Nerfs to Io, Lich, and Keeper of the Light arrive with Dota 7.21b

Valve has released a new Dota 2 patch bringing some interesting tweaks to popular heroes.

While the 7.21 patch brought in a new ranking system and its own hero changes, 7.21b provides small tweaks to bring further balance to the game.

Several nerfs and buffs have been delivered to different heroes in the current meta. The patch also delivered an increase in experience points from denied creeps, boosted from 25% to 30%.

The Hand of Midas gold bonus was reduced to 180, and is the only item being adjusted in this patch. The worthiness of Hand of Midas purchases is often contentious, and this change should see the item queued up a bit less frequently.

Some heroes received notable nerfs, including Keeper of the Light, Lich, and Visage.

The second cast of Keeper of the Light’s ultimate ability Will-O-Wisp will now follow the same tick interval as the first.

Players should expect a decline to the Refresher Orb itemization for Keeper of the Light that has become a staple for the hero in recent weeks.

Lich received reductions to its movement speed and Sinister Gaze duration, making the hero easier to catch. Visage’s strength was reduced to 22 + 2.8, while the attack damage of Summon Familiars is reduced to 20/40/60.

Meanwhile, small buffs were made to Crystal Maiden, Anti-Mage, Leshrac, Lycan, Night Stalker, Riki, Slark, and Omniknight. This consists mostly of an increase in their basic attributes or an increase in armor.

Notably, IO received several changes in this patch. Tether no longer renders heroes unable to be slowed. The Spirits ability no longer has toggle cooldown and no longer does a micro animation interruption when it is first cast.

IO’s Overcharge damage reduction was drastically reduced, from 15/20/25/30% to 5/10/15/20%, a dramatic nerf to the hero’s survivability aid. Some of the hero’s talents were also revamped.

The quick update to the 7.21 patch indicates that regular changes to gameplay will be back to the original two-week release windows announced by Valve.