Cover-Credits:
Almost a month after the roll-out of Patch 7.34c, which saw reworks of heroes like Gyrocopter, Invoker and Magnus, Dota 2’s Patch 7.34d has breathed new life into several heroes just days before the commencement of Dota 2’s marquee tournament, The International 2023 (TI12). These buffs have notably favored Lifestealer whose strength against high-HP heroes has become even more pronounced, especially with the Heart of Tarrasque now being a meta item. This could potentially make him a preferred carry pick among professional teams in the upcoming tournament.
Here’s a rundown of all the buffs in the Dota 7.34d patch that was released on 5th October.
Dota 7.34d Hero Buffs Explained
Beware the Lifestealer
In Patch 7.34d, Lifestealer received a substantial and potentially game-changing buff to his Feast ability. Feast inflicts damage to enemies based on their maximum health, making Lifestealer particularly effective against heroes with higher HP pools. This includes Strength heroes and heroes like Spectre and Kunikka who tend to purchase items like Heart of Tarrasque. Additionally, the 32 universal heroes are also likely to have a high HP pool, making Lifestealer’s impact more prominent.
This significant improvement to Feast involves an increase in its Max Health Damage percentage. Previously, it ranged from 0.8/1/1.2/1.4 percent of the enemy's maximum health. However, it has now been elevated to a much more potent 1/1.3/1.6/1.9 percent. This boost amplifies Lifestealer's ability to deal damage to high-HP targets, potentially making him a more appealing choice for professional carry players in competitive Dota 2, right in time for The International (TI12) tournament since Phantom Assassin’s nerf.
Luna blessed by Selemene
Luna, a hero renowned for her offensive prowess and formidable damage output, has received a much-needed defensive addition to her skill set. Historically, Luna has struggled when confronted by enemy heroes capable of closing the distance between them. However, with the recent Aghanim's Shard enhancement, Luna now enjoys heightened survivability and a more robust capacity to retaliate in such situations.
The key adjustment lies in the reduction of damage mitigation provided by her Moon Glaives as they bounce between targets. Previously, the damage reduction per bounce stood at 56/50/44/38 percent, but it has now been refined to a more balanced 50/45/40/35 percent, affording Luna improved damage consistency and faster farming capabilities.
Furthermore, Luna's Aghanim's Shard has seen its self-damage reduction capabilities fortified, with the reduction percentage elevated from 20 percent to a more robust 25 percent. Additionally, the duration of this effect has been prolonged from six seconds to a more substantial seven seconds, reinforcing her capacity to endure and retaliate.
To complement these changes, Luna's Level 15 Talent, which pertains to Eclipse Cooldown Reduction, has been increased from a 25-second reduction to a more deliberate 30-second reduction. This adjustment allows Luna to leverage her potent ultimate ability more frequently, enhancing her overall combat effectiveness.
Pugna: The Demolisher
Pugna, a cherished hero in Topias "Topson" Taavitsainen’ pool of heroes, is renowned for his expertise in lane control and tower demolition, particularly excelling in the art of damaging structures with his formidable Nether Blast. In the latest patch, Pugna received a striking 15% boost to his Nether Blast's damage against buildings, making him an enticing choice for teams seeking swift lane-pushing capabilities. This enhancement elevates Pugna's ability to inflict a substantial 65% damage to buildings, which was 50% previously.
The patch also introduced significant improvements to the initial three levels of Decrepify. At level 1, it now imposes a staggering 15% reduction in enemy movement speed, a noteworthy 10% slowdown at level 2, and a modest 5% decrease at level 3. This adjustment bolsters Pugna's crowd-control abilities.
To add the proverbial cherry on top, the cast range of Decrepify has been expanded by a substantial 75 units across all levels. This augmentation further empowers Pugna's ability to control engagements and exert his influence on the battlefield.
Ogre Magi: Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger
Ogre Magi has unquestionably held the spotlight as one of Dota 2's most discussed and dissected heroes within the gaming community. In the latest patch, this two-headed ogre has been buffed with an enhanced cast range for both his Fireblast skill and Unrefined Fireblast, extending the reach of these abilities by an additional 50 units. Moreover, the Dota 7.34d patch has elevated Bloodlust's attack speed boost, with increments of 5, 10, and 15 at levels 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Notably, Ogre Magi's personal bonus attack speed has also seen an across-the-board increase of 10 points at all experience levels, further solidifying his status as a formidable presence in the game.
The patch introduced several noteworthy buffs to Meepo's Aghanim's Scepter ability, known as "Megameepo." Specifically, the duration of Megameepo has been extended from its previous 20-second duration to a more robust 25 seconds. Additionally, Marci's trusty sidekick will now persist in an active state with 50% effectiveness, even when not explicitly cast on an allied target.
These newly implemented buffs have generated a palpable sense of intrigue and anticipation within the Dota 2 community. As the highly-anticipated TI12 approaches, the excitement surrounding these seemingly minor adjustments grows, as they hold the potential to exert a significant influence on the competitive landscape.
