Patch 7.33c: Biggest Nerfs, Changes, and Shifts to the Meta

Patch 7.33c marks the second balance update following the massive 7.33 patch that debuted in late April. Addressing some of the community's concerns, this newest patch brings about several notable changes. Medusa and Alchemist receive substantial nerf due to their dominant performances at the Berlin Major and in pub games. Additionally, supports rejoice as the Wisdom Rune now grants experience to the lowest-level ally. Furthermore, the shard-granting Tormentor has been revamped to counter heroes like Enchantress who previously exploited its damage-reflect ability with long-range attacks using Impetus and Hurricane Pike. Let's delve into the details of Patch 7.33c and explore the evolving Dota 2 meta.

General Changes

In Patch 7.33c, a series of general changes aimed to improve gameplay dynamics and address certain imbalances. The Wisdom Rune now not only grants its benefits to the hero picking it up but also provides experience with the lowest-level ally. In the case that the lowest-level ally picks up the rune, it also provides experience to the second lowest-level ally.

Furthermore, heroes attacking the Tormentor will be affected by its damage reflection regardless of their distance, preventing exploits previously used by heroes like Enchantress with her first ability Impetus, and Hurricane Pike.

There are several experience-related changes in the 7.33c patch, which may indicate a meta with more experience divided among teams. The experience bounty given by observer wards has been significantly increased, going from 50+6/min to 70+8/min, which is almost a 50% increase in the experience bounty. Additionally, stacking neutral camps now give 30% of the experience from the camps as well along with 30% of the gold, rewarding players much more for stacking now.

Universal heroes receive a small buff in regard to damage per attribute which has been increased from 0.6 to 0.7.

Hero Changes

This update introduces significant nerfs to two prominent heroes: Medusa and Alchemist. Medusa, the talk of the Dota 2 community with her dominating performance at the Berlin Major and winrate in pub games, sees her Mystic Snakes receive longer cooldowns at earlier levels. The infamous Mana Shield also undergoes balance adjustments, decreasing both Damage per Mana absorbed and Bonus Mana.

As for Alchemist, the hero heavily contested at the Berlin Major, multiple tweaks to his abilities have been implemented. His base movement speed is reduced, the cooldown of Unstable Concoction is increased, and both Greevil's Greed Base Bonus and Extra Bonus Gold are decreased. Furthermore, the Chemical Rage movement speed is also decreased for earlier levels.

Rikimaru also received some smaller nerfs, with the armor reduction received with an Aghanims Shard on his first skill, Smoke Screen, being reduced from 6 to 5. Blink Strike’s base charge restore time has also been increased at levels 2,3 and 4.

Nature’s Prophet received a few buffs, with his Teleportation skill having a reduced cooldown at every level, going down to a minimum of 30 seconds at level 4. The damage-providing stacks the hero receives after using Teleportation have been increased at earlier levels, now providing double the stacks (6 compared to 3) at level 1. His Ultimate, Nature’s Wrath has also been slightly buffed in regards to damage at each level.

Sniper also receives a small but significant buff in his third skill, Take Aim, which now additionally provides a +200 range when active. Alongside Sniper, the hero’s long-considered counter, Spirit Breaker, also receives a few buffs with reduced mana costs on Charge of Darkness, increased status resistance on Bulldoze, increased damage on Greater Bash, and significantly reduced cooldown on his ultimate, Nether Strike.

Item Changes

Patch 7.33c brings several adjustments to items and neutral items, with a focus on offlane items that were prevalent during this patch. The Pipe of Insight receives a nerf with a decrease in health regen bonus, magic resistance bonus, and an increase in barrier mana cost.

Similarly, Crimson Guard now costs slightly more and requires 75 mana to activate, while Vanguard undergoes a decrease in health regen and damage block.

Neutral items receive minor tweaks, with buffs to Duelist Gloves, Spark of Courage, Specialist's Array, and Ascetic's Cap, while items like Trusty Shovel, Vambrace, and Spell Prism receive nerfs.

As the Dota 2 landscape evolves with the changes introduced in Patch 7.33c, it may become essential for players and teams to adapt their strategies and explore new avenues to success. The alterations in general mechanics, hero balance, and item dynamics will undoubtedly shake up the meta and offer fresh challenges and opportunities for the Dota 2 community. You can read the full list of changes here.