Dazzle and Faceless Void Nerfed In Dota 2 Patch 7.38c

Valve dropped the 7.38c patch while Team Liquid and Gaimin Gladiators were literally in the middle of a FISSURE Universe 4 series, so these changes better be worth it. Here are the most important things you need to know about the new Dota 2 patch. 

The Zoo Meta Is Back?

We haven’t seen “zoo” heroes being picked too often in the meta. Lycan has been untouched for the longest time, and though Beastmaster is still frequently picked, we rarely see him running the summons build.

However, Helm of the Dominator and Helm of the Overlord creeps are now considered a “creep hero”, meaning they cannot be re-dominated, persuaded or enchanted, and aren’t instantly killed by Hand of Midas, Sacred Arrow, Meat Hook, etc. 

Chen’s Summon Convert ability has also been changed in a similar way, so expect to have to manually kill off his army. 

Item Nerfs

Some of the most popular items in the patch have also been hit by slight nerfs:

• Mage Slayer: Mage Slayer damage per second decreased from 25 to 20
• Orb of Corrosion: Corrosion armor reduction decreased from 3 to 2
• Revenant Brooch: Spell Lifesteal bonus decreased from +16% to +14%

Overall, these nerfs are nice, but not too impactful. The Mage Slayer and Corrosion nerfs will definitely be felt, but I believe Revenant’s Brooch is still an amazing item. 

Biggest Hero Changes

The Dota 2 team made several changes to the most popular hero picks in the meta, so let’s check out the most notable ones. 

Dazzle

Shadow Wave:

• No longer has increased healing and damage when bouncing on enemies with Aghanim’s Scepter

Nothl Projection: 

• Cast Range decreased from 600 to 450
• Leash pull strength growth increased from 0.5 to 1.5
• Max Duration decreased from 15s to 12s

Dazzle has finally received some much-needed nerfs. I’ve seen so many Shadow Waves healing him to full health, so this nerf is awesome. The changes to Nothl Projection will also leave a significant impact. The cast range means his real hero won’t be hidden ten miles away, and a duration reduction of 20% for his ultimate is also a big change. 

Faceless Void

Time Zone:

• Movement, Cast, and Turn Speed manipulation decreased from 60% to 50%
• No longer leashes enemies

Faceless Void probably got the biggest nerf in this patch. He has been incredibly popular due to his Time Zone facet, to the point where he is being played as a position four. This spell gave way too much utility and the fact that it no longer leashes is a massive blow to the hero’s viability.

Magnus

• Base Strength decreased from 25 to 23
• Damage at level 1 decreased from 55–63 to 54–62

Shockwave:

• Damage decreased from 90/160/230/300 to 75/150/225/300

Empower:

• Self bonus decreased from 50% to 30%

We’ve seen Magnus in the pro scene for the longest time, and he was particularly preferred in the carry role. However, he received tons of number nerfs. I won’t over-exaggerate his attribute nerfs, but the Empower self bonus decrease is a HUGE change. 

I’d also highlight that many professionals have kept Shockwave at level 1 to prioritize skilling attributes and might have to rethink their skill builds now that it has been nerfed. 

Nature’s Prophet

Ironwood Treant facet:

• Treant Health decreased from 800/1050/1300/1550 to 750/950/1150/1350

Innate Ability:

• Spirit of the Forest: Bonus damage per tree decreased from 4% to 3%

Nature’s Prophet didn’t receive too many changes, which was my biggest problem. The main reason he is highly broken in the carry role is his level 25 talent, where his treants can receive 3x damage and health. I don’t think Furion was touched enough on this patch and will remain a potent hero in professional play and pubs.

Tidehunter

Krill Eater facet:

• Starting attack range and Anchor Smash penalties increased from 50 to 60

Dead in the Water:

• Cooldown increased from 25s to 35s

Tidehunter was popular due to his versatility as an offlaner. However, his functionality in the meta is now in question, as Dead in the Water’s cooldown has been increased by 10 seconds. His Aghanim’s Shard was easily S-Tier, but this cooldown increase of 40% is going to hurt him a lot.

Tinker

• Laser: Aghanim’s Scepter size and health reductions decreased from 15% to 13%
• Defense Matrix: Mana Cost increased from 80/95/110/125 to 90/105/120/135

Tinker is particularly popular in the professional scene and is regularly played as a position five. Sure, he did receive nerfs, but not on the right spells. His March of the Machines allow a position five hero to sometimes outfarm cores in the game, and his healing is simply imbalanced. If Tinker can still do these Tinker things, I don’t think he’s been nerfed enough.