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Dota 2's Patch 7.34 has arrived, and it's a game-changer. From shocking nerfs to once-mighty Illusion heroes to a significant nerf to heroes like Snapfire and Winter Wyvern, this update is shaking the foundations of the meta. Alongside the unexpected changes to popular heroes like Meepo, the patch brings in intriguing adjustments to professional play and underutilized heroes. Dive into the detailed analysis below to explore what these changes mean for both casual players and the professional scene, and why it may not be as grim as it first appears.
Dota 2 Patch 7.34: A Sad Time for Illusion Heroes
The once-powerful illusion heroes have taken a severe hit. This is due to item buffs like Radiance, Maelstrom (including Mjollnir and Gleipnir), and Shiva's Guard, all of which affect copies created by these heroes. Even Pudge's Hook has now gained the ability to kill illusions instantly.
The impact is compounded by direct nerfs to specific heroes, such as the adjustments to Phantom Lancer's talents or Naga Siren's armor reduction. While they've enjoyed their success, leading the charts with the top 10 highest win rates, things are about to change. Notable mentions include Dark Seer, whose Wall of Replica illusions and Normal Punch will also be affected, along with a reduction in his Vacuum radius.
The Shift from Supports as Cores
The era of choosing Winter Wyvern (WW) and Snapfire as core heroes might be over. Dota heroes can shift into various roles, but the previous patch made WW and Snapfire's performance almost unreasonably strong. With Snapfire dominating the recent pro scene as a core and Winter Wyvern often being played in the offlane or mid, these changes are welcome.
Snapfire’s incorporation of attack damage into Lil' Shredder is now pushed to level 25, meaning fewer carry Snapfires will emerge, despite the significant level 20 multishot. Winter Wyvern's changes will prevent free physical damage during Winter's Curse, pushing her back to her conventional support role, while the adjustments to Cold Embrace and her ultimate reinforce this position. Though Aghanim's Scepter may still be a choice occasionally, she’s more appealing as a primary support again.
The Tragedy of Meepo
Meepo's recent nerfs have raised the question of what this hero did to deserve such treatment. A win rate of 55.32 percent may be substantial, but considering his long absence from prominence, it feels like an overcorrection.
Nerfs like a decrease in base stats and growth, along with the Rod of Atos change, have almost rendered Meepo obsolete. Although the hero could leverage the extra stats from Atos and its Root ability, this alteration might be his downfall. Meepo's moment of glory seems to have been short-lived. The changes likely signal the end of this replicating hero's success, a development that can only be seen as unfortunate.
It’s Not All ‘Doom’ and Gloom
While the sweeping nerfs and alterations in Dota 2 Patch 7.34 may appear overwhelming and ominous, it's not all ‘doom’ and gloom. Doom's namesake ability used to render foes as useful as a cosmetic creep, but Dota 2's 7.34 update has given them hope. Now, being Doomed doesn't mean heroes have to stick to the right-click of shame and you can use items!
Key adjustments to the Captain's Mode draft order promise to spice up professional play, and item changes such as the restocking time of Blood grenades and Smoke's new ally effect bring freshness to the game dynamics. Major hero adjustments, including exciting reworks for Beastmaster and Bristleback and boosts to underused heroes like Grimstroke, Obsidian Destroyer, and Razor, could breathe new life into the meta. These shifts, particularly with the timing for TI qualifiers, hint at a potentially thrilling evolution in gameplay, likely to rejuvenate a scene that was becoming stale. The detailed patch notes reveal even more reasons for optimism and excitement among players and fans alike.
