Valve Shakes Up Dota 2 with Massive 7.36 Update
Valve has released a groundbreaking update for Dota 2, introducing two major new mechanics that promise to revolutionize gameplay:
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Innate Abilities: Every hero now has a passive ability from the start of the game. These range from simple stat boosts to map-wide reveals, adding a new layer of strategy to hero selection.
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Facets: Players must choose between two additional buffs at the beginning of each match, further diversifying hero builds and team compositions.
These changes are expected to significantly impact the competitive meta, with extended strategy time implemented to help players adjust.
Swift Follow-up: 7.36a Balance Patch
Just days after the initial update, Valve released patch 7.36a to address balance issues:
- Major nerfs to popular heroes like Templar Assassin, Juggernaut, and Wraith King
- Bug fixes, including a significant change to Clinkz's Skeleton Archers
- Minor buffs to underperforming heroes and abilities
Key Changes:
- Templar Assassin: Reduced damage shield, Psy Blades range, and Meld damage
- Juggernaut: Decreased damage output across multiple abilities
- Legion Commander: Stonehall Plate ability significantly weakened
While some heroes received slight buffs, the patch primarily focused on toning down overpowered combinations resulting from the new mechanics.
Impact on the Competitive Scene
With these rapid and substantial changes, Dota 2 tournaments in the coming months are likely to feature highly diverse and experimental strategies. Players and teams will need to quickly adapt to the evolving meta to maintain their competitive edge.
As the dust settles on these updates, the Dota 2 community eagerly awaits to see how these changes will shape the future of the game.