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Best and Worst Items In Dota 2 – Patch 7.38

Owen Harsono

Owen Harsono

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Itemization is crucial in all brackets, and selecting the correct choices can be daunting when a nuclear patch has just dropped. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Here are the best and worst items to look out for in patch 7.38. 

Best and Worst Items In Dota 2 – Patch 7.38

Best Items In Patch 7.38

Patch 7.38 offered a lot of item reworks, but some of the best items in patch 7.37 remained untouched or only had slight nerfs. Here are the best items to pick up today. 

Orb of Corrosion

Orb of Corrosion (Image via Valve)
Orb of Corrosion (Image via Valve)
  • Requires Orb of Frost (250), Orb of Blight (300) and Band of Elvenskin (450). Total cost: 1000
  • Provides +8 Agility
  • Passive: Corrosion. On attack, slows the enemy by 16% if the target is ranged and by 6% if the target is melee. Also reduces the target’s incoming healing by 16% and their armor by 3. Duration: 3s
  • Armor reduction does not stack with its components, Desolator, or Stygian Desolator

The Orb of Corrosion item was extremely unpopular, as you’d only see two or three heroes constantly picking it up. The item was reworked and received many changes to its components and is in a much better spot now. 

In previous patches, you’d get flamed for buying Orb of Corrosion on ranged heroes due to the reduced effects, but it is a valid item choice now, considering the buildup it offers. A casual Band of Elvenskin is amazing for Agility carries to scale into the mid-game, so don’t be afraid to pick it up on ranged heroes, too. 

A Band of Elvenskin rewards heroes with 6 Agility points, but upgrading it to the Corrosion offers 8. Add its useful effect on attack, and Orb of Corrosion becomes an incredibly potent item for heroes like Ember Spirit and more. 

Glimmer Cape

glimmer cape dota
Credit: wassuphomie / Dota 2

Changes:

  • No Changes.

I honestly can’t believe this item remained untouched in the 7.38 patch. Glimmer Cape is hands down one of the most broken items in 7.37, and since it did not receive any changes, it is safe to assume that it is still a prominent item choice for the same reasons. 

This item pretty much serves the purpose of a Hood of Defiance, an item no longer in the game, and also provides its useful active ability. Glimmer Cape is a valuable pickup on numerous Agility cores such as Phantom Assassin, Troll Warlord, and more. 

Sange and Yasha

Sange and Yasha (Image via Valve)
Sange and Yasha (Image via Valve)

Changes:

  • Status Resistance bonus decreased from +25% to +20%

Sure, Sange and Yasha received a nerf, but I believe this mere change won’t affect how broken the item is. Sange and Yasha is one of the most purchased items in the previous patch including in the DreamLeague season 25 meta, and lowering its status resistance by only 5% isn’t going to change much.

Sange and Yasha is still an amazing pickup on most core heroes, and even mid-laners like Ember Spirit are picking it up over a Kaya. This should already speak for itself. The item simply works with the most popular heroes in the patch and requires zero skill to use. 

Drum of Endurance

Drum of Endurance (Image via Valve)
Drum of Endurance (Image via Valve)

Changes:

  • Total cost decreased from 1650 to 1625 (due to Wind Lace cost decrease)
  • Endurance no longer uses charges
  • Endurance cooldown increased from 30s to 45s
  • Endurance bonus attack Speed decreased from 45 to 35
  • Swiftness Aura movement speed bonus decreased from 20 to 15

Drum of Endurance actually received significant nerfs, but one change made me feel like the item still feels really good. 

The active ability on Drum of Endurance has been nerfed all around, with reduced attack speed and an increased cooldown by 50%. However, since the bonus movement speed from the active ability isn’t nerfed, I think the item is still completely fine. 

The most notable change is that the item no longer counts charges, meaning you have infinite uses. Last patch, you’d have to commit 1,700 gold to upgrade the item to the Boots of Bearing, but that is no longer a requirement. 

I do believe Drum of Endurance won’t be a potent first-item pickup on Offlaners anymore, as it was in 7.37, but having no charges definitely benefits Support heroes.

Items That Lost In Patch 7.38

If there are winners, there are also losers. Here are two items that received immense nerfs, though I felt like these were unnecessary. 

