The first Dota 2 update since the conclusion of International 2024 (TI13) has finally dropped. From a glance, it seems like Icefrog and the Dota 2 dev team addressed several key update and fix to overpowered features that were heavily used in TI13, so here’s a quick breakdown of them.
Biggest Dota 2 Patch 7.37d changes
Image Credit: Valve
Mirana’s Aghanim’s Shard fix
Arguably the most impactful change in patch 7.37d is Mirana’s Aghanim’s Shard ability. Considering how popular Mirana was in TI13, as a fourth carry pick, many Dota 2 players argued that Icefrog should have fix this before TI13.
Mirana’s Aghanim’s Shard is on her Leap ability, which no longer allows to hit the same enemy unit by multiple secondary Starstorms in a single cast. While this doesn’t seem too overpowered on paper, it’s a hard counter against Broodmother and her Spiderlings.
Previously, if an enemy Mirana player managed to leap around Broodmother’s Spiderlings while she’s also around the AOE, Broodmother will take the bulk damage of the second Starstorm. Since Spiderlings will die from the first Starstorm, the second wave of Starstorms that were supposed to target the Spiderlings will shift to Broodmother instead.
Considering Spiderling hordes can be as many as 30 at a time, Brood would die from the high damage. No longer with this nerf!
Valve releases Dota 2 patch 7.37d. Image credit: Wykrhm Reddy
Removed stat doubles
Another major change to affordable stats item is the removal of double stats from Bracers, Null Talisman and Wraith Band. These items were cheap and solely provide stats, but they double in their respective attribute’s stats after the 25-minute mark.
Thus, it was an affordable item for support players to enjoy some stats in the mid-game when resources are scarce. Unfortunately, this removal meant that supports will have less to work with, whether it’s strength for durability or intelligence for a larger mana pool.
That said, many players agree that the double-stats feature on these items is too good in the Dota 2 meta.
Iron Talon returns
The neutral item, Iron Talon, is back on the menu, albeit it’s as a tier-2 item. Tier-2 items only start dropping after 17 minutes, which is midgame, when players don’t often spend too much time in the jungle.
Additionally, most efficient carry heroes, should be able to clear the jungle at midgame, so the item isn’t very useful. However, it does come with +20 attack speed and +4 armor as stats.
Nerfs on popular aura-based items and Gleipnir in patch 7.37d
The patch 7.37d is the fifth time in a row, where Icefrog has nerfed Pipe of Insight, Crimson Guard, Guardian Greaves and Gleipnir.
It’s evident that the aura-based meta is still very effective, so teams still play around these items. These items are comprised of cheaper items as its components, so building them is much easier.
Whereas Gleipnir also receives yet another nerf for a similar reason. Very popular at the International 2024, Gleipnir remains a first-priority item for most carry heroes and even rich supports due to its utility and ease of access. Players have to purchase Maelstrom before Gleipnir, which is for efficient farming. Hence, the progress to complete Gleipnir becomes drastically faster after buying Maelstrom.
Update on how Facets and Innate abilities interact with Break
Since the implementation of Dota 2 facets and innate abilities, most players just assume them as another form of passive ability. The patch 7.37d lists out which abilities are now fully, partially or not disabled by Break.
For the uninitiated, ‘Break’ is an effect that disables passive abilities temporarily. A popular example is Bristleback’s Reactive Armor, which offers stacks of armor and health regen bonuses when he receives attacks. Opponents will purchase items that can ‘break’ the passive ability, such as Silver Edge.
Thus, expect more carry heroes to purchase such items or even pick Viper for its Viper Strike ability that can apply ‘Break’ on an enemy target.
All in all, the Dota 2 patch 7.37d is a decent update to the game. It’s not just a balancing patch because many of its changes will likely change the Dota 2 meta in the upcoming tournaments, such as DreamLeague S24 and BetBoom Dacha Belgrade 2024.
