Valve has wasted no time dropping the latest Dota 2 update.
Just minutes after Vici Gaming defeated Team Liquid to win the Epicenter Major, the 7.22d patch launched to shake up the game. The update includes a number of changes to the most powerful heroes from the event, but also delivers some much needed buffs to struggling heroes.
For the most part, the top tier heroes were hit with nerfs to their early game potency. This manifested in a number of ways.
The cast range of Batrider’s Sticky Napalm was changed from a flat 700 range to a scale from 550 to 700. Ember Spirit experienced a similar drop off, with Searing Chains being rescaled down. Morphling’s strength and agility bonuses from Essence Shift also took a hit, starting at just one point instead of four. Finally, Warlock’s Fatal Bonds had its cooldown increased at early levels, going from 24-18 to 32-18.
Support heroes built around big ultimates were hit similarly. Chen’s Hand of God only heals 250 health at level one instead of 300, while Enigma’s Black Hole mana cost was given a small increase that makes it a bit harder to unleash a full volley of spells early on.
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Top heroes being nerfed wasn’t the only change that came about in 7.22d. A number of lesser used heroes got some help in a variety of different ways.
Underlord was given a small buff in the form of an increased AOE for Pit of Malice. Interestingly, one of his level 15 talents was changed from an increase to his Atrophy Aura bonus damage to his permanent bonus damage. Combined with his Aghanim’s Scepter ability, this gives him some interesting new scaling potential.
Keeper of the Light also received a pair of interesting buffs. Chakra Magic’s cooldown reduction was given a one second increase across all levels, making him an even more powerful lane partner for allies. Just as importantly, Will-o-Wisp is considerably more powerful, as enemy units caught in its AOE now move towards the orb 40% faster.
Ogre Magi’s Multicast was improved in a few ways. The buffer range of item multicasts was increased, making him even better for late game disables with items like Scythe of Vyse. The AOE of Bloodlust multicasts was also increased, making him better able to empower teammates. Finally, the interval between multicasts was increased, functionally lengthening the stun duration of multicasted Fireblasts.
The list of changes keeps on going so make sure to check out the full Dota 2 patch notes on the official blog.
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