Heaven’s Halberd

Heaven's Halberd (Image via Valve)
Heaven’s Halberd (Image via Valve)

Changes:

  • Requires Vanguard (1700), Crown (450), Ring of Regen (175) and a 275 gold recipe. Total cost: 2600
  • Provides +275 Health, +6 Health Regen and +5 All Attributes
  • Passive: Damage Block. Grants a 60% chance to block 60 damage from attacks on melee heroes, and 30 on ranged
  • Active: Disarm. Now can be dispelled. Mana Cost decreased from 75 to 25. Duration on Ranged heroes decreased from 5s to 4s

I think Heaven’s Halberd is one of the biggest losers in the 7.38 patch. The item was reworked to no longer require a Sange and Talisman of Evasion. The two items mentioned help heroes become extremely survivable, especially with the built-in evasion.

Now, it requires a Vanguard, which can be nice, especially with its buildup, but there is simply no way the damage block from it outweighs status resistance and evasion. Numbers aside, the Disarm active ability can now be dispelled, meaning items such as Manta Style and Satanic can purge it off. 

Gleipnir

Gleipnir (Image via Valve)
Gleipnir (Image via Valve)

Changes:

  • Recipe changed
  • Now requires Point Booster (1200) instead of Maelstrom (2950)
  • Recipe cost increased from 550 to 1100. Total cost decreased from 5750 to 4550
  • Now also provides +75 AoE Bonus and +200 Mana
  • Health bonus increased from +275 to +450
  • Intelligence bonus decreased from +24 to +15
  • Eternal Chains no longer deals damage
  • Eternal Chains radius decreased from 350 to 275 (effective spell radius unchanged due to item’s built-in AoE Bonus)
  • Eternal Chains mana cost decreased from 200 to 100
  • Removed Chain Lightning ability

Gleipnir was reworked and no longer requires a Maelstrom; instead, it uses a casual Point Booster. Sure, you can get an AoE root for 1,200 gold less, but I think removing the Chain Lightning from Maelstrom is a big hit to the item’s scalability. 

The nerf onto Carry heroes is evident already, but let’s think about its effects on Supports. Heroes like Muerta and Mirana don’t mind buying a Rod of Atos, but they also upgrade it to a Gleipnir to scale into the late-game with the farming potential Chain Lightning offers. Now, Gleipnir is just a glorified Rod of Atos and nothing more. 

The rework of Gleipnir is also an indirect nerf to Maelstrom. Many heroes, such as Weaver or Ember Spirit, would love to buy Maelstrom and upgrade it to a Gleipnir later on, but this is no longer an option.

With Dota 2 being a game of constant evolution, players are constantly figuring out new things whenever new patches drop. The 7.37e patch is no exception and has brought several items back on the menu for players to pick up. In this quick guide, we’ll check out the five best items you should buy on certain heroes to succeed in your games. 

By now, patch 7.37 is a very old patch. We’ve had plenty of time to try out every trick in the book and the best heroes have been drafted hundreds of times. But once you’re in game, you’ll need to pick the best items in Dota to give you the best advantage.

Drum of Endurance

  • Active Item
  • 1,650 Gold Cost

Though most games are going into later stages in this patch, Drum of Endurance is still a top-tier item to pick up on supports and some offlaners. The Dota 2 map is as huge as it has ever been, so having a movement speed item certainly helps in getting to places in a timely manner. 

The active ability on Drum of Endurance also gives teammates movement and attack speed buffs, making it perfect for skirmishes. Don’t hesitate to spend your Drum charges for a single kill.

When To Buy

Drum of Endurance is best purchased in the early stages of the game, mainly as a first item after upgraded boots. It is ideal for heroes who like to take early engagements and for fast-paced lineups. 

Who To Buy It On

Several offlane heroes love buying Drum of Endurance, such as Doom, Lycan, and Beastmaster. 

Many support heroes can buy the item, too. Some popular choices are Crystal Maiden, Bounty Hunter, and Spirit Breaker.

Orchid Malevolence

  • Active Item
  • 3,275 Gold Cost

Orchid Malevolence has become one of the most popular items for core heroes due to its pickoff potential, and the item becomes even more lethal when upgraded to Bloodthorn. With slippery mid heroes like Puck being prominent in this patch, an early Orchid can prove to be devastating for enemies. 

