Current State of Dota 2 and Patch 7.38c

Dota 2, a prominent figure in the competitive gaming scenario, is experiencing some intriguing occurrences with the introduction of patch 7.38c. This update is prompting teams to think outside the box and innovate their game strategies. This is especially noticeable during significant competitions such as PGL Wallachia Season 4, where an array of peculiar heroes took on various positions in the game, giving a fresh face to Dota drafts.

However, it’s not just the calmness and composure of the professional gaming scene that is affected. This patch also provides an opportunity for teams to utilize non-traditional strategies, shaking up the status quo. This was clearly demonstrated during the FISSURE Universe Episode 4 tournament, where BetBoom Team emerged victorious by capitalizing on the unexpected changes the update brought, pushing the envelope for future gameplay opportunities.

Meta Changes Brought by Patch 7.38c

Within Dota 2, the professional meta is continuously evolving under the influence of patch 7.38c, producing a new array of prominent heroes and strategies, often prompting unconventional approaches. A perfect example is the emergence of Jakiro as a major player within the current meta as observed during the FISSURE Universe Episode 4[1] tournament.

Although patch 7.38c has made its entrance, it still presents unchartered territory, indicating that teams are in the exploration phase, searching for the best strategies and perfect hero combinations. This exploration phase translates into eccentric picks that differ from the traditionally favored picks.

Noteworthy Changes in Patch 7.38

The introduction of several crucial features in the 7.38 series can be associated with the unconventional strategies observed in professional play:

• Neutral Item System: With an enormous revamp in patch 7.38, the neutral item system was changed from selecting one item out of five to choosing one base item from four and applying an enhancement[2]. This complete renewal has a fundamental impact on the itemization approaches of the teams.
• Support Item Considerations: Some neutral items have proved to be very advantageous for the support roles:
  • Tier 1: Trusty Shovel that brings valued consumables and resources.
  • Tier 2: Essence Ring providing health boosts crucial for the survival of support.
• Changes in Map and Objectives: The earlier availability of Tormentor (at 15 minutes instead of 20) has shifted the strategic priorities. Each Tormentor grants 250 gold per player plus an Aghanim’s Shard, making it a sought-after objective for which teams may use unusual heroes[3].
• Hero Balance Issues: As professional player Aui_2000 puts it, “Hero balance is weird right now” in patch 7.38, making it necessary for the teams to counter this imbalance with unusual picks[3].
• Significant Hero Improvements: Certain heroes were improved substantially, for instance, Dark Seer gained the new Aggrandize ability which restored health and mana on leveling up, thus bringing significant enhancement to his laning phase[4]. Similarly, Night Stalker was acknowledged as the “MVP” pick of the patch[4].

Such a dynamic environment stimulates professional teams to experiment with their choices to maintain their advantage in this quickly shifting meta of patch 7.38c.