Famous Pudge Players and Moments

Pudge has a long history, and a few players and plays stand out. The most famous Pudge player is Dendi, and the most famous Pudge play is the fountain hook he pulled off with Puppey at The International. This short guide covers only what we could confirm in sources. It skips rankings, numbers and claims we could not check.

Where did Pudge come from?

Pudge is older than Dota itself. He started as a hero in DotA Allstars, the custom map for Warcraft III that Dota grew out of. His hook was popular enough to inspire its own custom game, Pudge Wars.

In Pudge Wars, teams of Pudges stand on either side of a river and try to hook each other across. It was one of the early Warcraft III style maps to appear in the Dota custom games workshop. Many players learned to aim hooks there before they played the real game. If you want to know more about the hero's story, read the Pudge lore page.

Pudge has also been reported as the most played hero in Dota by total picks. We do not repeat the exact figure here. It does help explain why so many people know his name.

Who is Dendi and why is he linked to Pudge?

Danil "Dendi" Ishutin played mid for Natus Vincere, often called Na'Vi. He was part of the team that won the first International. He became one of the best known players in the game's history.

Pudge is widely seen as his signature hero. Many fans remember Dendi for his bold hooks and his showman style. Writers who cover the game often credit him with making Pudge a crowd favorite in pro play.

What was the fountain hook?

The fountain hook is one of the most famous plays in Dota history. It happened at The International, in a playoff series between Na'Vi and TongFu.

The idea used two heroes. Puppey played Chen, who at the time could teleport an ally back to base. Dendi played Pudge. Chen started the teleport on Pudge, and just before it finished, Dendi threw Meat Hook. If the hook caught an enemy, the enemy came along to Na'Vi's fountain, where he had no chance.

Na'Vi used the trick several times in the last game of the series and came back to win it. Valve changed Meat Hook soon after the event, and the play stopped working. It still comes up whenever people talk about the most creative moments in the game.

You cannot do a fountain hook in today's game. The lesson still holds, though: a hook can be more than a kill tool when your team builds a plan around it. The best heroes to pair with Pudge shows how teammates can set up your hooks now.

Are there other well known Pudge players?

Other pro players have had memorable Pudge games too. Lists of the "best Pudge players" change often and use different methods, so we do not rank anyone here.

If you want to see how Pudge is used in pro play today, the Pudge pro matches page lists real games from match data.

What can you learn from famous Pudge plays?

The big plays share a few ideas. They used surprise. The enemy did not expect a hook from where it came. They used teamwork. Dendi's fountain hooks needed Puppey's timing as much as his aim. And they used confidence. A hook that is never thrown can never land.

Watching old games is a fun way to learn. Look at where the Pudge stands, when he moves, and what his team does before the hook. Then compare it with your own habits.

FAQ

Who is the most famous Pudge player?

Dendi is the name most fans link to Pudge. He played for Na'Vi and is known for his hooks and style.

Can you still do a fountain hook?

No. Valve changed Meat Hook soon after the event, and the play no longer works.

What is Pudge Wars?

It is a custom game where teams of Pudges try to hook each other across a river. It started as a Warcraft III map.

Checklist

• Watch the fountain hook game to see teamwork in action.
• Notice where famous Pudges stand before they throw.
• Plan hooks with your team, not just alone.
• Try Pudge Wars to practice aim for fun.
• Check current pro games before copying old ideas.