With the map being so large, heroes will often be splitting up to farm, creating many opportunities for quick pickoffs using an Orchid Malevolence. 

When To Buy

Orchid is an excellent item on heroes with high mobility, allowing them to catch enemies off guard with a quick silence. It is ideal against heroes with escaping abilities, such as Puck, or heroes requiring immunity spells such as Juggernaut or Lifestealer. This item is best purchased as a first item. 

Who To Buy It On

The hero that abuses Orchid the best in this patch is Spectre, one of the best Dota 2 heroes in this patch, who has an instant global presence. Apart from traditional Orchid buyers such as Storm Spirit, heroes like Magnus are also purchasing it.

Sange and Yasha

  • Passive Item
  • 4,200 Gold Cost

Sange and Yasha is the only passive item on the list, and remains a core item for most strength/agility-based carry heroes. However, the item has developed to the point that even several offlane heroes are purchasing it, too. 

It is an all-around utility item that provides its wielder with impressive stats that scale into the late game, with movement speed and, most importantly, status resistance kicking in. 

When To Buy

Sange and Yasha is a pretty obvious item pickup for most examples mentioned above, as the item is too good to pass up. However, there is more reason to buy it against enemy lineups with many disables, especially BKB-piercing spells such as Reverse Polarity, Primal Roar, and Doom. 

Who To Buy It On

The obvious heroes who’d buy Sange and Yasha are your typical Lifestealers, Juggernauts, Alchemists, and Dragon Knights, as nothing has changed for these heroes.

However, most professional players have started purchasing Sange and Yasha on offlaners such as Doom and Dawnbreaker, allowing these heroes to scale into the late game in this late-game-centric patch. 

Solar Crest

  • Active Item
  • 2,600 Gold Cost

Solar Crest is a versatile support item that provides the targeted ally additional movement and attack speed on top of a physical damage barrier. Though this item isn’t as strong as it was in the last patch, Solar Crest is still a great pickup in most games. 

You should only purchase this item as a support hero. Try not to have two Solar Crests in one team, so communicate with your other support before purchasing. 

When To Buy

Solar Crest should be bought in two scenarios. First, to amplify the physical damage from natural right-clickers like Luna, Lifestealer, or Medusa.

Second, to provide a damage barrier for heroes that like to go into the middle of fights and cause chaos. The movement speed also helps these heroes reach their target priorities. Some examples include Doom, Bristleback, or Ursa. 

Who To Buy It On

There are no strict rules as to which heroes should or shouldn’t buy Solar Crest. This item is an excellent choice for any support hero who does not need to buy an immediate Blink Dagger. Treant Protector, Snapfire, Shadow Demon, Clockwerk, Lich – the list goes on.

Pipe of Insight

  • Active Item
  • 3,725 Gold Cost

The aura meta has died down from what it once was, with Guardian Greaves and Crimson Guard being less popular items. However, one of the trifecta of auras still remains relevant – the Pipe of Insight. 

Pipe of Insight is a vital utility item that works well in th magic-damage-heavy vibe we saw with the ESL One Bangkok meta, where most mid-laners are focused on dealing, well, magic damage. 

When To Buy

Pipe of Insight creates a barrier that blocks off magic damage, so it should be purchased against enemy lineups that are heavily focused on this type of damage. This item works well to deal with burst-heavy heroes like Tiny or Earthshaker. Do not make Pipe a must-buy item every game. Always make sure you have a reason to buy it. 

Who To Buy It On

It is generally the offlaner’s job to purchase the Pipe. Common names include Tidehunter, Underlord, Centaur Warrunner, Doom, and Mars.

However, many offlaners are beginning to skip Pipe of Insight, even against lots of magic damage. As a result, supports might have to step up to buy Pipe, but I only recommend getting it on heroes with wave clear and farming potential, as the item can be pretty pricey for mere supports. 

Best Dota Items in Patch 7.37
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Owen Harsono

Owen Harsono

Dota 2 writer
Owen is as competitive as it gets, choosing to play the holy trinity of Dota 2, CS2 and Valorant with a primary focus on the former. He peaked at 8,500 MMR in Dota 2 and follows the professional scene religiously. You can still catch him as a regular on the Southeast Asian leaderboards.
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