Dota 2 update 7.23e removes XP talents, nerfs Void Spirit, Snapfire

The dust is yet to settle from 7.23d, but that isn’t stopping Valve from shaking things up even more.

Dota 2 update 7.23e has arrived, accentuating some of the changes that were added to the game in 7.23d. The patch brings a number of different changes to the game, but primarily reduces players’ access to means of boosting XP.

Outposts have been nerfed once again, with XP boosts arriving every 10 minutes rather than every five. All talents related to XP have also been replaced.

Arguably the most notable change is the removal of the bottom-side shrines for both the Dire and Radiant sides. The top shrines remain in place.

This is a surprising change that creates a clear disparity between the two teams on the map. Though both sides keep the shrines closer to the Roshan pit, the Dire side maintains easy access to the larger half of its jungle. Given the value of neutral items, this could create a serious advantage for the Dire side.

Snapfire, Void Spirit nerfed in Dota 2 update 7.23e

The removal of XP talents resulted in a long list of changes to heroes. For the most part, the heroes impacted by this were given boosts to stats, such as Bounty Hunter receiving +25 damage and Techies receiving +25% magic resistance.

Those weren’t the only heroes that were changed, though.

New heroes Snapfire and Void Spirit were both given fairly significant nerfs.

The fixed damage of Snapfire’s Lil’ Shredder ability was dropped by five points per shot across the board. Alongside this, Mortimer Kisses’ movement speed slow now scales from 15% to 25%, rather than being a flat 25% at all levels. This reduces Snapfire’s early game potency, where she was particularly fearsome.

Void Spirit’s stats were given a moderate nerf, with his strength gain being dropped slightly and his base armor being reduced by one. More significantly, Astral Step was given a pair of nerfs. Each charge had its cooldown increased by five seconds, while the mana cost was increased to 100 at all levels. Though he retains his incredible burst potential, this reduces his early and mid game sustainability.

In addition to the new heroes, Drow Ranger, Treant Protector, Ursa, and Vengeful Spirit were all hit with nerfs.

Drow Ranger’s Marksmanship agility bonus was reduced, particularly in the early game. Ursa’s strength gain was decreased while Earthshock’s mana cost was increased by 10. Vengeful Spirit also had her strength gain decreased while seeing Magic Missile’s stun duration decreased by one tenth of a second at all levels.

Finally, Treant Protector is being shaken up for the fourth consecutive patch. Dota 2 update 7.23e drops his strength gain and drops Overgrowth’s DPS from 100 to 75, while Living Armor’s level 25 talent has had its AOE decreased.

The full patch notes can be found on the official Dota 2 blog.