The Dota 2 meta is constantly shifting, but with the release of patch 7.38, one item has unexpectedly taken center stage among core damage-dealers—Revenant Brooch. Once an overlooked pick due to its restrictive mana cost, the item has now undergone a rework that makes it a legitimate mid-to-late game choice for a wide range of carry heroes. But what exactly makes Revenant Brooch so good now? Let’s break it down for both new and seasoned players looking to optimize their builds in this patch.
Make sure to check out TorteDeLini on Youtube
A Rework That Changed Everything
Before patch 7.38, Revenant Brooch had a clear issue: while it dealt magic damage with each attack, it consumed mana every time you hit something. This made it an awkward fit for most physical carries, who don’t usually stack mana regeneration or intelligence-based items.
“While the item was a good potential choice in the late game, the issue was that the Mana cost just to attack was incredibly pricey…” – TorteDeLini
That all changed with the Wandering Waters update. Now, Revenant Brooch costs just 3,300 gold and no longer drains mana with every attack. It grants extra physical damage, spell lifesteal, and a unique effect called Phantom Critical. Each attack has a 30% chance to deal bonus magic damage equal to 80% of your total attack damage. Think of it as a magic-based crit that stacks on top of your regular hits.
When and Why to Buy Revenant Brooch
So what kind of heroes benefit from Revenant Brooch? The item shines in the mid-game when enemy heroes start stacking armor but haven’t yet bought magic resistance items like Mage Slayer, Glimmer Cape, or Pipe of Insight. The item thrives in this armor-heavy meta because it lets you output magic damage on top of your physical attacks—making it a natural counter to high-armor, low-health agility heroes like Terrorblade and Morphling.
“It’s a strong mid-to-late game item that helps physical damage dealers output magical damage on top of their attack.” – TorteDeLini
Revenant Brooch is especially deadly on heroes with either high base damage or excellent attack speed. Think Tiny, Nature’s Prophet, Lina, or Windranger. It also works on illusions, so illusion-based heroes like Phantom Lancer can leverage it for insane burst potential. However, it doesn’t amplify cleave effects (sorry, Sven players), and it won’t help you destroy towers faster.
Comparing Revenant Brooch to Other Damage Items
Let’s talk alternatives. Monkey King Bar, Bloodthorn, and Daedalus all offer powerful damage boosts but come with higher price tags and niche utilities. Revenant Brooch fills a unique gap:
- Monkey King Bar: Best versus evasion-heavy heroes like Phantom Assassin.
- Bloodthorn: Great if your target can’t purge the silence and you have summons or illusions to follow up.
- Daedalus: Ideal in late-game when enemies are stacking HP, especially strength heroes.
“Revenant BR can be bought earlier… it’s a cheap item that can be picked up in the mid to late game.” – TorteDeLini
Revenant Brooch doesn’t stack with Daedalus or other crit items. The highest crit is always prioritized, so doubling up won’t increase your burst. Instead, think of Revenant Brooch as an affordable and highly effective option when you need to cut through armor-heavy lineups with a mix of damage types.
Final Thoughts: Why It’s Worth Your Gold
With the current Dota 2 meta favoring short, high-tempo games and lots of armor-stacking through items like Phase Boots, Armlet, and Assault Cuirass, Revenant Brooch has found its moment. Players are slower to build magic resistance, making Revenant Brooch a punishing and affordable option that lets your physical core deal devastating mixed damage.
If you’re already dealing high physical damage and don’t need attack speed or additional survivability, picking up a Revenant Brooch could be the power spike you need to swing team fights and shred even the most durable agility heroes. Just be sure to keep an eye on enemy itemization—if they start building magic resist, you might want to pivot your build accordingly.
If you want to see more articles like this go to https://dota2gamers.gg/
FAQs About Revenant Brooch in Dota 2
What does Revenant Brooch do in Dota 2?
Revenant Brooch grants bonus physical damage, spell lifesteal, and a 30% chance to deal bonus magic damage through its Phantom Critical effect. The magic damage equals 80% of your total attack damage.
Which heroes should buy Revenant Brooch?
Heroes with high base damage or fast attack speed are the best candidates. Great examples include Tiny, Nature’s Prophet, Lina, Windranger, and Phantom Lancer.
Does Revenant Brooch stack with Daedalus or Bloodthorn?
No, Revenant Brooch acts like a crit item. If you also build Daedalus or Bloodthorn, only the highest critical strike effect will be used on each attack.
When is Revenant Brooch most effective?
It’s strongest in the mid-to-late game against heroes with high armor but little to no magic resistance—before they can itemize to counter its effects.
Does Revenant Brooch work on illusions?
Yes, illusions do benefit from Revenant Brooch’s bonus magic damage, making it very effective on illusion-heavy heroes like Phantom Lancer.
