Dota 2’s Patch 7.38b has arrived, bringing a wave of significant changes to heroes, items, and neutral objectives. If you’re wondering whether this update will shake up the meta, the answer is a resounding yes. This breakdown will cover the biggest buffs, nerfs, and what you need to know to stay ahead of the competition.
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Tormentor Nerfed: No Longer the Best Objective?
One of the most impactful changes in Patch 7.38b is the nerf to Tormentors. Previously, these neutral objectives granted a Shard and 1,250 gold to the team, making them one of the best objectives in Dota’s history. However, Valve has significantly toned them down:
- Gold reward reduced from 250 to 175 per player
- Health regeneration increased by 30%
- Absorbs 200 more damage before breaking
“Going for the Tormentor is way less important now. It’s only worth it if your team has strong Shards.” – GameLeap
Now, Tormentors should only be prioritized if your team has strong Shard upgrades, such as Phoenix or Spirit Breaker. Otherwise, focusing on other objectives might be more beneficial.
Item Adjustments: Major Buffs & Nerfs
Several core items have been adjusted, affecting builds across multiple heroes. Here are the most notable changes:
Buffed Items
Eye of Skadi
- Attack speed slow now applies equally to melee and ranged heroes
- 20% attack speed slow makes it stronger in fights
Previously, Skadi was primarily used against ranged heroes. With this buff, it becomes a solid pickagainst melee carries like Slark and Juggernaut who don’t rush BKB.
Pig Pole
- Increased movement speed bonus by 5%
- Cooldown reduced by 5 seconds
This makes Pig Pole a fantastic chase and escape tool, helping heroes reposition more effectively.
Nerfed Items
Glimmer Cape
- Bonus movement speed reduced from 40% to 20%
- Mana cost increased from 90 to 125
This means support heroes relying on Glimmer Cape for quick escapes or saves will need to reconsider their itemization.
Shiva’s Guard
- Current health damage reduced by 2%
Although not a massive nerf, it reduces Shiva’s impact slightly in team fights.
Neutral Item Changes: A Shift in Priorities
Neutral items play a critical role in dictating the late-game power spikes. Here’s how the new changes affect gameplay:
- Mana Drought: Scales better in the late game, making it an item worth holding onto.
- Shovel: Cooldown increased by 10 seconds, reducing its efficiency.
- Orb of Destruction: Duration decreased, making it slightly weaker.
- Fur Cloak: Now reflects 75% of damage taken for 6 seconds, making it an excellent counter against high burst damage heroes.
“Neutral item pick rates dictate a lot of balancing, and this patch aims to level out overpowered picks.” – GameLeap
Hero Changes: Buffs, Nerfs, and Meta Shifts
The biggest changes in this patch impact key heroes that have dominated the meta recently. Here’s a rundown of the most important buffs and nerfs.
Buffed Heroes
Keeper of the Light
- Spirit Form cooldown reduced at higher levels
- Duration increased from 40 to 50 seconds
This means KotL will have almost permanent Spirit Form uptime, making him one of the most dangerous support heroes in the game.
Windranger
- Shackle duration increased by 0.15 seconds at all levels
- Agility gain increased slightly
A subtle buff that makes Windranger’s lockdown even stronger, allowing for more consistent disables.
Nerfed Heroes
Abaddon
- Mana cost of Aphotic Shield increased
- Mist Coil heal and damage reduced
This makes Abaddon weaker in the early game, requiring better mana management.
Jakiro
- Ice Path cooldown increased by 2 seconds at all levels
- Lost Ice Path cooldown reduction at Level 15 talent
Jakiro was one of the strongest supports in the previous patch, and this nerf significantly reduces his stun uptime.
Lifestealer
- Base agility reduced by 4
- Feast max HP gain reduced from 15% to 10%
- Halberd no longer disarms through BKB
Lifestealer was a top-tier carry, and while he’s still viable, these changes reduce his early-game dominance.
Meta Predictions: What’s Next?
- Mid-Lane Leshrac: With buffs to his mana sustain and farming potential, expect Leshrac to become a dominant pick.
- Support Keeper of the Light: With almost zero downtime on Spirit Form, KotL will be an S-tier support pick.
- Windranger Viability: With better crowd control, expect Windranger to see more play in mid and support roles.
- Lifestealer Adjustments: He’s still strong but needs a better early game, making him a riskier pick in certain matchups.
Patch 7.38b in a Nutshell
Patch 7.38b significantly alters the power dynamics in Dota 2. The Tormentor nerf shifts priority away from easy Shard farming, item nerfs encourage alternative builds, and hero adjustments will shake up lane dominance.
For those looking to stay ahead, adapting to the new itemization and hero priorities will be key. The meta is shifting, and only those who adapt quickly will come out on top.
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FAQs
What is the biggest change in Patch 7.38b?
The Tormentor nerf significantly reduces its importance, making it a situational objective rather than a must-kill.
Which heroes gained the most from this patch?
Keeper of the Light and Windranger received substantial buffs, increasing their viability in multiple roles.
Is Lifestealer still viable?
Despite nerfs, Lifestealer remains a strong pick. However, he now requires better lane dominance and itemization choices.
Are the new item changes impactful?
Yes. Glimmer Cape’s nerf hurts supports, while Skadi’s buff makes it more effective against melee carries.
How does this patch affect pro play?
Expect to see KotL, Leshrac, and Windranger gain more playtime, while Abaddon and Jakiro might fall out of favor.
