In the ever-shifting landscape of Dota 2, the carry role remains a cornerstone of every team’s game plan—and with Patch 7.38c, two heroes have clearly risen above the rest. In this article, we break down the two strongest carry heroes of the patch according to pro player and content creator Speed, diving into why these picks work, how to build them, and what makes them so dominant in both pubs and high-level play.
Whether you’re climbing ranked or preparing for competitive scrims, these are the carries to keep your eye on.
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Wraith King: Bone Guard Brilliance
Wraith King has made a massive return to the meta, largely thanks to buffs to his Bone Guard facet, which allows him to summon waves of skeletons that farm for him, push lanes, and scale his economy without putting his hero in danger.
Why It Works
The key buff came when Valve removed Bone Guard’s level 10 talent and baked it directly into the base ability, reducing cooldown andincreasing duration. This turned Wraith King into an economy powerhouse, capable of farming safely and scaling into midgame without being punished.
This allows players to push lanes without committing, an ideal strategy for low-coordination games.
Recommended Builds
There are two core playstyles for Wraith King right now:
- Blade Mail Build (Early Tempo)
- Start: Bracer, Phase Boots, Wand
- Core: Blade Mail (max W first, Q second)
- Extras: Blink Dagger, Sanj & Yasha, Bloodthorn (synergizes with skeletons)
- Radiance Build (Late Scaling)
- Start: Bracer, Phase Boots, Wraith Band or Null
- Core: Radiance, Blink, Sanj & Yasha
- Extras: Bloodthorn, AC, Abyssal Blade
Both builds offer flexibility, but the Blade Mail build helps accelerate tempo, while Radiance scales for teamfights.
Why He’s Perfect for Pubs
Wraith King excels at simplifying the game. His passive skeleton wave farming allows him to scale without heavy map awareness, making him ideal for climbing the MMR ladder.
Medusa: Venomous Volley Still Reigns
Despite repeated nerfs, Medusa’s Venomous Volley facet remains incredibly powerful. While other builds like Undulation + Aghanim’s + Maelstrom are fun, Venomous Volley still offers unmatched scaling.
Why It Works
Even after losing multiple percentage points of power, Venomous Volley still scales beautifully into the late game, especially when combined with Manta Style, Skadi, and illusions.
Notably, Skadi was buffed this patch to deal more slow against melee heroes, making it devastating against BKB-less cores.
Build Order
- Start: Triple Branches, Null Talisman, Mangoes
- Boots: Treads > Manta Style
- Core: Skadi, Butterfly or Dragon Lance
- Optional: Diffusal Blade (for fighting early), Satanic, Daedalus, Pike
While Undulation Medusa is still viable, especially with Maelstrom and utility tools, Venomous Volley remains the strongest and most reliable pub-stomping build.
Scaling Potential
Even if Medusa doesn’t dominate early, she excels in long games. Her damage ramp, tankiness, and teamfight presence make her a staple.
Patch 7.38c has introduced a variety of hero and item shifts, but in the carry role, Wraith King and Medusa have emerged as clear frontrunners. With unmatched scalability and pub-friendly playstyles, both picks offer players the tools they need to climb and carry with confidence.
If you’re playing position 1, give these heroes a try—you might just find your new comfort pick this patch.
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FAQs
Q: Is Wraith King viable in high-MMR or just pubs?
A: He’s mostly seen in pubs, but his strengths can translate into pro play, especially if the Bone Guard facet is exploited well.
Q: Should I always go Radiance on Wraith King?
A: Not necessarily. Blade Mail builds are strong for tempo, and Radiance is better when you want to scale or lack frontline.
Q: Is Venomous Volley Medusa better than Undulation?
A: Yes—despite nerfs, Venomous Volley remains the stronger scaling option.
Q: What matchups is Medusa good against?
A: Melee cores without BKB, illusion-based carries, or lineups that struggle to close the gap.
Q: What makes these heroes strong this patch?
A: Bone Guard buff for Wraith King and item synergy with volley/Manta for Medusa, especially with recent buffs to Skadi.
