Patch 7.38 has introduced a slew of hero changes that shake up the meta in Dota 2. Some heroes received major buffs that make them must-picks, while others suffered devastating nerfs. Whether you’re looking for the next overpowered pick or wondering if your favorite hero got hit hard, here’s a breakdown of the biggest winners and losers in 7.38.
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Heroes That Got Huge Buffs in Patch 7.38
Faceless Void – Time Zone Is Now a Game-Changer
Faceless Void saw one of the biggest buffs in this patch with Time Zone, a facet that accelerates ability and item cooldowns for allies. It now also suspends time dilation effects on enemies, making it a perfect synergy with support-heavy lineups.
“Time Zone now accelerates ability and item cooldowns for allies while also suspending time dilation on enemies. This makes Faceless Void incredibly valuable in long fights.” – GameLeap
His survivability and utility have skyrocketed, making him a top-tier offlaner or carry in this patch.
Zeus – Damage Amplification Makes Him a Nightmare
Zeus received significant buffs to Static Field, increasing its damage at close range and boosting his overall burst potential. His Live Wire facet now gives 1% more damage, essentially acting as a free late-game talent.
“Live Wire is now 1% stronger, and that is huge. To put it in perspective, 1% on Static Field is basically like getting a free level 25 talent.” – GameLeap
This makes Zeus a must-pick support or core in 7.38, especially for players who love nuking enemies from afar.
Jakiro – Ice Path Is Now Insanely Strong
Jakiro’s Ice Path was reworked to stun twice, once when placed and again when it expires, dealing extra damage. This is a huge improvement that allows Jakiro to control teamfights more effectively.
“Now Ice Path has a detonation mechanic that stuns again after 5 seconds. If you land a good Ice Path, the enemy is basically stuck for eternity.” – GameLeap
Jakiro is now one of the best support picks, excelling in team fights and sieging objectives.
Heroes That Got Nerfed Hard in 7.38
Bounty Hunter – No More Free Gold Abuse
Bounty Hunter had been terrorizing games with his ability to generate insane amounts of gold from Track, but that has now been nerfed. The Track bonus gold has been reduced, making his economy snowball much less effective.
“This is a big hit to Bounty Hunter players who relied on Track’s insane gold advantage. He’s still playable, but not as broken as before.” – GameLeap
While still a solid roamer, Bounty Hunter is no longer an automatic pick for greedy lineups.
Phantom Assassin – Methodical Is Gutted
Phantom Assassin’s Methodical facet received a massive nerf, reducing the crit chance per stack from 15% to 3%. This effectively removes her ability to guarantee devastating crits over time.
“They absolutely destroyed Phantom Assassin’s Methodical. This hero went from a lethal assassin to just a normal right-clicker.” – GameLeap
She is still viable, but players will need to reconsider her build and no longer rely on Methodical for consistent critical hits.
Timbersaw – Nerfed Into the Ground
One of the most surprising changes in 7.38 was Timbersaw’s harsh nerfs. His Twisted Chum ability now costs more mana and does less damage, effectively reducing his early-game aggression.
“Timbersaw’s mana cost went up, and his burst damage took a hit. This means his aggressive early-game playstyle is much weaker now.” – GameLeap
Expect Timbersaw’s popularity to plummet, as these nerfs make it harder for him to dominate the early game.
Meta Predictions: Who Will Rise and Fall?
With these buffs and nerfs in mind, we can make a few predictions about how the meta will shift:
- Heroes with sustain and tankiness like Faceless Void and Jakiro will dominate.
- Burst casters like Zeus and Jakiro will see a rise in popularity.
- Gold-reliant heroes like Bounty Hunter and Phantom Assassin will suffer.
- Timbersaw will likely drop in pick rate due to mana cost increases.
The biggest winners in 7.38 appear to be Faceless Void, Zeus, and Jakiro, while Bounty Hunter, Phantom Assassin, and Timbersaw are among the hardest-hit losers.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Dota 2 Patch 7.38 Hero Changes
Which hero got the biggest buff in Patch 7.38?
Faceless Void’s Time Zone buff is one of the most impactful, making him much more effective in fights by reducing cooldowns for allies.
Is Zeus overpowered in Patch 7.38?
Zeus has received a significant damage buff with Live Wire and Static Field, making him one of the strongest magic-damage dealers in this patch.
Why is Phantom Assassin worse in Patch 7.38?
Her Methodical facet was nerfed heavily, reducing her crit chance per stack from 15% to 3%, making her much less explosive in fights.
Did Timbersaw get nerfed in Patch 7.38?
Yes, Twisted Chum now costs more mana and deals less damage, significantly reducing Timbersaw’s early-game pressure.
