General DiscussionPlayers practicing heroes in ranked due to higher competition?

Depends on the skill required to use the hero.

I would gladly practice Spirit Breaker, Weaver, or Sven in ranked if they are good counterpicks (vs. Sniper, Bristle, and Brood, respectively), but practicing Ember or Earth Spirit in ranked would result in feeding and low priority. For heroes that I can play, but not at full potential (Tiny, Kunkka)l, I'll play only if my team has a good combo and counterpick the enemy.

As for results, my winrate is 50% with my lesser used heroes compared to my normal ones (55-60%), but in experiment games (ranked or normal), games are usually more decisive (and I'm more likely to either feed or dominate the game rather than finish with my usual 9-12/6-8/12-15 with ~400 GPM result).

I normally play a game or two of bots and/or u ranked before hand.... Usually along with read/watching some of the many many resources around to learn the basics of the hero

I refuse to pick a hero I flat out don't know how to play in ranked regardless of how good a counter it is to something

I'll play a hero I'm not proficient at in ranked but only if it's a good pick and it's a hero that I at least understand to some level

I don't want to waste 9 other people's 30-60 minutes on a game that's a flop (and therefor no fun) because I feed on a hero I flat out don't understand

As an example I might consider picking PL or LD in ranked even though I haven't played them in a true game

I've seen enough PL to generally know how to play him and what builds to go along with him being a simple hero

Whereas lone Druid I've practiced him abit in bot matches

that's fucking stupid better go play one of dota reborn game modes to practice instead

i don't give a shit i practiced mid in solo ranked

is this a game or some illuminati shit where you are only allowed to pick heroes you are good at?

i practiced slark in overthrow ez

@sunris'

the same logic could apply to account buyers. 'I just want better teammates so its just a game and I want to have fun at the expense of every else's.'

i practice stuff in solo queue, cz my rating there is low enough to let me have 50% wr doing shit intentionally