Dota 2’s Patch 7.38c has arrived, and while it brought a long list of hero changes, item tweaks, and subtle map updates, the community is divided on one critical question: Did it actually change anything?
In a livestreamed reaction, one popular streamer gave voice to the frustrations of many players. From Tinker’s shallow nerfs to map changes barely noticed mid-game, this patch might not be the refresh that fans were hoping for.
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Meta Still Intact: The Same First Bans and Picks
Despite Valve’s efforts, some of the most oppressive heroes from the previous meta remain untouched or barely nerfed. Tinker, Abaddon, and Nature’s Prophet were all expected to see significant changes—but that simply didn’t happen.
Take Tinker for example: one of the most banned heroes in pro and pub games alike. The change? A 2% reduction in his Aghanim’s Scepterrobot size and 10 mana added to Defense Matrix.
Instead of reworking the mechanics that make these heroes problematic, Valve opted for micro-adjustments, which were largely mocked by the community.
Dazzle, Jakiro, Enchantress: Light Touches or Real Nerfs?
Some heroes that had dominated the meta—like Dazzle and Jakiro—did receive changes. But whether those changes matter remains to be seen.
Dazzle’s Talent Nerf: A Real Impact?
One of the few impactful changes may be Dazzle’s loss of the +90 Attack Speed Talent, which many agreed was overpowered.
Still, many aren’t convinced it’s enough to remove him from pick/ban priority.
Enchantress and Abaddon Still Going Strong
Heroes like Enchantress and Abaddon—despite being at the top of winrate charts—barely saw meaningful changes.
These reactions show how disconnected some of the nerfs feel compared to the actual problems in-game.
Map Tweaks: Subtle but Appreciated
The most visually noticeable part of the patch was the map updates. Watchers were moved, gaps between towers were widened, and some trees were removed—particularly in the triangle and jungle zones.
These changes could subtly impact smoke rotations, warding paths, and jungle efficiency—but are unlikely to affect first-phase pick dynamics.
A Patch for the Sake of a Patch?
Ultimately, the most critical sentiment from the stream came down to one simple idea: nothing major changed.
Players were expecting a shake-up, but what they got instead felt like a soft band-aid, not a meta reset.
While the patch certainly brought minor improvements and fixed some bugs, most players were hoping for more. As one viewer put it, “This is like getting socks for Christmas when you were expecting a PlayStation.”
We’ll see if Valve has a bigger balance overhaul in the pipeline, but for now, the 7.38c patch feels more like a whisper than a roar.
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FAQs
Q: Was Tinker nerfed in Patch 7.38c?
A: Technically, yes—his robot size was reduced by 2%, and Defense Matrix costs 10 more mana. But many feel the changes were cosmetic.
Q: Is Dazzle still broken?
A: The removal of the +90 Attack Speed Talent is significant, but Dazzle’s core playstyle remains intact.
Q: What are the most noticeable map changes?
A: Widened gaps near towers, new terrain shapes in the jungle, and Watcher repositioning—particularly around triangle camps.
Q: Which heroes are still top tier?
A: Tinker, Abaddon, Nature’s Prophet, and Enchantress are all still performing well and frequently banned.
Q: Did this patch change the pro meta?
A: Unlikely. Most streamers and analysts believe the patch didn’t go far enough to impact drafting strategies.
