carrying games due to her high damage output and mobility, making her a valuable asset to any team.

Countering Benedetta requires careful positioning and awareness, as she can quickly close the gap and eliminate key targets. Heroes with crowd control abilities can interrupt her dashes and limit her mobility. Items that provide HP and armor can also help withstand her burst damage. Benedetta’s dominance in 2021 reflects the value placed on high-mobility assassins capable of making impactful plays, making her a top pick for players seeking a high-skill, high-reward champion.

Conclusion: Meta Trends and Hero Popularity

So, there you have it, folks! The most picked heroes of 2021 tell a story about the evolving meta and player preferences. From high-damage marksmen to mobile assassins and versatile fighters, these heroes defined the strategies and playstyles that dominated the year. Understanding why these heroes were so popular can help you improve your own gameplay, adapt to different team compositions, and stay ahead of the curve. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a casual player, knowing the meta is key to success. Keep experimenting, stay informed, and happy gaming!