Midlane remains one of Dota 2’s most impactful roles—and in Patch 7.38c, two heroes have risen to the top as reliable, snowball-ready options for pub players and pros alike. Whether you’re looking for burst-heavy dominance or tempo-setting mobility, these picks deliver the tools to control your lane and carry your team.
Let’s dive into the top 2 mid heroes of the patch, according to pro coach and YouTuber Speed.
Make sure to check out GameLeap on Youtube
#1 – Outworld Destroyer: The Mana Machine Returns
Once relegated to niche matchups, Outworld Destroyer (OD) is finally seeing the spotlight. Not only does he dominate in pubs with high win rates, but he’s now being played in the pro scene, thanks to buffs to his facet and talents.
Why OD Works Right Now
OD’s damage scaling is tied to his max mana—and the Obsidian Decimator facet nowgrants +5% max mana per Essence Flux proc, up from 4%. That’s a huge buff to his overall damage and survivability.
Even his level 10 talent got a subtle rework: -200 HP was replaced by +100 Astral Imprisonment cast range—a big win for OD’s utility and safety.
Optimal Item Build
Speed reviewed a build from Quinn (CCnC), emphasizing early stats and utility:
- Start: 2 Null Talismans + Tangos (no Bottle needed)
- Boots: Brown Boots into Treads
- Core: Fluffy Hat > Force Staff
- Midgame: Hurricane Pike > Witch Blade > BKB
With this setup, OD deals massive damage while staying tanky and disruptive with Astral saves and positioning tools.
#2 – Storm Spirit: Reliable Tempo and Late-Game Scaling
Storm Spirit remains one of the most stable midlane tempo heroes. While his win rate isn’t sky-high, he’s a strong pick for players who want map control, skirmish presence, and snowball potential.
Why Storm Is Still Great
- Strong synergy with Witchblade and Kaya.
- Scales well into the late game with Shiva’s/Bloodstone/BKB.
- Combos with Keeper of the Light for one of the most broken interactions in Dota.
Storm may not be Ember-level active at 7, but by 9–11, he’s an unstoppable skirmisher.
Standard Build Order
- Start: Null Talisman or Branches + Faerie Fire
- Early Core: Brown Boots > Witchblade > Kaya
- Midgame: BKB or Orchid depending on matchup
- Late Game: Shiva’s, Hex, or Refresher
Whether you go defensive or aggressive, Storm rewards fast decision-making and clean map reads.
Honorable Mentions
- Invoker: Still strong with the new Aghanim’s “Meteor Shower” build.
- Ember Spirit: Back in the meta, but slightly behind Storm/OD in pubs.
- Tinker: Technically viable, but still often banned or hated in matchmaking.
Patch 7.38c has been relatively tame for the mid lane, but these two heroes stand out as reliable performers. If you’re looking to win lane and dominate midgame, OD and Storm Spirit are your go-to picks.
Ready to farm some Nulls and zip across the map? These mids are waiting.
FAQs
Q: Is OD a beginner-friendly mid?
A: Surprisingly, yes. He’s simple to execute if you learn positioning and Astral timing.
Q: What’s the main strength of OD?
A: Insane damage scaling with mana, long-range saves with Astral, and great anti-magic scaling.
Q: Why is Storm Spirit a top pick right now?
A: He combines tempo and scaling, punishes immobile mids, and pairs well with the current support meta.
Q: Should I rush Midas on OD?
A: Not recommended. Force Staff and Pike let you fight and scale without being greedy.
Q: How do I counter these heroes?
A: For OD, pick mana burners or silences. For Storm, instant lockdown or silence chains work best.
