Dota 2 fans were treated to a new gameplay update with patch 7.37d, released by Valve on October 1st, 2024. While it wasn’t the highly anticipated Crownfall Act IV, the update introduced significant changes to both items and heroes, reshaping the game’s current meta. These updates will likely affect the upcoming DreamLeague Season 24 and beyond, impacting Dota 2 strategies, particularly for heroes and items that have dominated recent competitive play.
Key Changes in Patch 7.37d
One of the most notable changes in this patch is the nerf to two highly popular items: Arcane Boots and Gleipnir. Both items had seen widespread use due to their utility and low cost, but this patch raised their costs and reduced their effectiveness in the game.
- Arcane Boots now has a higher recipe cost, increasing from 450 to 475, and its mana regeneration has been reduced. Additionally, the active ability that replenishes mana, previously restoring 175 mana, now only restores 150. This change will make Arcane Boots less attractive for many players, especially those in need of a reliable mana source during the early game.
- Gleipnir, the item known for its combination of stats and chain lightning, has also been nerfed. Its damage, attack speed, health bonus, and chain lightning damage have all been reduced. This item, which had already been a powerful tool in controlling crowds and dealing sustained damage, will now be less potent, particularly in team fights.
Addressing Health Creep
Valve took aim at the ongoing issue of health creep in Dota 2, where many heroes had grown exceptionally tanky. This phenomenon made heroes harder to kill and prolonged games. To counter this, Valve made adjustments to certain items and abilities to reduce the overall health pools of heroes.
- Solar Crest, an item typically used to boost the armor and health of allies, received a nerf, reducing its effectiveness in supporting high-health heroes.
- Conversely, Spirit Vessel, an item often used to counter healing and sustain, got a buff, making it a more reliable tool against tanky heroes.
These changes signal Valve’s attempt to balance the game and make fights more strategic, reducing the power of heroes who could previously sustain immense amounts of damage.
Nerfs to Popular Heroes
As with any update, certain heroes saw direct nerfs, particularly those that had performed strongly in recent tournaments, such as TI13. Among the heroes hit hardest were:
- Dragon Knight, Lone Druid, Luna, Monkey King, and Windranger. These heroes had all been staples in professional play, often dominating both the meta and competitive matches.
- Windranger, in particular, was affected by a nerf to her Whirlwind facet, which had allowed her to quickly eliminate enemies with minimal effort. This ability made her one of the top heroes at TI13, but the nerf significantly reduced its impact.
- Lone Druid, who had been at the center of multiple bugs this year, saw a reduction in the power of his Bear Necessities facet. This change will likely prevent players from encountering the frustrating experience of facing unkillable spirit bears.
Changes to Other Heroes and Items
Valve also introduced some tweaks to other popular heroes and items:
- Tusk’s Tag Team ability saw minor adjustments to make it more appealing, though it still seems less powerful than his other facet, Drinking Buddies.
- Bracer, Null Talisman, and Wraith Band, items that were part of the “stats doubling at 25” series, were also impacted by this patch. These items no longer double their stats at level 25, which could significantly affect the mid-to-late game strategy for heroes who rely on these items for power spikes.
Impact on Competitive Play
The changes introduced in patch 7.37d are sure to have a major impact on competitive play. DreamLeague Season 24 will likely see teams adjusting their strategies to accommodate the nerfs and buffs, especially for heroes like Windranger and Tusk, as well as the cost adjustments for key items.
Professional players who had relied on the high effectiveness of Arcane Boots and Gleipnir will now need to reconsider their item builds. Similarly, the reduced tankiness of high-health heroes could lead to faster, more aggressive games, as players are encouraged to focus on damage and team composition.
Conclusion
While Dota 2 patch 7.37d may not have brought the anticipated Act IV of Crownfall, it still delivered significant updates that will shape the game’s future. The nerfs to items like Arcane Boots and Gleipnir, alongside adjustments to hero abilities and stats, will force players to rethink their approach to both casual and competitive games. As always, balancing is an ongoing effort, and players can expect further changes in future patches to keep the game fresh and exciting.
For now, players and fans alike will need to adapt to these changes, experimenting with new strategies and keeping an eye on how the meta evolves ahead of the next big tournaments.
