Wraith Pact was a powerful yet controversial item in Dota 2, known for its ability to significantly reduce incoming physical damage for allied teams. Introduced as part of the larger metagame evolution, it became a staple in professional and high-level play due to its game-changing active ability. However, significant nerfs in patch 7.32d reduced its effectiveness, and it was eventually removed from the game. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at Wraith Pact, its attributes, strategic applications, reasons for its removal, and lingering presence in the game menus.
Wraith Pact – Attributes and Effects
Wraith Pact was a late-game support and tanking item that provided a mix of survivability and utility for the team.
- Gold Cost: 3800 gold
- Bonuses:
- +250 Health
- +250 Mana
- +3 Armor
- Active Ability: Deploys a totem that reduces all physical damage taken by allies within a specific radius by 30%.
The item’s significant damage mitigation made it a must-have in many team compositions, especially against physical-damage-heavy lineups and illusion-based heroes.
Strategic Use of Wraith Pact in Dota 2
Wraith Pact was often used in conjunction with other defensive items to maximize its impact.
Team Fight Utility
The ability to reduce incoming physical damage proved invaluable in large-scale engagements. By dropping the totem in the middle of a fight, teams could mitigate a massive amount of incoming burst damage.
Combining with Other Defensive Items
- Pipe of Insight: Further reduced magic damage alongside Wraith Pact’s physical damage reduction.
- Mage Slayer/Bloodthorn: Enhanced survivability by mitigating spell damage andsilencing crucial enemy heroes.
- Crimson Guard: Stacked additional block effects, making physical damage nearly negligible for a duration.
Due to these synergies, the item was commonly seen in professional matches, especially in the more tanky, sustain-heavy drafts.
Wraith Pact – The Nerf and Removal
Patch 7.32d – The Critical Nerf
Before its removal, Wraith Pact received a significant nerf in Dota 2’s 7.32d patch:
- The damage reduction effect was altered to only apply to physical damage from attacks and spells.
- It no longer mitigated magic or pure damage.
This change drastically reduced its viability in team fights, especially against ranged right-click heroes who could easily destroy the totem without suffering its damage reduction effect.
Why Wraith Pact Was Removed
The nerf made Wraith Pact much less useful in high-level play. Professional teams and casual players alike steered away from the item, leading to its complete removal in a subsequent update. The main reasons for its removal included:
- Lack of Counterplay: The item’s previous version created unbalanced fights by making teams nearly unkillable.
- Reduced Effectiveness: After the nerf, it no longer justified its high gold cost, making it a risky investment.
- Shift in Meta: The evolving item and hero pool no longer fit the role Wraith Pact originally served.
Wraith Pact Still Appears in Dota 2 Menus
While the item is no longer purchasable or usable in the game, Wraith Pact continues to appear in certain menus:
- The “LEARN > ITEMS” tab still includes Wraith Pact in its listing.
- Some hero builds under “HEROES > BUILDS” still recommend Wraith Pact in specific matchups.
This lingering presence suggests that remnants of the item’s impact remain in Dota 2’s system despite its formal removal.
Historical Impact of Wraith Pact in Competitive Dota 2
Usage in The International
During major tournaments like The International, Wraith Pact proved to be a game-changing item. Teams such as Tundra Esports effectively used it to counter illusion-based heroes and AOE magic damage strategies.
Shifting the Meta
Its removal forced players to rethink defensive itemization and adapt new strategies. Tanks and sustain heroes had to explore different builds, leading to a more dynamic teamfight approach.
How to Counter Items Like Wraith Pact
Even though Wraith Pact has been removed, players can still use strategies to counter similar defensive items.
- High-Damage Nukes: Eliminating the deployed totem quickly minimizes the item’s effect.
- Magic Damage: Before its removal, heroes with high spell damage could bypass its physical-based mitigation.
- Item Prioritization: Buying break- or disable-type items (such as Nullifier) countered certain heroes that relied on Wraith Pact.
FAQ – Wraith Pact and Dota 2
What was Wraith Pact in Dota 2?
Wraith Pact was a defensive item that provided bonus health, mana, and an active ability to reduce physical damage taken by allies in a radius.
How much did Wraith Pact cost?
Wraith Pact cost 3800 gold in-game.
Why was Wraith Pact removed from Dota 2?
Wraith Pact was removed after repeated nerfs made it less viable in the shifting game meta.
Did professional teams use Wraith Pact?
Yes, pro teams extensively used Wraith Pact during major tournaments, especially when countering illusion-based and AOE strategies.
Was Wraith Pact ever buffed?
No, after its introduction, the item only saw nerfs before its eventual removal.
Was Wraith Pact balanced?
Originally, many players considered it overpowered due to its massive team-wide damage reduction.
Which heroes benefited the most from Wraith Pact?
Tanky supports and offlaners such as Tidehunter, Underlord, and Beastmaster frequently built the item due to its synergy with team-oriented strategies.
Can I still see Wraith Pact in Dota 2?
Yes, it can still be found in certain in-game menus despite being removed from active gameplay.
Are there any alternative items to Wraith Pact?
Players often replace Wraith Pact with Pipe of Insight, Crimson Guard, or Guardian Greaves for a similar defensive effect.
Will Wraith Pact ever return?
There is no official confirmation, but Valve occasionally reintroduces removed items in modified forms.
Source : Titaniadota
Stay updated with reliable Dota 2 news sources. Visit dota2gamers.gg and for more insights about Dota 2.
