In the ever-shifting landscape of competitive Dota 2, pro players often offer candid insights into the strength and viability of heroes. Anton `dyrachyo` Shkredov, the outspoken carry player for Gaimin Gladiators, recently delivered a particularly blunt assessment of the hero Phantom Lancer.
Speaking during a recent stream, a moment captured and shared on the YouTube channel Dota PMA, dyrachyo didn`t mince words regarding the Agility carry known for his illusive illusions.
“I`ve been saying throughout my entire esports career that Phantom Lancer is a dead hero. I will never train him because if he ever surfaces, it will be once a year or three years, or never. So picking this hero is complete nonsense.”
This isn`t a subtle critique; it`s a categorical dismissal. Dyrachyo frames his refusal to practice the hero as a strategic decision, deeming Phantom Lancer too inconsistent and rarely meta-relevant to warrant the time investment.
His strong opinion appears to be supported by recent competitive data, at least from one prominent event. At the Riyadh Masters 2025 tournament, Phantom Lancer saw limited play, appearing in just six matches. Of those six appearances, the hero managed to secure only one victory. The sole win came courtesy of Egor `Nightfall` Grigorenko in a series against Team Yandex.
A one-in-six win rate in professional play is a stark indicator of a hero struggling to make an impact against top-tier strategies and player skill. While a small sample size, it aligns with dyrachyo`s long-held belief about the hero`s current state.
Dyrachyo is known for his frank commentary, having previously labeled certain teams as “boring” to watch. This latest take on Phantom Lancer adds another chapter to his reputation for speaking his mind on the state of the game and its heroes.
For players considering picking up Phantom Lancer in their own matches, dyrachyo`s message is clear: the hero is currently far from being a top-tier pick, and professional players like himself see little value in dedicating resources to mastering him in the current competitive environment. While hero metas constantly evolve, this strong condemnation from a top carry player, coupled with poor recent tournament statistics, paints a grim picture for the Phantom Lancer faithful.